How to Escape Armageddon

When United States General Douglas MacArthur delivered his famous farewell address to the U.S. Congress in April 1951, current U.S. President Joe Biden was just eight years old. Donald Trump, his predecessor in the presidency, was just four years old. Yet the warning MacArthur delivered left an indelible impression that for many still rings true today, though to others it seems like ancient history.

What did MacArthur say that so stirred his listeners? After his lifetime of military service, he had seen the power—yet the ultimate futility and catastrophic consequences—of war, leading him to warn the assembled legislators, “Military alliances, balances of power, Leagues of Nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blocks out this alternative. We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door.”

On August 6 and 9, 1945—six years before MacArthur spoke those words—the U.S. had dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in nearly 200,000 deaths and the utter ruin of those cities—yet many say that these deaths of innocent civilians saved the lives of millions more who would have perished in an Allied invasion of Japan. Those two atomic bombs brought an end to World War II nearly 80 years ago.

Younger generations today may know little of that history—the suffering, the trauma, and the loss of millions of lives. Today, when they hear the word “Armageddon,” many think instead of the popular movie Armageddon, which told a tale of a Texas-sized asteroid hurtling toward planet Earth, threatening worldwide catastrophe. The movie, released in 1998, earned more than $500 million at the box office and still resonates in popular culture today.

But is that Armageddon scenario a real possibility? Consider this report at Astronomy.com, describing just one asteroid that exploded over Siberia: “On February 15, 2013, a small asteroid, perhaps measuring 20 meters across, came down over the southern Urals of Russia, barreling in at about 19 km/s, and exploded over Chelyabinsk Oblast… unleashing energy equal to about 500 kilotons of TNT, some 20 or 30 times the energy released in the Hiroshima atomic explosion” (“Why the asteroid threat should be taken seriously,” Astronomy.com, updated January 30, 2024). Author David J. Eicher goes on to describe the dangers we face today:

The risk from asteroids impacting Earth and causing widespread damage, death, and catastrophe is real, and is present every day of our lives. But it is to a degree a counterintuitive threat, which makes it hard for some people to take seriously. The risk at any given moment is almost nonexistent, but given enough time, a catastrophic event will happen again. Do we need to worry about an asteroid strike during our next foray out to lunch? Probably not. But someday a large enough asteroid with Earth’s name on it will enter the picture, causing horror and mayhem for humanity. Unless we do something about it, that is.

Is this reality? Even your Bible describes a coming time of cosmic disturbances. “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:13–14).

All our modern talk about an “Armageddon” goes back to your Bible’s account of a cataclysmic battle between good and evil at the end of this age. But where will you be when that battle takes place? And what will be the outcome of that battle? The word Armageddon has come to symbolize a time of terrible destruction. But will the real Armageddon trigger the ultimate destruction of planet Earth? Or will divine intervention save those who are prepared?

What Is Armageddon in the Bible?

As General MacArthur warned, an Armageddon will be at our door. And we know the popular media conceptions of “Armageddon.” But what does your Bible tell us about that actual time—and place? “And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16). The original Hebrew is Har Maggadon, or the Mount of Megiddo. The armies of the world will gather in northern Israel at Megiddo before marching south to Jerusalem.

Megiddo is located about 55 miles north of Jerusalem, “as the crow flies.” In ancient times, it guarded the main trade route between Egypt and Damascus. It also overlooks the largest plain in Israel, the Valley of Jezreel or the Plain of Esdraelon. Scripture foretells that the kings of the east will cross westward across the Euphrates River. They will meet up with other superpower armies at Megiddo.

The book of Revelation describes this gathering as the sixth of the seven last plagues. They gather at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon, then move southward to Jerusalem to fight Christ there. Notice: “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there” (Joel 3:1–2).

The Valley of Jehoshaphat is between the Mount of Olives and the city of Jerusalem. It’s also known as the Kidron Valley, which extends southward for some distance. Yes, “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14) will take place at Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat means “The Eternal has judged,” and God will judge the nations in this climatic battle.

Yes, your Bible reveals the sequence of events leading up to Armageddon. The Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, revealed major prophetic signs leading up to the great climax and the end of this age. He also proclaimed a new age to come—a time we often call “tomorrow’s world,” thus the name of this magazine and our telecast. Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God—the good news of a coming world-ruling government. And He called on His followers to repent and prepare for that government. Christ answered His disciples’ question about the end of this present age: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

What signs should we watch for? And what sequence of prophetic events should we expect? Bible prophecy details the three-and-a-half-year period leading up to the end of the age. And what signals the end of this sad world of failed human governments? “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).

How will the nations of the world respond to that announcement? Nations will at first reject the returned Savior. “The nations were angry” (Revelation 11:18). They will resist the divine, world-ruling kingdom and even go to war against it! The end-time superpower called the “beast” in the book of Revelation—the last revival of the Roman Empire, supported by ten kings or kingdoms—will fight a futile war against the coming King of kings:

The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful (Revelation 17:12–14).

Is the World Preparing for World War III?

The book of Revelation reveals a sequence of major battles of World War III. Consider the ninth chapter: Massive armies east of the Euphrates River deploy powerful weapons in an exchange that destroys a third of earth’s population. The Apostle John records this prophetic vision: “I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths” (Revelation 9:17–18).

Are military forces even now preparing for World War III? Tomorrow’s World subscribers are aware of major military developments. The cover of our April–May 2023 magazine featured this question: “Has World War III Already Begun?” Editor-in-Chief Gerald Weston cited several individuals stating that, in a very real sense, World War III has already begun. He quotes the Roman Catholic pope, Francis, who said, “‘For me, today, World War III has been declared. This is something that should give us pause for thought. What is happening to humanity that we have had three world wars in a century?’” (“Sleepwalking into World War III”).

Mr. Weston concluded his article, “We are moving from gradually to suddenly. Is this not what the prophet Isaiah recorded for our rebellious world? ‘Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant’ (Isaiah 30:12–13).”

Today’s nations are increasing their nuclear capabilities. Nine nations around the world are confirmed to have nuclear weapons. They are Russia, the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. The combined power from these weapons could destroy all human life on earth several times over. The pattern of history is that whenever mankind creates a new weapon of devastation, it is used until it has done all the damage it can do. But if this happens with nuclear weapons, the human race will suffer total annihilation!

The Nuclear Age: Sixty Years on the Brink of Armageddon

Are world leaders concerned about the many threats and dangers that face us? In October 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden commented on Russia’s threat to use tactical nuclear weapons: “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” he said. “Vladimir Putin… is not joking when he talks about the potential use of tactical and nuclear weapons, or biological or chemical weapons…. I don’t think there’s any such thing as an ability to easily lose [sic] a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon” (“Remarks by President Biden at Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Reception,” WhiteHouse.gov, October 6, 2022).

October 2022 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a time when the whole world was facing a potential Armageddon. On that anniversary, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists made this sobering announcement: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its nuclear saber-rattling have roused the nuclear war genie, with the word ‘Armageddon’ creeping into general discussion during the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. That 35-day crisis (Oct. 16–Nov. 20, 1962) remains a definitive moment in United States national security history and was the general public’s first up-close-and-personal introduction to the real possibility of nuclear war” (October 26, 2022).

If you are old enough to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, you remember facing the frightening reality of what seemed to be a real Armageddon. At that time, I was a young man fresh out of college, having also served a brief stint in the U.S. Army before God called me into His Church. The fears I faced were shared by millions of others. If you are too young to have experienced that time, you might want to ask your parents or grandparents about it and what it was like for them.

Armageddon Is Coming

Dear readers, we need to face reality! Billions of human beings on earth will die as war, hunger, and disease spread over the planet. Yes, we will face the extreme danger of human annihilation. The fourth seal of Revelation pictures the four horsemen combining their powers. The world will suffer the deaths of massive numbers of men, women, and children.

The Apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation under God’s inspiration, saw in vision the famous four horsemen of the Apocalypse. They symbolize, in order, false christs and false religion, war and its devastating effects, the famines that normally follow on the heels of war, and the pestilence and disease that follow famine. The Apostle John writes, “So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8).

The fifth seal, as we read in Revelation 6:9, reveals a martyrdom of Christians during the tribulation period of about two-and-a-half years. Then we read about the sixth seal, which introduces the time of God’s wrath and judgment on the nations. The sixth seal is referred to as the Heavenly Signs.

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place (Revelation 6:12–14).

These heavenly signs, as they are called, introduce the Day of the Lord—the time of God’s wrath and judgment on an unthankful, rebellious world. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, will be wrathful. He’ll execute God’s righteous judgments. The Day of the Lord is called “the great day of His wrath” (Revelation 6:17).

A Time of Wrath and Judgment Is Coming

The Day of the Lord will bring God’s judgments on the nations. Let’s understand: There are three prophetic milestones leading up to Christ’s return. They are the Great Tribulation, the Heavenly Signs, and the Day of the Lord. These three events cover a period of about three-and-a-half years.

There are over thirty prophecies in your Bible referring to the Day of the Lord. Isaiah 34:8 and Isaiah 63:4 show that the Day of the Lord in end-time prophecy, the time preceding the Second Coming, is a period of one year! You might want to write down those references.

Scripture describes the returned Christ’s great heavenly army descending to the earthly Armageddon battleground:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11–16).

Dear readers, what side will you choose when the day of judgment comes? Will you choose to be on the side of the King who will come to rule the earth and bring it lasting peace? As we just saw, faithful Christians will follow Christ: “those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The masses of humanity will be deceived and will follow the “beast” of Revelation and the false prophet who supports the beast’s anti-Christ rulership. But your Bible reveals the encouraging truth that a small remnant of God’s most faithful people will receive His protection in a place on earth that He has prepared for them. There, they will be spared the horrors of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

We read that “the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent” (Revelation 12:14). In Scripture, the Church is at times pictured as a woman, as we also read in descriptions of the Church becoming the bride of Christ. But in order to receive that divine protection, Christians must be awake and alert to the prophetic signs that will show the Church that it is time to flee to that promised and prophesied place of safety.

It’s Time to Watch and Pray

Yes, we all need to watch for prophetic signs leading to Armageddon. The kings of the earth and their armies will gather in northern Israel to fight against the Savior, Jesus Christ, at His coming. Again, be sure to read that in Revelation 19:19. The King of kings will conquer these rebellious, oppressive nations. But how can you personally prepare for the challenging times ahead? Dear readers, will you escape Armageddon?

Notice this admonition by the Lord Jesus Christ: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

Perhaps you have not been praying; now is the time to get down on your knees and cry out to God for a change in your life. Scripture tells us how to draw close to God. “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6–7).

God promises to bless you and forgive you if you seek Him with your whole heart. The solution to the world’s problems lies in the future change in human nature. Beyond Armageddon, the new world government, comprised of Christ and the saints, will teach the way to peace. Yes, during the Millennium there will be a renewal of human character and the human spirit. The Kingdom of God will rule over all nations for a thousand years—and beyond. Pray for that kingdom to come soon. We look forward to the time beyond Armageddon when this prophecy will be fulfilled: “the Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

Yes, the Prince of Peace will return to govern the world’s nations with love and justice, guaranteeing a world of prosperity and abundant living for all peoples. Dear readers, you do not want to be among those who fight against the returning Christ! Stay close to your Savior, obey Him, and let Him guide you. If you do, you will be prepared for the challenging times just ahead of us—and protected from the terrors of Armageddon!