Our Own Armageddons

Tel Megiddo, a world heritage site, was among the many significant historic biblical sites I recently visited during my tour of the Holy Land.  

This site contains archaeological evidence of prehistoric settlements, ancient Canaanite gates from King Solomon's era, and Bronze Age evidence of Israelite fortifications from the time of Elijah. 

In Hebrew, Megiddo is called Har-Megiddo, which becomes Armageddon in the Greek translations of Scripture.  

The plains of Jezreel, adjacent to Megiddo, have been the site of many ancient battles from antiquity throughout World War I. 

In fact, in the first century, people reading from the book of Revelation would have recognized it as a place where battles are fought. They would have understood John the Revelator's reference to it as he wrote about the final battle between good and evil.  

When I visited Megiddo on this trip, I had an epiphany about why Armageddon has become such a focal point for people who try to shoehorn Revelation as a prophecy rather than a lesson for life.  

The struggle between good and evil is one of the most profound realities we face, both outside of us and within our own hearts. 

We live in a world where darkness often threatens to overshadow the light; sometimes, that darkness feels overwhelming. Yet, it’s important to remember that the ultimate victory belongs to goodness, and the fight is part of a larger, ongoing spiritual warfare.

Revelation 16:16 describes the gathering for the great battle, known as Armageddon: “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” 

At first glance, this appears as a literal, cosmic clash between forces of good and evil at the end of time. But it’s also a powerful metaphor for daily battles—struggles against temptation, injustice, fear, and doubt. 

Our personal “Armageddon” might be the internal conflict of choosing kindness instead of anger, faith instead of despair, and love instead of hatred. It could be the challenge of standing up against societal injustices or fighting to remain hopeful in difficult circumstances.

This Scripture doesn’t serve as a GPS for the future alone; it’s a vivid image of every person's ongoing battles, set within a broader spiritual and historical context. 

Just as nations gather and clash at the end of days, within us, there are constant battles between what is good and what is harmful—sometimes fought silently, sometimes loudly, but always critically. The fight is real, but so is the promise: the victory of light over darkness.

No matter how fierce the struggle feels, biblical imagery reminds us that darkness never has the final say. 

Our faith assures us that evil is temporary and its power is limited. Even when it seems as if darkness is gaining ground, we are called to hold fast to hope—the hope that light will always break through the darkness. Because ultimately, darkness cannot triumph over the divine light that shines within and around us.

So, I encourage you today: keep your faith alive. When the battles seem overwhelming and evil appears to have the upper hand, remember that this is not the end of the story. 

Darkness may press in, but it will always give way to the dawn. The light of hope, love, and truth is greater—and it will prevail. Hold onto that truth, walk in faith, and trust that good will always triumph in the end in the grand cosmic and personal battles.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.