King Josiah and Armageddon • King Josiah’s Reform | King Josiah’s Death at Megiddo | Revelation 19

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, potentially delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the contrasting stories of King Josiah of Judah and the eschatological battle of Armageddon as described in the Book of Revelation. The message delves into the complexities of leadership, righteousness, the nature of evil, and how believers are called to engage with the world.

The teaching begins by drawing a parallel between the distractions of modern life, exemplified by a child’s constant engagement with numerous video games, and the tendency of individuals and nations to lose focus on God’s Word and His will. Just as people can be easily diverted from their intended purpose, societies can stray from the path of righteousness by prioritizing worldly pursuits over spiritual integrity.

The speaker then focuses on King Josiah, presented as the most righteous king of Judah. Josiah ascended to the throne during a time when Judah was deeply entrenched in idolatry and mixed religious practices. Driven by a desire to restore the nation’s allegiance to God, Josiah embarked on a significant reform. He actively destroyed idols, false altars, and high places throughout Judah, aiming to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem. This commitment to religious purification was a defining characteristic of his reign.

During the repairs of the temple, a significant event occurred: the discovery of the Book of the Law. When Josiah heard the words of this long-lost scripture, he was deeply moved and recognized the extent to which Judah had deviated from God’s commands. In humility, he sought guidance from the prophetess Huldah to understand the significance of the discovered text. Huldah confirmed the book’s authenticity and prophesied impending disaster for Judah due to their past idolatry, but also offered a promise of peace for Josiah himself because of his responsive heart. This act of Josiah submitting to the authority of a female prophet is highlighted as a remarkable example of his commitment to God’s truth.

Inspired by the Book of the Law and Huldah’s prophecy, Josiah led the people in a renewed covenant with God. This period saw a national Passover celebration of unprecedented scale, signifying a recommitment of the people to serving God. Josiah’s actions portray a leader dedicated to justice and righteousness, actively working to bring the nation back to its spiritual foundations.

However, the narrative takes a surprising turn when Josiah confronts Necho, the king of Egypt. Despite being at peace with Egypt, Josiah felt compelled to intervene when Necho was on his way to assist the crumbling Assyrian empire. Necho explicitly warned Josiah that God had instructed him to proceed and that opposing him would be opposing God. Yet, Josiah, mirroring the actions of the wicked King Ahab, disguised himself and engaged Necho in battle at Megiddo. Tragically, Josiah was struck by an arrow and died from his wounds.

The speaker emphasizes the striking parallel between Josiah’s death and that of Ahab, both kings who disguised themselves before being fatally wounded by a random arrow. This comparison serves as a powerful lesson: even the most righteous can succumb to the temptation of worldly power and deviate from God’s will, leading to unforeseen and undesirable consequences. Josiah’s decision to engage in a battle that was not his to fight, despite divine warning, ultimately contradicted the peaceful end prophesied by Huldah, highlighting the importance of sustained humility and obedience.

The teaching then shifts to the significance of Megiddo, the site of Josiah’s death. Megiddo, located in the Jezreel Valley, is presented as a historically strategic location, the scene of numerous battles throughout Israel’s history. This rich and often violent history of Megiddo provides the context for the New Testament concept of Armageddon.

Armageddon, derived from the Hebrew phrase meaning “the hill of Megiddo,” appears only once in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 16, it is described as the place where the kings of the world are gathered for a final battle during the pouring out of the sixth bowl of wrath. The imagery in Revelation depicts demonic forces influencing worldly rulers to engage in conflict and pursue power.

However, the speaker highlights a crucial distinction in the nature of this ultimate battle as portrayed in Revelation 19 and 20. The victory of the Lamb of God, the rider on the white horse, is not achieved through conventional warfare. Instead, the weapon of this divine warrior is the sword that comes from his mouth – the word of truth. This signifies that the ultimate triumph over evil will not be through physical might but through the power of truth, justice, and the sacrificial love embodied by Jesus.

The teaching underscores the recurring theme in Scripture of God using evil to turn against itself. Just as the nations in Revelation turn against the great harlot empire, and the Midianite army turned on itself through confusion, worldly power structures built on violence and exploitation will ultimately crumble from within.

The contrast between Josiah’s misguided pursuit of power and the Lamb’s victory through truth provides valuable lessons for everyday life:

• Resist Distractions: Be mindful of the many distractions that can pull focus away from God’s Word and His intended path.
• Embrace Humility: Like Josiah’s initial response to the Book of the Law, cultivate humility and a willingness to be corrected and guided by God’s truth.
• Seek Godly Counsel: Recognize the value of seeking wisdom and understanding from trusted sources of God’s Word, even if it comes from unexpected places, as Josiah did with Huldah.
• Prioritize God’s Mission: Ensure that alliances and actions are aligned with God’s purposes of justice and righteousness, rather than self-serving ambitions.
• Heed Divine Warnings: Pay attention to and heed the warnings and guidance provided by God, even when they seem counterintuitive to worldly logic.
• Recognize the Nature of Spiritual Warfare: Understand that the ultimate battle against evil is not primarily fought with physical weapons but with truth, love, and forgiveness.
• Destroy Evil, Not Enemies: Focus on overcoming evil within oneself and in the world through God’s ways, rather than resorting to worldly tactics of retaliation and harm.
• Embody God’s Image: Strive to reflect God’s goodness, mercy, grace, and willingness to sacrifice in all interactions.
• Choose Forgiveness Over Bitterness: Reject bitterness, unforgiveness, and the desire for revenge, as these are products of evil.
• Practice Giving Over Grasping: Emulate Jesus’ example of radical generosity and giving, rather than the worldly pursuit of taking and accumulating power.

Ultimately, the teaching calls believers to a higher standard of engagement with the world – one that mirrors the sacrificial love and truth of Jesus, the true King. It emphasizes that lasting victory over evil comes not through the pursuit of worldly power but through embodying God’s character and living out His principles of love and justice. The battle of Armageddon, therefore, serves as a symbolic representation of the ongoing spiritual conflict where the power of God’s truth will ultimately prevail over the forces of darkness.

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