NOTE: Both Ezekial’s War and Armageddon have yet to take place and they are two different wars that occur at two different times in the future.
Approximately 27% of the Bible is prophecy, much of which is about the end times, including detailed descriptions of two significant wars yet to take place: Ezekiel’s War and the Battle of Armageddon. Both of these wars are distinct from a third major (future) war in the Bible detailed in the Book of Revelation that occurs at the end of Christ’s millennial reign.
Comparison of Ezekiel’s War and the War of Armageddon
| Aspect | Ezekiel’s War | War of Armageddon |
| Location | Mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 38:8, ESV) | Mount Megiddo (gathering) and Valley of Decision (actual battle) See* (Revelation 16:16, KJV) |
| The Players | Gog from the land of Magog and many nations with Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah who wage war against Israel. (Ezekiel 38:1-6, ESV) | The beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, who gather to wage war against Christ. (Revelation 19:19, KJV) |
| Nature of the War | Ezekiel 38:19-22 (ESV) describes natural disasters such as a great earthquake, torrential rains, hailstones, fire, and sulfur that will accompany the battle. | Revelation 16:18-21 (KJV) depicts a great earthquake, hailstones, and the fall of cities, but emphasizes the wrath of God and the finality of judgment. |
| Purpose | God’s judgment on Gog and protection of Israel. (Ezekiel 38:16, ESV; Ezekiel 39:7, ESV) | Final defeat of evil before Christ’s reign. (Revelation 19:20-21, KJV) |
| Result | Destruction of Gog and his armies,who will fall upon the mountains of Israel and be given to birds and beasts as food. (Ezekiel 39:4-5, ESV) | Defeat of the beast, false prophet, and their followers, who are cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20-21, KJV) |
| When | In the latter years, a time period described as a future event where Israel will be dwelling securely. (Ezekiel 38:8, ESV) | At the end of the tribulation, with the gathering of kings at Armageddon and the pouring out of the seventh vial. (Revelation 16:16-17, KJV) |
* In the Bible, specifically the Book of Revelation, Armageddon is described as a place called Megiddo. (Hebrew: Har Megiddo, meaning “hill of Megiddo”). This is where the Bible says the final battle between the forces of good and evil will take place. Megiddo is an ancient city located in northern Israel, overlooking the Jezreel Valley.
While Armageddon is often associated with Megiddo, the Bible also specifies that the climactic battle will occur in the Valley of Decision, between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This is where the armies will gather, having traveled from Megiddo. Therefore, while the gathering place is Megiddo, the actual battle is described as taking place in the Valley of Decision near Jerusalem.
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