The armies are gathered in the Valley of Megiddo because the sovereign God is bringing the nations of the world to Israel, even though the Antichrist appears to be the one calling them.
God works through the Antichrist's summons to bring the armies to the Middle East. The flat valley of Megiddo (also called Ezdralon) is a natural place for encampment, but the real cause is God's sovereign act of gathering them for judgment.
Revelation 16:16 — This verse names the gathering place as Armageddon, which is the Hebrew term connected to Megiddo.
Revelation 16:15 — The Lord's warning that He comes as a thief sets the gathering of armies within the context of His imminent return.
Revelation 16:15-16 states, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." The Scripture records that the armies are gathered to this specific place called Armageddon. The verses do not elaborate on the military reasoning; they simply announce the gathering as part of the end-time events.
Les teaches that the Antichrist will send emissaries to the capitals of the world and use demonic miracles to convince nations to send their armed forces to the Middle East. However, the sovereign God is truly behind the gathering. He notes that Israel has flat valley areas, including the Valley of Ezdralon (Megiddo), the Jordan Valley, and the Plains of Sharon, where armies would naturally set up encampments. The Valley of Ezdralon has also been a battlefield for hundreds of battles through history. But Les emphasizes there is no military wisdom in how God gathers these armies; He packs them like sardines in a can because He is sovereignly forcing the issue for judgment.
Scripture records the gathering at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Les Feldick explains that the Antichrist will send his emissaries to the capitals of the world to bring their armed forces to the Middle East, and demonic creatures working miracles will convince the kings and leaders. Yet, as Les stresses, it is really the sovereign God who gathers them together. The Antichrist's summons is the visible means, but God is the ultimate cause.
Les Feldick describes the geography of Israel: it is mountainous, but it has flat valleys between the mountain ranges. He points to the Jordan Valley, the Plains of Sharon, and the beautiful valley between Mount Carmel and Megiddo, called the Valley of Ezdralon. These flat areas are where armies would naturally encamp. The Valley of Ezdralon has been a battlefield for hundreds of battles through the millennia, which is why Scripture alludes to it. But the deeper reason is that God is sovereignly gathering the nations to this specific valley.
Les says there is absolutely not a bit of military smarts connected to the gathering. God causes the generals to pack their troops into these valleys beyond description — like sardines in a can. Millions of troops, including 200 million from the East, will be packed into that small geographical area. It is not because it is militarily smart, but because a sovereign God is forcing the issue. God gathers them into what Scripture calls His wine vat for judgment.
Revelation 16:15-16 says, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." These verses point to a real gathering at a real place, but they do not explain the military or political reasoning. The scriptural focus is on the event itself as part of the end-time climax.
The Antichrist's Call and God's Sovereignty
Les teaches that the Antichrist will summon the armies through emissaries and demonic miracles, but the sovereign God is really the one gathering them to Armageddon.
Israel's Valley Encampments
Les explains that Israel's flat valley areas, especially the Valley of Ezdralon, are where armies would naturally encamp, and this valley has been a historic battlefield.
No Military Sense
Les emphasizes that God causes the generals to pack troops into the valleys like sardines in a can, contrary to all military strategy, because God is sovereignly forcing the issue.
The View from Megiddo
Les describes the beautiful flat valley visible from the ancient city of Megiddo, illustrating the geographic suitability of the area for armies.
Mapping the Flat Valleys
Les identifies the Valley of Megiddo (Ezdralon) as a flat valley between Mount Carmel and Megiddo, along with the Jordan Valley and Plains of Sharon.
Sovereign Gathering for Judgment
Les notes that millions of troops, including 200 million from the East, will be packed into every valley of Israel, not by military planning but by God's sovereign act for judgment.
Megiddo and the Plain of Esdalon
Les reiterates that Megiddo sits on the edge of the flat plain of Esdalon, and by a sovereign act of God the armies will be packed into it.
Ezekiel 38–39 & Revelation 6: Russia's Invasion of Israel Explained
Not the enemy, but each other. Now that's what's so unique about this great invasion of Israel. Now flip back again to Ezekiel and compare the words. The Sovereign God is going to fight this battle here on the hills of Israel, and of course it happened before, where you remember when Samaria, I think it was, had been encircled and was under siege, and they were starving to death.
Revelation 16:15: Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
This verse warns of the Lord's sudden coming and sets the stage for the gathering recorded in the next verse.
Revelation 16:16: And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
This is the direct scriptural statement that the armies are gathered to Armageddon, the place associated with Megiddo.
Although the Antichrist sends emissaries and uses demonic miracles to summon the nations, Les Feldick teaches that it is the sovereign God who actually gathers them. The Bible records the gathering at Armageddon in Revelation 16:16.
No. Les says there is absolutely not a bit of military smarts connected to it. God causes the generals to pack their troops into the valleys of Israel like sardines in a can, because He is sovereignly forcing the issue for judgment.
It is a broad, flat valley in Israel, also called the Valley of Ezdralon, located between Mount Carmel and the ancient city of Megiddo. It has been the site of many battles throughout history.
Watch the Teaching: Noah’s Ark: How Did All the Animals Fit? (Genesis 6-7)