Sean Major-Campbell | Armageddon time or not?

A Gleaner reader is asking, “What does the Iran war have to do with the Book of Revelation and the end of time?”

Another has asked, “Do you realise that the battle of Armageddon is here? Why isn’t the Church saying more about Armageddon?”

For starters, the Book of Revelation falls within the genre of apocalyptic literature. These writings present an end-of-the world teaching, with the objective of divine judgement which ushers in God’s ultimate rule. The dualistic nature of this kind of literature sees a fight between God and the evil powers of the world. Understandably, this literary genre brought encouragement to those under persecution for their faith in God.

A very important misunderstanding is to be noted re: the last book of the Bible, where Revelation 22:18 in the King James Version states, “ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.”

The New International Version, gives a more accurate translation, stating, “ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.”

The scroll was not written for the composition of a book known as ‘The Holy Bible’. The Church simply included it in the canon of Scripture, given its significance for the Church under persecution.

My sincere apologies to pastors who depend on the horror movie approach to presenting the Scroll of Revelation. Admittedly, it makes for a scary drama theatre. I appreciate the literary style of grabbing interest, attention, and emotion through use of such images of supposed cosmic chaos.

That is the use of solar and lunar eclipses (darkened sun or blood-moon, falling stars, a rolled-up sky, and earthquakes.) It may be important to note that the increasing tremors being felt in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are not connected to the Middle Eastern conflicts. The connection instead will be seen and felt at the gas pumps, on electricity bills, in the price of imports to include prescription medication, and other attendant consequences.

A better approach to understanding Babylon is to be seen in the Rastafarian concept of chanting down Babylon. Babylon represents the forces of evil and wickedness which trample on the weak, the powerless, and the oppressed. Babylon does injustice with impunity. Babylon brings chaos which is in stark contrast to the paradise of creation which stills the chaos of primordial forces. Chanting down Babylon anticipates divine judgement on the evil political power that divides, crushes, and militates against God’s will for a just and peaceful order for all of creation.

LITERAL VS LITERARY THEOLOGY

Apocalyptic literature is not intended for literal interpretation. It was not written for or about Iran. In fact, it was not written for the Middle East. Maybe its use of the Armageddon image has led to confusion for those who depend largely on literal theology while disregarding literary theology. John in describing his vision of the battle between God and the evil powers, used this image. In Revelation 16:16, “ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” Let us demystify the text.

John’s Greek translation of Har-Megiddo (Mount Megiddo) is Armageddon. Now, you may be aware that some have made a very lucrative industry out of this word which appears only once in the Bible. Start a talk or sermon with the thunderous question, “What do you know about Armageddon?” And you will immediately arrest the attention of millions! Of course there is no mountain at Armageddon! It just so happens that the location was a well-known site of many battles. It therefore became a handy image for John as he drew attention to his vision of a final battle between God and the forces of Babylon. Got it?

Neither the Church fathers nor the early church proclaimed such an understanding or teaching concerning the Middle East! We may therefore see that if there is a literal Armageddon where evil is to be triumphed, it is the world. The evil powers prevail across the globe! Such powers may be personified in your pastor, your politician, your lawyer, and anyone who serves the cause of evil and wickedness and oppression!

No doubt it will have much appeal to hear a speaker declaring how Russia or Iran or China or Israel or Turkey or Saudi Arabi are all to be identified in the Scroll of Revelation and in God’s plan for the Apocalypse. This raging industry also has agents who have decided that earthquakes are caused by lesbians. And they do not speak figuratively.

It has been for a long time that the mark of the beast in Revelation has been applied to stuff that is not readily understood. Vaccine passports, visas, credit cards, biometric chip, and even a cashless society among a host of other items have been deemed a mark of the beast. Never mind the fact that for much of human history, we were a cashless society. To be clear, the mark of the beast represents anything that affirms allegiance to evil powers versus God.

To be even clearer, the Book of Revelation has no particular interest in the Caribbean, America, or Iran. Instead, it wants the reader to understand that amid geopolitical chaos and Babylon’s seeming omnipotent glory, the final say belongs to the one who is Alpha and Omega!

Any political framing of Armageddon re Iran and other uses of apocalyptic imagery to legitimise war is not to be confused with biblical prophecy. The battle against evil has been a universal one that is common to human experience. Anyone anticipating a final battle anytime soon should not be trying to amass wealth and security for the future.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com