Armageddon
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Also known as Har-Magedon · Battle of Armageddon · War of the Great Day of God Almighty · Jehovah's War of Armageddon · The Final Battle · The Great and Terrible Day of Jehovah · Universal War · The Battle of That Great Day of God Almighty
The teaching of Armageddon developed substantially between 1877 and 2000. In 1877 the battle was placed after the seventh plague of Revelation. Publications in 1882 and 1883 described a coming overthrow of earthly governments through popular uprising and interpreted Armageddon as a mount of destruction. By 1897 Russell's publications portrayed the battle as a great social revolution involving the masses, including anarchists and socialists, with God's consecrated people abstaining from the fighting. In 1914 the possibility of Armageddon beginning in the spring of 1915 was mentioned as speculation, while the revolutionary interpretation continued through 1916. The same explanation was repeated under Rutherford in 1918 and 1920, when Armageddon was expected to follow the World War. In 1925 the emphasis shifted to the confrontation between Christ and Satan and the nations' opposition to God's people; in 1926 Armageddon was explicitly distinguished from a mere conflict between men. By 1934 vindicating Jehovah's name was identified as its principal purpose, and in 1935 the great multitude was identified as a class that would survive. A 1937 publication did not exclude the possibility of resurrection for some killed at Armageddon. In 1939 and 1940 the future attack on Jehovah's people and the heavenly rather than human character of the battle were emphasized. By 1941 the great tribulation was understood to have begun in 1914, to have been interrupted in 1918, and to culminate at Armageddon. Under Knorr, the symbolic assembly-of-troops interpretation and the nonparticipation of Christians in the battle continued in 1943. In 1950 and 1951 publications restricted the prospect of resurrection for those destroyed by God's judgment, explicitly replacing the earlier 1937 explanation. In 1951 the destruction of false religion was placed at the beginning of Armageddon, and no opportunity for repentance after its beginning was taught. In 1956 Armageddon itself was still said not to have begun, despite the teaching that the great tribulation had started in 1914. The restriction concerning resurrection was reaffirmed in 1965, and the non-geographical interpretation of Armageddon in 1966. In 1967 publications calculated that six thousand years of human existence would end in 1975, and in 1968 they expected the destruction of the present system within only a few remaining years. In 1970 the great-tribulation chronology was reversed: the tribulation had not begun in 1914 but would begin in the future with the destruction of false religion and culminate in Armageddon. Publications in 1974 cautioned against predicting an exact date, while in 1976 Armageddon was still expected within the generation then living. Under Franz, the two-stage tribulation sequence was reaffirmed in 1977. In 1980 the publications acknowledged the expectations raised concerning 1975 and the overconfident statements that had contributed to them. The future battle continued to be described as a worldwide divine war, not a nuclear conflict or destruction of the planet, and in 1982 baptized Witnesses were described as observers rather than combatants. In 1991 the end was still expected within the lifetime of some members of the generation living in 1914. Under the governing-body period, the publications historically acknowledged the former revolutionary interpretation in 1993. In 1995 the use of the generation of 1914 as a chronological limit was abandoned. Publications in 1997, 1999 and 2000 continued to teach that a great crowd would survive the future great tribulation, which would begin with the destruction of false religion and culminate in Armageddon.
- Rev. 16:12-16
- Rev. 17:14
- Rev. 17:16, 17
- Rev. 19:11-21
- Rev. 20:1-3
- Matt. 24:14
- Matt. 24:21, 22
- Matt. 24:33-36
- Matt. 25:31-46
- Dan. 2:44
- Dan. 12:1
- Zech. 14:1-3
- Zeph. 2:3
- Jer. 25:31-33
- Rev. 7:9-14
- Rev. 12:7-12
- Ezek. 38:18-23
- Ezek. 39:1-7
- Ps. 2:8, 9
- Ps. 110:1-6
- 2 Chron. 20:15
- 2 Pet. 3:11, 12
- 1 Thess. 5:2, 3
Key moments
- 1877 Introduced The battle of the great day of God was expected after the seventh plague of Revelation, rather than during the immediate political events concerning the Ottoman Empire.
- 1882 Refined The great trouble preceding God's Kingdom was expected to overthrow earthly kingdoms through an uprising of oppressed people. Socialists, Communists and Nihilists were regarded as potential agents of the upheaval, without their political ideology being endorsed.
- 1883–1884 Refined Armageddon was explained symbolically as a mount of destruction, associated with the overthrow of worldly governments and the transformation of human society.
- 1897–1916 Refined Armageddon was described as a worldwide social revolution in which popular masses, including radical movements, would overthrow established institutions under divine supervision. The consecrated saints were not to participate in the violent struggle. This interpretation continued during the First World War.
- 1914 Refined The worldwide conflict between the social classes was believed to be approaching Armageddon. The possibility of Armageddon beginning in the spring of 1915 was mentioned, but the prediction was explicitly described as speculation.
- 1920 Refined Following the First World War, Armageddon was expected to occur soon afterward rather than being identified with the World War itself.
- 1925–1928 Reversal Armageddon was reinterpreted as the real confrontation between Christ and Satan. The nations under Satan's influence would assemble against those taking their stand on God's side. The idea of Armageddon as merely a struggle between human groups was explicitly rejected. The war would overthrow Satan's organization.
- 1934 Refined Vindication of Jehovah's name through the destruction of wickedness was identified as the chief purpose of Armageddon.
- 1935 Refined The great multitude was identified as a class that would survive Armageddon. Survival was associated with leaving Satan's organization, taking a stand on Jehovah's side, and seeking righteousness and meekness.
- 1937 Broadened The possibility was left open that some persons who died at Armageddon, outside the surviving great multitude, could eventually be awakened from death. This was not presented as a definite promise of resurrection.
- 1939–1940 Refined The publications described a future attack directed by Satan through Gog against God's people immediately before Armageddon. The final battle itself was presented as a supernatural conflict fought by God's invisible forces rather than human armies.
- 1941 Refined The great tribulation was considered to have begun with the war in heaven in 1914, to have been interrupted after the World War ended in 1918, and to culminate at Armageddon.
- 1950–1951 Narrowed The possibility of resurrection for persons destroyed by God's judgment at Armageddon was restricted. The teaching applied even to children whose parents disregarded God's warning. In 1951 the publications explicitly stated that the new explanation replaced the one expressed in the 1937 Armageddon booklet.
- 1951 Refined The destruction of Babylonish false religion was placed at the beginning of Armageddon. The publications also taught that once Armageddon began, people would no longer have an opportunity for last-minute repentance or flight to safety.
- 1956 Refined The distinction between the great tribulation and the battle of Armageddon was explicitly explained. The tribulation was said to have started in 1914 and entered a period of interruption, while the actual battle of Armageddon had not yet begun.
- 1967–1968 Refined The chronology of six thousand years of human history ending in 1975 was used to emphasize the nearness of the coming end. A 1968 publication stated that only a few years at most remained before God destroyed the present system of things. The quoted statements did not specify an exact day for Armageddon.
- 1970 Reversal The earlier teaching that the great tribulation began in 1914, was interrupted in 1918, and would resume at Armageddon was rejected. The entire great tribulation was now considered future, beginning with the destruction of the world empire of false religion and culminating in the battle of Armageddon against the political powers.
- 1974 Refined Despite the continuing chronological interest in the mid-1970s, the publications explicitly declined to predict the exact time of the destruction of the present system and encouraged believers to await its fulfillment.
- 1976 Refined Believers were instructed not to arrange ordinary family, financial, and secular responsibilities around an expected terminal date for the present system.
- 1980 Dropped The publications acknowledged the substantial expectations associated with 1975 and admitted that some statements had presented the anticipated fulfillment as more probable than the cautions justified. Emphasis was placed on daily Christian conduct rather than setting a chronological deadline.
- 1995 Refined The sheep-and-goats judgment was placed in the future, distinguishing present responses to preaching from Jesus’ final verdict. Approved sheep would pass through the final part of the great tribulation into the new world. This fills a historical step before the later Armageddon explanations.
- 1995 Dropped The previous practice of using the lifetime of the generation of 1914 as a measure of the remaining time before the great tribulation and Armageddon was abandoned. The generation was instead defined primarily through the shared historical period and identifying characteristics of its contemporaries.
- 2024 Broadened Taking Jehovah’s side after the great tribulation begins was no longer ruled out. A later change of heart before Armageddon was acknowledged as possible.
- 2025 Broadened Kingdom preaching was extended beyond the start of the great tribulation until shortly before Armageddon. The hailstonelike message was linked with this ongoing preaching and its contrasting effects on receptive people and opponents.
- 2026 Broadened The proclamation of “peace and security” was no longer fixed before Babylon the Great’s destruction. Two timings were allowed: before or after that destruction, with the nations’ sudden destruction still following the proclamation.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
-
The battle of the great day of God was expected after the seventh plague of Revelation, rather than during the immediate political events concerning the Ottoman Empire.
1 quote
The dragon is the monarchial element of the empire; the beast is that in which the woman sat; the false prophet is the religious or papal element; and although this division is clearly discernible, it is to be fully consummated only under the sixth and seventh plagues. Hence, the battle of the great day cannot come this side of the seventh plague.
The Three Worlds, 1877 -
The great trouble preceding God's Kingdom was expected to overthrow earthly kingdoms through an uprising of oppressed people. Socialists, Communists and Nihilists were regarded as potential agents of the upheaval, without their political ideology being endorsed.
1 quote
Very many Scriptures seem to teach that the kingdoms of the earth will be overthrown by a rising of the people, goaded to desperation by the oppression of unjust governments.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1882 -
Armageddon was explained symbolically as a mount of destruction, associated with the overthrow of worldly governments and the transformation of human society.
2 quotes
Armageddon means mount of DESTRUCTION; and this describes what will be the result of this doctrine. It will unite all these systems in one cause as against the masses of the people and their liberties, and the result will be the total destruction of all those erroneous systems of Church and State. They shall fall.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1883 The elements of the (heavens) governments, as well as of (earth) society in general, will be dissolved in the great trouble (fire) of that day.
The Watchtower, February 1, 1884 -
Armageddon was described as a worldwide social revolution in which popular masses, including radical movements, would overthrow established institutions under divine supervision. The consecrated saints were not to participate in the violent struggle. This interpretation continued during the First World War.
4 quotes
God's side of that battle will be the people's side; and that very nondescript host, the people, will be pitted at the beginning of the battle.
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. IV: The Battle of Armageddon, 1897 The crisis will be reached when the hitherto upholders of the law shall become violators of the law and resisters of the will of the majority as expressed by the ballot. Fear for the future will goad the well-meaning masses to desperation, and anarchy will result when Socialism fails. The Lord’s saints are not to be in this battle at all. God’s consecrated people, longing at heart for Messiah's Kingdom, will patiently abide the Lord’s time, and wait unmurmuringly for it.
Bible Students Monthly, 1913 The Lord has used even the Devil as His agent, and "the wrath of man to praise Him." Anarchists may be part of the Lord's great army in that He will supervise their campaign. Eventually, the United States will become involved, and so fall with the other nations; not necessarily because the United States will engage in this war, however.
The Watchtower, September 1, 1914 To Bible Students we merely suggest that, if the worst should happen, we should remember that God is at the helm, and that thus He will allow human pride and wrath to further work out the great troubles incident to the "Battle of Armageddon" and the inauguration of Messiah's Kingdom.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1916 -
The worldwide conflict between the social classes was believed to be approaching Armageddon. The possibility of Armageddon beginning in the spring of 1915 was mentioned, but the prediction was explicitly described as speculation.
2 quotes
To our understanding, the Bible teaches that this conflict of interests is about to precipitate a great Time of Trouble, the like of which never was before.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1914 While it is possible that Armageddon may begin next Spring, yet it is purely speculation to attempt to say just when.
The Watchtower, September 1, 1914
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
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The Russell-era revolutionary explanation of Armageddon was still being reproduced. The masses, including anarchists and socialists, were portrayed as participating in the overthrow of established institutions, with God on the people's side.
2 quotes
God's side of that battle will be the people's side; and that very nondescript host, the people, will be pitted at the beginning of the battle.
The Finished Mystery, 1918 Anarchists, Socialists, and hot-headed radicals of every school of reason and unreason, will be in the forefront of that battle.
The Watchtower, June 1, 1920 -
Following the First World War, Armageddon was expected to occur soon afterward rather than being identified with the World War itself.
1 quote
Heretofore we have pointed out that the great battle of Armageddon, the antitypical one, is near, that it will quickly follow the world war.
The Watchtower, March 1, 1920 -
Armageddon was reinterpreted as the real confrontation between Christ and Satan. The nations under Satan's influence would assemble against those taking their stand on God's side. The idea of Armageddon as merely a struggle between human groups was explicitly rejected. The war would overthrow Satan's organization.
3 quotes
The battle is that of our Lord against Satan. (Revelation 19:11-15) Of course Satan’s visible organization must be involved. It is the beast against the Lamb.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1925 Let no one deceive himself into thinking that the battle of Armageddon is a mere fight between men, or that it is only a picture.
Deliverance, 1926 That great conflict will result in the complete overthrow of Satan’s organization, and Satan himself will be forcibly restrained that he may deceive the nations no more.
Government, 1928 -
Vindication of Jehovah's name through the destruction of wickedness was identified as the chief purpose of Armageddon.
1 quote
The chief reason for the battle of Armageddon is this: to vindicate the name of Jehovah; and this can be done only by destroying wickedness.
Testimony Concerning Jehovah, His Name, Kingdom and Purposes, 1934 -
The great multitude was identified as a class that would survive Armageddon. Survival was associated with leaving Satan's organization, taking a stand on Jehovah's side, and seeking righteousness and meekness.
1 quote
The great multitude will also survive Armageddon, because God’s promise to those who “seek righteousness, seek meekness” is that they ‘may be hid’ in that time.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1935 -
The possibility was left open that some persons who died at Armageddon, outside the surviving great multitude, could eventually be awakened from death. This was not presented as a definite promise of resurrection.
1 quote
Let it be concluded, for the sake of the argument, that all others die at Armageddon, and yet that does not necessarily mean that they will perish and never be awakened out of death.
Armageddon—The Greatest Battle of All Time: Who Will Survive?, 1937 -
The publications described a future attack directed by Satan through Gog against God's people immediately before Armageddon. The final battle itself was presented as a supernatural conflict fought by God's invisible forces rather than human armies.
2 quotes
The Scriptures show that, immediately before Armageddon begins, the Devil’s host will, by Gog, the field marshal of Satan, come against all those who are on the side of Jehovah in an effort to destroy those faithful to the Lord and that such horde of wicked ones will not succeed in their efforts, but, on the contrary, Christ will gain the victory over them.—Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1939 It will not be fought by men, but by the invisible hosts of God, and will completely destroy all who are opposed to God’s Kingdom and His King Christ Jesus.
Consolation, May 15, 1940 -
The great tribulation was considered to have begun with the war in heaven in 1914, to have been interrupted after the World War ended in 1918, and to culminate at Armageddon.
1 quote
That tribulation period began with the “day of Jehovah”, to wit, in 1914, when the “war in heaven” started against Satan’s organization and Satan was thereafter cast out and down to the earth.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1941
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
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Armageddon was described as the symbolic mountain of assembly of troops, associated with God's Kingdom organization rather than a literal battlefield in Palestine. God's other sheep were expected to seek security at the side of his organization. Christians on earth were not to engage in the battle's violence.
2 quotes
Har-Magedon, or Armageddon, means “mountain of the assembly of troops”. It is derived from the Hebrew words “har” meaning "mountain”, and “gadad” meaning “to troop”.
The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943 The Hebrew books of the Bible record many battles which Jehovah fought with miraculous exhibitions of power against the violent enemies of his covenant people. Those battles foreshadowed his marvelous victory at Armageddon. “Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zechariah 14: 3, A.R.V.) Jehovah’s witnesses on earth will have no part in the violence of that battle.
The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943 -
The possibility of resurrection for persons destroyed by God's judgment at Armageddon was restricted. The teaching applied even to children whose parents disregarded God's warning. In 1951 the publications explicitly stated that the new explanation replaced the one expressed in the 1937 Armageddon booklet.
2 quotes
Parents are commanded to instruct their children in God’s way, and if in these last days parents refuse to heed the divine instruction and warning they bring destruction upon themselves and their small children at Armageddon. (Deut. 6:6, 7; Eph. 6:4) According to justice God can leave such children dead, for, as Ezekiel showed, all die in their iniquity.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1950 What has been published in the November 15 issue of The Watchtower represents our present understanding of the matter, and replaces the thought expressed in the 14-year-old booklet Armageddon.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1951 -
The destruction of Babylonish false religion was placed at the beginning of Armageddon. The publications also taught that once Armageddon began, people would no longer have an opportunity for last-minute repentance or flight to safety.
2 quotes
Clerical performance past and present makes it absolutely certain, in harmony with God’s prophecy, that Christendom’s religious forces as well as all those of heathendom will fail to meet the world crisis with safety for themselves or anybody else of this world. They are now on judgment before God. For their great responsibility he will judge the religious clergy with due severity. At the beginning of Armageddon he will execute judgment against them.
Will Religion Meet the World Crisis?, 1951 Both of these sieges and falls of Jerusalem, with their interims of relieved pressure allowing for escape, pictured the final tribulation upon Satan and his organization beginning A.D. 1914 and ending at Armageddon, but shortened by the present in-between period allowing opportunity for the saving of persons devoted to Jehovah God. Hence the foregoing shows there is no opportunity for last-minute flight or deathbed repentance after Armageddon begins.
The Watchtower, June 1, 1951 -
Armageddon continued to be distinguished from conflicts between nations, ideologies, or social classes. Its location was symbolic rather than a geographical battlefield. In 1956 the symbolic Armageddon was specifically associated with Jehovah's assembled earthly witnesses, while in 1959 the name was explained through the historical associations of Megiddo.
3 quotes
Armageddon will not be a war between Eastern and Western blocs of nations. It will not be communism against capitalism. It will not be a revolt of the laboring masses against the ruling classes. No, Armageddon will be the battle of God Almighty, the great and terrible war, when Jehovah completely destroys the nations and kingdoms that oppose and fight against his glorious theocratic rule.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1951 The kings and rulers of earth are all gathered against the symbolic Armageddon, the place of Jehovah’s visible troops, God’s visible organization.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1956 Evidently, then, the “place” is symbolic, but it draws some of its meaning from the name Magedon or Megiddo, together with all its associations down till John’s day.
The Watchtower, June 1, 1959 -
The distinction between the great tribulation and the battle of Armageddon was explicitly explained. The tribulation was said to have started in 1914 and entered a period of interruption, while the actual battle of Armageddon had not yet begun.
1 quote
There will be fought “the war of the great day of God the Almighty,” and, as is often the case with battles, it is known by the name of the place where it is fought, in this case, the battle of Armageddon. The battle of Armageddon has not started yet. When the book speaks of our now being in the calm center or “eye of the hurricane” it is referring to hurricane tribulation that Jehovah had Christ start against Satan and his demons in heaven A.D. 1914 and which will end with their total defeat.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1956 -
The teaching of permanent destruction without resurrection for those executed by God at Armageddon was reaffirmed.
1 quote
Hence God's written Word holds out no hope of a resurrection for those fighters against God who are executed in the "war of the great day of God the Almighty," at Armageddon.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1965 -
Armageddon was reaffirmed as a symbolic situation rather than a geographical location. The nations were understood to be assembling against the earthly representatives of God's Kingdom.
1 quote
Actually, in Revelation the name Har-Magedon does not refer to a geographical location. As a matter of fact, on no geographical map does a place named Har-Magedon (Armageddon) appear.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1966 -
The chronology of six thousand years of human history ending in 1975 was used to emphasize the nearness of the coming end. A 1968 publication stated that only a few years at most remained before God destroyed the present system of things. The quoted statements did not specify an exact day for Armageddon.
2 quotes
According to a more recent calculation of the Bible timetable, six thousand years of man's existence will end in the latter half of the year 1975, which is well within this century.
The Watchtower, April 15, 1967 It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God.
Awake!, October 8, 1968 -
The earlier teaching that the great tribulation began in 1914, was interrupted in 1918, and would resume at Armageddon was rejected. The entire great tribulation was now considered future, beginning with the destruction of the world empire of false religion and culminating in the battle of Armageddon against the political powers.
2 quotes
However, in order to correspond with the events of the first century, from the time of Jesus' departure by ascending to heaven in 33 C.E., to Jerusalem's destruction in 70 C.E., the antitypical "great tribulation" did not begin in 1914 C.E.
The Watchtower, January 15, 1970 The "great tribulation" such as will not occur again is yet ahead, for it means the destruction of the world empire of false religion (including Christendom) followed by the "war of the great day of God the Almighty" at Armageddon against the political allies of Babylonish false religion.
The Watchtower, January 15, 1970 -
Despite the continuing chronological interest in the mid-1970s, the publications explicitly declined to predict the exact time of the destruction of the present system and encouraged believers to await its fulfillment.
1 quote
But they are not even attempting to predict exactly when the destruction of Satan's wicked system of things will occur.
The Watchtower, June 15, 1974 -
The sequence of the coming great tribulation was reaffirmed. After the destruction of false religion, political elements were expected to attack the anointed Christians and the great crowd, bringing divine intervention at Armageddon.
1 quote
Not satisfied with stamping out false religion, the political elements will next attempt to vent their rage against those who are upholding true worship—the "chosen ones" and the "great crowd," all loyal disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1975 -
The publications continued to teach that the whole human race would face Armageddon within the generation then living, without specifying the exact date.
1 quote
It shows that within this very generation the whole human race will face God's war of Armageddon, in which the wicked will be destroyed.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1976 -
Believers were instructed not to arrange ordinary family, financial, and secular responsibilities around an expected terminal date for the present system.
1 quote
But it is not advisable for us to set our sights on a certain date, neglecting everyday things we would ordinarily care for as Christians, such as things that we and our families really need.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1976
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
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The great tribulation was divided into two successive parts: the destruction of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, followed by the destruction of the political powers in God's war at Armageddon.
1 quote
But that humiliation and destruction of the world empire of false religion is only Part I of the "great tribulation."
The Watchtower, January 15, 1977 -
The publications acknowledged the substantial expectations associated with 1975 and admitted that some statements had presented the anticipated fulfillment as more probable than the cautions justified. Emphasis was placed on daily Christian conduct rather than setting a chronological deadline.
2 quotes
With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1980 Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1980 -
Armageddon was consistently described as a worldwide divine war against the present wicked system, not a human military conflict, nuclear catastrophe, economic collapse, or literal battle at Megiddo. The earth and some of humanity would survive, but neutral support for neither side was rejected as a means of survival.
4 quotes
While Armageddon will not mean the end of all mankind, nor of the earth, it certainly will mean the end of a system of things (or, "world") as we know it.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1980 All of this shows that Armageddon is not a place but, rather, a situation: the assembling or lining up of the world against Jehovah God and his people.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1983 A collapse of the world's banking institutions would truly be tragic, but it would not be Armageddon. The Bible Armageddon is a worldwide situation involving war, not economics. The prophet Jeremiah describes it in these graphic terms: "There is a controversy that Jehovah has with the nations. He must personally put himself in judgment with all flesh. As regards the wicked ones, he must give them to the sword."
The Watchtower, January 1, 1985 Any attempt to remain neutral in God’s war will cost you your life at Armageddon! And as so often proved Scripturally in this journal, the present generation will not pass away before Armageddon occurs!— Matthew 24:21, 34 . […] Armageddon will remove the last vestige of Satan’s earthly organization. Moreover, the Devil and his demons will be abyssed.
The Watchtower, May 15, 1990 -
The publications reaffirmed that dedicated, baptized Jehovah's Witnesses would not fight at Armageddon with physical weapons but would be observers of the divine battle.
1 quote
Jehovah's dedicated, baptized witnesses are not among those troops. They will not need to fight with carnal weapons, but will only be onlookers of the fighting. Since Jehovah's loyal witnesses will be the prime visible target of attack because of their steadfastly upholding Jehovah's kingdom by Christ, it will call for Christlike courage on their part to "carry on as men."—1 Corinthians 16:13; compare 2 Chronicles 20:17.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1982 -
Armageddon was still expected within the lifetime of some of those who had lived in 1914. A vast number of God-fearing survivors were expected to enter the peaceful earthly rule of Christ.
1 quote
So some of the generation living in 1914 will live to see the end of the present world system.—Matthew 24:33, 34. At that time Jehovah God will commission his Son, Christ Jesus, to go forth and destroy all causes of suffering and misery from the surface of this beautiful planet Earth.
The Watchtower, June 15, 1991
Governing Body
1992–
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A historical review expressly acknowledged the early Bible Students' understanding of Armageddon as associated with violent social revolution. Contemporary explanations continued to place the future great tribulation and its associated events before Christ's final conquest at Armageddon.
2 quotes
The book The Day of Vengeance (later called The Battle of Armageddon), published in 1897, further enlarged on the way the Bible Students then understood the matter, saying: "The Lord, by his overruling providence, will take a general charge of this great army of discontents—patriots, reformers, socialists, moralists, anarchists, ignorants and hopeless—and use their hopes, fears, follies and selfishness, according to his divine wisdom, to work out his own grand purposes in the overthrow of present institutions, and for the preparation of man for the Kingdom of Righteousness." Thus they understood the war of Armageddon to be associated with violent social revolution.
Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, 1993 We can look forward to the start of the great tribulation, then the sign of the Son of man, and then God's gathering of the chosen ones.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1994 -
The sheep-and-goats judgment was placed in the future, distinguishing present responses to preaching from Jesus’ final verdict. Approved sheep would pass through the final part of the great tribulation into the new world. This fills a historical step before the later Armageddon explanations.
1 quote
the time when Jesus will pronounce final judgment on the sheep and the goats depicted in the parable is yet ahead.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1995, pp. 23–28, What Future for the Sheep and the Goats?, par. 21 -
The previous practice of using the lifetime of the generation of 1914 as a measure of the remaining time before the great tribulation and Armageddon was abandoned. The generation was instead defined primarily through the shared historical period and identifying characteristics of its contemporaries.
1 quote
Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term "generation" as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1995 -
The great crowd was taught to survive the future great tribulation through faith in Jesus' sacrifice and support for his anointed brothers. Its members were expected to maintain their righteous standing and remain watchful until the end.
1 quote
Because they unselfishly render aid to Christ's anointed brothers, those of the great crowd are judged to have done good to Jesus himself.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1995 -
The battle of Armageddon continued to be identified as the climax of the unparalleled great tribulation. The great crowd was expected, as a group, to survive it alive.
1 quote
This culminates in the battle of Armageddon, the climax of a "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."—Matthew 24:21; Revelation 16:16.
The Watchtower, December 15, 1997 -
The entire great tribulation remained future. Its beginning was associated with the destruction of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and its conclusion with Armageddon, when God's Kingdom would crush the rest of Satan's system.
2 quotes
Then a significantly adjusted explanation was offered: "To correspond with the events of the first century. . . . the antitypical 'great tribulation' did not begin in 1914 C.E. Rather, what took place upon Jerusalem's modern antitype in 1914-1918 was merely 'a beginning of pangs of distress' . . . The 'great tribulation' such as will not occur again is yet ahead, for it means the destruction of the world empire of false religion (including Christendom) followed by the 'war of the great day of God the Almighty' at Armageddon." This meant that the entire great tribulation was yet ahead.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1999 The great tribulation ends at Armageddon when God's Kingdom crushes the entire Satanic system.—Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16.
The Watchtower, October 15, 2000 -
Taking Jehovah’s side after the great tribulation begins was no longer ruled out. A later change of heart before Armageddon was acknowledged as possible.
1 quote
Might some who see these events have a change of heart?
The Watchtower, May 2024, pp. 8–13, What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments?, pars. 3–4, 11–15 -
Kingdom preaching was extended beyond the start of the great tribulation until shortly before Armageddon. The hailstonelike message was linked with this ongoing preaching and its contrasting effects on receptive people and opponents.
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Thus, we will continue to preach the good news until just before that final end.
The Watchtower, August 2025, p. 31, Questions From Readers: When will the current preaching work end? -
The future sequence was reaffirmed: Babylon the Great is destroyed, Satan’s agents then attack Jehovah’s people, and this leads to Armageddon. Jesus and the heavenly armies destroy the remaining elements of Satan’s world and rescue Jehovah’s worshippers.
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Satan’s agents will make an all-out attack against Jehovah’s people. That attack will result in the war of Armageddon.
The Watchtower, April 2026, pp. 8–13, “The God of Truth” Always Fulfills His Purpose, par. 14 -
The proclamation of “peace and security” was no longer fixed before Babylon the Great’s destruction. Two timings were allowed: before or after that destruction, with the nations’ sudden destruction still following the proclamation.
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Put simply, we do not know for sure the timing of the future proclamation of “peace and security.”
The Watchtower, February 2026, pp. 30–31, Questions From Readers: When will the nations proclaim “peace and security”?
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