Revelation 16:16 (NIV)
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
The name Har–Magedon (Armageddon) is directly associated with “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” The term applies specifically to the
condition, or situation, to which “the kings of the entire inhabited earth” are gathered in opposition to Jehovah God and his Kingdom by Jesus Christ. In a number of versions it is rendered “Armageddon.” (Rev 16:14, 16,
AT; KJ; JB; RS; TEV) The name Har–Magedon, taken from Hebrew, means simply “Mountain of Megiddo.”
No mountain has been found to have been called “Mountain of Megiddo,” either inside or outside the Promised Land, before or during the days of the apostle John, who recorded the vision. Hence, Har–Magedon evidently draws its significance from the
events associated with the ancient city of Megiddo, situated a few miles SE of Mount Carmel, overlooking and dominating the Plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel) and controlling major N-S and E-W trade and military routes.
Joshua first conquered this Canaanite city. (Jos 12:7, 8, 21) Near this site Jabin’s army under command of Sisera was later destroyed. Jehovah there employed natural forces to assist the Israelite army under Barak.
The account reads: “Barak went descending from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men behind him. And Jehovah began to throw Sisera and all his war chariots and all the camp into confusion by the edge of the sword before Barak. Finally Sisera got down off the chariot and took to flight on foot. And Barak chased after the war chariots and the camp as far as Harosheth of the nations, so that all the camp of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. Not as much as one remained.”(Jg 4:14-16) Thus, the battle was decisive by God against Jabin and his general Sisera, and this without using Barak and his army.
So likewise of Armageddon, the battle with be decisive, with Jehovah God annihilating all human governments on the earth. Daniel 2:44 shows this to be the case, for it says: "And in the days of those kings (governments existing now) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will
crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite."
The Revelation account depicts the combined forces of the kings of the earth as being gathered “to the place [Greek, form of
to´pos] that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon.” (Rev 16:16) In the Bible
to´pos may refer to a literal location (Matt 14:13, 15, 35); to one’s opportunity, or “chance” (Acts 25:16); or to a figurative realm, condition, or situation (Rev 12:6, 14). In view of the context, it is to a “place” in the last-mentioned sense that earth’s combined military powers are marching, to a world "situation".
“The war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon was not some past event but is depicted in Revelation as future from the time of John’s vision. The gathering of the kings to Har–Magedon is described as being a result of the pouring out of the sixth of the seven bowls containing the “last” plagues that will bring to a finish the anger of God. (Rev 15:1; 16:1, 12) Also, indicating that the war at Har–Magedon is closely associated with Christ’s invisible "presence"(Greek
pa·rou·si´a, Matt 24:3, 27, 37, 39) is the warning of his coming as a thief (Rev 16:15), which is placed between verses 14 and 16 of Revelation chapter 16.
The global aspect of the war is emphasized in the context. There the opponents of Jehovah God are identified as “the kings of the entire inhabited earth,” who are mobilized by “expressions inspired by demons.”(Rev 16:14) Farther on, John says: “And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse and with his army.” (Rev 19:19)
This chapter identifies the leader of the heavenly armies, seated on a white horse, as one who is called “Faithful and True” and “The Word of God.” (Re 19:11-13) Therefore, it is Jesus Christ, The Word, who acts as the commander of God’s heavenly armies. (John 1:1; Rev 3:14) Further showing that Christ leads the heavenly forces is the statement that the earthly forces “battle with the Lamb [who is Jesus Christ (John 1:29)], but, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those called and chosen and faithful with him will do so.”(Rev 17:13, 14)
Since the vision in Revelation chapter 19 reveals only armies in heaven as participating in the warfare as supporters of Jesus Christ, The Word of God, it shows that
none of Jehovah God's Christian servants on earth will participate in the fighting. This is in harmony with the words of Jesus Christ at Matthew 26:52 that his disciples not resort to weapons of physical warfare. (Compare Ex 14:13, 14; 2Ch 20:15, 17, 22, 23; Ps 2:4-9.) The birds that fly in midheaven will dispose of the bodies of those slaughtered.(Rev 19:11-21)
Har–Magedon is thus seen to be a fight, not merely among men, but one in which God’s invisible armies take part against "the kings of the entire inhabited earth." Its coming is certain and it will take place at the time set by Jehovah God, who “is doing according to his own will among the army of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth.”(Dan 4:35; see also Matt 24:36)
(source of most information -
Insight on the Scriptures, Vol 1, pg 1038)
