If you have ever believed for a final human war, or feared one, this episode offers a different way to read the text. Katie has studied the book of Revelation and has stood at Megiddo herself. In about 11 minutes she walks through the seven bowls of God's wrath, what the word Armageddon points to, what dispensational teaching does with it, and what happens in Revelation 19 when the rider on the white horse appears.

This is the start of a conversation, not the last word. Read the passages for yourself and test what you hear against the text.

IN THIS EPISODE

• What Revelation 16:16 actually says about Armageddon
• Why Megiddo (Har-Megiddo) was a stronghold city, and why that matters
• Why the heroes of Revelation are the martyrs, not the fighters • How the Crusades show what a "holy war" reading can lead to
• What Revelation 19:19-21 says about the beast, the kings and the sword from the rider's mouth
• Why Roman readers would have felt the dishonour of the unburied in Revelation 19
• How to rewrite your end times with hope instead of fear

CHAPTERS
0:00 The question: are you believing for a holy war?
0:21 Welcome to The Bridge: what is Armageddon?
0:51 Why a "holy war" reading is risky (the Crusades)
1:23 The heroes of Revelation are martyrs, not fighters
2:44 The seven bowls of God's wrath: where 16:16 sits
3:28 Revelation 16:15-21 read aloud: "It is done"
4:48 What dispensational teaching does with Armageddon 5:33 Megiddo: the stronghold city between two mountains 6:00 No human war when Jesus returns (2 Thessalonians 2:8) 6:29 Revelation 19: heaven opens and the sword comes from his mouth
7:22 Gladiator, Rome and the dishonour of the unburied
8:13 "Wait, what?" The beast is captured (Revelation 19:19-21) 9:04 Humans do not fight in Revelation
10:00 If you fear Armageddon: what to hold onto
10:54 Rewriting your end times with hope

PASSAGES MENTIONED
Revelation 16:15-21 · Revelation 16:16 · Revelation 19:17-21 · Revelation 6:15, 13:16 and 19:18 (the lists of the earth's powerful) · 2 Thessalonians 2:8 · Ephesians 6:12 (powers and principalities)

ABOUT THE BRIDGE The Bridge is the podcast of Trash Your Bible. Academics for the average Joe: real biblical scholarship, translated into plain language for the commute, the kitchen and the school run. Deep truth. Plain language.

Follow along: @tyb_thebridge on Instagram