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Armageddon's Valley of Hell

It is an infamous field of losers: 
Absalom, Judas Iscariot, the Beast, and the False Prophet

By Ken Raggio

On my last trip to Israel, I spent some quality time walking through the valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. I stood in the bottom of the valley looking upward at the city walls, and at the Eastern Gate [center of photo] in particular. I began to formulate a mental scene from several scriptures I knew foretelling the return of Jesus Christ.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was probably standing in the very place where I would personally view Jesus Christ when He stands for the very first time in Jerusalem with all the saints from all the ages, celebrating His dramatic victory at the Battle of Armageddon.

I became excited as it occurred to me that I am very likely to return to that very site within the next few years. But then, I will be in the company of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and millions of saints from all the ages.

In that very place deep within the Valley of Kidron, according to the scriptures, I will see Jesus Christ lead his victorious saints through the Eastern Gate onto the Temple Mount where we will hail Him and proclaim Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The gate, which has been sealed by Muslims for hundreds of years, will be opened by an earthquake sent by God.

The scriptures (in Ezekiel) teach us that Messiah will build a new millennial Temple, which will become His throne for 1000 years. The Third Temple, built only a few years earlier, will be desecrated by the
Man of Sin when he commits the Abomination of Desolations. It is likely to be destroyed during the Armageddon conflict. Jesus will build a new Temple when He returns.
"And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both," Zachariah 6:12,13.
Let me teach you some things about the valley by the Temple Mount.

The geography on the southeastern side of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is full of historic and prophetic significance.

This photo is the view from the northeast looking toward the south and southwest across the Temple Mount. Kidron is in the foreground, and Hinnom-Tophet is in the far distance. Olivet is in the center left of the photo.

For a larger version, see here.

From the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount (traditionally referred to as the pinnacle where Satan tempted Jesus to cast Himself down) looking panoramically from the east to the southeast to the south, you first of all must look across a large, significant valley.

That valley runs completely around the northeast, east, and southeast edges of the Temple Mount. 

Actually, one long extended valley has various names in various segments. Generally, it is the same valley. 
Kidron on the east, and Hinnom on the south and west run together.
  • The Brook Kidron - David fled from Absalom. Priests carried the Ark.
  • The Valley of Jehoshaphat - God gave King Jehoshaphat a war victory there.
  • The valley of Hinnom - location of Jerusalem's burning garbage dump
  • The valley of Tophet - evil worship of false gods, incense, children.
  • The valley of Gehenna - "hell" - smoldering, burning for centuries
  • Hebrew translation, "The Valley where God will judge."
  • Aceldama / Akeldama - field of blood, Judas' suicide
  • Many false altars and idols built and destroyed for generations.
Since ancient times, this valley has seen so much tragedy. 

Joab came through this valley from the older City of David, on the south where Kidron and Hinnom meet, when he first took his troops into the city to conquer Jerusalem for the first time.

King David fled from Saul and Absalom across the Brook Kidron to the east, over the Mount of Olives into the desert toward Qumran. Some people believe that this is the place David referred to in the 23rd Psalm,

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."

The Kidron Valley contains the Pillar of Absalom (left in photo), the Tomb of Zechariah (right in photo), and Hezekiah's Tunnel, where water was safely accessed during sieges.



Judas Iscariot crossed this valley to the southeast to a hill where he met with the High Priest Caiaphas and the temple priests who gave him 30 pieces of silver for the arrest of Jesus, (John 11:47-50). Since Byzantine times, it has been called the "Hill of Evil Counsel."

Today, the "Hill of Evil Counsel" is the location of the Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Troop Supervision Organization - UNTSO.

It is tragically ironic that both Judas and the United Nations are distinguished by the act of betrayal. Judas betrayed Jesus, and the UN is betraying Israel by forbidding them jurisdiction over Jerusalem and forcing them out of the holy Promised Land.

When Judas returned in regret to give back the silver, the priests could not put it into the temple treasury because it was the price of blood, so they purchased the Potter's Field, called Akeldama - meaning "field of blood." 

"And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued,  whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me," (Matthew 27:7-10).

"Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood," (Acts 1:18).

One tradition says that the Potter's Field is at the eastern end of the Valley of Hinnom. Another tradition claims that it is on the Hill of Evil Counsel. Many believe that is where Judas hanged himself.

The Garden of Gethsemane sits on the side of this valley, directly across from the Eastern Gate of the old wall. The troops who arrested Jesus would have traipsed through the valley to find Him, then would have taken Him back down through the valley to the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was thrown into a dungeon temporarily.

Jeremiah the Prophet spoke repeatedly of this valley by the names of Tophet and Hinnom. He denounced the "high places" and altars the people built in Tophet, where they burned their sons and daughters in the fire, and burned incense to the hosts of heaven and poured out drinks to other gods.

Jeremiah prophesied a day when the place would be called the Valley of Slaughter, and there would be so many dead, there would be no place to bury them (Jeremiah 7:31-33; 19:5-7).

He also spoke in judgment of the sins of the people of Israel, and warned them that they and the entire city would be broken "as one breaketh a potter's vessel" and "...bury them in Tophet." This Old Testament reference compares Tophet to a potter's field, where broken shards of pottery are disposed. That relates to Judas' purchase hundreds of years later.

Isaiah 30 referred to Tophet as a place deep and large, where the breath of the LORD kindles fire and wood like brimstone, ordained from old in preparation for a coming king.

Since the days when Judas Iscariot returned the silver that eventually purchased the Potter's Field, the area has known little use but as a smoldering city dump. Throughout history, the valley has been associated with death, destruction, fire, brimstone, betrayal, and judgment.

Most significantly, however, is the fact that this is the exact place where Jesus Christ will return for the battle of Armageddon.

The word Armageddon comes from Megiddo - Har-megiddo - the Hill of Megiddo.

Let me explain.

About 130 miles to the northwest of Jerusalem are the ruins of an ancient city called Megiddo. It has enormous significance throughout antiquity, and has been built and destroyed many, many times. It sits on a very strategic hill, near the Mediterranean Sea, and is a critical military holding. Because of the spectacular view from Megiddo, it was a very important military base throughout history.

King Solomon had a vast livery at Megiddo where he kept hundreds, if not thousands of his horses. From the hill of Megiddo, approaching armies could easily be seen, whether they were coming from the Mediterranean Sea, or from Lebanon or Syria. Megiddo was critical to the defense of Israel.

From Har-Megiddo - Armageddon, the Jezreel Valley (anciently known as Esdraelon) runs southeasterly, passing Nazareth, joining the Jordan River Valley, and continuing all the way to Jerusalem. So the valley of Megiddo eventually empties into the Kidron Valley which runs into the Valley of Hinnom or Tophet in JERUSALEM!

This 130-mile-long valley will be the site of the final battle of Armageddon. It is said that in that awesome battle, the blood will flow to the horses' bridles.
The prophecies tell us that Jerusalem will be encompassed by armies.

Jesus said, "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled," Luke 21:20-22.

Ezekiel describes the demise of Israel's enemies at Armageddon.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog [Russia] a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.

And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog.
And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.

And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth,"
Ezekiel 39:11.


For a more detailed description of Armageddon, please read my article:

"Is Ezekiel's War Armageddon?"

There will be a massive earthquake when Jesus returns with the armies of His saints from the eastern skies across the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. The prophecy says that Mt. Olive will split to the North and to the South, and the eastern gate will open at that time.

The Judgment Of The Antichrist

In the conclusion of the war, Jesus Christ will take the Beast (President of the World Government) and the False Prophet (Pope) and cast them into the lake of fire.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh,"
Revelation 19:11-21.
Apparently, this takes place IN THE SAME VALLEY we have been speaking about! Right here in the Valley of Tophet, Hinnom, Esdraelon, Kidron, or whatever name you choose - the earth will open, and Jesus Christ will personally cast the First Beast (Head of the European-based World Government) and the False Prophet (the presiding Pope) alive into a fiery pit in the sight of all the saints of God who have come with Him to Armageddon.

The burning bodies of the Beast and the False Prophet will never be consumed, but will be on perpetual view for all men to see throughout the remainder of time.

"And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."

Isaiah 66:23-24

Jesus Will Take Jerusalem, And Rule The World From There

Immediately after this epic event, Jesus will lead His victorious saints through the Eastern Gate onto the Temple Mount, which is part of Ancient Jerusalem. There we will crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He will begin to establish His millennial kingdom for 1000 years, ruling the entire world from Jerusalem, Israel. (Ezekiel 40-48 and other verses).

The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb

I suspect that this will be the actual time and place for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Bible does not say when or where it will be, but this seems to be the logical time and place for it. Once the Lamb has celebrated this glorious occasion, all the saints of all the ages will join with Jesus Christ and will rule and reign with Him as Kings and Priests for 1,000 years of peace on earth.

Jesus Christ will construct the Millennial Temple

The Temple that will be standing in Jerusalem when Jesus returns at Armageddon will be the Third Temple, probably built during the first half of Daniel's seventieth week. The Man of Sin will commit the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27) in the Third Temple.

Jesus will NOT establish His kingdom in that building. It will have to be destroyed. Zechariah 6:12-13 says, "Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."

Jesus Christ will both BUILD the FOURTH and final earthly temple, AND SIT ON HIS THRONE inside it as both KING OF KINGS and the great HIGH PRIEST.

The prophet Ezekiel described in great detail the state of affairs in Jerusalem and Israel for that 1000 year millennium. Jesus will be the King of all Kings in Jerusalem. David will be a prince under Christ, and will rule Israel as their King in Jerusalem. David and his family will have the closest territory to the Temple, and he will have meals with Jesus Christ on a daily basis. The Eastern Gate of the Temple will be closed six days each week, and David is the only person who will have access through that gate. On every Sabbath, the Eastern Gate of the Temple will be opened, and Jesus Christ will have a public audience with the masses of people who come and go from Jerusalem. David will lead the worship of the LORD every Sabbath day on the Temple Mount. Many other things can be said. Refer to Chapters 40-48 in "Lessons from the Book of Ezekiel."

Following this triumphant millennium, time will come to an end. The earth and the firmaments will melt with a fervent heat (see 2 Peter 3:10-12), and the immortal souls of all the saints will find themselves entered into the eternal joy of the LORD in his glorious Heaven forever. All the descriptions of Heaven are written by John in the Book of Revelation - gates of pearl, walls of jasper, crystal sea, the Throne of God, 100 million angels, an emerald rainbow over the throne, and a sapphire blue pavement under the throne. The twenty four elders will be there, the four beasts.

"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,"
Hebrews 12:23.

"And the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless," 2 Peter 3:10-14.

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