Passing a test is what God instituted for man at the very beginning of his existence. The purpose of the two trees in Eden, constituted a test of their obedience. Eating the fruit of one would lead to death, but the other to life. Free will was a gift, but the abuse of it had consequences. They were free to choose their actions, but not free of the results of those actions. Free will had to have limits and God made sure that there was a safety net.
Have you never asked why satan was even there in the garden? What prompted him to plot a takeover of the human race with his own abuse of free will?
Why did God allow the rebels to live? Why did he not just eliminate them and start fresh with another pair of perfect humans?
Does the Bible answer those questions? Yes, it does....but what are your own conclusions about those things? The answers are important if we are to have the big picture.
What is the purpose of Armageddon? What exactly is it that takes place there?
The “battle of Har–Magedon” is the future earth-wide battle in which God’s appointed King, Jesus Christ, will destroy God’s enemies. Among these enemies are “the kings of the entire inhabited earth”, who are mobilized by “expressions inspired by demons” and are gathered together “to the war of the great day of God the Almighty . . . to the place that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon.” (Rev 16:14, 16) Human armies mobilized against the angelic forces of Jesus Christ....like ants on a railway track trying to stop a locomotive from squashing them out of existence....
The “place” where this war is fought, is not literal...for several reasons.
The name Har–Magedon, rendered “Armageddon” in some Bible translations, means “Mountain of Megiddo”.....There has never been a literal mountain that bears that name.
Furthermore, “the kings of the earth and their armies” could not literally gather in one place, except representatively.
“The place” must therefore refer to the condition or world situation into which earth’s political rulers and their supporters are led—one of opposition to the true God and to his “armies that were in heaven” under the military command of the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Jesus Christ. (Rev 19:14, 16)
This is a battle fought on earth, but between the forces of evil under the devil’s control (both human and demonic) and the angelic forces under Christ. This is “the war of the great day of God the Almighty”.
No Christian will be fighting this war....the words of Jahaziel, when Israel were threatened by the massive Assyrian army coming against them will prove true again.....“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of Jehovah with you”. (2 Chron 20:17 ASV)
Similarly, at Isa 26:20, God says of that coming time: “Go, My people, come into your chambers and close your door about you; hide for but a moment, until the wrath passes.”
Zephaniah also urges his people.....“before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah’s anger come upon you. Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.” (ASV)
There is only one “day of Jehovah’s anger”....one that has been brewing since the rebellion in Eden.
The connection to the ancient Israelite city of Megiddo becomes obvious with a little research.
Strategically located to the east of Mount Carmel, Megiddo dominated major trade and military routes of the day. It was also the site of decisive battles. By linking Megiddo to God’s coming war, the Bible assures us that God, through his Son, will completely conquer all opposing forces.
The “war of Har–Magedon” will rid the earth of all corruption and wickedness. It will open the way for the most glorious era in all human history. (Rev 21:1-4) Under the loving oversight of God’s Kingdom, the earth will be transformed into a paradise in which righteous ones, (Armageddon survivors as well as all the resurrected dead) will live forever. It will be a complete restoration of God’s original purpose for the earth and mankind upon it. (Psalm 37:29; Isa 55:11)
This is what makes logical sense to me...the big picture has never changed.
God had it all sorted back in the garden. Genesis is where it started...Revelation is where it ends for the sinful human race under satan’s rulership. (1 John 5:19)