These events unfold one upon the other. Thus while the nations are gathering their armies to Armageddon,....  

              `And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.`

                                                                                                                                      (Rev. 16: 16)

There comes a mighty earthquake that shakes cities, mountains and islands, and great hail.

7.       The Great Earthquake.

                               `Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,

                                      and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven,

                                                  from the throne, saying, “it is done!”

                                     `And there were noises and thundering & lightnings;

                       and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake

                                       as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

                                           Now the great city was divided into 3 parts,

                                                     and the cities of the nations fell.

                                 And great Babylon was remembered before God,

                      to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

                     Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

                                      And a great hail from heaven fell upon men,

                                    every hailstone about the weight of a talent.

                        And men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail,

                                            Since the plague was exceedingly great.`

                                                                                                        (Rev. 16: 17 – 21)

The city of Babylon, the center of the world`s government, will also be judged. This is shown in great detail in Rev. 17 & 18.  

Finally the armies of the world that have gathered at Armageddon, (the valley north of Israel) sweep down throughout the land of Israel killing two-thirds of Israelis along the way. (Zech. 13: 8) The armies surround Jerusalem declaring victory.

However God steps in. The prophet Joel gives the timing - when the Lord returns to deliver Israel and judge the nations.

                                 `Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!

                          For the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

                The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness.

                                        The Lord also will roar from Zion,

                                     And utter His voice from Jerusalem;

                                  The heavens and the earth will shake.`

                                                                                (Joel 3: 14 - 16)