For the most fervent, the countdown to Armageddon began with the return of the Jews to Israel, followed quickly by further signs pointing to the nearness of the final battle—nuclear weapons, European integration, Israel's seizure of Jerusalem, and America's wars in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.
Pada kepercayaan terkini, turunnya Armageddon dimulai dengan kembalinya Yahudi ke Israel, yang secara cepat disusul oleh tanda-tanda menjelang pertempuran akhir–senjata-senjata nuklir, integrasi, pertikaian Israel di Yerusalem, dan peperangan Amerika di Afghanistan dan negara-negara Teluk.