Bible prophecy buffs were on the edge of their seats for much of June as unparalleled events brought speculations that what was happening in the Middle East could be leading us closer to the end times prophecies found in the Ezekiel’s writings from over 2500 years ago.
Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities followed by the United States bombing of Tehran’s nuclear enrichment locations caused panic and speculation that something worse was coming. But within a few days President Trump announced that he had brokered a cease fire between Israel and Iran-effectively ending what he had dubbed “The 12 Day War.” The war may or may not be over but the recent hostilities have added another piece to the end times prophecy puzzle.
Ezekiel clearly foretold that the Jewish people would be scattered throughout the world but then regathered as the nation of Israel. That was fulfilled on May 14, 1948. Many believe that it was then that the prophetic time clock began to tick. Israel’s very existence as a nation today is proof of the accuracy of God’s word. Every Old Testament prophet except for Jonah predicted that would happen
Scripture predicts that in the last days, a great coalition from the north–including Persia (modern day Iran)–will rise up against Israel (see Ezekiel 38-39) in an apocalyptic conflict called the Gog-Magog War. Those alliances are in place for the first time ever. The main actors in the attack, Russia, Turkey and Iran, have grown historically close over the last decade.
I believe what we are seeing today is a foreshadowing of that end times war of Ezekiel but that there are a number of other events that have to happen before we see that come to pass.
Scripture tells us that right before the Gog-Magog conflict Israel will be living in complete peace. That has not been the case since in all of Israel’s existence since 1948 but that is now possible with the recent peace treaty that President Trump instigated. If we are entering an era that Israel truly dwells in safety, Ezekiel’s prophecy may well have been set in motion.
Iran’s main partner in that attack, Russia, is not in a position to help at this time. It is involved in their own war with Ukraine and will need time to recover and rebuild before aiding Iran. But that situation may change quickly as Trump in now putting extreme pressure on both sides to end that war. When that happens Russia can turn it’s attention to helping it’s ally, Iran.
Also, none of the nations that will come against Israel are likely to do so as long as Israel has the backing of the most powerful nation on earth, the United States. That does not seem likely to change while Trump, and Republicans are in office, and Evangelicals are influencing foreign policy. That could all shift quickly with the 2028 election in the U.S.
One thing that will not change, even with a peace treaty, is Iran’s obsessive determination to destroy Israel. They have stated many times that they want Israel wiped off of the map. They even have a clock in their capitol city counting down to the total destruction of the Jews.
There is an evil force that is driving Iran that will make long term peace impossible.
That helps explain why Iran, a country four times larger than California, wants to destroy Israel, a country the size of New Jersey. Conflict between a Muslim country and Israel is not inevitable. Israel is living peacefully with Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and other Muslim countries in the Middle East. It even was close allies with Iran until the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
Since that happened the Shia-majority nation led by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have embraced the belief that until Israel was completely destroyed their version of the Messiah, Mahdi, would not come to dominate the world for Islam. This belief has become central to who they are and what will happen to them in the coming days. The only reason that Iran would sign a peace treaty now is to gain time to fight another day.
No one really knows what is going to happen next. Either Israel or Iran could break the peace treaty and restart the war. Iran’s proxies might renew their attacks or even worse there could be attacks on American soil by Islamic sleeper cells. The tyrannical leaders in Iran are now punishing it’s own citizens by killing or putting in prison anyone they think does not fully support their evil regime. That includes a huge number of Christians. Iran has one of the fastest growing churches in the world with over a million converts.
What we do know is that recent events have accelerated the time table for what is next on the prophetic calendar.
Evangelist Greg Laurie, the founder of harvest Christian Fellowship in California, recently stated that he thought the next big prophetic 0.event is the Rapture of the Church. Then, the Antichrist emerges on the scene and the Tribulation period begins. The Tribulation ends with the Second Coming of Christ, and then the Lord establishes the Millennium (the 1,000-year reign of Christ).
Jesus said, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near” (Luke 21:28 NLT).
He did not say, “When you see these things begin to happen, freak out because we’re all dead.” He said, “look up.” Bible prophecy isn’t meant to scare us—it’s meant to prepare us. No matter the outcome of these current events we do know that our God is in control.
Laurie went on to say, “It is in the best interest of the United States of America to stand with our loyal ally, the nation Israel. God made a promise to Abraham years ago; He said, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you” (Genesis 12:3 NKJV). One of the reasons God has blessed the United States is because we have stood by our friend Israel. And I hope we continue to do so.”
Be assured, Christ is coming again. Today’s events are a wake-up call to get right with God, walk closely with Him, and stay spiritually aware of what is happening in our world today. As Christians, we must pray for God’s protection around the United States of America, pray for God’s protection for Israel, pray for Jerusalem’s safety and also for safety for Christians in Iran and throughout the region.