Picture of Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David – iconic symbols of the Holy City at the heart of biblical prophecy and end-time conflict.
Introduction: Recent headlines out of the Middle East have been startling – escalating wars and rumors of wars involving Israel and its adversaries
As one observer noted, “today’s events in Israel and the Middle East send a loud and clear message that the Lord is coming soon”
Jesus Himself told us to “pay attention to the signs of the times” (cf. Matthew 16:2–3),
and Scripture gives us prophetic markers to understand these days.
In this message we will connect current events
– from military strikes to political alliances
– with biblical prophecies in Daniel, Revelation, and Matthew 24–25, drawing lessons for our lives today.
I. “Wars and Rumors of Wars” – Conflict as a Last-Days Sign
(Matthew 24:6–8) – Jesus warned that we would “hear of wars and rumors of wars” before the end, and that “nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:6–7).
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:6-8, KJV)
We see this in the recent military clashes in the Middle East.
For example, in June 2025 Israel launched a major strike
(“Operation Rising Lion”) on Iranian nuclear sites to preempt an imminent threat.
Iran and its proxies retaliated with waves of drones and rockets
Such conflicts echo Christ’s words that these turmoil’s are “the beginning of birth pains”
– sobering precursors, though “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:8).
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:8, KJV)
Yet Jesus also said “see that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6),
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6, KJV)
for God’s plan is unfolding even amid the chaos.
II. Rising Alliances – Nations Aligning per Prophecy (Daniel 11:40–45; Revelation 9:16–18) – The Bible foretells specific political alliances and rivalries in the end times.
The prophet Daniel saw a coming clash between a “King of the South”
coalition of Middle Eastern nations and a northern confederation,
intensifying conflict around Israel.
Map: https://a.co/d/1LcYHwN
Revelation likewise pictures a massive army from east of the Euphrates River mustering in the last days (Revelation 9:14–16) – an immense force of “two hundred million”.
“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” (Revelation 9:14-16, KJV)
Notably, Persia (ancient Iran) is explicitly named in Scripture as an end-time enemy of Israel, aligned with other powers.
Indeed, today Iran is forging partnerships with like-minded regimes and arming militant proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, etc.) against Israel.
We are witnessing a foreshadowing of these prophetic alignments:
experts urge us to “watch [the] nations… east of the Euphrates”
– including Iran, Russia, and others
– as they deepen military ties and amass power.
Such trends suggest that the stage is being set for the very scenarios the prophets described.
III. Israel’s Rebirth, Isolation, and a Coming Covenant (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:32–33) – Israel is God’s prophetic centerpiece.
The Bible predicted the Jewish people would be scattered and then regathered to their homeland in the last days,
and indeed on May 14, 1948 Israel was reborn
– a “super-sign” that the prophetic clock is ticking.
Jesus may well have alluded to this when He said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:32-33, KJV)
Today Israel stands restored yet increasingly isolated,
just as prophecy anticipated.
Scripture warned that “all nations” would gather against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3) and that Jewish people would face hatred in the end times
– a surge of anti-Semitism and hostility we are now seeing worldwide.
In response to incessant conflict,
world leaders continue to push for a peace agreement.
We recall Daniel’s prophecy of a coming prince who will “confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ (seven years)”, then break it halfway and desecrate the holy place.
Efforts like recent regional peace accords and talks of normalization (e.g. the Israeli–Saudi discussions) may be precursors to that very scenario.
One day a leader will appear to succeed where others failed, brokering a false peace
– and that treaty will mark the final countdown to Christ’s return (Daniel 9:27, cf. Matthew 24:15).
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27, KJV)
Jesus warned that when the prophesied “abomination of desolation” stands in the holy place, great tribulation will unfold (Matthew 24:15,21).
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15, KJV)
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21, KJV)
We see how current events are aligning with these prophecies:
the world longs for peace and safety,
but the Bible cautions that sudden destruction will follow a fleeting cry of “Peace!”
“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3, KJV)
IV. Living in Readiness – The Believer’s Response (Matthew 24:42–44; 25:1–13)
– How should we live in light of these fulfillments?
Jesus’ answer is clear: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13, KJV)
In Matthew 24–25, our Lord uses vivid parables
– the wise and foolish virgins, & the faithful servant
– to urge constant vigilance and preparedness.
The point is that we must have our “lamps” filled and our hearts in obedience,
ready to meet the Bridegroom when He comes.
Bible prophecy is not given to scare us, but to prepare us.
Knowing that God has foretold these trials and will ultimately triumph should strengthen our faith, not weaken it.
We are called to “stand firm” (Matthew 24:13), to shine as lights in a dark world, and to share the gospel while the door remains open.
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13, KJV)
In practical terms, this means holy living and hopeful expectation:
repenting of sin, l
oving others,
and stewarding our responsibilities as those who expect the King at any moment.
Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44, KJV)
In these turbulent times, we heed that call by watching and praying
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36, KJV)
encouraging one another and lifting up our heads – for our redemption draws near!
