Summary: In this message much is covered in world events in the Middle East and Europe. Where is Iran heading? Who will bring peace to the Middle East? Britain and most of Europe are cowardly and corrupt. The Mastermind who is coming, and NATO and the USA are covered, and more.

WHEN MEN BECOME COWARDS – GREAT BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES AND EUROPE TODAY – MIDDLE EAST PEACE? - COMING ANTICHRIST – PROPHECY - WHO SOLVES THE IRAN WAR?

That certainly is a long title for a message but we cover a lot of ground. Men become cowards when they are afraid to be bold. Nations become cowards when they are not prepared to do the right thing.

The old Chinese saying heard sometimes is, “We live in interesting times.” But the times we live in are more than that. They are on the verge of becoming prophetic times.

As I write this in March 2026 the world watches Iran and wonders. So much has happened there that some men think prophecy is being fulfilled, but it is not. I said, “They are on the verge of becoming prophetic times,” and that is exactly what I mean.

Do not believe these videos and podcasts on YouTube and Facebook and other places that try to say biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right now. It is not. A war is going on but it is not prophecy. It is not the Gog/Magog war; nor is it ushering in the Second Coming. Just because it DOES INVOLVE biblical nations, it does not mean prophecy is being fulfilled.

What is happening, as what is happening in the whole world, is that the preparations are being put into place. I absolutely do not have time to explore all this, such as the importance of AI, but think of it as the sheep being rounded up to be placed into the pen. Things are falling into place ready for the first move into final prophetic times.

[A]. THE FIRST THING TO HAPPEN

What is the first move? I know as soon as I mention the Rapture some dismiss what I say because their churches do not teach the blessed hope and some are so firmly entrenched in Reformed dogma that they don’t even consider the possibility.

Don’t you think it is really, really amazing that so many denominations base nearly all their teaching on the Apostles’ Creed and think this is the be all and end all of biblical teaching? The Nicean/Apostles’ Creed is no more than the tiniest snippet of Christian doctrine and belief.

Those who know their creeds, know the Apostles Creed ends this way – “From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.”

Let me ask you, “How can you sum up the whole PROPHETIC teaching of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and 13 Minor Prophets and Revelation and many parts of the New Testament, in just 12 English words?” Really! Yet millions nail their belief on those 12 words, and steadfastly reject everything else, especially the prophetic books of scripture.

I want to move on. The Rapture is the belief found among Brethren, Baptists, a number of Pentecostal churches, and among some of the Independent churches.

*** When the Rapture happens, THEN the whole prophetic timetable of the last days begins. *** What we see in the world right now is the foundation for the Rapture and what follows. Israel has been, and always is, the centrepiece for biblical prophecy, and it is no coincidence that Israel has been in the news almost more than any other nation for many years. God is nudging you to wake up because the time is short.

Do you think this world is deluded? What about Climate Change, the WOKE philosophy, that homosexuality is true love, that children are not born in the right gender, that evolution explains our existence, and that the Big Bang is the origin of everything (dismissing God)?

We are right at the end of our current Church age, which will end any moment with the Rapture. Why can I say that? It is because all is set and ready to feature in the last 7 years until the Second Coming.

[B]. WHO WILL SOLVE THE IRAN WAR?

I think it is true to say most Christians support President Trump and Israel in this conflict because a mentally fanatically, and unstable Iran would have used nuclear weapons against Israel once developed. The fanaticism of Islam is what most of the West does not understand because it is deluded. The West has let Islam into their countries and what is the result? Just take a look at Britain, France, and Australia, among others.

Just a few days ago, a reporter in Iran released footage of huge numbers of Iranians chanting victory for Iran and swearing allegiance to the Ayatollahs and promising vengeance against the United States and Israel. The reporter who knows the situation there says about half the nation are militant supports of the regime. That is bad news. We know also a good number of Christians are there.

Therefore, will the Islamic hatred spewing from Iran end with this war? No. It will not. When Islam began around 610 A.D. the movement started with war, and war and conquest have been its feature all through its history. The early adherents used to raid the peaceful caravan traders in Mecca, killing them and taking away their merchandise to keep financing their wars.

Today they use the finance of oil to achieve their aims. What Trump did in his first term to curb Iran by sanctions, was the correct move, but the most useless President in American history lifted those sanctions and Iran became what it now is, in only 4 years. Biden of course, was as deluded as the Climate hoax, or rather, a puppet in Obama’s hands.

[C]. THE MASTERMIND WHO WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Peace will not come to Iran or the Middle East until the problem is solved by a Mastermind. That is not President Trump. Here are some significant verses from Paul focused on the Day of the LORD – {{2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 “that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless THE APOSTASY COMES FIRST, and THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS is revealed, the son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”}}

We have to point out that this word “apostasy” - ?p?stas?a (apostasia) - is not the correct translation of the Greek word. “Apostasy” does means a falling away from the faith, BUT the Greek means departure. In the 15 times that word is used in the New Testament, in 11 of them it means to depart from one location for another location. I covered that in some previous messages.

The Church has ALWAYS had apostasy and it was much worse in the Middle Ages when Rome ruled. Apostasy started to happen with the Tares in the second Kingdom Parable. NO, this word is not “apostasy”. It is something special. It means a physical departure.

This is what we then have – {{2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the DEPARTURE comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction”}}. In the whole context of this passage Paul says that the Day of the LORD can not come unless the departure/Rapture happens first.

THEN, the man of lawlessness will be revealed (and not beforehand). This is the one known as the Antichrist who will be revealed straight after the Rapture, which will be a traumatic event because all believers, and children up to the age of accountability, will be instantly removed. That creates such confusion that this Antichrist comes on the scene and he restores order and sets up his empire and all the world will run after him. (Revelation 13:3).

Almost one of the first things he will do is to bring peace to the Middle East. This next passage tells of the period of time from Daniel’s time, to the cross, and from the cross to the revealing of Antichrist – {{Daniel 9:26-27 Then after the sixty-two weeks THE MESSIAH WILL BE CUT OFF and have nothing, and THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE WHO IS TO COME, WILL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY, and its end will come with a flood - even to the end there will be war. Desolations are determined, and he will make A FIRM COVENANT WITH THE MANY FOR ONE WEEK, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering, and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”}}

(a). “Messiah will be cut off.” That is the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha’s Hill.

(b). “The people of the prince who is to come”. The people being spoken of are the Romans, and “the prince who is to come” will be the Antichrist who arises from the geographic area of the old Roman Empire.

(c). “Will destroy the city and the sanctuary”. It was the Romans who did this in A.D. 70. The new Roman Empire will be the base for the Antichrist and will have 10 members. Most certainly Britain is one, and France and Italy and Spain and Greece and Belgium (where the headquarters of many world organisations are) and others to make the 10.

(d). “A firm covenant with the many for one week”. This last week is part of the vision of 70 weeks Daniel had – 70 times 7 years – Daniel 9:24-27. Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel for peace and security for 7 years but breaks that covenant (Revelation 12, and What the Lord said would happen at that time – Matthew 24:15-22.)

Thus, to answer the question about ending Middle East hostilities, especially Iran, well, the Antichrist will do that when he comes.

FROM WHERE DOES THIS ANTICHRIST COME? Well, as he won’t be revealed until after the Rapture, all we can say on current assessment, he will come from the United Nation or the WEF or a powerful political head in one of the 10 nations that become his power base. Revelation 13:1-2. Certainly Antichrist comes from the former Roman Empire in Europe.

[D]. THE FRACTURING OF EUROPE AND NATO AND THE EU

On 18 March 2026, it is reported that President Trump is furious with NATO/Europe because of their reluctance and refusal to help the United States in helping to protect the Straits of Hormuz. In fact for some time it has been revealed that Europe’s NATO partners have done little to nothing in their financial obligation to NATO and this burden has fallen on the USA. Trump has been trying to bring NATO members to account.

To make matters worse it is revealed in March 2026 that the EU nations refuse to allow the United States to fly over their airspace and that means the USA has to go on a much longer route with their planes. It is a cowardly disgrace. They want to use the oil but the European nations are miserable cowards. Europe is well and truly lost! Cowards and traitors.

What we are seeing is a fracturing between the NATO members of Europe, and NATO USA. It is like a severing that has come between Europe and the United States. This is most interesting because it is often asked by Americans, “Where is the USA in biblical prophecy?”

Well the answer to that is NOWHERE! The USA has nothing whatever to do with biblical prophecy specifically. That is the blunt fact. I know some Americans would love the USA to be in prophecy and think the USA is so important that it HAS TO BE, but alas, it is not there except what would apply to the entire world.

The Revived Roman Empire under the beast is in Europe, not America. {{Revelation 13:1-2 “He stood on the sand of the seashore, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, HAVING TEN HORNS AND SEVEN HEADS, and on his horns were TEN DIADEMS, AND ON HIS HEADS WERE BLASPHEMOUS NAMES. The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.”}}.

The description of Antichrist identifies the Roman Empire as His domain. Rome emerged from the leopard (Greece), the bear (Medea Persian), the lion (Babylon) in ancient times, so that is for us to know this Antichrist is connected with Europe. Those images come from Daniel 7. I think it is possible that we could see a further severing of the USA from Europe. It will happen sometime.

[E]. THE QUALITY OF EUROPE

Frankly, the quality is very poor, morally bankrupt. In fact, the European nations hate Israel very strongly, but of course that eventually leads to – Revelation 16:12-16 and Zechariah 14:1-4. If you recall what Daniel said about the makeup of the Roman Empire that was to come, back 2100 years ago, he gave this description – {{Daniel 2:33-34 “its LEGS OF IRON, ITS FEET PARTLY OF IRON AND PARTLY OF CLAY. You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them.”}}. The iron and clay in the image Nebuchadnezzar saw represented the Roman Empire that was to come. Rome was strong with fickleness; strong and morally weak and utterly corrupt, and that led to its collapse. Iron and clay do not mix.

Current Europe is not different. It has elements of strength but is morally and spiritually very weak and fickle and corrupt. Over the centuries some of its nations have persecuted, tortured and killed possibly millions of true Christians through the Pope and the Cardinals and priests. The worst of the nations were France and Spain and Italy. Britain played a part as well. Over the centuries European nations constantly persecuted the Jews.

Today Britain and France are spiritually weak and politically useless. Both have succumbed to rising Islam. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Starmer, is by far the worst leader Britain has ever had (ranking with Charles 1st and Bloody Mary) and is bound hands and feet by militant Islam in Britain. The cat is out of the bag. Islam will continue to grow in strength and violence in Britain and France. It is starting to move that way in Australia too because the current Government has brought to Australia untold numbers of militant Muslims because of the Government’s hate for Israel and to shore up its voting numbers.

I have posted a message about the way Islam works and progresses in our nations that is worth visiting if you have not done so - https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-great-islamic-threat-to-the-world-its-aim-is-world-domination-how-it-progresses-ron-ferguson-sermon-on-islam-278578

[F]. WHERE IS THIS HEADING? CAN WE DRAW SOME LIKELY CONCLUSIONS?

(a). A lot of the missiles Iran has, have come from China. Russia and China have provided weapons to Iran because of satanic hate for Israel. Russia was supplying intelligence to Iran about American military moves in the region.

(b). Remember, Russia is the key player in the Gog/Magog war that will occur at the time of Armageddon and not before. That will be 6 to 7 years after the Rapture. Russia already has its tentacles in Iran.

(c). Iran will continue to be a hotbed of hate and opposition to Israel, seeking its destruction. Right now it has been brought low but it is by no means finished. It too, will be a key player in the Gog/Magog war – {{Ezekiel 38:4-5 “and I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords - PERSIA, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;”}}. I think that most know Persia is Iran.

(d). Righteousness has gone from the world and wicked policies now dictate. This will continue to worsen according to 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and 2 Timothy 3:13 both speaking of the last days.

(e). Peace will not come to the Middle East until Antichrist draws up that covenant, spoken of earlier.

(f). The United States has a backbone of Christians that gives it some stability against destruction (Note Genesis 18:20-32). It is the body of Christians that spares the United States from sudden horror. The USA is corrupt with greedy organisations and moral decadence and political perversion. God will not act against the USA while it continues to support Israel. Genesis 12:3. BUT the writing is on the wall.

(g). The world will continue to see conflicts and unrest; outbreaks of violence and hate. These will be national and international. In other words, the world is preparing for the red horse (the second seal) once Antichrist is established in the first horse – the white one – {{Revelation 6:1-4 I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come,” and I looked, and behold, A WHITE HORSE, and he who sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering, and to conquer. When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come,” and another, A RED HORSE, went out, and to him who sat on it, it was granted TO TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH, and that men should slay one another, and a GREAT SWORD was given to him.”}}. That will be a horrible time on earth with civil and international wars everywhere. Thank God He will remove His believers, the Church, before all that happens.

(g). Europe will continue to be cowards, afraid of Islam that will become more dominant. The present leaders of Britain and France, Spain and Portugal, are an utter disgrace to democracy. Moral decadence rules Europe.

I will close with one verse – {{Luke 21:28 “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”}}. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. COME, LORD JESUS. (Revelation 22:20).