In light of recent events, it’s more important than ever for believers to turn to Scripture and learn to think biblically about what’s happening in the Middle East—and how these events connect to biblical prophecy and the end times.
Some may dismiss end-times talk as outdated or extreme. “Really? You believe in that?” they might ask. The truth is that belief in some version of the world’s end is nearly universal. Muslims anticipate a false messiah followed by divine judgment. Hindus expect Vishnu to return riding a white horse to destroy evil and bring peace. Even atheists believe entropy will eventually end all things. Some Mormons await Jesus’s return to specific earthly locations. So, the real question is: What does God say about the end?
Last October, the world witnessed a brutal and unprecedented attack. Hamas, a terrorist group whose charter explicitly calls for the destruction of the Jewish people, crossed into Israel and carried out a horrific massacre.
Over 1,300 innocent men, women, children, and infants were killed. Many of the atrocities were recorded and broadcast by the attackers themselves. This was the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.
This kicked off a series of attacks and a back and forth between Israel and terrorist organizations. Then something new, Iran, the number one funder of these terrorist groups publicly entered the fight.
Although, Iran has called for the death of Israel for years, they have always used proxy groups to reign down terror on Israel. This was a massive shift in circumstances. June 21 brought about another seismic shift. The USA bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, ensuring they couldn’t bring about mass casualties in Israel and beyond.
For believers, this raises an urgent and sobering question: Are we seeing biblical prophecy come alive in our day?
The Ancient Roots of a Modern Conflict
The ongoing Middle East conflict is far more than just headlines, political maneuvering, or diplomatic efforts. It traces back over 4,000 years and involves a spiritual battle that transcends human understanding.
Behind the missiles and politics lies a war of spiritual powers and principalities operating among the nations, as Scripture reveals. This invisible spiritual conflict is often missed in public discourse, but it is real.
Thankfully, we are not left to guess alone. Biblical scholars and Christian leaders like Joel Rosenberg and Dr. David Jeremiah offer insights into how the Bible speaks to these current events.
To understand why Israel remains at the center of global conflict, we must return to the beginning—in Genesis 12—where God called Abram to leave his father’s pagan household and journey to a land He would reveal.
That land—then called Canaan—is the same territory contested today. But more significant than geography is Abram’s response: he believed God, and that faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). This moment laid the foundation for salvation by faith, the same way believers are saved today.
In Genesis 15, God formalizes His promise to Abram through the Abrahamic Covenant. Unlike a typical contract with mutual obligations, this covenant was unilateral—God alone bore the responsibility.
In biblical times, covenants often involved the sacrifice of an animal split in two, with the lesser party walking between the pieces, symbolizing, “If I break this covenant, may I be like this lamb.” But God put Abram into a deep sleep and walked the path alone, appearing as a flaming torch:
“When the sun had set and it was dark, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.” — Genesis 15:17 (CSB)
This demonstrated God would bear the consequences if the covenant were broken—a powerful symbol of the gospel, showing God’s faithfulness and grace.
The Threefold Promise: Land, Lineage, and Lord
The covenant promised three key things:
- The land — The territory of Israel.
- A son — Even in old age, Abraham would have a son from whom a great nation would come.
- A Savior — From that nation would come the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
This threefold promise—land, lineage, and Lord—is central to the spiritual battle raging through history.
Satan’s strategy is to counterfeit everything God creates and to destroy what God builds. When God promised land, lineage, and Lord, Satan set out to: steal the land, destroy the lineage, raise a counterfeit lord
This battle between God’s promise and Satan’s schemes unfolds throughout Scripture and continues today.
Ishmael and Isaac: The Conflict Begins
In Genesis 16, Sarah, unable to conceive, gives her servant Hagar to Abraham to bear a child. Hagar’s son, Ishmael, is described in Scripture:
“He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” — Genesis 16:12 (CSB)
This prophecy foretells ongoing conflict between Ishmael’s descendants and those of Abraham’s other son, Isaac.
Isaac later fathers twelve sons who become the twelve tribes of Israel. So Abraham’s family includes:
- Two wives: Sarah and Hagar
- Two sons: Isaac and Ishmael
- Twelve grandsons on each side
The question driving the spiritual conflict is: Who gets the land? Which son carries the blessing? From which line will the Lord come? God chooses Isaac.
Genesis 22 recounts God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac:
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” — Genesis 22:2 (CSB)
Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice, symbolizing Christ carrying the cross. At the last moment, God provides a ram as a substitute, foreshadowing Jesus’s atoning sacrifice.
The Rise of Islam and a Counterfeit Gospel
About 2,400 years later, Mohammed claimed a new revelation. But Paul’s warning in Galatians 1 is clear:
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” — Galatians 1:8 (CSB)
Islam teaches that the Hebrew Scriptures erred, claiming God chose Hagar over Sarah, Ishmael over Isaac, and identifies Allah—not the God of the Bible—as the true God. This counterfeit gospel fuels ongoing conflict.
Recent events, including Hamas’s attacks and chants of “Allahu Akbar,” are more than political—they are spiritual claims: “Our Lord is greater.”
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” — Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
Throughout history, many powers—Egypt, Babylon, Rome, Nazi Germany, Hamas—have tried to destroy Israel, showing the same demonic agenda at work.
3 Questions to Encourage Your Soul
How Will It All End?
Ezekiel 37–39 describes the final war involving nations such as Gog and Magog (modern Russia), Persia (Iran), Turkey, Libya, and Ethiopia—all Muslim-majority nations attacking Israel.
Are we seeing the beginning of this war? With Iran’s direct attacks and possible alliances involving Russia, Turkey, China, and North Korea, it’s a serious question.
But Ezekiel also gives hope: when all looks lost, Jesus will intervene and win:
“On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, making a very large valley.”
— Zechariah 14:4 (CSB)
Can You Trust the Bible?
Fulfilled prophecies include:
- Israel’s nation from Isaac
- The enduring lineage of Isaac
- Conflict between Isaac’s and Ishmael’s descendants
- The Messiah’s virgin birth, death, and resurrection
- Israel’s rebirth in 1948 (Isaiah 66)
God’s Word is reliable.
When Will the End Come?
Jesus said:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows—not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son—except the Father alone.” — Matthew 24:36 (CSB)
Signs of the season include false messiahs, wars, famines, persecution, lawlessness, and the gospel preached worldwide (Matthew 24:3–14).
Jesus delays His return out of mercy:
“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (CSB)
Do not fear—be ready. The same Jesus who fulfilled prophecy, died, rose again, and promised to return will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Are you ready?
Pastor Chris Williams
To learn more about Pastor Chris and his teaching, visit us on the web at fcfamily.org and make sure you subscribe to receive these weekly encouragements in your inbox.
