In this modern day the entire world is on edge, fearful of nuclear war. Could it be that what we are witnessing in the Middle East is the formation of the Ezekiel 38 prophecy? No one knows. So, we have to watch and pray. But the reason why current geopolitical events demand the attention of those who know Bible prophecy is because Israel is the epicenter of endtime prophecy. Look at how many times Israel is mentioned in prophecy. Zechariah 12:3 says, "On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves." Today Israel is surrounded by enemies from Syria, fLebanon, Jordan, and others. And according to Daniel 9:27 the Antichrist will make a 7-year covenant of peace with Israel the Bible says, "Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate even until the consumation which is detered determined is poured out on the desolate. In addition to this the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. And in Matthew 24: 15 the Bible says, "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place whoever reads let him understand." And finally a key thing to note concerning Israel and end time prophecy can be found in Zechariah 14 And allow me to read some notable events highlighted here Behold the day of the Lord is coming. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. The city shall be taken the houses rifled. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as he fights in the day of battle. And in that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two. And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and to keep the feast of tabernacles. When we look at what the Bible says concerning the return of Christ you'll notice that there are three main areas that we are to look out for when it comes to the return of Jesus Christ. And these three areas are religion, society and climate. Let's take a look at religion. Before Christ comes the Bible tells us that people will have a form of godliness but deny its power. Do you know what this means it means that people will become more religious but they will not be Christlike It means they will do things to make it look as if they are Christians But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. It means that they will pray so that they can be seen to pray rather than praying in order to seek the Lord. This is religion with no Christ. Furthermore the Bible warns us that before the Lord returns there will be an increase in false prophets and false teachers. There will be wolves in sheep's clothing seeking to teach people religion without repentance. There will be prophets and teachers who will look to deceive many people into error. They wil introduce a religion that's comfortable and doesn't require you to take up your cross and walk on the narrow road. And here's what's striking to me Matthew 24:4 says, "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive if possible even the elect. We're told that these people will do special things for people to see they will do great things so that if it can be done God's people will be fooled to believe something wrong. Now, the next area we need to look at is the general state of society. What does the Bible say about the state of society What does the Bible say about the state of society before Christ comes, well the answer can be found in 2 Timothy 3. Allow me to summarize what this chapter tells us about people and society in these last days. The Bible tells us that the world will be filled with narcissistic, money grubbing, pretentious, arrogant and abusive people This tells us that society will be filled with people who are lovers of self. Think about that. When Jesus walked the earth he loved those who were considered by society to be unlovable. Jesus accepted those who society deemed to be unacceptable. He welcomed those who were outcasts. Jesus chose to eat with those who society deemed to be sinners all so that they could know that God loves them. Compare how Jesus approached people who society had labeled. Our Lord was humble. Our Lord was forgiving, loving and compassionate. But the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3 that these characteristics that Jesus exemplified won't be found in many people in the last days. In the last days, many people in the world will move away from the example that Christ set when he walked this earth. Instead of loving others, people will be lovers of self. Instead of showing compassion to one another, people will be lovers of money. The overarching theme here is that there will be a lack of love. The hearts of many will grow cold before Christ comes. And this should be a wake-up call for all of us believers. We ought to strive to love like Jesus did. We ought to always have the love of God in our hearts. Now, the final area we need to discuss is to do with the environment or weather. What does the Bible say concerning the condition of the world the environment or nature before Christ comes? Luke 21:1 says, "There will be great earthquakes and in various places, famines and pestilences and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." "There will be violent earthquakes and in various places famines and deadly and devastating pestilences, plagues epidemics and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. Before Christ returns the world will experience an increase in natural disasters, an increase in earthquakes and famines. But in all that I have said above all the warnings and signs we're told to watch out. For thank God that the Bible says in Luke 21 28, when these things begin to take place stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near. So the key message to all of us as believers is that when we see these signs come to light, we should not be swayed to the left or to the right. But instead, we should stand and lift up our heads because our redemption, the return of Jesus Christ is drawing nearer. When we see the hearts of men, women inclusive, grow cold and society becomes loveless and self-loving, we should continue to stand in the word of God which tells us to love the Lord thy God with all your heart and soul and also to love your neighbor. When we see the signs of the return of Christ when we see the increase in pestilence, the increase in the number of earthquakes and so forth then, people of God, we need to stand up and lift our heads because our redemption is drawing near. Dear readers keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Because if you look elsewhere you will stray and wander. If you begin to look at what's around you instead of looking at Jesus Christ, then you will get distracted. You'll become preoccupied with things, situations and events that don't matter. And so you shouldn't focus on what's around you. Don't focus on what's within you or even what's ahead of you. Simply focus on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Things are volatile in the world, today. Is this a prophetic breakthrough here, a prophetic signpost, is this a massive prophetic event, is this going to set things into overdrive does this take us closer to that Ezekiel war? yeah. Overnight Israel launched a series of strikes according to the IDF using dozens of fighter jets to target different positions across Iran. Zechariah 12:3. On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. Jennifer on the right hand side of the screen we have a live look at Jerusalem and his early morning there. When you hear this is a live, when you hear these sirens over Israel, I mean, what does that do to the people, what does that mean, that feeling like but it's amazing. Let's see how the world reacts to this. The United Nations, Europe, the usual, suspects. Look at what's happening. Here's the deal. There's a lot of people are speculating this is Ezekiel 38. Okay folks, this is not the Ezekiel 38 battle happens at a time when Israel is living peacefully but it's a surprise attack. It isn't anything like this, that's happening, right now. It's not when Israel goes on the offense and does this. I know that there are many people who are very concerned about what the future holds. Every headline is practically spelling out World War II. But from a biblical lens we have to know that this is a religious, cultural and above all a spiritual war. Now for those readers who are speculating that this could be the Gog and Magog war, let's take a closer look at what the Bible says. A world in chaos. I want to offer you a biblical perspective on a few things going on in the world today. I'm sharing this not so that you would be fearful but so that you would be watchful. The entire world has it's eyes set on the conflict in the Middle East. Explosions have been ringing out across Tehran after .... Tehran has been bombed as part of ongoing military strikes by Israel targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure and military sites. These attacks have resulted in significant damage and casualties, escalating tensions between the two nations.
According to Tehran, its nuclear program is purely civilian, though Israel thinks it's aimed at making a nuclear bomb. Iran's high levels of uranium enrichment mean that the step to weapon-grade uranium is very short.
Israel has justified its recent attacks on Iranian targets by claiming that Tehran is too close to developing a nuclear bomb. Such a development would undoubtedly pose an existential threat to Israel, as the Iranian regime has repeatedly declared its its intention to destroy Israel.
While Tehran insists its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes, many members of the international community see military potential in it.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday said that Tehran's nuclear program is an "existential threat" to both Israel and Europe, while emphasizing diplomacy remained the best solution to reach a resolution.
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Saturday that Berlin, Paris, and the UK were ready for talks with Tehran to deescalate the situation.
Tehran was hit overnight by new Israeli strikes
How advanced is Iran's nuclear program?
There are two types of nuclear programs: Civilian and military. Civilian programs are focused solely on nuclear power plants to generate electricity, while military programs aim to build nuclear warheads — in other words, atomic bombs.
The Iranian regime has consistently claimed its nuclear program is exclusively civilian in nature — and most experts and Western intelligence agencies agree that Iran is currently not building a nuclear weapon.
However, Iran's uranium enrichment levels may be cause for concern. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has accumulated than 400 kilograms (881 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. That level of enrichment far exceeds what is needed for civilian energy production — and is close to weapons-grade material.
At 90% enrichment, those 400 kilograms would be weapons-grade — enough for approximately 10 nuclear warheads.
"As confirmed by the IAEA, Iran accelerated its enrichment to 60%, plus [there has been] a rise in missile tests," security expert Hans Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project told DW. "You could say this was to further its negotiation position with the United States, but you could also look at it and say [Tehran] is running towards a [nuclear] bomb.”
Talks between Iran and the US were scheduled to continue in Oman, but have now been shelved due to the latest escalation.
There is currently no confirmed evidence that Iran has enriched uranium to 90%. However, experts warn that, given its stockpile and technical capabilities, the country could reach that threshold relatively quickly. Just days before Israel's attack, Tehran announced plans to bring another uranium enrichment facility online.
Enriched uranium alone does not make a bomb. Iran would also need to build a functioning warhead and a missile capable of delivering it.
How significant is the setback from Israel's attacks?
In its attacks, Israel targeted not only nuclear facilities but also members of Iran's military leadership and scientists involved in the nuclear program.
Satellite images indicate varying levels of destruction at two key research and enrichment facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. The IAEA has confirmed damage to both facilities. The full extent of the destruction and how difficult it would be for Iran to repair is unclear.
The overall impact was "serious" for Iran.
What's more important than the generals who were killed are certainly the nuclear scientists ... They have accompanied the nuclear program from almost its inception, they have all the institutional knowledge.
"They play a key role ... so on the level of academic experience and practical knowledge ... this is a serious blow."
In addition to nuclear facilities and the military and scientific elite, missile bases have also been among the targets of Israeli bombs in Iran.
Why does Iran have a nuclear program?
Iran's nuclear program dates back to the 1950s, when the then pro-Western government began developing a civilian nuclear program with the help of the US.
After the 1979 Iranian Revolution brought a fundamentalist, anti-Western government to power, international concerns grew that Tehran might use its nuclear program for military purposes.
In 2002, international inspectors discovered highly enriched uranium at the Natanz nuclear facility, which led to international sanctions.
Iran responded with attacks on Israel, with one ballistic missile hitting a residential building in the city of Bat Yam
In 2015, Iran reached a landmark deal with the US and Western other countries, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement limited Iran's nuclear program and imposed strict controls in exchange for the easing of sanctions.
However, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 during his first term, criticizing it as merely temporary and failing to address Iran's ballistic missile program. The US then imposed new sanctions on Iran.
In response, Iran gradually scaled back from its compliance with the agreement and significantly increased its uranium enrichment beyond the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 deal.
Since Donald Trump's second term as USA President, there have been renewed efforts to reach an agreement between Washington and Tehran. A new meeting between delegations from both sides was scheduled to take place in the coming days in the Gulf state of Oman but was canceled due to the current situation.
According to Tehran, its nuclear program is purely civilian, though Israel thinks it's aimed at making a nuclear bomb. Iran's high levels of uranium enrichment mean that the step to weapon-grade uranium is very short.
Israel has justified its recent attacks on Iranian targets by claiming that Tehran is too close to developing a nuclear bomb. Such a development would undoubtedly pose an existential threat to Israel, as the Iranian regime has repeatedly declared its its intention to destroy Israel.
While Tehran insists its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes, many members of the international community see military potential in it.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday said that Tehran's nuclear program is an "existential threat" to both Israel and Europe, while emphasizing diplomacy remained the best solution to reach a resolution.
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Saturday that Berlin, Paris, and the UK were ready for talks with Tehran to deescalate the situation.
How advanced is Iran's nuclear program?
There are two types of nuclear programs: Civilian and military. Civilian programs are focused solely on nuclear power plants to generate electricity, while military programs aim to build nuclear warheads — in other words, atomic bombs.
The Iranian regime has consistently claimed its nuclear program is exclusively civilian in nature — and most experts and Western intelligence agencies agree that Iran is currently not building a nuclear weapon.
However, Iran's uranium enrichment levels may be cause for concern. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has accumulated than 400 kilograms (881 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. That level of enrichment far exceeds what is needed for civilian energy production — and is close to weapons-grade material.
At 90% enrichment, those 400 kilograms would be weapons-grade — enough for approximately 10 nuclear warheads.
"As confirmed by the IAEA, Iran accelerated its enrichment to 60%, plus [there has been] a rise in missile tests," security expert Hans Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project told DW. "You could say this was to further its negotiation position with the United States, but you could also look at it and say [Tehran] is running towards a [nuclear] bomb.”
Talks between Iran and the US were scheduled to continue in Oman, but have now been shelved due to the latest escalation.
There is currently no confirmed evidence that Iran has enriched uranium to 90%. However, experts warn that, given its stockpile and technical capabilities, the country could reach that threshold relatively quickly. Just days before Israel's attack, Tehran announced plans to bring another uranium enrichment facility online.
Enriched uranium alone does not make a bomb. Iran would also need to build a functioning warhead and a missile capable of delivering it.
How significant is the setback from Israel's attacks?
In its attacks, Israel targeted not only nuclear facilities but also members of Iran's military leadership and scientists involved in the nuclear program.
Satellite images indicate varying levels of destruction at two key research and enrichment facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. The IAEA has confirmed damage to both facilities. The full extent of the destruction and how difficult it would be for Iran to repair is unclear.
Walter Posch, an Iran expert at the Vienna Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management, told DW the overall impact was "serious" for Iran.
"[What's] more important than the generals who were killed are certainly the nuclear scientists ... [They] have accompanied the [nuclear] program from almost its inception, they have all the institutional knowledge," he explained.
"They play a key role ... so on the level of academic experience and practical knowledge ... this is a serious blow."
In addition to nuclear facilities and the military and scientific elite, missile bases have also been among the targets of Israeli bombs in Iran.
Why does Iran have a nuclear program?
Iran's nuclear program dates back to the 1950s, when the then pro-Western government began developing a civilian nuclear program with the help of the US.
After the 1979 Iranian Revolution brought a fundamentalist, anti-Western government to power, international concerns grew that Tehran might use its nuclear program for military purposes.
In 2002, international inspectors discovered highly enriched uranium at the Natanz nuclear facility, which led to international sanctions.
In 2015, Iran reached a landmark deal with the US and Western other countries, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement limited Iran's nuclear program and imposed strict controls in exchange for the easing of sanctions.
However, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 during his first term, criticizing it as merely temporary and failing to address Iran's ballistic missile program. The US then imposed new sanctions on Iran.
In response, Iran gradually scaled back from its compliance with the agreement and significantly increased its uranium enrichment beyond the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 deal.
Since Donald Trump's second term as USA President, there have been renewed efforts to reach an agreement between Washington and Tehran. A new meeting between delegations from both sides was scheduled to take place in the coming days in the Gulf state of Oman but was canceled due to the current situation.
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