“World War III has begun.”
I’ve heard this statement from many sources lately—a good number of them have come from secular pundits like radio talk-show hosts and news commentary panelists. However, more and more, such declarations are coming from Christians who look at the issues and events of the day in light of Bible prophecy.
Indeed, things popping in the Middle East are more than enough to cause the entire world’s population to become angst-ridden. It does look as if the genie’s bottle of global war might have been uncorked.
Again, it isn’t the secular news commentators who elicit my interest in the World War III talk. It is the growing number of declarations by the Bible prophecy watchers that draws my attention.
And I mean no disrespect to or undue criticism of the writers, speakers, and broadcasters of Bible prophecy who are ratcheting up WW III talk. They’re my colleagues and brothers in Christ–even though we may disagree on some aspects of prophecy yet future, such as whether the Rapture will be pre-Tribulation or whether the Rapture will in fact occur at all. (I like to appropriate ol’ Dr. J Vernon McGee’s apothegm in those cases: “They have a right to be wrong. But if they want to be right, they should come along with me.”)
Better put, that great preacher declared they should come along with the Bible’s take on the issues. And that take is that a Rapture is coming–before the Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week) that leads to all-out global destruction, culminating in that greatest of all conflicts, Armageddon.
That the WW III talk among communicators within the Bible prophecy community is ramping up can be seen in the following excerpt taken from a well-known contemporary writer:
Right now, we are all witnessing some of the most pivotal moments in all of human history. For a long time, I warned my readers that a great war would be coming to the Middle East. In fact, I specifically warned that it would be one of “the 3 wars of the apocalypse”. I didn’t expect the Great Middle East War to arrive quite so quickly, but here we are. Once thousands of missiles start flying back and forth, none of our lives will ever be the same again. We are literally watching an apocalyptic scenario play out right in front of our eyes, and it is all going to begin once Israeli forces move into Gaza…
So here we go.
This is it…
Sadly, there is no way out now.
The clock is ticking, and the Middle East will soon erupt in flames…
We knew that this was coming.
Now it is here.
But even at this late stage, most of the world still has no idea what is coming next… (“Here We Go – The IDF Is Given the “Green Light” as U.S. Forces in the Middle East Come under Fire,” by Michael, October 19, 2023, Rapture Ready News)
The writer does a stellar job of filling in reportorial elements making up his apocalyptic view that there is now no way out. He presents important news of prophetic interest taking place. His reporting on what’s been happening in the conflict surrounding Israel is on the money. He is a very good reporter on things important to the stage being set for fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
I disagree totally with his assessment that there’s no way out, but do agree with his statement: “But even at this late stage, most of the world still has no idea what is coming next.”
My disagreement with his assessment in its totality is based upon the biblical truth that we know this isn’t the time of all-out war on earth, because Jesus foretold:
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)
The Lord then went on to tell about all that must happen up to and including humankind’s final war. He, in His ascended glory, filled out the conclusion, then, by giving John, His beloved disciple and the writer of Revelation, the full scope of the wrap-up of human history.
Most folks absolutely do not know what is coming next, as the writer says. That includes believers (true Christians) who never consider God’s rescue plan for them. That also includes the writer of the above article, who denies the biblical truth of the pre-Trib Rapture. He believes, according to all I’ve learned from his writing, that believers will go through those seven years of horror.
So, while prospects for war are daunting, as we scan the future landscape, we can be assured that “the end is not yet.” We are, in fact, looking directly into the future with Christ’s Words: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of war.” With the murderous wars in Ukraine, the bloody war in the Middle East, and the rumors of World War III front and center, proof abounds of where we stand on God’s prophetic timeline.
Yet, again, “the end is not yet.” The Holy Spirit is still in God’s business of restraining the evil intents of Satan and humankind.
Those who study and believe God’s Word–His entire Word—know what is coming next: the Rapture. We know this, because we are not appointed to wrath (Revelation 3:10). And the seven years of Tribulation will be God’s wrath poured upon a rebellious, anti-God world of earth dwellers. World War III is indeed going to happen as part of that judgment and wrath.
Be Rapture Ready so that you won’t experience even one moment of that terrible time.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Terry: Thank you so much for putting this war into the light of Scripture, particularly Matt 24:6. God’s Word is always comforting even when it’s confronting us.
Well spoken beloved brother!
I agree Terry – the end is not yet. And I don’t believe that WWlll will happen before the Rapture. But I believe we are so close to the Rapture. I have such a hard time believing that we are two or three years away from the Rapture and that is what most prophecy teachers seem to think? I see all the convergence of the signs and all the stage setting coming together and it just feels to me that we are there – at the end? Very perilous times and I guess it could get much worse – BUT GOD🙏🏻. Looking up everyday now and listening for that trumpet call to take us HOME🥳
Pam, you’ve said what a sister-in-Christ and I have been discussing over the past 2 days. Two to three more years?! This is becoming a familiar timeline among the Watchmen and I get very discouraged when I hear it.
I try very hard, although often not as successfully as I’d like, not to grumble, and to be patient, and to remember Romans 8:17-18 “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Praise the Lord that He knows we are made of flesh and blood, born in weakness and sin. These are exactly the reasons He came to save us. He understands our seemingly unique struggles in this very dark age. But it is not any worse now than it was during the early church, or in many locations around the world today. If we love Jesus, we must believe Him when He told us suffering is His way of testing and purifying us. American Believers are especially ill-equipped for trials. We have been so sheltered and have become soft and sinful in our comforts. (I humbly include myself in this group…I am not pointing fingers.)
Staying in prayer and gratitude is the key to abiding well until He comes. Today I have food to eat, a car to drive, a roof over my head, family and friends who love me and whom I love in return. I belong to an expositional Bible-teaching church with a strong, faithful, Christ-loving pastor (who still won’t talk about our times, however he does believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture.) I live in the “for now” freest country on earth, enjoying the limitless blessings Almighty God poured out upon us. I believe, as Terry often says, that it will likely remain so because for all of our troubles and failings, we are the last bastion of “normal” in the world. At least until we are rescued from here in the twinkling of an eye. There is so much to be grateful for; less than 4% of the world’s population can say the same. God has blessed us beyond our understanding and He deserves all praise and glory!
Most importantly I am saved by the blood and grace of our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Seriously, how favored are we?! (I say all of these things, not to preach to you, no, but to encourage myself when, at times, this world seems more than I can bear.)
He is faithful, and He is coming soon. No matter what anyone says, I simply don’t believe it will be another 2-3 years. But in case it is, it is a comfort to know this will all be forgotten in eternity, when we are with Him face to face.
Maranatha!
Thank you so much for those encouraging thoughts. I am beyond grateful to live in this country although it is becoming more corrupt by the day. I have nothing to complain about – I live a favored and blessed life all because of what my Lord and Savior has done for me and all who are His children. I feel we are quickly running out of normal here in this country and will be in for very hard times. I know that God is in Control and His timing will be perfect. May God bless you and keep you in these trying times🙏🏻. COME LORD JESUS COME🙏🏻
The Holy Spirit was so generous in tellings us to encourage one another as we see the day approaching! We need all the help we can get.
It’s wonderful when God gives us a sign, like installing a true, Bible-believing man (Mike Johnson) as Speaker of the House. I don’t expect, or even pray for what is happening to stop. Birth pains don’t go away once true labor is underway. But this kind of event appears to be a special message from God to us, His children.
Even though our nation is clearly under judgment, He has preserved some of the godly in high places. (Reminds me of Elijah and God’s revelation to him that He had preserved 7,000 righteous men. Elijah was in no way the only faithful man left in Israel.)
I’m totally out on politics, and am not seeking any kind of political conversation. IMHO, our system is irretrievably rotted from the inside. But I DO love it when God encourages us in ways we can correlate to His word. The world can not see, but the Holy Spirit graciously reveals many things to the Church in these last days.
What we’re seeing now is Zephaniah Chapter 2 and Amos Chapter 1!
Doing my best to not be troubled, really…but as a Jew who wonders if indeed this satanic antisemitism will come to my doorstep personally, He cannot come too quickly! I cannot get those images of October 7 out of my mind.
Recently I was informed that 23 and me was hacked and only Ashkenazi Jew and Chinese data were stolen (kicking myself now for submitting my DNA) and is now available on the dark web. The enemy knows his time is short so is ramping up and he certainly hates Israel, Jews, and the bride of Yeshua.
I no longer get all worked up about the things of this world because I know I’m just passing through. Added to that is my advanced age and my connections to this world are pretty thin at best.
This is NOT home and I’ve pretty much felt like that even when I was a kid. When I read the passage below which spoke of the notables of the faith (not that I presume to be even close to them!) many decades ago it blew me out of the water because it articulated the exact way I’ve always felt about Planet Earth:
Hebrews {11:13} These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them,] and embraced [them,] and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {11:14} For they that say such things declare plainly that
they seek a country. {11:15} And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. {11:16} But now they desire a better [country,] that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
The main thing is to keep praying for Israel and all Jews around the world being threatened, and don’t be afraid as the Lord said.
I too am deeply concerned at the way Bible Prophecy ‘experts’ are conflating what is going on in Israel as the precursor to the ‘third world war’. Nowhere in the Bible do I see a mention of a world war anywhere prior to the Antichrist signing a covenant with Israel. When that happens we shall be out of here, thank God.
You are right, Chris.
I believe World War 3 is Armageddon and there is a good chance it would escalate to a point where there would be an all-out nuclear exchange that might totally end the human race if Jesus didn’t come back to stop it.
Another point is that an extensive, wide-scale use of nuclear weapons any sooner would wipe out the technology that the Antichrist must have to solidify his reign and make the Revelation 13 events impossible.
It’s not WW3 but I strongly suspect this war will expand, and it’s conclusion will see the covenant with many. I highly highly doubt we have much time.
I think that we are looking at a set-up for possibly a Psalm 83 type war which will lead the way eventually into Ezekiel 38. Or, leading a way for a covenant of peace among the nations. If we’re here for much longer, if we experience persecution then I believe that the sleeping churches will wake up. Those solid faith filled expositional preaching pastors who somehow skim over 1/3 of the Bible will not be able to ignore the words of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation-not to mention all the minor prophets leaping off the pages.. According to scriptures, I don’t believe a revival is in the works. Therefore brothers and sisters… we fly that much sooner.
Firstly, Thank you so much for your reporting and writing so many good informative enlightening articles for us to learn from and be encouraged by. My heart is just melting today as I take in so many layers of this world tearing apart. It’s literally overwhelming. The only way to make any sense of this is attributing the evil is from Satan. My head spins as I contemplate the forces of the Deep State, despots, politicians, even crazy Hollywood for decades planning for this moment in time. Who would destroy their very own country for power but Satan himself infusing himself into willing clueless people?
I pray for you journalists, watchmen, those who are speaking up, for Gods strength. The question that I had for the Lord at the moment I was saved was, “If Jesus isn’t who He says He is, what is the point of living?” And now I want to go home.
God bless you richly as you serve the lover of our souls!
Excellent… I knew if he was on your site Jan that he would be right on the money. Praise God that we are not appointed to wrath. Jesus took our wrath to the cross. So going through the tribulation wrath makes no sense. Why can’t people so close to the Word see that?
When the rapture comes it will be so quick and final, it will seem all too soon. Busy consecrating me and encouraging my family. Thanks for this Terry.