A note from a frequent emailer friend in India brought to my spiritual understanding that indeed all we see happening on the peace-effort front might have prophetic significance beyond what I’ve fully covered.
I’ll just mention his name as “KS.” He proffered his thought that we could be right at the point near what’s described in 1 Thessalonians 5:3:
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.
KS then indicated that his thoughts included a nuclear deal with Iran and talks for a two-state solution that might be key to bringing about the Rapture and the “sudden destruction” Jesus spoke of in His “days of Lot” prophecy (Luke 17:2 8–30). The destruction might then eventuate to be the foretold permanent removal of Damascus as a city (Isaiah 17:1) and possibly the Psalm 83 war many believe to be in the near future (I still don’t agree with that).
It’s not that I haven’t considered the many issues involving possible war and peace under the light of Bible prophecy for the end times. It is just that there are so many major war dynamics erupting so often, I must now explore them more closely than ever. We have examined these things many times, based upon the words of the greatest of all prophets:
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)
Jesus made it clear that as the end of this age (the Age of Grace) approaches, there will be a ramping-up of wars across the world. Yet He we shouldn’t be troubled; these terrible wars and dire warnings of war to come will not mean it is the end.
How in the world could the Lord say we shouldn’t be troubled–that this didn’t mean it is the end?! If there are to be more of these wars–many with the possibility of nuclear exchanges—shouldn’t that be reason for being more troubled, not less?
When thinking on Jesus’ prophecy here, the words of World War II Prime Minister Winston Churchill come to mind. As Hitler’s Blitzkrieg and the bombings came to an end against London early in the war, Churchill tried to fortify the British people for the hellish war against the Nazis he knew Britain and the world still faced.
He said in a broadcast to his people and the rest of the world: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
I wonder if Sir Winston, in his famous speech, framed his thoughts after studying Jesus’ words found in the Matthew 24:6 warning of things to come. Probably not. But Churchill’s own words might be expressed in terms of what we as a nation and world face at this moment.
Our own time at present in facing war is certainly not at an end. Ukraine versus Russia is at a critical phase, with obstacles against which even our own president, a master negotiator, can’t seem to make headway. Israel versus Iranian terrorist proxies rage and build daily toward becoming a truly troubling conflict. And my friend who lives in India faces rumors of nuclear war with Pakistan, where another of my friends makes his home and conducts Christian ministry. Both India and Pakistan now have heating-up hatreds long simmering, each possessing nuclear weaponry.
And, at the same time, a profoundly perilous “rumor of war” threatens regional and world peace.
Iran, with fanatic Islamic leadership that daily threatens to destroy the much-hated Israel, and that sponsors terrorism globally, is perhaps days from developing nuclear weapons it will use to accomplish its blood-vowed intention.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised Iran will never be allowed to develop such weaponry. He is backed by a president of the United States who has proven he will follow through with what he promises. He has promised that if negotiations don’t work and the Iranian regime gets close to having an atomic weapon, the US military will lead the way in taking out Iran’s underground facilities.
Russia has signed pacts with the Iranians, and such lethal actions as will be necessary to destroy the underground weapons labs would make Russia put up or shut up in its friendship of protection with Iran.
This is indeed a “rumor of war” to consider!
The following news item tells of dangers involved in terms of the tenuousness of peace for Israel and the Middle East:
[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking in JNS interview]
“I’m saying this for the ambassadors who are here—all of you know this,” he said. “We just tried a Palestinian state in Gaza,” he continued. “You saw what that brought, right?”
The Jewish state had been “attacked savagely, horribly” on Oct. 7, 2023, said Netanyahu. When German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, who visited Israel early in the war, “saw the film of the horrors and visited the sites, he said there: they’re exactly like the Nazis,” the Israeli premier recalled.
“And I said, well, they’re different. Not in intent, not in savagery—but the Nazis tried to hide their crimes. And these people carry GoPro cameras, live, you know, they’re ecstatic about the blood they shed, the people they butcher, the women they rape, the men they beheaded, the babies they burned,” he continued.
“You cannot build peace and security on lies. If you do so, sooner or later, these lies will crash on the realities of the Middle East,” he said…
“So what’s left? Well, quite a few things and many opportunities, but obviously they’ll all go down the tube if Iran gets nuclear weapons,” he added, vowing to work with Washington to ensure that Tehran will not be able to enrich uranium under a possible deal. (“ ‘Folly’ to Think Palestinian State Will Produce Peace, Netanyahu Tells JNS,” JNS staff, JNS.org)
My friend KS from India is looking for the Rapture like so many who can discern these end times of “wars and rumors of war.” Jesus has promised that there will be no such all-out, world-shattering war before He calls the Church (all born-again believers) to Himself in the Rapture. (Read again the “days of Lot” prophecy in Luke 17:28–30.)
In this sense, we can apply Mr. Churchill’s war-time statement to this time when the stage is being set for the quickly approaching Tribulation. What we see in these times of war and rumors of even greater wars of the nuclear sort, when viewed through the prism of Bible prophecy, is that this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps very soon, the end of the beginning.
This satanic assault on humanity, and particularly upon Israel, is about to end for those who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. The Tribulation–the great end-times war—will then have its beginning in all its full-blown virulence and violence.
Now we can more clearly understand with spiritual assurance why the Lord Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled.” Believers will not be here on earth to participate in the coming wars and humanity’s final war, Armageddon.
If you want to go to Christ and to the safety of the clouds of Glory when He calls believers to Himself, follow God’s holy instructions:
That if you will confess the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I totally agree with what Terry said above.
Another point consider is that widespread nuclear conflict would destroy the very technical infrastructure the Antichrist will need to make his world dictatorship possible. Besides, why would he even want to rule a destroyed planet?
Spot on Ed, I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks, Rodney. I appreciate that.
Great article Terry and I fully agree with what is presented. We have been told that Iran is weeks away from a nuclear weapon for 22 years at least. I believe under the present conditions that if Iran wanted nuclear weapons Russia could quickly provide them.
Contrary to what most believe concerning Iran, I do not believe Israel nor the United States will attack Iran. Such an attack would invoke a Gog/Magog response. The problem with such a scenario is that we know, Sheba and Dedan, merchants of Tarshish, and all the young lions inquire of the intentions of the Gog/Magog forces which includes Iran (Persia). If such an attack occurred against Iran, there would be no need to inquire of their intentions, that would be obvious.
There is yet one thing that yet troubles me. This the fact that the above nations see the Gog/Magog forces assemble on the borders of Israel gathered by the hand of God. Why is it, Israel does not launch a preemptive attack against these forces? Does someone warn Israel to stand down and behold the mighty hand of the Lord God? Could it be as Moses told the children of Israel as they did flee from Pharoah’s army and onto the other side of the Red Sea?
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace”- Exodus 14:13,14.
This could be a likely scenario yet it is pure speculation on my part!
Written with clarity.. The point is things are getting absolutely worse, every new year. 2025 has taken Global war tension to an higher level.. Rapture of the church could happen within the next couple of years, which would instantly start the 7 years TRIBULATION PERIOD. The situation would be so bad then, the Antichrist Would very craftily confirm a 7 year peace covenant with many or involving many, which the Bible terms as the covenant of Hell. Devastating Wars & Pandemic Would soon follow killing atleast 1/4th of mankind in the 1st half of the 7 years Tribulation period, I.e. at least 200 crore perish. At least 70% of the dead could be men. This puts the entire world in a very compromising situation including enemy nations like Russia & China. The Antichrist establishes himself as the supreme world leader & instantly introduces the mark of the BEAST with the least resistance. What immediately follows is greater destruction, I.e. unprecedented destruction & devastation, the likes of Which the world has never seen. Another 400-500 crore perish by the end of the 2nd Half of the Tribulation period. In short, unprecedented horror is awaiting the world very very soon. The Rapture of the church will usher it all. These are the last few precious moments for the entire world. The Holy Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & be saved, both you & household”. Behold, now is the accepted time. Today is the day of Salvation. 🙏🙏🙏
In my lifetime, I can’t remember a time when there were not threats(rumors) of war and actual warfare. I was a hairs-breath away from being sent to Vietnam when my number was up-literally! Luckily, and by the Grace of God Almighty, He sent Henry Kissinger to Paris. An agreement, at least in principle, was signed to end the war. The DOD stopped drafting eligible draftees for the upcoming recruitment period, so I never went to Vietnam.
Before this, were numerous wars including Korea, WWII, and after Vietnam we had multiple wars including in Cambodia (Pol Pot), within Israel, in Bosnia-Herztsagovina-Slovakia, the Gulf war (Kuwait), and on and on! In the last 150+ years there have been so many wars–not to even include all the tribal wars on the African continent in the last century! Where do we draw the line to what specifically Jesus was referring when He quoted Mathew 24;6 to a future generation? It is when He referred to Israel (The Fig Tree) being re-planted in the Land He gave Abraham, Isaac and Jacob this specific Chapter-verse is speaking to.
As Rodney said we’ve been hearing Iran is within weeks-months of having a fully functional nuclear tipped missile for two decades. Now, authorities claim they’re only days away from this achievement If that were so, I believe Israel would already have acted especially since they suffered the worst destruction of Jewish life since the Holocaust, on October 7, 2023! Even in this modern age of digital this, and digital that, we can’t be for certain of anything! Especially the timing of God’s dramatic intervention into the affairs of His Creation! We still could be many years away from His pulling the plug on this cesspool of sin now enveloping the world!
I agree dmichaelson there have been many wars and rumors of war since Israel was brought forth as a nation again! When we examine the “sudden destruction” as detailed it suggests a growing frequency and intensity attributed to the Birth Pangs. This of course, coincides with the judgements as we see the progression to the Bowls or Vials of Wrath that encompass the entire globe.
I firmly believe we have entered this period of Birth Pangs that seems to center around Israel. There is little doubt that Israel is experiencing trouble on a progressive scale. The more that this focus intensifies the more the nations will experience calamity. It is my belief that only the Battle of Gog/Magog of Ezekiel 38/39 will give Israel a reprieve from this constant assault. Although it will only last until the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week when the AntiChrist begins his seige against Jerusalem.
Israel will at the time of Ezekiel 38/39 will finally know that God alone is their only source of true security as it is written. “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward”- Ezekiel 39:22. This leaves no room for the AntiChrist thus he will have to invade Israel militarily as Luke 21:20 identifies. This is why the Lord instructed those yet future to flee into the mountains of Judeah. Then the AntiChrist will sit in the Temple of God, claiming himself to be God.
The more the nations seek to divide the inheritance of Jacob, the more judgement will be poured out upon them. The intensity is growing as the world’s economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Nations fighting for resources has also grown significantly, even the U.S. is recently been notified that we are at peak oil. Our resources are running out. Israel is undoubtedly the focus of these Birth Pangs and they will continue to grow in intensity and frequency as the nations continue their rebellion against God’s land and people Israel.
Hi Rodney, yes, we’re in agreement concerning the birth-pangs as they become more intense in their progression as a woman nears giving birth. But, a woman’s birth-pangs varies according to the individual, so what I meant was these can last a long time–more than she would like to have to endure! Thus the ‘timing’ of her delivery(Rapture)can be only broadly discerned–not to the hour or minute–maybe to a week or two only. This, in terms of our reality, broadly equates to years, hence I say possibly we’re still a few years from the Rapture.
I do not agree with you that the birth pangs coincide with foretold Bowls and Judgements which are clearly reserved for the Tribulation time. The most intense of which will be during the Great Tribulation, which the Bible clearly tells those left behind will be the number of days equating to 2520 days–half of which are 1260 days. The birth-pangs Jesus spoke to are the worldly events leading up to the Rapture. This is so the pre-trib, pre-rapture followers of Jesus will know what to look for just prior to His Appearing–not at His second coming that will end the War of Armageddon.
Next, yes, Israel will clearly know it was God who did ‘Battle’ for them in the Ezekiel 38 War as it will be a supernatural victory, not anything Israel could have done themselves. Most Bible prophecy scholars believe this war will last no more than 24-36 hours. But, this war will be before the Great Tribulation, probably immediately following the Rapture since Israel’s protector–the United States will have lost those who believe in this country’s Divine Mission to help Jacob’s(Israel)descendants).
Nest, the Jews are clearly told to flee from Judea, and not go back for any possessions after the Temple has been defiled by the antichrist. This will happen either at the mid-point of the Tribulation, or shortly thereafter, not during the Ezekiel War since it will clearly be a very short war. Probably before the Temple is re-built, which makes some scholars believe Temple construction could even begin prior to the Rapture, however, I do not think this is possible given everything we see happening on the world stage today.
I came across an article “The Club of Rome and the 10 Kings of the World” written by “Noah”.
The Club of Rome has divided the world into 10 districts and the USA, Canada and Greenland are Zone #1! wlreport.com/2025/0329/club-rome-10-kingd-world/ Douglas C. Youvan’s produced a report ‘The 10 Kingdoms: A Geopolitical Framework or an Emergent Phenomenon”.
President Trump has been talking about taking Greenland and turning Canada into the 51st state. i am wondering… Internet Conspiracy? Grand thought experiment? Theoretical idea? A sign of the End Times most definitely. Is the Club of Rome real? What do you think?
Interesting because I recently was sent the same article. It gives pause and something to ponder.
I was born at the end of WWII so I was almost 3 years old when the nation of Israel was born in one day. Every time I think I need to go and make arrangements for my cremation (because the cost of funeral services is so high) God stops me. He just says NO. I don’t know if He is telling me the Rapture will be soon but I think so. I have had “Rapture dreams” and have had them since I was young so it is not due to the suggestions of the current “Rapture” culture or discussions. Before 1967 and the Six Day War which caused me to seriously study the End Times prophecies. I do not believe we have long on this earth.