This morning, we woke to an intense battle raging. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle that will determine the direction of our world for years to come. It is not just another moment in history, but a pivotal moment with far-reaching consequences. There is no escaping its connection to prophetic world events. It is both a physical and a spiritual battle.
The world is awake and paying attention as events unfold across the Middle East. Iran will never be the same, nor will the balance of power in the Middle East. Is it possible for these events to be both fulfillment of prophecy and not at the same time? The answer is yes within the following context.
While prophets and many Christ-followers point to these events, we must be careful how we choose to interpret prophetic messages in Scripture in light of current events. Are these events fulfilling prophecy? In a broad sense, they are. All events in our world tie into God’s ultimate plan and victory. We know that events must occur that will shake the power structures of the world. Where we must be cautious is in connecting current events to specific prophecies in Scripture. We do not, nor can we truly know, if this event is the prophetic event in Scripture.
World War I shook the world due to its broad participation and devastation. New armaments defined a new era of warfare. This was the first time a bomb was dropped from the sky using an airplane. The power of ground artillery reached the point that shells could be lobbed long distances. Tanks began to replace traditional cavalry (men on horses were still used in WWI). Gas and gas masks marked the hell of trench warfare. Around the world, such profound devastation was believed to be a sign of the end times. If nothing else, surely, this was the war to end all wars. We know that neither was the case.
A few years later, Hitler rose to power. The Central Powers of World War I reformed, though there were differences among the participating nations known as the Axis Powers. The attempted annihilation of the Jews of Europe marked what many believed to be the end times.
Is it possible to connect these two occurrences with specific events in Scripture? The answer is yes, but not in the way people of that time believed. While many believed WWI and WWII would usher in the return of Christ, they did not. However, they did cause the creation of modern Israel (1948) which is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.
At the end of WWI, the Ottoman Empire was divided into independent nations or into territorial possessions of the victorious powers. The applicable example for this writing is England’s possession of Palestine. This set the stage for the creation of modern Israel at the end of WWII. Britain granted the Jews of the world a place to call their home. The British Mandate for Palestine was established to form the state of Israel.
So then, did these two events specifically fulfill prophecy? They did, but not in the way those living at the time expected. In the same way, can we say that the current war in Iran and the Middle East will fulfill Scripture? The answer is yes. Can we further state that this current conflict is one outlined in Scripture? The answer is no. We do not know that yet.
Modern Christianity focuses too much on what could be rather than what is. Yes, I believe in a literal rapture of the Church, but I do not know when it will occur. For me, these current events point to the fact that we are in the season of Christ’s return. See His words in Mark 13, Matthew 13-14, and Luke 21. Do I believe we are in the end times? Yes, I believe we are in the season. Do I believe Jesus is coming tomorrow? I have no idea.
Attempting to connect every current event to specific Biblical prophecy is dangerous. You may find yourself on the wrong side of that issue. (I point to 88 reasons why Jesus will return in 1988.) What we should do is live our lives in expectation. Celebrate what Jesus is doing in your life. Learn to love Him more deeply and keep your eyes on Him. I promise you, Jesus is not surprised by any current event. I also promise you that nothing, no power of heaven or earth, spiritual or physical, can keep Jesus from winning the ultimate and permanent victory.
The most important question is not where we are in the timeline, but where you are with Him. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let tomorrow worry about itself (Matthew 6:34).
Through Time 