18 Jun The Israel-Iran Conflict?
People reading current affairs can easily be tempted to ask themselves if we are not in the end of days. This week (June 2025) with Israel destroying the Iranian nuclear facilities at Isfahan, and killing 250 people in the process has prompted a fresh round of questions. What does the Bible say about it?
If you are looking for something specific, especially in regards to signs of the times, you will be disappointed. The Bible doesn’t talk about Israel and Iran. Of course if you are interpreting the events of the book of Esther in some unusual way, or imagining Iran as Gog and Magog in the book of Ezekiel, then you might be able to make the Bible say something about it. And people do try to make it say things.
For example, in Matt 24 it describes ‘wars and rumours of wars’ as a sign of the coming of Christ to be soon at hand. (Matt 24:6) There have been no shortage of wars or war rumours for the last two thousand years, and many times Christians have assumed signs when there were in fact none. It is because it is “we” who experience these things, it feels real for us. Evangelical Christians also mostly believe that the nation of Israel is the Israel of the Bible, and so whatever happens in Israel ‘feels’ important and relevant. But the reality is that modern political nation of Israel has been in non-stop conflict since 1948 when it was founded as a nation. That is 77 years of continual conflict. And it appears it will keep on going.
What I’m saying is, that if you are looking for signs, you will always find them. There will always be evidence for what you are looking for. The thing is to go back to basics and ask, what does the Bible actually say, rather than trying to fit what is happening now into the Bible.
So what does the Bible actually say?
Firstly in regards to the Lord’s return. He will come, and when he does, it will be at a time nobody is expecting him to come. (Matt 24:44) Immediately we know it isn’t a time like the one we are in presently in which expectation of his return is possibly at an all-time high. When he comes it will be like the days of Noah. People will be marrying and giving in marriage right up until the moment it happens with no clue of what is about to take place. (Matt 24:37-39) We are told to be ready. This doesn’t mean to be looking out for him, but to be serving Him and doing His will.
What else does the Bible say?
It says that the Lord is sovereign over the nations of the Earth. (Psalm 22:28) He determines the times and places people will live. (Acts 17:26) He controls which kings he raises and which he puts down. (Daniel 2:21) We are meanwhile told to love one another, and by doing so, all people will believe. (John 13:34-35) We are told to take the gospel to all nations. (Matt 28:18-20) So being ready for him, is about the gospel, and about our love for fellow believers and for the lost.
So what if a fellow believer has faulty doctrine? Love them.
What if a fellow believer clearly has a wrong view of the end times? Like (you think) perhaps I do 🙂 Love them too.
It is by our love for one another, and our serving the Lord together we will make an actual difference in nations.