A Look at Bible Prophecy and the Times We Are Living In

Zechariah 12:2–3 (KJV)

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”

My friends, take a good, hard look at what is happening in Israel and throughout the world today. Does that passage of Scripture sound familiar?

Here we have this tiny nation, surrounded by countries with populations vastly greater than its own, and Jerusalem remains one of the most disputed and contentious places on the face of the earth.

Let’s put some numbers into perspective.

Israel has a population of approximately 10.1 million people.

Now consider its four neighboring Arab countries:

• Egypt: 118.4 million
• Jordan: 11.5 million
• Syria: 25.6 million
• Lebanon: 5.8 million

That’s approximately 161 million people compared to Israel’s 10 million!

And that’s just four countries. The Arab League consists of 22 member states representing nearly half a billion people.

Now, understand something. Not every Arab nation is an enemy of Israel. Egypt and Jordan have peace treaties with Israel, and other Arab countries have established diplomatic relations. Nor should we confuse ordinary Arab citizens with governments or militant organizations.

But the enormous demographic difference is undeniable, and hostility toward Israel remains a powerful force in the Middle East.

Then look beyond the Arab world. Iran, which is Persian rather than Arab, has been a major adversary of Israel. Russia, China, and North Korea present their own serious geopolitical concerns. Not all these countries are part of a united anti-Israel military alliance, but their actions and relationships deserve close attention.

And the world continues to wrestle with the question of Jerusalem.

Is it any wonder that I find myself returning to the words of Zechariah?

Now I want to address something extremely important concerning Bible prophecy.

THE SIXTH TRUMPET WAR IS NOT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON!

I believe we are approaching what I understand to be the Sixth Trumpet War described in Revelation 9:13–21.

In my understanding of prophecy, this will be a devastating global conflict involving nuclear weapons. I believe that such a war would signify that the Sixth Trumpet has sounded.

Scripture describes extraordinary destruction and the death of a third of mankind. Although Revelation does not specifically identify nuclear weapons, I believe modern warfare gives us reason to consider that possibility.

Just think about the nuclear capabilities and escalating tensions involving Russia, China, North Korea, and other nuclear powers.

We are living in dangerous times, my friends.

Now, following this devastating conflict, I believe a monumental peace agreement will emerge involving Israel and the nations around her.

But it will not be a lasting peace.

My understanding of Daniel 9:27 is that a seven-year covenant will begin a prophetic period in which the Antichrist will eventually reveal his true intentions.

For the first three and a half years, the world may celebrate what appears to be peace. Nations may congratulate themselves, believing that mankind has finally solved the Middle East problem.

But behind the scenes, I believe the groundwork will be laid for betrayal and another terrible war.

At the midpoint of that seven-year period comes the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

And Jesus Himself specifically warned about this!

Matthew 24:15 (KJV)

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”

Please understand the importance of those words.

Jesus was directing our attention back to Daniel!

This is why studying Scripture matters so much.

And that brings us to ARMAGEDDON.

Revelation 16:16 tells us:

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

Armageddon is associated with Megiddo, overlooking the historic Jezreel Valley, where armies have fought throughout the centuries.

In the prophetic understanding I follow, this final battle belongs at the conclusion of that seven-year period. It must not be confused with the earlier Sixth Trumpet War.

This will involve armies gathering against Israel, with Jerusalem itself becoming the focus of a terrible confrontation.

And look at what the Lord tells us through Zechariah!

Zechariah 14:2 (KJV)

“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”

HALF THE CITY!

Think about that for a moment.

The armies of the world descend upon Jerusalem, and half the city goes into captivity.

And what happens next?

Read Zechariah 14:3–4.

The Lord Himself goes forth to fight against those nations, and His feet stand upon the Mount of Olives!

This is the event I believe brings Jesus Christ back to the earth!

This is precisely what we were discussing yesterday when I shared Dave Robbins’ question: What event brings the Lord back?

My friends, there is a reason we must study prophecy carefully.

There are so many people on YouTube and social media teaching about the end times, and frankly, some of them seem more interested in exciting their audiences, generating views, and collecting followers than carefully explaining the Word of God.

Please don’t feed your soul only with what you want to hear.

Open your Bible!

Read Daniel. Read Zechariah. Read Matthew 24. Read Revelation.

And compare Scripture with Scripture.

I am not asking you to take my word for any of this. I am asking you to study what God has given us, and recognize that Christians differ about the interpretation and timing of these events.

NOW, A WORD ABOUT ISRAEL.

God made a remarkable promise to Abraham.

Genesis 12:3 (KJV)

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

As a Christian, I take that promise seriously.

I believe God has not abandoned Israel.

That doesn’t mean every action by the Israeli government is beyond criticism, nor that we should disregard the suffering of innocent Palestinians or anyone else caught in these terrible conflicts.

But hatred of the Jewish people, antisemitism, and calls for Israel’s destruction should have no place in our hearts.

And remember something else.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born a Jew!

He lived a sinless life, gave Himself for the sins of mankind, rose from the dead, and promised to return.

I look forward to that glorious day!

Some of you know that I was in North Africa as a young boy during the Six-Day War in 1967. Even after all these years, I remain amazed by Israel’s survival through so many wars and threats.

I love Israel. I love the Jewish people. And I believe God has a purpose for that nation that has not yet been fully realized.

I also believe we may be living in the closing years of this age.

Will nuclear war occur in our lifetime? Will the events I have described unfold exactly as I understand them? I cannot claim to know their dates or guarantee my interpretation is correct.

But I do believe the warnings of Scripture deserve our attention.

And should the events of the final seven years unfold as I understand them, Revelation warns of a time of tremendous deception and persecution, including the Mark of the Beast described in Revelation 13.

My prayer is that people will remain faithful to Jesus Christ, refuse the deception of evil, and hold fast to the promise of eternal life.

I pray every day that I will see the glorious return of our Lord in my lifetime.

Can you imagine that wonderful day?

No more war. No more hatred. No more sickness, suffering, or tears.

Just the glory of our Lord and the fulfillment of His promises!

Until then, we must remain watchful, prayerful, and grounded in the Word of God.

As you watch the program I’m sharing about Israel and its remarkable history of survival, consider what Scripture says about Jerusalem.

Consider the odds this little nation has faced.

And above all, consider the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 122:6 (KJV)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

That is my prayer today, this Friday, October 9, 2026.

May the Lord open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to His Word. May He give us the wisdom to distinguish truth from deception, and may He strengthen our faith as we face these uncertain times.

I pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

I pray for the innocent on all sides of these conflicts.

And I pray for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

God bless you all, and have a wonderful weekend!