Does the Middle East War Mean We Are in the End Times?

On a recent news show discussing the current war, the question was asked, “we are in or near the end times?” It’s a question that all Christians should be contemplating. However, in order to answer that question, we must get the theology right. Unfortunately, there are many false doctrines that have infiltrated the Church. So, let’s tackle that burning question, “does the middle east war mean we are in the end times?’

First, there’s a difference between end times (the final week) and the latter days. We are in the latter days.

The “latter days” is different from the “tribulation period.” It refers to a period after Jesus Christ but before the Day of the Lord.” For instance, Joel 2:28-29 describes God’s actions between Pentecost and the Day of the Lord. It’s quoted in Acts 2:14-21. It’s describing the gifting of the Holy Spirit to believers. If you skip the the next chapter in Joel, he describes the end point of this gifting, the Day of the Lord.”

In Zechariah 12:2-3 the Bible describes today’s world where Jerusalem has become a problem to all the nations.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. ³ And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Zechariah 12:2-3

Finally, in Deuteronomy 4:27-31, the Bible describes the Jews roaming the land without a home. It also says they will be re-gathered back into Israel. And when they are in distress in the “latter days” they shall finally seek God.

And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. ²⁸ And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. ²⁹ But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. ³⁰ When you are in ^[a]distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice ³¹ (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.  Deuteronomy 4:27-31

Currently, most is Israel is very secular and still commits many sins.

The “end times” refers to a very specific period of time mistakenly called the tribulation period. Taken from Dan 9:27, there is a final period of seven 360 day years that will begin with the confirmation of the Gen 15 covenant giving the land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham.

Then he shall confirm a ^[a]covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the ^[b]desolate.”  Dan 9:27

In other words, this final seven years begins when someone, whom we call the antichrist, will stand up on behalf of the surrounding middle east nations (and possibly the rest of the world) and publicly proclaim Israel’s right to exist. Only then will the “final week” will begin.

However, before the final week can begin, Israel must construct a temple. In Dan 9:27 the man of sin betrays Israel and he “shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” Therefor, prior to the midpoint of this final seven years, the Jews must be performing their temple rituals. There must be a temple.

This final seven years begins with the recognition of Israel’s right to exist and ends with the “Day of the Lord“. It’s referred to in many passages throughout the Bible. The most complete descriptions of what will happen during these final seven years is contained in the parallel passages of Matthew 24 and Revelation 6. These passages describe identical sequence of events, just from different points of view. Revelation 6 is happens in the throne room of God and Matthew 24 is describing happens on earth. I highly recommend a study comparing the two passages, it’s very enlightening!

Christians should put time into studying the end times. In fact, the Bible tells us to study, watch and be sober that we not be overtaken like a thief in the night.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. ² For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. ³ For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. ⁵ You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

What to look for on God’s calendar:

• Israel will become even more hated by the world
• Gog/Magog war
• Destruction of the Dome of the Rock to make way for the Temple
• Construction of the Temple
• Rise of some kind of one world government (possibly as a result of the Gog/Magog war)

Where are we at today?

Our current troubles with Iran will end. Iran will still be a power in the middle east because they must be part of the Magog coalition to attack Israel.

I don’t know if the situation in the middle east will get back to normal or not, but I do know we are in the latter days. I also know we have not entered the final seven years before the rapture and return of Jesus Christ.

The end times has not started yet. We have time – just not a lot of it!