War With Iran and Armageddon

As of February 28, the United States and Israel are in armed conflict with Iran after launching missile strikes on several cities and military facilities. The initial attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other top commanders. Iran quickly retaliated with missile and drone attacks on several U.S. military bases in the region. While there have been a few U.S. and Israeli casualties, Iran is reporting over 200 civilian deaths.

President Trump said Iran posed an immediate danger to the United States, its troops, and allies through nuclear ambitions, missile programs, and its support of militant groups. He is also promoting regime change and “freedom” for Iranians, framing the mission as an opportunity for Iranians to “take over your government.”

The United States hopes to destroy Iranian nuclear and missile capabilities and disrupt Iran’s support to armed proxies. Nevertheless, Iran’s allies across the Middle East could make achieving these goals difficult. The Iranian-backed group Hezbollah launched missiles into northern Israel in response to Khamenei’s death. We could be facing a multi-year conflict with global economic consequences if things continue to escalate.

How will it all play out? No one knows.

Yet, whatever happens with Iran pales in comparison to what the Bible says is coming. The most devastating clash the world will ever experience is currently brewing and will erupt in what’s known as the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).

The Final Conflict

The Battle of Armageddon is the culmination of a war that began in heaven thousands of years ago (Revelation 12:7). It’s a battle for hearts and eternal destinies. Every human must choose a side. No one is exempt.

As demonic activity increases, miraculous signs and wonders, including fire from heaven, will accompany a movement to establish a worldwide, government-enforced religious system (16:13, 14; 13:13). Everyone who resists this movement will face a difficult decision: submit to a false religion and live as usual, or worship the Creator and be denied the right to buy and sell—and even face the death penalty (13:15–17; 14:7).

Eventually, every person’s fate will be sealed, and God will announce, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still … he who is righteous, let him be righteous still” (22:11).

At that point, there will be “a time of trouble” unlike anything before (Daniel 12:1). God’s wrath will be unleashed on the earth in the form of seven plagues (16:1). The first plague is a “foul and loathsome sore” on those who reject God and worship according to the state religion (v. 2). Next, the oceans will turn to

blood, killing marine creatures (v. 3). Then, freshwater sources will likewise become blood (v. 4). Fourth, the sun will scorch the earth’s inhabitants with “great heat” (v. 8, 9). Following the heat will be dense darkness (v. 10). Next, the Euphrates River will dry up (v. 12).

The seventh plague will cause a violent storm and a massive “earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth” (v. 18). “Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men” (v. 19).

Although it sounds like the terrifying script for a horror movie, those who love Jesus have nothing to fear.

We have these precious promises:

• “He will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure” (Isaiah 33:16).
• “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91:9, 10).
• “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1, 2).

How to Prepare

Amidst the description of the plagues, we find this verse: “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15).

To be found naked is to be found unrepentant and lost in our shame and sin when Christ returns (Genesis 3:10). However, we won’t be caught by surprise if we commit our hearts to Christ today.

The apostle Paul says, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 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. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:2–4).

Are you daily walking with Jesus? If so, you’re ready for the final events.

Learn more about the Battle of Armageddon and how you can fight on the Lord’s side