In a surprising show of force, Israel attacked Iran late on Thursday, June 13, 2025. The barrage of air strikes against key Iranian nuclear and military facilities was designed to put an end to Iran’s nuclear program. Israel’s continuing strikes have targeted Iran’s energy industry. Over 220 Iranians have died, including nine top nuclear scientists and three top military leaders.
Iran has retaliated with its own show of force. Its missile and drone strikes have hit targets in Tel Aviv and residential communities. At least 14 Israelis have died.
Both countries have vowed to use whatever force is necessary to accomplish their purposes, escalating a decades-old conflict between the two countries and threatening to destabilize the Middle East’s precarious balance. Could this lead to a much larger conflict that will pull in allies and involve the nations? Perhaps. While we cannot predict the future, it is clear that “the nations are angry” (Revelation 11:18).
Nuclear Fears
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X moments after the initial attacks, “Israel launched Operation ‘Rising Lion,’ a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Iran responded by accusing Israel of terrorism, saying that the “end of the story will be written by Iran’s hand… Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lion’s tail,” reports the Guardian.
Just a day before, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had reported that Iran had not upheld its obligations as part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran rejected the accusation. The IAEA also noted a long history of noncooperation between Iran and its inspectors, but stopped short of saying that Iran had developed nuclear weapons.
The attack came on the eve of the sixth round of U.S. and Iranian talks about Iran’s nuclear program. According to NPR, “The U.S. was trying to strike a deal with Iran to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions, which have crippled Iran's economy.” The talks have been postponed.
Escalation of a Long-Standing Conflict
The current war between Israel and Iran is the latest in a long history of simmering conflict. Iran began a nuclear program in 1967, and identified Israel as a major enemy in 1979. The years since then have been filled with diplomacy attempts, covert attacks, and counterattacks. The recent Israel-Hamas war brought tensions between the two countries to a new high.
After last week’s attacks, each country is vowing to do whatever it takes to win. Will this lead to a great battle that culminates in the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem?
As we noted in our August 12, 2024, blog on a possible war between Israel and Iran, this belief is misguided. Though held by millions of Christians, it is not based on Scripture. Instead, it is based on dispensationalism, an interpretation of prophecy that places the nation of Israel at the center of end-time prophecy. However, the Bible teaches that since the death of Christ, the church of Christ is the true Israel. For more on this, read the blog here.
One More Show of Aggression
Others believe that we may be witnessing the beginning of the battle between the kings of the north and south described in Daniel 11:40–45. While we cannot know for certain how end-time events will unfold, we can recognize patterns.
Daniel 11 is an intricate prophecy that begins at the time of Daniel the prophet in the 6th century BC. It describes, in surprising detail, the rise and fall of nations, their conflicts with one another, and the intrigue that often surrounds royalty. Battle follows battle as the various kings and queens force their way into each other’s territory. It is a long history of aggression.
This most recent war between Israel and Iran clearly fits the pattern of angry nations attempting to accomplish their goals through military might.
Called to Another Way
In the middle of Daniel 11 are four verses that describe God’s people. They present a sharp contrast to the history of aggression in the rest of the chapter.
“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end” (Daniel 11:32–35).
Instead of finding their strength in military might, God’s people find their strength in knowing Him.
Instead of attacking others, they instruct others in the ways of God.
Instead of conquering nations, they are persecuted.
Instead of being destroyed by war, they are refined, purified, and made white.
If we know our God and understand that the things happening around us are signs of the times, then we are called to teach others what we know. We cannot sit idly by.
We must pray earnestly for the people who are suffering in Iran and Israel. We must also seek to share the gospel with them. Amazing Facts broadcasts every week in Israel. We also broadcast in Farsi in Iran. But we must do more. Every one of us must do all we can to share the gospel with those in foreign lands and in our own personal circle of influence.
And we must not let any war rob us of our peace that passes all understanding. Remember, God is not wringing His hands and worried. He is still firmly on His throne and someday, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
For a deeper study of Daniel 11:35, watch From North to South and the Beautiful Land.