Is the war in Gaza the Fulfilment of Prophesy?
When thinking about what is currently happening with the middle eastern tensions and threats of war, exchanging blows etc, how are we as the body of Christ called to respond, in light of the possibility of global and nuclear war? Preach Jesus, point people to Christ, make disciples of Jesus, fulfilling the great commission etc, but is there anything additional to the specificity of the topics of wars, rumours of wars bible passages, that we as Christians should spend time with?
To couple this, many Christians seem to have a specific viewpoint linking certain nations involved in this tension, to biblical end-time prophesy being fulfilled through the occurrence of what’s happening in the middle eastern tension with Israel, Iran, etc. Some even believe it is the beginning of the great battle of Gog and Magog. Is there clarity to this?
What are we to make of all of this in our context, and how do we move forward in love and with truth to these views, that can often be considered as fear mongering to the outside world?
Thank you. In Christ, Marios
Hi Marios! Thanks for those questions, they’re really important to wrestle with as we witness the ongoing tensions in Israel, Palestine and elsewhere.
Let’s begin by addressing the issue of war and prophecy, and then look at how we can best respond as believers.
1. War and prophecy
It’s true that many Christians do connect today’s events in the Middle East with end-times prophecy. Some look at Israel, Iran, or other nations and immediately think of Ezekiel’s prophecy of Gog and Magog or the battle scenes in Revelation. However, I would encourage you to understand and interpret these passages differently.
In Ezekiel, Gog of Magog is pictured as the great enemy who gathers nations against God’s people (Ezek. 38:2–6). But the prophecy is written in symbolic, apocalyptic imagery. It doesn’t represent a single nation in a specific century but the archetypal enemies of God’s covenant people.
When John picks up the same language in Revelation 20:7–10, he explicitly broadens “Gog and Magog” to mean “the nations that are at the four corners of the earth” (Rev. 20:8). In other words, it’s not about modern geopolitics but about the worldwide opposition of unbelief against Christ and His church.
“The expression ‘Gog and Magog’ in Revelation 20:8 is not to be identified with any particular nation or people, but symbolises all the forces of evil which band together against the cause of Christ.”
2. The nature of prophecy and fulfilment
In contrast to the interpretation you mention in your question, I believe many of the prophecies often linked to current headlines were fulfilled in the events surrounding Jerusalem’s fall in AD 70 (Matt. 24:1–2; Luke 21:20–24). These events confirm Christ’s word and demonstrate that God’s kingdom is already present and advancing (Mark 1:15). What remains is the final consummation and restoration at His return — not a road map of Middle Eastern conflicts.
“The great tribulation and the events of A.D. 70 are the backdrop for much of Revelation. But the focus is not on geopolitical Israel — it is on Christ’s victory and His church.”
3. What Jesus told us to expect
In Matthew 24:6–8, Jesus said:
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
In other words, wars are part of life in this fallen world. They remind us of the brokenness of creation (Rom. 8:22), but they are not signs that let us predict the nearness of Christ’s return - even when they occur in the Middle East.
4. What the gospel tells us
The New Testament doesn’t instruct us to decode news headlines but to focus on Christ’s finished work and present kingly reign. He has already disarmed the powers of evil (Col. 2:15), is now reigning at God’s right hand until all enemies are under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25), and will return in glory to bring the final judgment and restoration of all things (Rev. 21:1–4).
“Revelation is not a secret code to unlock current events. It is a pastoral letter encouraging saints of every age that the Lamb has already triumphed, and that His people conquer by faithful witness.”
5. What this means for us
So, while the present conflicts in the Middle East are tragic and sobering, they are not the literal fulfilment of biblical end-times prophecy. What they are is a reminder of humanity’s need for Christ and the reality of living in a fallen world. Our calling is not to speculate about timelines but to remain steadfast in faith, proclaim the gospel (Matt. 28:18–20), and live in readiness for His return (2 Pet. 3:11–12).
This leads us to your question about how we should live in light of current conflicts…
6. Keep calm and carry on!
In a fundamental sense, our calling as believers doesn’t change with geopolitical events. The reality is that wars are a tragically constant fact of life in this broken world. Not many of them receive media attention, and some of them have less global impact, but they are always present, and always have been.
This fact, though sad, should strengthen our resolve to live boldly for Jesus. Irrespective of global events, our calling remains the same: to love, follow, and witness to the Lord Jesus all the days of our life.
The sure and certain hope that we can extend to our neighbours - and God willing, those who are involved in the conflict - is that Jesus himself is the returning King who will:
settle disputes among the nations
and provide arbitration for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plows
and their spears into pruning knives.
Nation will not take up the sword against nation,
and they will never again train for war. (Isa. 2:4)
Love, Jonathan
