Israel, Iran, and World War III

By John Cloud | Posted August 12, 2024

On July 30, Israel killed Fuad Shukr in a targeted airstrike on an apartment building in Beirut, Lebanon. Shukr was a senior commander for the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah.

Within hours, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was also assassinated in Tehran, Iran. Although Israel has not commented, it is widely believed they were responsible. Iran has vowed revenge.

Tensions in the region haven’t been this high since last October, when Hamas attacked Israel and killed more than 1,000 people, two-thirds being unarmed civilians. More than 200 hostages were also taken. In the wake of that attack, Israel promised to hunt down all Hamas leaders. At this point, they have killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based, and displaced millions.

Killing Haniyeh, one of the principal negotiators in a ceasefire deal, signals to some that Israel isn’t interested in peace. In response, Hamas replaced Ismail Haniyeh with Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 terrorist attack.

Is an all-out regional war about to erupt between Israel and Iran? Such a conflict could potentially escalate into something even worse. Will there be a World War III between Israel and its allies, such as the United States and Great Britain, and Iran and its allies, China, Russia, and North Korea?

Truly, anything is possible in these precarious times.


Focus on Israel

Many Christians pay close attention to current events in Israel because they subscribe to dispensationalism, a system of theology popularized by men such as John Nelson Darby (1800–1882) and C. I. Scofield (1843–1921). Dispensationalists insist that the Jews must reclaim the temple mount, currently occupied by a mosque, and then rebuild the temple in Jerusalem to fulfill Bible prophecy.

While millions hold to this idea, it cannot be supported by Scripture.

At the moment the Son of God died on the cross, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” by an unseen hand. This is recorded in three out of four Gospel accounts (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). It signifies that the temple services had met their fulfillment in Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. 

As the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), Jesus, by His one sacrifice, put an end to the ceremonies that were “a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 10:10). Early in His ministry, Jesus mentioned how worshiping at the temple would soon be irrelevant, saying, “Believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father” (John 4:21).

As Jesus left the temple court for the last time, He told the Jewish priests and rulers, “Behold! Your house is left unto you desolate!” (Matthew 23:38 KJV). They had Him crucified a few days later.


True Israel

Christians’ obsession with what’s happening in Israel is misguided. God’s plans have always reached far beyond the literal nation of Israel. In fact, the apostle Paul says, “They are not all Israel who are of Israel” (Romans 9:6).  Jesus also said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). These have always been God’s true people, not those of a particular bloodline. “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

The destiny of the literal nation of Israel is not to rebuild the temple and offer meaningless sacrifices. God’s desire “for Israel is that they may be saved. … For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved’” (Romans 10:1, 12, 13).


World War

It’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen in Middle Eastern or world politics. However, the conflicts between countries are only a symptom of a greater war that is currently raging. It began in heaven when “Michael and his angels fought with … the dragon and his angels” (Revelation 12:7). We’ve been warned, “The devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

This is a spiritual war involving the destiny of every man, woman, and child on Earth. We each must choose a side, that of Christ who “has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2), or that of Satan, “a murderer … and … a liar” (John 8:44). 

There is no neutral position.

This war will culminate in what Christians call the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Because Armageddon refers to a literal place in Israel where they fought several ancient battles, countless Christians are looking for a conflict to transpire there. Yet, the Bible portrays this final battle as spiritual and worldwide in nature, saying, “Spirits of demons, [perform] signs, [and] go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (16:14).

The victory will go to those “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12) and whose leader is Jesus, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16).

Whose side are you on?

Watch Pastor Doug’s presentation on Israel and Armageddon here.

Learn more about spiritual Israel and the Battle of Armageddon in this free book.

John Cloud
John Cloud is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Arkansas. He is passionate about Bible study and family.
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11 Comments
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Le Anne Seaver
I once read or heard you say that in the end God will just destroy all unbelievers forever not have them in hell forrverand I can't remember what verse you quoted to prove that satement. I wouls purcha the magazine it was in but I don't know which one it was
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RB
It’s the great controversy playing out. And misunderstandings related to prophecy and mis placement of dates and times by the evangelical world as a whole.
Lucifer is keeping things stirred up to get ready for his grand entrance as the Christ and to deceive the nations as he is.
We need to keep in mind that Gods remnant are those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”
As we can see most all of histories wars and atrocities come from religious beliefs and entitlements for power and control.
History as we know always repeats.
The Jews have right to defend and protect and to retaliate to a point against specific extremist bad actors however it is true that innocent people are probably getting caught in it and that things are not necessarily being done ethically.
If we value religious liberty we should consider there needs to be some protection for innocents.
We can see a religious zealousness rising that is not necessarily more than a superficial movement across our country that seems to stem from pride and politics as well as politics has become so bad and divisive in america it is breeding extreme and hate on both sides with little balance or common sense from either side anymore.
Gods remnant will end up caught in the middle for their stance and faithfulness to Gods law not what is popular at the time or man’s interference of Gods law.
Things are playing out just as expected.
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MiguelAngel
As a result of their misunderstanding, Christians around the world are closing their eyes to the massacre of the Palestinian people, caught between radical terrorists and secular politicians driven by hate.
Christians are defined as a holy priesthood (1Peter 2:5) and should fulfill their role as intercessors, as Christ our High Priest intercede for us in heaven (Hebrews 7: 25). Intercessory prayer is needed to stop this ongoing, futile war and the suffering of hundreds of thousands. Not much will change, and perhaps the fears of a wider conflict may become a reality if God's people remain idle in this regard.
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CherylSB
Are you blind to the fact that the Palistinians want death to Israel and it's removal? This is not a one sided war! If you had a neighbor who hated you and wanted you dead would you just give over your life to him? Hate is an evil thing, and this war is about their HATE for Israel. We should pray for peace there, and not take the side of the ones causing the war with their hate. Tho neither side is without sin, this is very much good verses evil/spiritual war.
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RB
Not all Palestinians want death and some innocent people are getting caught in the middle. That is the point.
Lumping a large group of people in and annihilating them based on other extremist people’s abuses or actions is further abuse and injustice. Genocide is not our place as humans and is a form of abuse. It is one thing to defend your country and another to kill blindly.
Deciding that all Palestinians are bad and deserve to be wiped out is the same as Hitler destroying Jews or people Lumping religious groups with bad actors who do not represent them as a whole.
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Marty
the majority of Palestinians voted Hamas in as their leaders. Yes there is a small percentage thT do not agree with HAMAS a very small percentage.
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Double-D
Praise the Lord Lord Jesus Christ. People need to wake up and seek the lord for the time is getting short. If they only knew the piece there is living for Jesus.
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Austen sian
Am Austen from Zambia thank you I am blessed by reading the article God bless you
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Kalaluka
We are waiting for our King Juses to come and take us home
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Kalaluka
God is great Al the time
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