BYLINE: Michael L. Brown
Is the conflict between Iran and Israel about to explode? Are we on the edge of World War III or even Armageddon? The answer to all these questions is the same: not likely. But in saying this I do not claim supernatural prophetic insight. Rather, I base my remarks on a general understanding of the Bible, a broad view of the prophetic calendar and pragmatic observations about the Middle East. I will first unpack my threefold reasoning and then address what has happened between Israel and Iran in recent days.
First, I do not see any specific texts in the Bible indicating that the final battle or last great war is at hand. Others who have also studied the Scriptures for decades may disagree, which I respect. But from my perspective, no recent developments are shouting to me, “The end is very near!”
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Second, the larger prophetic calendar reveals that there are at least 2 billion people on the planet who have never heard the gospel in any way. We still have some time before we see “the fullness of the Gentiles” come in (Rom. 11:25c, BSB), let alone see “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language” come to faith in Jesus (Rev. 7:9b, NIV).
As for “all Israel” coming to faith (as per Rom.11:26), while I recognize that things could turn almost instantaneously, much work remains to be done before that sacred day arrives.
As for the unified church for which Jesus prayed in his High Priestly Prayer, that dream, too, seems far-fetched at the present time. This lead to the obvious question: Is this the version of the bride for which He is returning, or will He continue to change and purify us until He comes back?
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