In a gripping recent episode of Countdown to Eternity, pastors James Kaddis and Tom Hughes issued a clear warning: we are not merely heading toward the end times; we’re in the beginning of them. Referencing current events in the Middle East and the spiritual dynamics fueling them, the two men made a compelling case that biblical prophecy is unfolding before our eyes.
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Hughes emphasized the spiritual hunger he’s seeing around the globe. “People are waking up everywhere, and they want to know the truth,” he said. That truth is rooted in the soon return of Jesus Christ and the urgent need for believers to stay alert.
One of the central topics of the episode was Iran and its apocalyptic ideology. Hughes and Kaddis explained that Iran’s leadership is not just driven by political power, but by deeply held Shia Islamic beliefs, particularly concerning the Mahdi, or the “12th imam.” According to their theology, widespread destruction, especially of Israel, is necessary for their messiah to return.
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“You’re not just fighting a typical enemy when you’re up against Iran,” Hughes said. “The problem is at the top. Khomeini is their Imam, their Mahdi. He must bring great destruction.”
Kaddis reinforced the seriousness of Iran’s spiritual motivation: “Their false messiah will not come unless they go after Jerusalem and the Jews. This is driven by an ideological vision. You’re not fighting just a military power, this is a demonic force rooted in religious belief.”
The Ayatollah, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was repeatedly mentioned as a key figure in this end-times drama. “The Ayatollah—he’s not dead,” Hughes stated, referencing recent rumors. “He’s still shouting and driving this agenda. This 12th imam stuff is what drives that man.”
Kaddis explained how this belief system affects Iran’s strategy, even through its proxies like Hezbollah. “If they don’t believe the Supreme Leader can fulfill what they believe Allah has called him to do in the last days, then the proxies themselves won’t act,” he said. “That’s why Israel has been so focused on dismantling the symbols of the Ayatollah’s authority. It’s about collapsing the ideological drive.”
They also evaluated the ideologies of Western figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. “They’re feeding the lies of people like Khomeini,” Kaddis warned. “They act like ‘Death to America’ doesn’t really mean what it says. But it does. This is a literal belief system.”
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Quoting 2 Timothy 3, they reminded viewers that in the last days, deception will rise, people will reject truth, and spiritual leaders will turn toward myths. “We’re watching it unfold not just outside the church, but inside too,” Kaddis said.
As tensions escalate in the Middle East and spiritual deception spreads globally, it’s clear we are witnessing more than political conflict—we’re seeing prophecy unfold. The clash isn’t merely between nations, but between truth and darkness, ideology and revelation.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
