We are seeing more and more headlines about the imminence or even the outbreak of World War III popping up everywhere in the media. For example, Russia has repeatedly threatened NATO that it will launch missiles armed with nuclear warheads at European capitals; China is conducting military maneuvers to intimidate Taiwan; and Turkey and Iran are constantly threatening Israel with war.

But what does the Word of God say about all these things? Are they foretold in the Bible? What is their sequence in God’s plan, and how should we respond to these events? These are some of the questions this article seeks to answer.

1. The Beginning of the Birth Pangs

First, the Bible speaks of a time when the birth pangs begin. When the disciples asked the Lord Jesus what the signs of His return would be, He answered with the following words: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for all these things must take place. But the end is not yet.” Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines and plagues. But all these things are only the beginning of the birth pangs (Matthew 24:6–8).

The Lord Jesus says that when you see these things beginning to happen, this is not the end, but only the beginning of the birth pangs. Thus will begin a period of time that will bring about “the Great Tribulation” and that precedes the Lord’s return.

The phrase “the beginning of birth pains” refers to the pains of a woman in labor—an expression often used in biblical prophecies and associated with the events of the last days. When a woman goes into labor, she experiences a series of contractions that increase in intensity as the birth approaches. This process is irreversible; once it begins, it cannot be stopped until the birth. This is exactly how it is in the world today. As time passes and we draw closer to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, certain events are intensifying; once set in motion, no one will be able to stop them. Another characteristic is the joy a woman feels at the birth of her long-awaited child. For those who long for the return of the Lord Jesus, for those who watch and wait for His coming, at the Lord’s return all sorrowful events will turn into great joy.

But we may rightly ask, when will the “birth pangs” begin? We believe that the time of the pangs has already begun with the first global conflict—that is, World War I, which involved countries in Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the British Empire, and which resulted in the loss of 20 million lives. This war set the stage for World War II, with devastating consequences that resulted in 60 million deaths and the murder of millions of Jews in the Holocaust. World War II gave rise to the Cold War and the East-West division of Europe, pitting NATO and its allies against the communist bloc led by the Soviet Union and China. During this period, there were also other wars and revolutions throughout the world, which ultimately led to the deaths of over 200 million people.

However, another distinctive sign of the beginning of the birth pangs is the fact that the people of Israel were gathered into their historic homeland, which God had given them as their inheritance. Thus, a number of Old Testament prophets foretold the restoration of the people of Israel, including the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel: “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations, and proclaim it in distant islands! Say: ‘The One who scattered Israel will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd watches over his flock.’ (Jeremiah 31:10). “For I will bring you out from among the nations, gather you from all the countries, and bring you back to your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:24). Likewise, the Lord Jesus Himself prophesied that the people of Israel would fall by the sword, that they would be taken into captivity among all the nations, and that Jerusalem would be trampled underfoot by the nations until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled.

The State of Israel was established in 1948, thus fulfilling the biblical prophecies. The Bible shows that the Jewish people will remain in that land until the Lord Jesus returns to establish His reign on earth, following the final battle over Jerusalem. Thus far, all the repeated attempts by neighboring nations to wipe Israel off the face of the earth have been and will be doomed to failure because God has promised to preserve the people of Israel until the second coming of the Lord Jesus to earth in Jerusalem.

2. The War of Gog and Magog in the Book of Ezekiel and Its Connection to Current Events in Syria

Regarding the end times, the Bible predicts two events concerning Syria that have not yet occurred. The first event is the destruction of Damascus, and the second is the war of Gog from the land of Magog

Israel will be invaded from the north of the country, from Syria. The invasion will be coordinated by a power from the far north of Israel, “Gog of the land of Magog.” This refers to Russia, a country which, although severely affected by the war with Ukraine and with its military exhausted, will nevertheless be able to rebuild its military after making peace with Ukraine more quickly than many expect and take action against Israel.

Russia will also join forces with Turkey, which lies to the north of Israel and has recently become much more involved in the Syrian conflict, openly declaring its intention to fight Israel, as well as with Iran, which is, in any case, Israel’s declared enemy.

Below, we will discuss these two events in detail.

In the Book of Isaiah, it is written that Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins (Isaiah 17:1). Some theologians believe this event occurred in biblical times, when the Assyrians sacked Damascus in 733 B.C. Nevertheless, Damascus remained inhabited. In the context of prophecies concerning Israel and God, this passage seems to describe widespread desolation.

It is only in our own time that the fulfillment of this prophecy seems possible. Thus, the revolution led by Islamic militants in Syria overthrew the Assad family’s decades-long rule in December 2023 with lightning speed, causing widespread destruction in Syria and even in Damascus itself. This event bore a striking resemblance to the 2,500-year-old prophecy “against Damascus.” Hamat and Arpad are red with shame, for they have heard bad news and are trembling; their fear is like a raging sea that cannot be calmed. (Jeremiah 49:23). A surprise attack by rebels who emerged from Idlib (the northern region of Syria bordering Turkey) took Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, by surprise, followed by Hama. The prophet Jeremiah mentions two Syrian cities, Hamath and Arpad (modern-day Tell Rifaat). Ancient Hamath is today’s city of Hama, and Arpad is located north of Aleppo. Syria’s coastline is not far from Hama, where the ports of Tartus and Latakia are located.

The success of the rebels’ advance is due to the fact that Damascus (the Assad regime) has lost the support of the forces that backed it—its own army, Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia. Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia that came to support Assad against the predominantly Sunni Muslim opposition forces, was neutralized in recent months by Israel. Iran was deeply affected by the conflict with Israel because Israel destroyed its military bases. Russia is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and did not have sufficient forces to send to Syria to defend Assad. As a result, the Assad regime weakened, and he and his family fled to Russia. The Syrian army that had supported Assad abandoned its positions and fled from the rebels. The rebels stormed Damascus shortly thereafter, and the people looted the “Ben-Hadad” palaces (a generic name for Syria’s rulers—Assad’s palaces).

This represents a major blow to Iran and the “axis of evil” facing Israel, including Russia, which has suffered massive losses of military equipment in the conflict with Ukraine. Turkey, which supported the rebels, emerges as a winner in this situation, pursuing its own agenda of expanding its influence in the region. Erdogan dreams of reviving Ottoman rule in Syria and Palestine. He sought to raise an Islamic army in alliance with Russia and Iran to threaten Israel.

What is happening now in Syria, however, is another major sign of the “birth pangs” of the last days prophesied in the Bible, which will lead to the period of tribulation and the coming of the Lord, because it paves the way for another major event: the War of Gog and Magog. Thus, we can believe that these events are linked to the coalition of forces that will come against Israel from the north in the War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39). From the north, these forces are expected to gather in Syria before being destroyed by God on the “mountains of Israel”—the Golan Heights.

After the conquest of Damascus, armed Islamic fighters vowed to “liberate Palestine” and march toward the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. In response, Israel bombed Syrian military bases to prevent the rebels from seizing ammunition. Israel also occupied the Syrian side of Mount Hermon to neutralize a potential threat, moved into the demilitarized zone in the Syrian Golan Heights, and took control of an abandoned Syrian army outpost. We are very close to a clash between the Islamic forces controlling Syria and Israel. All that’s needed is for Russia to bring peace to Ukraine and join the Turkish-led coalition against Israel, and then the puzzle will be complete.

3. The Rapture of the Church or Our Gathering Together with the Lord

What will happen to the church? At some point in the days following the war of Gog and Magog, another unique event will take place. The Apostle Paul described it in his first epistle to the Thessalonians: For the Lord Himself, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18).

Those who have died will be raised, and those who are alive will be supernaturally taken up into heaven to meet the Lord in the air. They will receive new bodies of glory that will never age or die (1 Corinthians 15:35–58). Wherever they may be on earth—outdoors or indoors, asleep or awake—all believers who trust in the Lord Jesus will be supernaturally caught up to meet the Lord. The unbelievers will be left behind to face God’s severe judgment. “I tell you that on that night, two men will be in the same bed; one will be taken and the other left behind. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left behind. Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left behind” (Luke 17:34–37).

Most likely, the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation, which is why it is important to be prepared to meet the Lord. The way we can do this is by repenting of our sins and choosing the Lord Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We must pray to Him to come into our lives, to give us His Holy Spirit, who will empower us to live a holy life. He will come and dwell in us and through us. (John 14–16). Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and I will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20).

4. The Appearance of the Antichrist and the Covenant of Peace

However, in addition to an increase in the number of wars and tribulations, the Bible also reveals that there will be a brief period of “peace and safety” before the Messiah’s return: When they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3). It should be noted that this event will occur halfway through the Great Tribulation, and the church will have already been raptured into heaven and will not witness this event.

In the current global situation, it is very possible that nations are moving in this direction. U.S. President Donald Trump has a plan to end the Russian war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Zelensky has indicated a willingness to cede certain territories in Ukraine to Russia in exchange for peace, provided that NATO agrees to defend Ukraine against further Russian aggression.

Furthermore, since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has successfully neutralized enemy strongholds. Hamas forces in Gaza have been destroyed, Hezbollah’s power in Lebanon has diminished, and the malign influence of the Islamic Revolution in Iran has weakened. A ceasefire in Lebanon has pushed Hezbollah back across the Litani River in Lebanon, thereby limiting its ability to attack Israel again. But at the same time, Israel has lost some of its global support due to the bombings in Gaza and Lebanon and the intense suffering of the Palestinian people. Many Israelis are war-weary and would like to see a peace agreement. The Arab camp, too, is worn down by the fighting and would like a better life, free from the endless war with Israel and the constant fighting among warring Muslim factions. Iran has been severely affected by recent events, and at home, the Islamic regime has become increasingly unpopular. Suddenly, Syria imploded with the outbreak of a revolution that aligned with the prophecy in Jeremiah 4:23–26.

In the Book of Daniel, we read about a covenant (a peace agreement) concluded for a period of one week (that is, seven years) between Israel and its neighbors: He will make a firm covenant with many for one week (which means seven years), but in the middle of the week he will put an end to the sacrifice and the grain offering, and on the wing of abominations will come one who brings desolation, until the decreed destruction falls upon the desolate one (Daniel 9:27)

President Trump has brought to the negotiating table a revision of his peace proposals between Israel and the Arab nations. High hopes are pinned on Saudi Arabia’s involvement in a peace agreement with Israel as a comprehensive solution to the problems in the Middle East.

However, a major obstacle to the realization of this peace plan remains the status of Jerusalem. Israelis maintain that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be their capital—that is, the biblical holy sites that include the Old City. The Mount of Olives, the place where Jesus will return, would then be taken over by them.

According to the Bible, in the last days there will be a dispute over the status of Jerusalem that will involve all nations. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, and even to Judah, when Jerusalem is besieged. On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it up will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will gather against it. (Zechariah 12:2–3). This means that the status of Jerusalem will affect the surrounding peoples (Jews and Arabs), the UN, and the major world powers (in other words, all the nations of the earth).

Any peace agreement will be short-lived. The one who makes this covenant is “the prince who is to come”—a reference to this sinister figure, the Antichrist, who will enchant humanity with a great deception in the last days. (Daniel 7:19–28, 8:23–26, 11:36–45). In the middle of this period (after three and a half years), this anti-Messiah will break the covenant and set up the abomination of desolation in the Holy Place, a moment that will trigger the final phase of the Great Tribulation, prophesied by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 24:15–22).

 5. The Great Tribulation

What can we know about the Great Tribulation? In the Lord Jesus’ prophecy about the signs of His coming, the “pains” will intensify at the end of the “Great Tribulation,” the final seven years of great distress on earth: For then there will be such great tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would survive; but for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:21–22).

In other words, it will be such a terrible time that, without God’s direct intervention on earth, life would perish. This time of tribulation will culminate in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This time, He will come with all the power and glory of God, bring an end to the current global system, and bring peace to the earth.

The Book of Revelation provides details about what will happen during this period. This section of Revelation begins with the “four horsemen of the Apocalypse.” The first horseman appears on a white horse. He is the Antichrist, who takes control of the nations, offering the world a deceptive peace, as described above. The second horseman comes on a red horse: And another horse came out, red as fire, and its rider was given the power to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. The third horseman on a black horse brings famine, and the fourth horseman on a pale horse brings mass death: And they were given authority over a quarter of the earth to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:8). A quarter of the earth’s population will be killed in these disasters.

 6. The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus and the Judgment of Those Who Escaped the Tribulation

But at the end of this tribulation, a magnificent event will take place. The Lord Jesus will return—not as He came the first time, humbly, with His identity veiled or hidden.

At His first coming, He fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah, the Servant of Sorrows accustomed to suffering, dying as a sacrifice for the sin of humanity and rising from the dead, to reconcile the world to God and bring eternal life to all who turn to God in repentance and faith in Jesus (Isaiah 53).

At His Second Coming, He will come in a completely different way, filled with the glory of the Lord, and His divine identity will be revealed to all, with all the power of God at His disposal. Before His return, there will be a time of great tribulation on earth, when the sun, moon, and stars will grow dark; then, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens (a brilliant light), heralding the Lord’s return with great power and glory: Immediately after those days of tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will no longer give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29–30). “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15, Daniel 2:44).

The Lord Jesus will put an end to the corrupt world order and establish the kingdom of God. The government will rest upon His shoulder, and His kingdom will have no end. (Isaiah 9:6). Thus, corrupt human governments, wars, famine, disasters, and environmental pollution caused by humanity’s mismanagement of the earth will come to an end. “The god of this world” (Satan) will no longer be able to influence the course of this planet. There will be only God’s influence, mediated by the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in believers. Everything else will be cast out: the global system of Babylon under the influence of Satan and demons, corrupt people and governments, and the deceptive religions of the world.

The final battle at Armageddon will precede the Messiah’s return to Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, from where He will proclaim world peace (Isaiah 2:1–4, Zechariah 14). He will return filled with the glory of God, with all of God’s power at His disposal. He will put an end to the satanic forces that have driven the world into wars and tribulations.

It will be a cosmic event that will affect both heaven and earth: Immediately after those days of tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will no longer give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky; all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29–30). Then all the nations will be gathered before Him (Matthew 25:31–46) “for the judgment of the sheep and the goats.” The sheep (the saved) will enter the Messianic Kingdom and reign with Jesus on earth for 1,000 years in peace and righteousness. The goats (the unsaved) will be cast out of the earth and will await the final judgment at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20).

After the Messiah’s 1,000-year reign on earth and following a final act of rebellion by Satan, the end of the world will come, when God will dissolve the present earth and universe and create a new one. Those who are redeemed will go to heaven for eternity, and those who are lost will go to hell. (2 Peter 3, Revelation 20–21).

 7. Conclusions

The Lord Jesus said that before His return there will be a time of great distress and suffering on earth, known as the Great Tribulation. However, before this event, there will be warning signs of the tribulation. There will be a global crisis with no solutions that will instill fear of the future in people.

These events are happening now and are a sign that we are living in the days leading up to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Days of great trial on earth will follow, but those who believe in the Gospel have the hope of the Lord’s return. He will save all who believe in Him and take them to a place of safety in the event known as the Rapture of the Church.

In the Gospel of Luke, we are told that there will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. And on earth there will be distress among the nations, who will not know what to do as they hear the roaring of the sea and the waves; people will faint from fear as they await the events that are to come upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:25–28). But the Lord Jesus also says that when all these things are about to happen, we must trust in Him: “Look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.” This deliverance is accomplished through the rapture of the church. He will save all who believe in Him and take them to a place of safety in the event known as the Rapture of the Church.

This event is described in several passages in the Bible, including the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, where the Lord Jesus says that one will be taken and the other left behind. Likewise, the Apostle Paul reminds us in his epistle to the Thessalonians that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18).

The Rapture of the Church will be a completely supernatural event in which all believers saved in the Lord Jesus Christ will be taken from the world to a realm where they will be with the Lord and will receive new bodies of glory, which will know neither sickness nor death (1 Corinthians 15). And they will be with the Lord forever. Then the Lord, together with His saints (the believers), will return to earth when the Lord takes control of the earth.

God will then have the final say in the history of this planet, when the Lord Jesus the Messiah will reign on earth for 1,000 years and bring about God’s New World Order. People will live long, prosperous lives, free from war and tyranny (Isaiah 2, Isaiah 11, Psalm 72, Revelation 20). All redeemed people from past ages to the present will be taken to the new heavens and the new earth, where they will be with God in glory forever. (2 Peter 3, Revelation 21–2). This is our hope, the long-awaited reunion in the midst of the spiritual darkness that covers the earth. This is the blessed hope of the true believer in the Lord Jesus: For the grace of God, which brings salvation to all people, has been revealed and teaches usbreak away from idolatry and worldly desires and to live in this present age with self-control, righteousness, and godliness, awaiting our blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14).

What should we do, knowing that all these things will happen? We must ensure that we have a guaranteed place in the new world, repent of the sins in our lives, and pray that the Lord will save us and grant us eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.