Is The World Heading Towards World War III?
Pastor Leslie Chua
“’This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.”
Is the world heading towards World War III?
Recently, this concerning question has been frequently raised in the media and by serious geopolitical analysts and commentators amid the current US-Israel and Iran conflict in the Middle East.
This is a pertinent question for several reasons.
The ongoing conflict has recorded the highest number of airstrikes in US history, excluding Israel’s strikes. In response, Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drone attacks on US military sites and Israeli cities.
The Gulf states attempt to stay neutral in this conflict. However, Iran has launched over 1,200 ballistic missiles targeting their oil and gas infrastructure, as well as desalination plants, hoping this will persuade them to convince the US to stop its attacks.
Wars in the Middle East not only affect the region; their consequences are felt worldwide because of oil and gas. The region is an essential global energy provider, producing about 30% of the world’s crude oil and nearly 20% of natural gas. Around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The production and shipment of downstream products – petrochemicals, fertilisers, sulphur, aluminium, and helium – are also affected, impacting both manufacturing and agriculture, and consequently, the food supply. In other words, wars in the Middle East have global consequences.
Severe economic pressures have long been a key cause of countries going to war. Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is still ongoing, and tensions between China and Taiwan are intensifying.
Considering all these factors and given that three nuclear superpowers, two of which are global economic giants, are involved in these conflicts, the situation could potentially escalate into a world war.
So, is the world heading towards World War III?
Heading In That Direction, But Not Quite Yet
The world is clearly heading towards a third World War, but we are not quite there yet. The groundwork for this global conflict is currently being laid, with the superpowers positioning themselves against each other.
In biblical eschatology, the final wars involve the Antichrist’s forces from the West (Europe) fighting against the king of the north (Russia) and the kings of the East (China leading the alliance).
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The world is clearly heading towards a third World War, but we are not quite there yet. The groundwork for this global conflict is currently being laid, with the superpowers positioning themselves against each other.
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At present, China and Russia are not actively involved in the conflict in the Middle East, but the West remains wary of them and views them as opponents.
According to the Bible, the final wars will be fought in the Middle East, particularly in Israel.
So, we are observing the conditions and geopolitical chess moves being set up. Armageddon seems imminent. It will happen sooner or later, but not at this moment.
Why do I say that? Let me explain.
Middle East Peace Must Occur First
Many geopolitical experts have proposed various scenarios with widely differing outcomes, many of which are credible and convincing. World War III is often on the minds of many of them.
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In summary, a sequence of events will unfold, leading to Armageddon. However, peace in the Middle East must come first. Then, the war prophesied in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 will occur, followed by a comprehensive peace agreement negotiated by the Antichrist before Armageddon or World War III.
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However, Christians have the ultimate guide to End-Time events, all of which are broadly outlined in the Bible. We are given God’s perspective on the end of this present age.
Given that, we understand how the world will end with Armageddon and what happens beforehand.
In summary, a sequence of events will unfold, leading to Armageddon. However, peace in the Middle East must come first. Then, the war prophesied in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 will occur, followed by a comprehensive peace agreement negotiated by the Antichrist before Armageddon or World War III.
Allow me to elaborate on the details.
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Firstly, a war will be fought in Israel before Armageddon. This is the war prophesied by Ezekiel, as detailed in Ezekiel 38-39.
Secondly, a prerequisite for the Ezekiel 38-39 war is that Israel will be living in peace and security before the war begins.
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Firstly, a war will be fought in Israel before Armageddon. This is the war prophesied by Ezekiel, as detailed in Ezekiel 38-39. This scenario presumes that this war is not the same as Armageddon, as some prophecy scholars believe. I am convinced that these are two separate wars, with Armageddon being the final one.
Secondly, a prerequisite for the Ezekiel 38-39 war is that Israel will be living in peace and security before the war begins. Ezekiel used these words in his prophecies: live in safety (38:8); a land of unwalled villages; peaceful and unsuspecting people; living without walls and without gates and bars (38:11); rich in livestock (38:12).
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I believe this prophesied peace will come after the current war with Iran ends. Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations surrounding Israel will sign the Abraham Accords with Israel, joining Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, and Kazakhstan.
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Israel has never truly known peace and security since its rebirth in 1948. It has had to engage in numerous acrimonious wars against its Arab neighbours and defend itself from the Intifada and terrorist groups over the past eighty years.
I believe this prophesied peace will come after the current war with Iran ends. Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations surrounding Israel will sign the Abraham Accords with Israel, joining Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, and Kazakhstan.
The peace and normalisation of relations between Israel and these nations will be followed by economic collaboration, boosting business and trade. Israel’s human capital and the Gulf states’ cheap energy and financial prowess will significantly transform the region overnight.
Peace, mutual cooperation, and new economic prosperity will lull Israel into complacency. It will become less vigilant; security will no longer be its top priority. The emphasis will shift to economic development.
Meanwhile, Türkiye and Russia will be watching closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike at Israel, which has become unexpectedly vulnerable. As Ezekiel’s prophecy indicates, Iran and several Central Asian and North African nations will form an alliance with Türkiye and Russia to invade Israel.
Regime Change in Iran
Returning to Iran, this ongoing conflict will end with the US negotiating a truce with Iran. Both sides will proclaim victory, but neither truly wins.
Iran’s nuclear weapons programme has been considerably weakened. Most of its ballistic missile launchers and stockpiles have been destroyed.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Iran’s new leaders must commit to dismantling its existing nuclear capabilities and refrain from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran must also suspend ballistic missile production and limit the rest of its missile programme. It will also have to stop funding regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
All these concessions will diminish Iran’s military capability and effectively remove its threat to Israel. Israel will emerge from the current war as the true winner.
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My prediction is that the regime will remain in power; however, more moderate leaders will take control. Nonetheless, the radical factions that want to see Israel destroyed will continue to exert influence within the government.
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The question is: Will there be a regime change in Iran?
That was initially the goal of both the US and Israel, but the US has since moved away from it. Although the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and other key Iranian regime figures were killed in this conflict, regime change remains unlikely. The internal politics of this large country, with its diverse factions and tribal groups, are too complex.
My prediction is that the regime will remain in power; however, more moderate leaders will take control. Nonetheless, the radical factions that want to see Israel destroyed will continue to exert influence within the government.
I mention this because Iran will be part of the coalition that invades Israel in the Ezekiel 38-39 war. Iran is specifically identified by its ancient name, Persia (Ezekiel 38:5).
However, Iran will not spearhead the invasion as its military strength and proxy terrorist networks have been significantly weakened. It has been the main adversary against Israel until this current conflict. Türkiye and Russia will instead lead the assault against Israel in the Ezekiel 38-39 war.
Conclusion
Let me summarise.
From a biblical perspective, we are not heading towards World War III or Armageddon at the moment. Instead, there will be peace in the Middle East, with Israel and its traditional Arab foes entering into the Abraham Accords.
The resulting peace will foster economic collaboration and prosperity across the region.
Believing the worst is over, Israel will lower its guard. Watching from the sidelines, Türkiye, Russia, Iran, and a coalition of nations will wait for the right moment and attack Israel when it is most vulnerable.
After the Ezekiel 38-39 war, the Antichrist will negotiate a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and many nations. Three and a half years later, he will break his agreement with Israel and lead an international coalition of countries to attack Israel.
This final war is commonly referred to as Armageddon. This is World War III.