Israel’s decision to go to war with Iran has not only shocked the world but has also prompted some Christian leaders to speculate on what the conflict could signify about the end times. Pastor Greg Laurie and Pastor Max Lucado each recently addressed the topic after the United States bombed Iran.
“Are we witnessing a major turn in the calendar of prophetic history? It certainly seems that the stage is being set for the end of this age,” said author and Pastor Max Lucado in a video posted Sunday, June 22, titled, “Israel, Iran, and End Times.” Lucado recently published “What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of This Age.”
RELATED: How Max Lucado Came To Change His Mind on the End Times
Greg Laurie, Max Lucado Consider Current Events in Light of the End Times
On Friday, June 13, Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran, targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, top leaders, and ballistic missile program. Israel has said that the war was a preemptive measure to keep Iran from building a nuclear bomb and destroying Israel.
As of this writing, 28 people have been reported killed in Israel and 974 people have been reported killed in Iran.
On Thursday, June 19, President Trump said he would decide within two weeks whether or not to bring the U.S. into the conflict between the two nations. On Saturday, June 21, news broke that the U.S. had entered it, targeting three nuclear facilities in Iran by dropping 14 bunker-buster bombs and launching Tomahawk missiles via submarine.
Iran retaliated by firing missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar, although Iran gave the U.S. advance notice, reported The New York Times. Qatar condemned the attack and said it intercepted the missiles.
In a social media post Monday evening Trump said that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”
Both Iran and Israel confirmed the ceasefire agreement. However, hours later, Israel said Iran had violated the ceasefire and that Israel would retaliate; Iran denies that claim.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Trump said he was “not happy” with Israel and “not happy” with Iran either. The president accused both countries of violating the ceasefire and used an expletive to express his frustration.
