|
Once again, I find myself lying in bed with my Bible open, a laptop nearby, news articles pulled up, and my mind quietly turning over the same question that seems to surface more frequently these days: What are we watching unfold right now?
There is something about the present moment that feels different. Not merely troubling headlines or isolated geopolitical crises—those have always existed—but a growing sense that multiple strands are coming together at once. Scripture, current events, alliances, threats, and even peace initiatives seem to be converging in ways that are increasingly difficult to ignore. It feels… ominous—not in a sensational sense, but in a sober, watchful one. Persia in the Prophetic Picture One of the clearest intersections between biblical prophecy and modern geopolitics appears in Ezekiel 38–39, where Persia is explicitly named among a future coalition that comes against Israel: “Persia, Cush, and Put with them…” (Ezekiel 38:5) Persia is modern-day Iran. This identification is not symbolic or speculative—it is textual. Scripture tells us plainly that Persia will play a role in a future conflict that culminates not in diplomatic resolution or military victory, but in direct divine intervention. For many years, prophecy teachers spoke of this and wondered how such alignments could realistically take shape. Today, that question no longer feels hypothetical. Iran’s ideological hostility toward Israel, its regional reach through proxy forces, and its increasingly open rhetoric toward broader conflict all align naturally with the role Ezekiel describes. Persia is no longer a distant possibility in prophecy—it is an active, visible player on the world stage. Rising Tensions—Alongside Calls for Peace What makes the current moment especially striking is that escalation and diplomacy are advancing simultaneously. On one hand, Iran and its allies continue to posture militarily, warning that any direct confrontation would engulf the region. On the other hand, we see renewed emphasis on peace initiatives and security frameworks, including discussions surrounding President Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace,” aimed at reducing global conflict and stabilizing volatile regions—particularly the Middle East. At first glance, these may seem like opposing trajectories. Biblically, however, they often develop side by side. Ezekiel describes Israel at the time of the invasion as dwelling in a condition it has never truly known in the modern era: “I will go up against the land of unwalled villages… all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates.” (Ezekiel 38:11) Israel today is among the most security-conscious nations on earth. Walls, barriers, missile defense systems, and constant vigilance are necessities, not luxuries. For Ezekiel’s prophecy to be fulfilled as written, a convincing sense of peace and security must first exist—not perfection, but confidence. Peace initiatives, international guarantees, and diplomatic frameworks could all contribute to that mindset. Scripture elsewhere cautions us about such moments: “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly…” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) The Bible does not condemn all peace efforts—but it does warn us not to confuse humanly brokered peace with lasting peace. This Is What Prophetic Convergence Looks Like What distinguishes our present moment from earlier decades is not simply what is happening, but how much is happening at once.Consider the convergence:
These are not isolated developments separated by years or generations. They are overlapping realities, unfolding in real time within the same historical window. This is what many prophecy teachers have long referred to as prophetic convergence—the moment when multiple biblical conditions begin aligning simultaneously, narrowing the gap between possibility and plausibility. That does not mean Ezekiel 38 is unfolding tomorrow. But it does mean the stage is increasingly recognizable. Watching With Little to No Speculating Jesus never instructed His followers to panic or to set dates. He did, however, command us to watch. Watching biblically means:
Prophecy was given not to satisfy curiosity, but to anchor confidence. History is moving somewhere—and God is not improvising. Final Word: Stay Awake, Aware, and Anchored When Persia rises, peace initiatives advance, alliances harden, and Israel’s security future becomes a central global concern—all at once—it is right for believers to take notice. Not with fear. Not with speculation. But with discernment. Lying awake with an open Bible and open headlines is not a sign of anxiety—it is a reminder that God has already told us how the story ends. “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) Watch wisely. Stay anchored. Keep looking up.
0 Comments
 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28). President Donald Trump is wasting no time. One year into his second term and already reshaping America’s posture on the global stage, he has announced the formation of what he calls a “Board of Peace,” a new international body he intends to personally chair. The stated goal is straightforward: reduce global conflict and bring stability to a fractured world order.
On the surface, that sounds noble. Who wouldn’t want peace in a world marked by war, instability, and growing uncertainty? But students of the Bible have learned to pause whenever global peace initiatives are framed as the solution to humanity’s deepest problems. Trump has long expressed frustration with the United Nations, criticizing it as a place of lofty speeches and empty words that fail to stop war. While he now says the new board will work alongside the UN, he has also openly suggested that it could one day replace it. That possibility alone has raised eyebrows around the world, and the muted response from many traditional Western allies speaks volumes. Those who did participate represent an interesting and diverse coalition—nations from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and South America. Invitations have also reportedly been extended to major global powers still weighing their involvement. Taken together, the picture is not of a single dominant empire, but of a developing alignment—fluid, regional, and pragmatic. From a biblical perspective, none of this is surprising. In fact, it fits a pattern Scripture has warned about for centuries. "Peace and Safety" — A Familiar Refrain The apostle Paul cautioned the Thessalonian church with these words: “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction comes upon them…” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) This passage is not a condemnation of peace itself. The Bible consistently affirms peace as good, desirable, and something believers should pursue. The warning is aimed at false confidence—the belief that human systems, political structures, or international councils can finally secure what only God’s kingdom can provide. History confirms this truth. The world has never lacked peace conferences, treaties, alliances, or global organizations. What it has lacked is righteousness. The problem has never been diplomacy. The problem has always been the human heart. Ten Kings without A Kingdom Another passage worth sober reflection comes from the book of Revelation: “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings for one hour…” (Revelation 17:12) In this passage, Scripture describes leaders who do not rule independent empires of their own, yet who nevertheless exercise real authority. Their power is not rooted in sovereign territory or inherited rule, but in alignment—a shared structure, coordinated action, and mutual recognition. The authority they wield is genuine, but it is also derived, temporary, and ultimately unable to deliver the stability it promises. It is important to say clearly what this passage does not do. It does not identify modern institutions, nor does it name contemporary leaders. We cannot—and should not—claim that any present-day council or initiative is the fulfillment of this prophecy. Biblical prophecy is best understood with humility and restraint, not speculation. At the same time, Scripture gives believers patterns to watch for. Revelation points us toward a future marked by shifting alliances, dissatisfaction with existing global systems, supranational authority structures, and leaders offering order and security in an age of instability and fear. It is also worth noting that several individuals associated with the Board occupy positions that closely resemble authority without a traditional kingdom. These are not monarchs ruling vast empires, but influential figures and power brokers whose influence comes through access, recognition, and participation in a shared structure. In that sense, they function as leaders whose authority exists because it is granted, coordinated, and temporary—not because a kingdom belongs to them. This observation does not require us to label anyone as the fulfillment of Revelation’s imagery. It simply highlights how familiar the biblical pattern feels in a modern context: authority without a crown, power without a throne, and leadership sustained by alignment rather than sovereignty. Those patterns are becoming increasingly visible. Biblical Discernment, Not Panic It’s important to be clear: not every peace initiative is the final one. Not every new global body fulfills prophecy. Scripture calls believers to watchfulness, not fear. Jesus Himself said: “See to it that you are not alarmed… these things must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6) The goal is discernment—testing the spirits, measuring claims against the Bible, and remembering that no human leader, council, or board will usher in lasting peace. That honor belongs to Christ alone. The Only Real Peace Isaiah called Him the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And when He returns, peace will not be negotiated, brokered, or voted into existence—it will be established. Until then, the world will continue to seek unity without repentance, peace without righteousness, and safety without submission to God. Those efforts will likely intensify as instability grows and people search desperately for solutions. So when new banners of peace are raised on the global stage, the believer’s response is neither fear nor cynicism. It is discernment. Because the Bible told us this would happen. And it also told us how it ends. “Come, Lord Jesus.”  “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads.” (Luke 21:28) Some years come and go. Others make you stop and think, something shifted this year.
Looking back, 2025 was one of those years. Not because one dramatic prophetic event happened, and not because we crossed some obvious end-times finish line, but because things that had been building under the surface became harder to ignore. The cracks widened. The tone changed. And for anyone paying attention, it became more difficult to pretend everything was basically normal. This isn’t about chasing headlines or trying to force the news into Bible prophecy. It’s about discernment—watching the times the way Jesus told us to: calmly, soberly, and without fear. Over the years, as I've studied Bible prophecy, certain patterns have emerged. I've summarized them into ten trends. Out of these ten trends I've been tracking, I want to focus on four for this review. Antisemitism -- The Tone Changed Antisemitism didn’t start in 2025, but something shifted this year. What stood out wasn’t just an increase in incidents, but how open it became. Jewish students on major university campuses were harassed simply for being Jewish. Synagogues across the U.S. and Europe increased security, not because of isolated threats, but because hostility felt constant. In some cities, Jewish gatherings required police presence as a matter of routine. What really caught my attention was how often this hostility was explained away. Open antisemitism was re-framed as political expression or activism. Language softened what was actually happening. And many people who should have spoken clearly chose to stay quiet. The Bible has never treated antisemitism as merely a social or political problem. From the very beginning, God tied how the nations treat the Jewish people to their posture toward Him (Genesis 12:3). Later, the prophets warned that Jerusalem would become a “cup of trembling” to the nations (Zechariah 12:2–3). History confirms what Scripture already tells us: when this ancient supernatural hatred rises to the surface, it is never isolated. It’s a signal. Looking back, 2025 brought a clarity that made underlying realities harder to ignore. Aliyah -- When Pressure Becomes Personal At the same time antisemitism intensified, another familiar pattern continued quietly: Jewish people returning to Israel. You probably saw some of the stories—Jewish families leaving parts of Europe, Canada, and even the U.S., not because of open war, but because life no longer felt stable or predictable. The reasons sounded less ideological and more personal: concern for children, safety, and the future. And for me, this wasn’t just something I read about. Even Jewish friends of mine from my Air Force days made aliyah in 2025. People I served alongside. People I respected. When that happens, aliyah stops being an abstract prophetic concept and becomes very real. It changes how you read the headlines. Scripture repeatedly shows God drawing His people back to the land He promised them, often during seasons of pressure and unrest (Ezekiel 36:24; Jeremiah 16:15). That doesn’t mean suffering is good—but it does mean it isn’t wasted. Looking back, 2025 didn’t start aliyah. But it made it feel more normal, more expected, and more personal. Global Alignment — Everyone Wants Stability Another thing that stood out in 2025 was the growing push for global coordination and centralized solutions. You heard the language everywhere: stability, security, resilience, cooperation. Economic forums focused on managing uncertainty. Governments expanded digital systems in the name of efficiency and safety. Financial institutions explored centralized frameworks to protect economies and markets. None of this sounded alarming on the surface—and that’s exactly why it matters. Scripture warns us that the pursuit of peace apart from truth leads to a false sense of security (1 Thessalonians 5:3). When stability becomes the highest value, people are often willing to trade more than they realize to get it. Looking back, 2025 didn’t produce a final system. But it did move people closer to accepting centralized control as normal—and even necessary. Apostasy -- A Softer, Safer Faith If I’m honest, the most sobering trend of 2025 wasn’t political or economic—it was spiritual. There was increasing pressure within the church to soften the faith. Biblical authority became negotiable. Moral clarity was labeled divisive. Repentance quietly faded from view. Christianity was welcomed—as long as it remained comfortable, affirming, and non-confrontational. I’m not painting with a broad brush here—there are many faithful churches—but this is a trend we can’t pretend isn’t happening. The New Testament repeatedly warns that in the last days many would drift from sound doctrine, preferring teaching that affirms rather than confronts (2 Timothy 4:3–4). This isn’t outright rejection of God—it’s distortion. The language remains familiar, but the substance slowly drains away. Looking back, 2025 made it clear that discernment isn’t optional anymore. Looking Back -- A Clarifying Year When I look back on 2025, I don’t see a year of prophetic fulfillment. I see a year of clarification. Antisemitism became bolder. Aliyah became more intentional—and more personal. Global systems leaned further toward centralized solutions. The line between biblical faith and cultural Christianity became sharper. None of this should surprise us. Jesus told us these things would begin before the end—steadily, like labor pains increasing in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:8). And this isn’t cause for fear. Christ is still on the throne. History is still moving exactly where God says it will. Our calling hasn’t changed: to stay awake, stay grounded, and stay faithful. Jesus didn’t tell us to panic when we see these things. He told us to lift up our heads. “When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31) Keep looking up! I turn 55 this year. With heart disease always in the background, I’m acutely aware that I’m not getting any younger. I’ve lived more years than I likely have left. That reality doesn’t discourage me—it clarifies me.
If the Lord allows me to keep walking, I want to walk with intention. I want to go out with a bang—not for my name, but for His. Over the years, I’ve distilled my life down to four overriding goals. I call it my personal life mission statement:
These aren’t slogans to me. They are anchors—guardrails that help me decide how I spend my time, energy, and remaining years. I’m not perfect, and I struggle with sin just like the next person, but I’m deeply thankful for God’s redeeming grace that sustains me, restores me, and keeps me moving forward in Christ. Looking Back: Delighting in Christ In 2025, my primary focus was Delighting in Christ. I wanted to slow down, re-calibrate my heart, and remember that ministry flows from intimacy, not activity. That focus was needed—and it will remain needed. And yet, if I’m honest, I fell far short of where I wanted to be. At least in my own mind. But the Christian life isn’t about flawless execution; it’s about faithful pursuit. I will continue to pursue delighting in Him—not because I’ve mastered it, but because Christ Himself is worthy of my affection, attention, and obedience. As the apostle Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12–14). Looking Ahead: Cultivating Disciples As I step into 2026, I sense a clear sharpening of focus—Cultivating Disciples. Not just evangelism in the abstract. Not just conversations that begin and end with words. But evangelism that results in discipleship—people who hear the gospel, respond to Christ, and begin walking with Him in real, visible ways. I want to tell as many people about Jesus Christ as possible. This already happens almost daily through my work as a workplace chaplain. God has placed me in spaces where people are open, hurting, searching, and often unguarded. Those are sacred moments, and I don’t take them lightly. But that calling doesn’t stop at the workplace. Missions as a Family Calling Together, as a family—and alongside our church and like-minded believers—we’ve been given opportunities to serve in places where the need for the gospel is staggering. In the Dominican Republic, we’ve seen communities hungry for biblical teaching, discipleship, and encouragement. In New York City, particularly Queens, the spiritual need is vast, complex, and often hidden behind busy streets and crowded buildings. And in Alaska, including outreach connected to events like the Iditarod, the isolation and spiritual darkness can be overwhelming. The need in these places isn’t theoretical. It’s mind-boggling. People need Christ. They need truth. They need hope that isn’t rooted in circumstances but in the finished work of Jesus. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied,” but because Christ has been raised, our hope is sure and secure (1 Corinthians 15:19). Why 2026 Matters I don’t know how many years the Lord has for me—but I know this: I want the years I do have to count.
Missions isn’t a side project for us. It’s an overflow of a life centered on Christ. It’s how we live out the gospel we proclaim. As the Bible reminds us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19) That command wasn’t given to professionals or missionaries alone—it was given to followers of Jesus—Christians just like you and me. An Invitation Throughout this site, you’ll find opportunities to pray, give, and participate in the mission work the Lord has placed before us. These aren’t our missions—they are His. If the Lord leads you to walk alongside us in 2026—through prayer, partnership, or participation—I would be honored. Let’s make the remaining years count. Let’s tell people about Jesus. Let’s go all in for the gospel. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Click here to learn more about how you can can partner with us on mission. |
Comments PolicyYou are welcome to leave comments and you don't have to necessarily agree with me. However, I expect a civil tone and charitable spirit. We can disagree with one another without being disagreeable. "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt." (Colossians 4:6) Archives
January 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed