World War 3

[Sword-In-Hand]

I'm wondering where in scripture people get that this will be the final war before the return of Jesus. I've always grown up hearing that whenever WW3 starts, pack your bags, it's game over. Since I've never really studied end times theology, I am wondering where this belief comes from.

 

[mont974x4]

I don't know of anywhere in Scripture that says anything about WW III. Personally, I think the Cold War was WW III and we are on the verge of WW IV. However, that is not based on biblical principles but my own view of history.

As to your specific question, There will be a great war in the end times with basically all the nations will be agianst Isreal. Many people consider that war to be the dreaded WW III of the cold war era and that is where that idea comes from. Keep in mind that many people thought along the same lines when WW I and WW II broke out.

If it something that really interests you then I encourage you to study it for yourself. Percept Ministries has some studies on it that walk you through the Scriptures.

 

[arunma]

If you go with the dispensationalist understanding of Scripture (and I don't), then such an interpretation of the Scriptures suggests that there will be some great war in the Middle East. But I'm fairly certain that no passage from Scripture suggests that the next war will be the signal of the end of days. I suppose that even according to the dispensationalists, there could be many wars before the one supposedly predicted in Scripture.

 

[mont974x4]

How do you handle this?

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.

or the Gog/Magog issue from Eze 38 and 39?


I have no doubt that there will be a great war fought in the region and Isreal will be at the heart of it. However, I have not determined in my own heart and mind whether we will be here for that or not.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

In all honesty SIH, people probably get the "end of the world" mentality with regard to WWIII because of the realization that nuclear weapons will probably be used.

WW + Nuclear Weapons = End of the World = Christ Returns.

Mix that with anything to deal with Israel/Middle East and one begins to add more fuel to an already hot fire.

That being said, if nuclear war breaks out before Christ's return I want to be at ground zero if I have to be anywhere near it. I'd rather be vaporized than flash burned and irradiated.

 

[edie19]

In all honesty SIH, people probably get the "end of the world" mentality with regard to WWIII because of the realization that nuclear weapons will probably be used.

WW + Nuclear Weapons = End of the World = Christ Returns.

Mix that with anything to deal with Israel/Middle East and one begins to add more fuel to an already hot fire.

That being said, if nuclear war breaks out before Christ's return I want to be at ground zero if I have to be anywhere near it. I'd rather be vaporized than flash burned and irradiated.

I remember reading something attributed to Albert Einstein once. I can't quote it exactly, but paraphrased - "I can't say exactly how WW3 will be fought, but WW4 will be with rocks and sticks." He knew what nuclear weaponry would do - yet contributed anyway. edie

 

[JPPT1974]

IMO this Middle East War or the Iraqi War
Could be kind of like WW3 since the Iraqi War has
Gone on for three years and the Middle East war
Doesn't see to be ending anytime soon at all!

 

[mont974x4]

I wonder if Luke 21:9-22 is where this idea came from? Keep in mind it says that these wars will be before the Second COming but not immediately before.

 

[Tenken07]

That being said, if nuclear war breaks out before Christ's return I want to be at ground zero if I have to be anywhere near it. I'd rather be vaporized than flash burned and irradiated.

Id rather be dead and in heaven before the end times. I dont want to stick around and experience the war and everything thats gonna happen.

 

[mont974x4]

Luk 21:7 Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?"
Luk 21:8 He said, "Be careful that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name and say, 'I am he' and 'The time is near.' Don't go after them.
Luk 21:9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, never be alarmed. For these things must take place first, but the end won't come right away."
Luk 21:10 Then he went on to say to them, "Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luk 21:11 There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be fearful events and awful signs from heaven.
Luk 21:12 "But before all these things take place, people will arrest you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 It will give you an opportunity to testify.
Luk 21:14 So purpose in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time,
Luk 21:15 for I will give you such speech and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute it.
Luk 21:16 "You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
Luk 21:17 You will be hated continuously by everyone because of my name.
Luk 21:18 And yet not a hair on your head will be lost.
Luk 21:19 By your endurance you will win your souls."
Luk 21:20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then understand that its devastation is near.
Luk 21:21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in the countryside must not go into it.
Luk 21:22 For these are the days of vengeance when all that is written will be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 "How terrible it will be for those women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath on this people.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be carried off as captives among all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the gentiles until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled."
Luk 21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and there will be distress on earth among the nations that are confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves.
Luk 21:26 People will faint with fear and apprehension because of the things that are to come on the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken loose.
Luk 21:27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is near."


Looking at verses 12-16 it appears to me that we will be around for at least part of these things.

 

[Andyman_1970]

That passage in Luke is describing the destruction of Jerusalem.

 

[mont974x4]

Yes, but I believe it is both the 70 AD destruction when the Temple was destroyed, as well as a sign of the end times. Not everything in that passage has happened yet.

 

[GustheMule]

How do you handle this?

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.

or the Gog/Magog issue from Eze 38 and 39?


I have no doubt that there will be a great war fought in the region and Isreal will be at the heart of it. However, I have not determined in my own heart and mind whether we will be here for that or not.

That happened B.C.

 

[GustheMule]

Yes, but I believe it is both the 70 AD destruction when the Temple was destroyed, as well as a sign of the end times. Not everything in that passage has happened yet.

Like what?

 

[mont974x4]

Luke 21:27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.


Nothing in the passage indicates that was all going to happen in the first 100-150 after the resurection, in fact their really is no timeline.


Also, as to Eze chapters 38 and 39 they haven't happened yet either.

 

[edie19]

Id rather be dead and in heaven before the end times. I dont want to stick around and experience the war and everything thats gonna happen.

We've been in the "last days" since Christ's ascension.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Luke 21:27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.


Nothing in the passage indicates that was all going to happen in the first 100-150 after the resurection, in fact their really is no timeline.


Also, as to Eze chapters 38 and 39 they haven't happened yet either.

Didn't Jesus say that everything that would need to be fulfilled before He could return would be completed in His generation?

 

[mont974x4]

I don't think so.

I think you are probably thinking of this verse:
Luk 21:32 Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.


The "these" in that verse is highlighted by e-Sword since it is not in all versions.

First, the word generation from the Greek means age, generation, nation, or time (according to the Strongs concordance number 1074). So it can be used to describe an era as opposed to a specific group of people (like we talk about baby boomers). Also if we look at the verse in its entirety it says this age/gneration/nation/time will not be over until these things are fulfilled, as opposed to all these things will be fulfilled before this generation ends.

I suspect that this view of the word generation is, at least in part, the basis for dispensationalist views?

 

[GustheMule]

Mont, Compare

3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

with

13I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel's Vision Interpreted

15"As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me[b] was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'

When Jesus said announced the arrival of the Kingdom he meant it. When the temple was destroyed it vindicated Jesus and showed him to be telling the truth. He truly is in ascendancy even now, at teh right hand of the Ancient of Days.

 

[mont974x4]

I'm not doubting that Christ is now at the right hand of the Father. I can even agree that the end days began as soon as Christ ascended into Heaven.

I am doubting that all things prophesied to happen, have happened. There are signs and wonders yet to come before the rapture, anti-Christ, etc and Christs final judgment and vistory.