Look Up: Is Trump’s Strike on Iran Igniting the End-Times Peace?
Luke 21:28
"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Jesus was teaching on end times events, often called the Olivet Discourse (also found in Matthew 24–25, Mark 13, and Luke 21).
"End Times Events"?
False messiahs and prophets deceiving many. Wars, uprisings, and international conflicts. Natural disasters like earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. Cosmic disturbances ("terrors and great signs from heaven," Luke 21:11, and later, "the powers of the heavens will be shaken," Luke 21:26). And the persecution of believers. These signs are described as "birth pains" (Matthew 24:8), indicating increasing intensity and frequency as the end approaches.
The call to "Look Up":
Jesus is encouraging His followers to "straighten up and raise your heads", it's a call to stay spiritually awake and discerning. And trust in God’s end times plan despite the chaos, as He is sovereign over all human history.
The Prophetic Storm:
Ezekiel 38:1-6
"The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you."
The coalition in Ezekiel 38:5–6 (Persia, Cush, Put, etc.) reflects the international scope of the end-time conflicts Jesus mentions in Luke 21:10 ("nation against nation" world war, and world peace). Ezekiel 38:19–23 describes God’s supernatural judgment (earthquakes, fire), paralleling the cosmic signs in Luke 21:11, 25–26, reinforcing the idea that God controls history’s climax. Both passages urge God’s people to remain steadfast. Ezekiel 39:7–8 emphasizes God’s glory and protection of Israel, while Luke 21:28 calls believers to hope in redemption, even as chaos unfolds.
Some modern interpreters, especially in premillennial circles, identify Gog’s coalition with contemporary nations (Russia as Magog, and Iran as Persia, Cush possibly as Sudan or Ethiopia, Put possibly as Libya, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah as regions likely in modern Turkey or Central Asia) based on geopolitical alignments. So we know them as the enemies from the north and the south, world war alliances aligned against Israel.
God declares He will compel Gog’s forces ("put hooks into your jaws," Ezekiel 38:4) to attack Israel, only to face divine judgment (Ezekiel 38:18–23; 39:1–6). Recent events, particularly in the Middle East, have fueled speculation about Ezekiel 38’s fulfillment. "Operation Rising Lion" heightened focus on Persia (Iran). Not to mention Iran’s alliances with Russia and proxies like Hezbollah align with the prophecy’s multi-nation coalition. There truly seems to be a "stage setting" for Gog’s northern invasion.
In Ezekiel 38:19–20, God’s judgment on this coalition includes a great earthquake in the land of Israel:
"For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath I have spoken: Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel"
This quake is part of divine intervention, causing chaos among Gog’s forces (Ezekiel 38:21–23). Ezekiel’s quake is catastrophic, causing mountains to fall and all creatures to tremble (Ezekiel 38:20). Ezekiel 38’s quake accompanies a specific invasion of Israel by a formed coalition.
Is It The End Today?
No.
There are many signs and indications for concern, but there are certain things that have not been observed. Namely security in Israel. A great uncommon peace. I know it seems odd, but all things considered, in order for recent events and the current war-like circumstances to be the end times upon us, there first needs to be a great peace in Israel. In fact the nation of Israel should be at such a comfortable position of peace and hope that they live as if they have nothing to fear. No walls, not fear, just peace and prosperity. As President Trump would say, "a really huge peace, like no one has every seen before. People say, "we've never seen peace like this", it's huge peace, really huge!"
Some scholars (e.g. John MacArthur) argue Ezekiel 38’s "security" requires a specific peace, possibly post-rapture or after a covenant (Daniel 9:27), when Israel lowers its guard. Current tensions don’t match this tranquility. Israel's military and technological edge creates a functional security, and the absence of ancient walls fits the prophecy’s imagery, but they are hardly living in peace. the constant threat environment, rockets, terrorism, and Iran’s hostility, contrasts with the unsuspecting peace implied in Ezekiel 38:11. The prophecy likely envisions a future period of greater calm, possibly after a peace agreement or divine intervention, when Israel’s guard is lower, making Gog’s invasion an unexpected shock. This suggests that there will be a time coming, maybe soon, in which peace like we've never seen before will happen in the Middle East. Peace beyond understanding.
The prophecy’s "great calm" likely requires a future event, perhaps a peace treaty brokered by a world leader, Trump? (some premillennialists link this to the Antichrist, Daniel 9:27) or a period of divine protection, when Israel feels uniquely secure.
So, if you're looking for a sign of the end times, look up when you see unprecedented peace happening in the Middle East.
This would echo 1 Thessalonians 5:3,
"While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them."
This peace could precede Ezekiel 38’s invasion, setting the stage for the end-times "birth pains" Jesus describes in Luke 21:9–11. The recent U.S.com/Israeli bombing actions have degraded Iran’s nuclear and air defense capabilities, bolstering Israel’s relative security. And maybe opening up the door for this "great peace". These strikes could pressure Iran toward diplomacy (Amos Yadlin’s suggestion of zero-enrichment talks), potentially leading to a deceptive peace treaty (Daniel 9:27) that fulfills Ezekiel 38’s conditions. Alternatively, a weakened Iran might align further with Russia/Turkey, hastening Gog’s coalition.
The strikes’ damage is still unclear, Iran claims minimal impact, and the IAEA notes no radiation spike, suggesting Trump’s "obliterated" claim may be overstated. But I think as the weeks to come play out we'll see the coming peace talks start to bear fruit.
It looks to me like we're witnessing the beginning of the beginning of the end. Does that mean President Trump is the AntiChrist setting the stage for a profound period of peace in the Middle East? Could Trump be the Antichrist orchestrating a deceptive peace treaty, as described in Daniel 9:27 and possibly linked to Ezekiel 38:8, 11’s peaceful Israel before the Gog-Magog invasion? Look for a profound peace treaty. Look for unprecedented peace in Israel. Look for Gaza becoming a resort destination. Look for Disneyland in Iran.
When you see this amazing grace period, then you'd better look up!
Luke 21:28
"straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near"
Watch for diplomacy. Pray for peace. And Look Up!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your perfect will in the unfolding events of our world. You are sovereign over all nations, and Your plans are unthwarted, as You declared in Ezekiel 38 and Luke 21. Amid the conflicts, strikes, and hopes for peace in the Middle East, we pray that Your purpose prevails. Guide the leaders, nations, and people involved—may their actions align with Your divine timeline. Protect Israel, Your chosen people, and bring about the peace You’ve promised, whether now or in Your appointed time. Give us discernment to watch the signs, courage to trust Your redemption, and faith to "look up" as Luke 21:28 calls us. Let Your glory shine through every storm and may all we do honor You.
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.