When the Nations Rage
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
Over the past few days, news reports have been filled with developments coming out of Iran. After the death of Iran’s longtime Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly been chosen as the next leader by Iran’s Assembly of Experts. The announcement comes in the middle of a growing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. For many people watching the news, it feels like the world is becoming more unstable by the day.
When we read headlines like these, it reminds us that the Bible has long warned that the nations of the world would often stand in opposition to God and His purposes. Psalm 2 describes rulers who “set themselves” against the Lord. The world’s political stage is constantly changing—leaders rise, leaders fall, and alliances shift—but the spiritual conflict behind it all remains the same. The Bible tells us that history is not random; it is moving toward a divine conclusion.
Scripture also tells us that the Middle East, and particularly the nation of Israel, will play a significant role in the events leading up to the return of Christ. Passages like Ezekiel 38–39, Zechariah 12, and Matthew 24 describe increasing tensions and conflicts involving nations surrounding Israel. While we should be careful not to claim that every news event is a direct fulfillment of prophecy, these developments remind us how quickly the stage of the world can move toward the very conditions the Bible describes.
But the purpose of prophecy is not to cause fear—it is to produce faith. God reveals these things so believers will remember that He is still in control. While nations rage and leaders rise to power, the Lord still sits on the throne of heaven. The same God who sees the end from the beginning is guiding history toward the return of Jesus Christ.
For believers, the message is simple: be ready. The headlines remind us that our hope is not in political stability or world peace but in the coming kingdom of Christ. As the world grows more uncertain, our confidence should grow stronger in the promises of God.
When world events seem unsettling, remember that nothing surprises God. Instead of living in fear, let current events remind you to live with eternal perspective. Stay grounded in Scripture, remain faithful to Christ, and share the Gospel with others while there is still time.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Forty-Four • November 1, 2026
What are you Seeking?
In this week’s message titled "What are you Seeking?" from Kitchener Baptist Church, Pastor Jerry A. Burns explores John 20 to show how the world searches for meaning in the wrong places. Listeners will hear how Solomon looked for purpose in worldly success and pleasures only to find vanity, and how Mary Magdalene sought her Savior at the tomb, weeping for the dead before discovering He had risen.
Pastor Burns reminds us that true life is found only in Jesus Christ. The reality of Christ gives us life, and His resurrection is the key to our salvation and eternal life. We must choose life, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Join us on "Timeless Truths" as we turn to God's Word for these vital answers.
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