End times prophecies can inspire us to read the news and make connections, but there are risks. On one hand, we should not try to read the news into the Bible; eisegesis is a path to unfounded fear at best and oftentimes can lead to horrible personal decisions. On the other hand, we should not ignore what is happening around us because events around us as well as across the globe spark natural and healthy inquiry. Whether we’re in the end times or not, it behooves us to be properly prepared and regularly reading our Bibles.

Global tensions have escalated sharply as multiple hotspots flare simultaneously, echoing the Lord’s warning in Matthew 24 about wars and rumors of wars marking the approach of the last days.

Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, describing signs that would precede His return. In Matthew 24:6-8 of the King James Version, He declared: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

These words ring true today. As 2025 draws to a close, the world witnesses an array of conflicts that align with this prophetic outline. Russia continues its grinding advance in Ukraine, claiming key areas like Pokrovsk while facing immense casualties. Talks under the Trump U.S. administration show progress, yet the war persists into its fourth year, drawing in allies and raising fears of broader NATO involvement.

In the Middle East, Israel confronts threats on multiple fronts. Direct exchanges with Iran intensified this year with airstrikes targeting nuclear sites and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. Ceasefires in Gaza hold precariously, but underlying hostilities remain. Syria’s landscape shifted dramatically with the fall of Assad and the rise of new powers in Damascus. Yemen sees ongoing strikes, while Sudan endures one of the deadliest civil wars, with millions displaced.

Further east, China conducts large-scale drills around Taiwan, heightening rumors of potential invasion. Clashes in the South China Sea persist, and North Korea’s provocations add to regional instability. Africa faces upheavals in Congo, with Rwanda-backed forces seizing territory, and other nations grappling with insurgencies.

These events do not signal panic, as Jesus instructed believers not to be troubled. They represent the “beginning of sorrows”—birth pains that intensify before the end. Nation rises against nation, exactly as foretold. Russia, Iran, and others form alignments that students of prophecy recognize from Ezekiel 38-39, where Persia (modern Iran) joins a northern coalition against Israel.

Yet amid these signs, Scripture calls for watchfulness and faithfulness. The gospel continues to spread worldwide, fulfilling Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Reports show surging Bible engagement, campus revivals, and mass conversions across third world nations, even as darkness grows.

Believers must stand firm, enduring to the end as promised salvation for those who do (Matthew 24:13). Global conflicts multiply, but God’s sovereign plan unfolds precisely. These are reminders to redeem the time, share the hope of Christ, and look upward for His imminent return.

The stage sets for greater tribulations, yet the Lord remains in control. He warned of deception, false christs, and increasing lawlessness—evident today. Hold fast to the Word, pray for peace where possible, and prepare hearts for what comes next.