A growing number of evangelical leaders are turning to the Bible’s end-of-days prophecies as congregants seek understanding amidst the Israel-Hamas war. The Book of Revelation and the Gospel of Matthew provide details of what is expected to happen before Christ’s return. These apocalyptic scriptures have often been referenced during times of global tensions, such as Israel’s war of independence in 1948, the Six-Day War in 1967, and the October War in 1973.
Believers have previously sounded alarms following major global events such as the eruption of World War II, the Cold War, and the 9/11 attacks. The Rev. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, acknowledges the severity of current global threats and wonders why the final world conflict would take place in a country the size of New Jersey.
Evangelical leaders are inundated with questions about prophecy since the recent terrorist raid by Hamas forces in southern Israel. In response to these inquiries, Mr. Jeffress plans to start a six-week sermon series entitled “Are We Living in the End Times?” to address these concerns and provide answers.
While there is increasing interest in biblical prophecies and eschatology, Christian leaders caution against “date setting” or attempting to predict the exact timing of Christ’s return. The New Testament and biblical teachings discourage any attempts to pinpoint the return of Jesus. Pastors acknowledge the importance of providing biblical clarity on end-times questions but emphasize the need for measured and clear-headed communication, avoiding alarmism or exaggeration.
Hispanic evangelical churches are also experiencing a rise in prophetic preaching. The formation of the state of Israel in 1948, coupled with a perceived increase in apostasy among Christian churches, has triggered heightened interest in apocalyptic scriptures.
Congregations examining Bible prophecy in light of current events are responding to questions raised by their parishioners and others. Pastors have noticed an increased number of inquiries from their congregations, leading them to address recent events and their connection to biblical prophecies.
While not every Christian church has focused on Bible prophecy following the recent Hamas attacks, many pastors have embraced the issue. Interest in connections between the Israel-Hamas struggle and Bible prophecy has generated significant attention, with pastors providing explanations and perspective on these issues.
