Across the Middle East, the convergence of violent repression, escalating rhetoric and openly religious warfare language has many Bible-focused observers asking a familiar question. Are we watching the groundwork being laid for end-times events described in Scripture? While caution is always warranted, the alignment of geopolitical and ideological forces has renewed interest in biblical calls to watch, discern and understand the times in which we live.
That sense of prophetic urgency is central to recent reporting by Erick Stakelbeck on The Watchman Newscast, where he has been closely tracking developments inside Iran and the rising threat of broader conflict.
Iran’s Crackdown and the Threat of Holy War
Stakelbeck describes the situation inside Iran as historic brutality. “What we are witnessing right now in the streets of Iran is one of the greatest mass slaughters from a government upon its own people since the days of Mao in China and Stalin in the Soviet Union,” he said.
According to reports, more than 16,000 Iranians have been killed in a matter of weeks, with many more wounded or arrested.
While much of the global media has shifted focus elsewhere, Stakelbeck warned the crisis is far from over. “This butchery, this genocide of the Iranian people, courtesy of the ayatollahs, is happening in real time,” he said, adding that “the silence in much of the world is deafening.”
The stakes escalated further after Iranian officials issued stark warnings toward Washington. Stakelbeck highlighted a statement from Iran’s parliament declaring that any attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would amount to “a declaration of war with the entire Islamic world.” Stakelbeck summarized the message plainly. “They are declaring an Islamic jihad against the United States, a global Islamic holy war.”
He also warned that any U.S. strike would likely provoke missile attacks against American assets and Israel. He described the scenario as a nightmare but stressed that “it’s all on the table right now.”
Ezekiel’s Prophecy and the Alignment of Nations
For students of biblical prophecy, Iran’s posture carries added significance. In Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, Persia, the ancient name for modern Iran, is listed among the nations that come against Israel in a future conflict often referred to as the Ezekiel War.
Scripture does not present that war as a sudden event without context. It assumes established alliances, hardened ideologies and a shared hostility toward Israel. While the full scope of Ezekiel’s prophecy includes unmistakable divine intervention that has not yet occurred, many observers see current developments as potential precursor conditions, with pieces moving into position long before the final conflict.
Watching With Wisdom, Not Speculation
The Bible consistently calls God’s people to discernment rather than sensationalism. In 1 Chronicles, the Sons of Issachar are praised as men “who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.”
Jesus echoed that expectation in the New Testament when He rebuked those who could interpret the weather but failed to recognize the spiritual signs unfolding before them.
Taken together, Stakelbeck’s reporting and the biblical framework point to a prophetic reality. While this moment does not fulfill Ezekiel 38 outright, the convergence of Iran’s aggression, religious war rhetoric and regional instability underscores the need for wisdom, prayer and spiritual alertness.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
