What if some of the chaos dominating today’s headlines was described in biblical language centuries ago: right down to revolutions and severe winters?
That is the fascinating question Bible teacher Perry Stone is raising after digging into an ancient Syriac/Aramaic biblical tradition that contains wording most Christians have probably never encountered.
Given what is unfolding across the world, the language is difficult to brush aside.
Stone recently highlighted an ancient Syriac version of Scripture while examining Jesus’ warnings about the days leading toward the end. While Christians are familiar with Jesus’s words about “wars and rumors of wars,” Stone pointed out that George Lamsa’s English translation of the Syriac text contains a particularly striking word.
Revolutions
“You will hear of wars and revolutions,” Stone quoted from the translation, noting that Jesus’ warning continues by telling His followers not to fear because these things must first take place.
Suddenly, an ancient passage sounds startlingly familiar.
Stone pointed to civil uprisings and movements seeking to transform governments, economies and laws, arguing that “revolution” is no longer some distant historical concept tucked away in textbooks.
It is a word appearing in the world around us.
“I don’t need that Lamsa translation from the Syrian Aramaic to understand we’re having revolutions,” Stone said. But for him, seeing that terminology in an ancient biblical tradition adds another fascinating layer to Jesus’ prophetic warning.
Then Stone dropped the second piece of the puzzle.
Severe winters
Turning to Luke 21:10-11, Stone discussed the familiar prophetic signs of earthquakes, famines, plagues and terrifying events. But according to the Syriac/Aramaic rendering he cited, the passage includes an additional phrase:
“Winters shall be severe.”
“You don’t see this in the King James, New King James, or any other translations,” Stone said while discussing the wording.
That phrase becomes especially intriguing as Stone points to discussions surrounding potentially severe winter conditions and increasingly unusual weather patterns.
While discussing predictions and even speculation about extreme future cooling, he made his position clear: “That’s their opinion. I’m not predicting that.”
And that may be one of the most important pieces of his entire message.
Stone is not telling Christians to grab onto every viral prophecy, frightening prediction or mysterious ancient text that crosses their social media feed. He is telling them to discern.
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As archaeological discoveries, ancient writings and technological advancements continue bringing previously obscure information into the spotlight, Stone says believers must measure what they encounter against history and the accuracy of Scripture.
“We have to judge it by history, by accuracy of Scripture,” Stone said, emphasizing the necessity of “great discernment.”
That is the tension Christians cannot afford to miss.
Wars. Revolutions. Earthquakes. Plagues. Signs in the heavens. Severe winters.
The headlines may change by the hour, but Jesus never told His followers to panic when the world started shaking.
He told them beforehand.
Perhaps now is the moment for the church to recognize the hour we are in.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
