The Middle East is once again moving toward open conflict and the tension surrounding Iran is not unfolding in a vacuum. Scripture makes clear that the final chapter of human history will center on this region, where alliances form, power shifts and global stability hangs in the balance. The current trajectory toward war is another signal that the prophetic clock continues to advance.
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump is moving closer to major military action against Iran after efforts at negotiation appear to have stalled. During a recent broadcast, former Department of Defense intelligence analyst Jason Buttrill joined Glenn Beck to discuss what such a move would likely involve and how Iran could respond.
“It means a broader regional war is what we’re looking at here,” Buttrill said. “I think it’ll be primarily an air war. The likes of which we haven’t seen since the Gulf War.”
According to Buttrill, the United States is rapidly increasing its military presence in the region. He described a surge in equipment and assets that suggests preparation for a significant operation.
“Over the past 24 hours the additions of military equipment moving into the region over the last 12 hours really every 12 hours or so we’re doubling what we’re sending,” he said. “It is pretty remarkable the amount of hardware that’s moving.”
If conflict begins, Buttrill expects a large scale air campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s long range missile systems, its air defenses and its ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. That narrow waterway remains one of the most critical oil transit routes in the world. Iran recently conducted live fire exercises there, signaling that it could restrict global energy flow if its regime faces direct attack.
Buttrill warned that Tehran would not respond passively. He said the regime would enter what he called “regime survival mode,” activating long prepared strategies designed to preserve power.
“We also know that they have sleeper cells all over the world,” he said. “You can better believe that the Iranians will look at all those options once this happens.”
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He also pointed to cyber warfare as a likely component of any escalation, noting that future conflict may involve digital attacks that affect infrastructure and financial systems in ways the public has not yet seen.
“I do believe we will see cyber warfare used like never before when this kicks off,” Buttrill said.
Iran’s leadership has a history of responding through indirect tactics and surprise measures, which adds uncertainty to any military plan. Buttrill acknowledged that analysts may not fully understand Iran’s capabilities or how it might retaliate. That unpredictability increases the risk that a regional conflict could expand quickly.
When asked about the possibility of nuclear escalation, Buttrill said he believes the likelihood is low. He expects that any U.S. operation would prioritize Iranian nuclear facilities and long range missile sites early in the campaign.
“The biggest destabilizer in the entire Middle East right now is Iran,” Buttrill said.
The broader regional impact could be significant. Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia view Iran as a disruptive force, yet sanctions on Iranian oil have benefited competitors in the region. A war that alters Iran’s position could reshape energy markets and shift the balance of influence among Middle Eastern powers. Longstanding tensions between Sunni and Shia factions would not disappear overnight and new rivalries could surface once Iran’s position changes.
What is taking place is not just a geopolitical issue.
The surface narrative hides a deeper spiritual reality.
Jesus warned that the last days would be marked by wars and rumors of wars. He described a world unsettled by conflict and instability, much like the days of Noah when violence filled the earth. The prophet Ezekiel wrote of nations gathering in the latter years around Israel. The Apostle Paul spoke of a coming strong delusion that would prepare the world for a lawless global order.
The Middle East remains central because Israel remains central in God’s plan. Iran has openly opposed Israel for decades and has supported forces committed to its destruction. Any major confrontation involving Iran carries consequences far beyond its borders, especially when strategic choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz can influence the global economy overnight.
History shows that large scale crises often lead to demands for broader coordination and stronger centralized authority. Revelation describes a coming system that unites political and economic power under one leader. Conditions that make such consolidation appear necessary are forming through instability and fear. A regional war that disrupts energy markets and triggers cyber retaliation would accelerate calls for global solutions.
Iran itself functions as a surveillance heavy regime built around its Revolutionary Guard Corps. Power is maintained through monitoring, control and force. That model reflects the type of structure that will characterize the final world system described in Scripture.
President Trump has made clear that Iran will not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons. Negotiations have been attempted. The margin for delay is shrinking and military preparations suggest that decisions are approaching.
This moment is not simply about strategy or resources. It reflects a world moving deeper into the pattern Scripture outlines for the last days. Conflict in the Middle East has always carried global weight and that reality is intensifying.
Discernment is essential in this hour. The Word of God provides clarity when headlines create confusion. The Holy Spirit gives understanding when events accelerate. The signs are aligning and the Church must remain watchful as the nations move toward what Scripture has already declared.
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. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
