Understanding Current Events in the Middle East through the Lens of Biblical Prophecy—Part 2

GUEST: Todd Hampson, author, Non-Prophets Guide Series

When countries in Scripture listed as key actors in end times passages, such as Israel, Iran, and Turkey, appear at the top of world news, Christians should be paying attention.

The U.S. and Israel are in an intractable war with Iran. Turkey has signed a military cooperation agreement and are planning military exercises with Egypt. President Trump recently met with and spoke favorably of Turkish president and strongman Recep Erdogan and is considering selling U.S. F-35 fighter jets to the country.

And the super-sign of the end times—the state of Israel—continues to be at the forefront of the news and the focal point of hatred in the world.

Our guest, Todd Hampson, author and host of the Prophecy Pros Podcast, calls this “stage setting.” In other words, the rapture of the church, the invasion by Gog and Magog into Israel, the peace treaty with Israel by the Antichrist, and the rest of the events the Bible predicts for the end of the end times, have not occurred yet but the stage is being set.

Last week in Part 1, Todd explained the three main views of biblical prophecy (premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism) and how he believes the premillennial view is most consistent using a literal, grammatical, historical reading of Scripture. He also discussed some of the other key aspects of the end times, like the rapture, the seven-year Tribulation, and ultimately the return and reign of Christ.

This week in Part 2, we will discuss how current events in Israel, Iran, and Turkey are setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy, where the United States fits into all this, and much more.

We hope you join us as we watch the Lord unfold His plans for the return and reign of His Son!

Transcript

Why The Middle East Matters

Host: David Wheaton 0:07

** This is an AI generated unedited transcript. A final transcript is available by Wednesday.

Host: David Wheaton 0:07

Understanding current events in the Middle East through the lens of biblical prophecy. Today is part two of that topic right here on the Christian Worldview Radio program, where the mission is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. I'm David Wheaton, the host. The Christian Worldview is a nonprofit, listener-supported radio ministry. Our website is the TheChristianWorldview.org and the rest of our contact information will be given throughout today's program. As always, thank you for your notes of encouragement, financial support, and lifting us up in prayer. When countries in Scripture listed as key actors in end times passages, such as Israel, Iran, and Turkey, are regularly at the top of world news, Christians should be paying attention. The United States and Israel are currently in an intractable war with Iran. Turkey has signed a military cooperation agreement and are planning military exercises with Egypt. President Trump recently met and spoke favorably of Turkish president and strongman Recip Erdogan and is considering selling US F-35 fighter jets to the country. What could go wrong? In the super sign of the end times, the State of Israel continues to be at the forefront of the news and the focal point of hatred in the world. Our guest, Todd Hampson, author and host of the Prophecy Pros podcast, calls this stage setting. In other words, the rapture of the church, the invasion of Gog and Magog against Israel, the peace treaty with Israel by the Antichrist, the seal judgments, and the rest of the events that the Bible predicts for the end of the end times have not occurred yet, but the stage is being set. Last week in part one, Todd Hampson explained the three main views of biblical prophecy: premillennialism, post-millennialism, and amillennialism, and how he believes the premillennial view is most consistent using a literal, grammatical, historical reading of Scripture. He also discussed some of the other key aspects of the end times, like the rapture, the seven-year tribulation, and ultimately the return and reign of Jesus Christ. This week, in part two, we will discuss how current events in Israel, Iran, and Turkey are setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy, where the United States fits into all this, and much more. Let's get straight to part two of the interview with Todd Hampson.

Why Eschatology Shapes Real Life

Host: David Wheaton 2:55

Todd, it's good to have you back on the program for a second week here. And last week we laid the foundation of what the Bible says about what's coming in the future. Now, just to start off this week, you have likely heard someone say this, a Christian say this. I'm not premillennial or post-millennial, I'm pan-millennial, which means it will all pan out in the end. In other words, I'm gonna take a back off on trying to figure out what's gonna happen in the future. Because I'm just trusting the Lord for everything that happens. I don't want to get involved in or too deep into this subject. Why is a correct interpretation of Scripture when it comes to the end times or eschatology important? How does that really affect the way one thinks and lives?

Guest: Todd Hampson 3:45

We're all on a journey trying to figure out theology, but sadly in the church, that's become the position is that it's all going to pan out, it's not really important. Well, imagine if we did that with any other doctrine, soteriology, the doctrine of creation, the doctrine of spiritual warfare, any other doctrine we don't do that with. But to answer your question on the practical relevance of it, if we don't understand the end of the story, then the rest of the story loses much of its meaning and really shows a lack of confidence in God's word, to be honest with you. It's not like God was crystal clear all through scripture, but then when He got to the end, He's really fuzzy about how it's all going to end. He wrote Revelation for us to understand. The word revelation means unveiling, it is the revealing He wants us to know. Honestly, I believe there's some spiritual warfare where the closer we get to the Lord's return, the less the enemy wants the bride to be awaiting the Lord's return. And also we read over and over again in scripture that towards the end of the church age, as we near the time of the Lord's return, scoffing will increase, heresy will increase, bad teaching will increase. In 1 Timothy 3, I believe it is, where it says, Mark this in the last days, treacherous times will come, and then he lifts a whole list of categories of how the culture is going to be. And the last thing he says there is having a form of godliness but denying its power. In other words, it's going to creep into the church. It doesn't just water down the end times, it waters down so many other doctrines as well. The doctrine of salvation, the difference between Israel and the church. How does that all get resolved? Just like a good movie, there's so much that has to be resolved at the end of the story. Nobody gets up three quarters through a movie with their popcorn and leaves and just says, ah, it'll pan out somehow. I don't care how it ends. But for some reason, we do that with human history, even though God has given us the end of the story.

Host: David Wheaton 5:35

The issue you just mentioned, those who are post-millennial or a millennial and how they interpret the end times don't see a future relevance for Israel. So now at this point in time, when we see what's going on in the Middle East, they're not going to think it's really that big of a deal in God's timeframe over what's coming in the future. So it really does have significant ramifications. As you mentioned last week, it's not an issue of salvation, but it is an issue of how you think and live in this life for what's coming in the future. Again, Todd Hampson with us today here on the Christian

The Gap Between Rapture And Tribulation

Host: David Wheaton 6:06

Worldview. Now, last week we went over the rapture of the church, and that's the next event on the prophetic calendar. How soon after the rapture of church age believers, which is both Jews and Gentiles who are believers in Jesus Christ, how soon after that does that seven-year tribulation begin?

Guest: Todd Hampson 6:26

A lot of people think that, or just assume for some reason that the rapture is what begins the tribulation period, but that's not the case. What actually starts the tribulation period is the Daniel 9:27 covenant that we read about there, where a man, an evil end times ruler who's going to come from the same people group that attacked Israel in 70 AD, the Romans. So there'll be some kind of revived EU Roman Empire thing going on. Somebody from Western Europe, I believe, will rise and will confirm this covenant, and that's what begins the tribulation period. So there's a logical gap period between the rapture and the confirming of that covenant because that's what actually kicks it off. Then I think we hit on this last week in 2 Thessalonians 2. We learn that the man of sin or the Antichrist cannot be revealed until after the rapture. So there are several things that have to happen. This 10 nation or 10 ruler government has to form. The Antichrist has to come up and take over three of them. Then he has to basically get all the power and then confirm this covenant. Now, I believe that will happen in rapid fashion because Satan is greasing the skids now. He's got everything ready. So I think as soon as we're out of here, things are going to happen in rapid fashion. But I've heard commentaries and good theologians debate whether it's going to be a matter of days, weeks, months, or years. I don't think it's going to be years. I think if anything, it'll be a couple months. But there's nothing in scripture that tells us explicitly. But then once that does start, that begins the seven-year tribulation period. From a careful reading from Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and in the book of Revelation, beginning at chapter six, I believe the first two sets of judgments are in that first half before we get to chapter 12, where it talks about Satan being cast down to earth and going after the Jewish people. I think that's the midpoint right there. But good people disagree. Some people put the seal judgments in the first half, and then the other two sets in the second half. Jeff and I kind of both agree that just a chronological simple reading of scripture looks like the first two sets of judgments are in that first half of the tribulation period. They're terrible judgments, but during that time, Israel's going to be kind of in a bubble, protective bubble from this peace agreement, at least from other nations attacking her. But at the midpoint, the gloves come off, and that's what we talked about last week, where the Antichrist will break the covenant. That's what it says in Daniel 9:27 in chapter 12 of Revelation. We learn how he's going to go after them and try to destroy the Jewish people the entire second half of the tribulation period.

Host: David Wheaton 9:05

What brings on those seal and trumpet judgments in the first part of the tribulation? I know the Antichrist has risen now. There's a peace agreement, but what brings on those judgments?

Guest: Todd Hampson 9:17

The first set of judgments, actually, seal one is a white horse with a bow with no arrow. That is the first seal is the Antichrist coming on the scene and confirming this covenant. It's the very first judgment. Makes total sense. He's coming as a man of peace. That's what it says in the book of Daniel, that he'll claim to be a man of peace and he'll conquer through that kind of geopolitical conquering at first. But all the while in the back of his mind, he's got violence and other intentions. The second judgment is war and then famine and then martyrdom. So you're going to have a bunch of believers right in the early phases of the tribulation period and then an earthquake. And then after that, you transition into the seventh seal transitions to the first trumpet judgment. And then you have all these cosmic signs. And then at that point, it shifts from God taking his hands off the wheel, like, okay, here's what you wanted. Just let evil and war and all that take its course. But then in the second set of judgments, it's overtly demonic. There's four demons at the Euphrates River. There's these demonic horsemen and all this other crazy stuff. I've seen people try to allegorize that or say, oh, well, when it's talking about these demonic locusts, that's really talking about drones or some technology or something like that. But when you look at the actual Greek words that are used and the plain language that's given there, no, it is the veil between the seen and the unseen becomes very thin. And all of a sudden, all the stuff we've read about that's just on the other side in the unseen realm is coming out in full. That the abyss is open, and these physical, literal demons literally come on the earth. It is nothing like we have ever seen, and it is admittedly very strange. But it is what scripture says is going to take place.

Antichrist False Prophet And Islam

Host: David Wheaton 10:59

Now, you mentioned in a previous answer about the fact that the Antichrist, the beast, will likely rise out of a revived Roman Empire in Western Europe. So, what are your thoughts on the identity of the Antichrist and also the false prophet as his assistant over the religion kind of unifying the religions of the world, and how Islam might play a role in this, considering that Western Europe is being heavily influenced by Islam now, to the point of it has really changed in in many Western European countries. So, what are your thoughts on that?

Guest: Todd Hampson 11:35

When we read about that revived Roman Empire in the book of Daniel in chapter 2, it says that revived empire, it's going to be a global empire, but it's not going to be held together very well. It's going to be iron and clay, which doesn't mix. So it's kind of a forced, it's forced on them, but it doesn't really work as well. Unlike, well, until recent times, like the United States of America, we're kind of in this bond as Americans, even though we're from different states. That's not going to be the case with this future empire. I think some of the Islamic instability could play into that, but also keep in mind that the Ezekiel 38 and 39 war will take place, I believe, right around the beginning of that confirming of the covenant, maybe even that in that second seal where it talks about war, could be in that second seal as well, where Russia and some Islamic nations don't want to go along with the plan, don't want to let Israel rebuild a temple on the Temple Mount. That could be some of the reasons they come after her. But if you read carefully, at the end of the Ezekiel 38 war, God decimates all of the Islamic nations, all of these Islamic armies. They really will have no power after that point. And if you know anything about Islam, they're very hyper-monotheistic. They would never bow down to a person or have anybody else claim to be God or demand worship other than Allah. So what I think when I look at all the pieces, and it's tempting to look at what's going on now and then see how scripture could fit in, but those could just be some of the things that cause the instability and the need for peace, the reason that the Antichrist will rise. But I believe that end time false prophet will be, I think when you read carefully in the book of Revelation, it's really more of a humanistic, pagan, anything goes immoral, do what you like, figure out your own religion, everything's okay as long as you all fall in line, kind of religion, versus Islamic or some kind of amalgamation of Chrislam or something else that we're seeing kind of in our day. But those things do show us the heresy that's prophesied for the end of the church age, that there's an apostasy that takes place and keeps building. So I'm not sure where the false prophet will come from. I've heard some people say, you know, is it the Pope? And for sure there have been a couple popes that seem like they're trying out for the part of the false prophet, the way they're trying to amalgamate everything, but I don't think it's gonna be a pope. I think it's gonna be uh something we don't even see on the radar yet, is my personal opinion. And or if it is a pope, they're gonna keep drifting in that lane where just anything goes, and I'm just gonna cover it with the look of religion. I'm gonna make it look like it's religious, but really all it does is feed the system of the beasts, so to speak. The Antichrist himself, I know there's different opinions about whether he's gonna be Jewish or Islamic. A lot of times they think he's Islamic, but I think it's pretty clear from Daniel 9 that he's gonna be a Gentile ruler. And there's some good evidence for that throughout scripture that it's a Gentile Western Europe ruler from the original seat of the Roman Empire, from the best reading of scripture that I could discern, I think that's where he's gonna come from.

Where America Fits In Prophecy

Host: David Wheaton 14:44

Okay, now that we've talked about a lot of foundation for prophecy, and we're moving into current events now. I think the one obvious question that hasn't been asked yet is how do you think the United States fits into the end time scenario that we've been discussing?

Guest: Todd Hampson 15:00

One place they show up for sure, sadly, is at the end in Revelation 19 when it says all nations are gathered against Christ and they're assembled in the Valley of Megiddo. So even America will turn against God and will turn against Israel. My prayer is, and what I think is gonna happen, although I can't point to a verse for this, is that as long as there's enough believers in America that are dedicated to the Lord and praying, I think He's gonna preserve us some way, some shape or form. Even though I do believe right now we're under a Romans 1 judgment, we're pushing God out and He's backing away, and with Him is His protection and His wisdom and His clarity and all that stuff. But I think in terms of America collapsing and totally turning against Israel and against God, I don't think that will happen until after the rapture. That's my prayer, anyway. I could be wrong, but that's my prayer. There's a few places in scripture where people see America. Some people say mystery Babylon is America, but it scripturally and looking at the details of theology and scripture, that's not the case. I mean, Babylon is Babylon. Everywhere it's mentioned, it's literal Babylon. Ezekiel 38 and 39, we do see that when Israel is attacked, Sheba and Dedan, which is modern-day the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, will protest. They'll protest the attack, but they won't come to Israel's aid. It's possible that America is at least protesting, but even with that scenario, she's either not willing or not able to come to Israel's aid. And this will be, again, I believe that happens after the rapture. My gut feel and my reading of scripture tells me most likely America will collapse or turn against Israel and just be completely unstable after the rapture, if not before, but my prayer is that won't take place until after the rapture.

Host: David Wheaton 16:50

Yeah, you can imagine with the number of believers in America, if there was a rapture, that's gonna that would change the country in ways that we can't even imagine if all of a sudden that disappears. I often think that the believers in America who have a conservative biblical worldview theologically and also politically are really just the hedge aside from God's sovereignty, but we're the hedge against really the country going just further and further away from God.

Guest: Todd Hampson 17:16

And that's a great example of Second Thessalonians 2, when the restrainers removed. America is a great case. Right now, there's millions of Christians in America. If we're to be taken out of here with our salt and light influence, not to mention what we do in the economy and with different industries and stuff like that, America would definitely collapse. Some countries in Europe, for example, you may not even know the rapture took place, sadly, because there's not many believers there at all.

Host: David Wheaton 17:44

Todd Hampson, author and co-host of the Prophecy Pros podcast, is our guest. We have links to him at The Christian Worldview.org. After this short break, we'll discuss current events in Israel, Iran, and Turkey as related to biblical prophecy. I'm David Wheaton, and you are listening to the Christian Worldview Radio Program. You are invited to two events in September. The first is the Christian Worldview Speaker Series event on Saturday, September 12th at Stonehouse Farm in Jordan, Minnesota with Pastor Travis Allen of Grace Church in Greeley, Colorado, who is a longtime favorite guest on the program and former managing director of Grace to You and a U.S. Navy SEAL. We will discuss a wide range of current events and issues of the faith, along with audience questions. Dinner will be served. Two days later, on Monday, September 14th, is the annual Overcomer Foundation Cup golf and dinner event at White Bear Yacht Club near St. Paul, Minnesota. Golfers from near and far experience an enjoyable day of golf, meals, and fellowship, all in support of the Overcomer Foundation, which is the nonprofit organization that directs the Christian Worldview. More details and registration for both events is at The Christian Worldview.org or call us at 888-646-2233. The July-August issue of the Christian Worldview Journal commemorates 250 years of America. Ed Vitagliano of American Family Association writes how foundations of our past provide a blueprint for future political and cultural renewal. My column is about the consequences of a nation rebelling against God and the blessings for repentance as described in Psalm chapter 2. There is lots of additional content, including the insert with resources for adults and children. The Christian Worldview Journal is a bi-monthly print and digital publication designed to sharpen your biblical worldview on current events and issues of the faith. The journal is sent to Christian Worldview Partners as a thank you for their support of this radio ministry. To become a Christian Worldview partner or to order an individual issue of the journal, go to TheChristian Worldview.org or call 888-646-2233 or write to box 401 Excelsior, Minnesota 55331.

Israel Back In Unbelief And Promise

Host: David Wheaton 20:15

Welcome back to The Christian Worldview, I'm David Wheaton. Be sure to visit The Christian Worldview.org where you can sign up for our weekly email and the Christian Worldview Journal print publication. Order resources for adults and children and support the ministry. Our topic today is part two of understanding current events in the Middle East through the lens of biblical prophecy. And our guest is Todd Hampson of the Prophecy Pros Podcast and author of the Nonprofit's Guide Series. Todd, Israel is back in their land as of nineteen, I think it was nineteen forty-seven or forty-eight. They are in unbelief. They're one of the top powers in the Middle East. As you look at the Middle East right now, Todd, and what has taken place, let's say specifically in the last three years, ever since the Hamas attacks on October 7th, 2023, what do you see in the Middle East that leads you to believe or leads you to be able to see some of the things we've been discussing regarding biblical prophecy in the future?

Guest: Todd Hampson 21:17

That event plus the crazy rise of anti-Semitism around the world that immediately rose from all different facets, from the left, from the right, to me shows that that is satanic in nature, it's irrational in nature, doesn't square with the reality of what everybody knows took place on October 7th. All of that, I believe, does lead into the end times because we read, especially in the minor prophets, Zechariah, for example, talks at great length about how all nations will be gathered against Israel. All nations will turn against Israel. So that's the trend that we should expect to see. We're seeing a push now from within the right, even and even within the church, saying that the Israel That's there today has nothing to do with Bible prophecy, but they haven't studied Bible prophecy. When you look at scripture, I'm doing a book right now, I'm doing the research for it called Tracking the Tribulation, where I start in the Torah and look at the concept of the tribulation and how it builds and is progressively revealed through Scripture all the way into the New Testament. And you see this pattern over and over again in the Old Testament that there's coming a time when Israel would be in unbelief and rebellion against God, but God would not break His promise to her, that He would discipline her, which is what will take place in the future tribulation period. The main purpose is to basically discipline Israel till they realize they are God's chosen people and Jesus is the Messiah. Then that's followed with repentance, restoration, and then entrance into the kingdom. You see this pattern over and over and over again in the Old Testament. And one thing that really jumped out at me, as long as I've been studying this, I didn't realize how many passages, if you look carefully, it shows Israel being gathered first in unbelief. And think about it, they have to be in unbelief if they're accepting a false messiah, a false political messiah. But we know from Daniel 9 and from Matthew 24, based on what they say, that in the last days, before Israel is saved spiritually, they have to be in the land in control of Jerusalem, but they have to be there in unbelief. And that's where they are right now. So that doesn't mean as believers today, we just give Israel a blanket pass to do whatever they want and say, oh, don't worry about it. They're God's chosen people. No, all but a handful of Israel's ancient rulers were evil and doing bad stuff, but God never rejected them. His promises are too specific. The word eternal and permanent is used too many times. And the Abrahamic covenant, for example, when God cut that covenant, it was a one-way covenant based only on God. Abraham was asleep. So over and over again, God has made it abundantly clear no matter what Israel does or the Jewish people do, for God's name's sake, He's going to keep His promises to Israel. Then you get to Romans 11, and Paul very, very clearly says there's a hardness in part right now in the Jewish people. But after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, in other words, after the church age, one day yet future, all Israel will be saved. And as you mentioned earlier, we find in the Old Testament that two-thirds of them, sadly, in the tribulation period, will die, but one third will survive through that horrific time, the time of Jacob's trouble, but they will all corporately be saved when they finally realize, as it says in Zechariah 12: 10, I believe it is, that they'll look upon the One whom they pierced and they'll mourn for Him. So that's in the Old Testament, talking about a Savior who's pierced in Israel being saved by looking, finally looking on the One whom they pierced. So it's a complex issue, but it's a really important one for believers to wrestle with and understand that our support for Israel isn't based on what they're doing or whether they're saved or not. It's based on the fact that God has given them that land permanently, and it says it over and over again in scripture. They have a right to the land, a right to defend themselves. Doesn't mean they have their blanket past to do anything they want. Of course, we don't support abortion, we don't support immorality and all the things that are going on in all countries in the world right now. But we do stand by them and we stand against anti-Semitism because they're still the apple of God's eye, they're still God's chosen people, and He has a future, very important, critical purpose for them in the future tribulation period.

Host: David Wheaton 25:34

Todd Hampson with us today on the Christian Worldview, the co-host of the Prophecy Pros podcast and author of many books. We have them linked at our website, the Christian Worldview.org.

Iran War Mindset And Prophetic Trajectory

Host: David Wheaton 25:44

You know, when I read the news every day, Todd, let's say there's 10 articles about current events, eight of them will be on about what's going on in the Middle East. That's right. Specifically with, of course, Israel, as you've been talking about, but also right now, largely with what the United States is trying to do with Iran, this joint war with the U.S. and Israel and Iran. And it has been intractable. The U.S. has been very dominant militarily, and yet no ground invasion, no regime change, and President Trump has tried over and over again to try to resolve this through making a deal, as he likes to say, and the deals are never made, and we were told it was going to be three or four weeks and then be all over, and here we are, I don't know, five, six months later, and it's heating up again, kinetic warfare taking place, and bombings and all this kind of thing. What do you make of where this is going with Iran? I mean, that they have this 12 or Shia Muslim worldview that they actually believe catastrophe is gonna make their 12th imam, their Mahdi, their own Messiah, come back. They're not afraid to die, as far as I can tell. They think dying is the entrance to eternal life as a martyr. So how is this gonna be resolved in a deal made with a regime that is come I don't think President Trump maybe he is now, but I don't know if he gets just they're operating with a completely diametrically opposed worldview than maybe he's ever encountered before.

Guest: Todd Hampson 27:26

Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head. He's thinking very Westernly. He's thinking if we make things hard enough and the upside of them giving in sweet enough, then they'll put down their arms and they'll stop killing 52,000 plus civilians and being the largest state sponsor of terrorism and all this stuff. But as you said, what people don't realize when they think they can make a deal with the Iranians is they literally have an apocalyptic view of how things are supposed to go down. The more chaos they cause, they're gonna usher in the Mahdi. And as you said, they're not afraid to die. They almost want to die because that's one of the few guaranteed ways to get into heaven, where you know for sure if you die in jihad, you'll get to go to heaven. You can't wrestle with that mindset, you can't negotiate with that mindset. And furthermore, from a Christian perspective, I would say, once again, Bible prophecy always trumps what's in the news, no pun intended. I was at a conference when all that just first kicked off. You know, we had destroyed the nuclear capabilities and the people out in the streets, look like they were about to overturn the government. And somebody asked me in the Q&A, what's going to happen if there's regime change? And I said, Well, I can't predict the future in terms of if there'll be regime change yet or not, but I do know this, regardless of what happens, scripture says in Ezekiel 38 and 39 that the leadership in Iran is going to team up with the leadership in Turkey and Russia and they're going to come attack Israel from the north. So somebody's going to be left there in Iran who's going to do that at some point. If there is a regime change, it may be temporary. I don't know the answers. But as time's gone on, I've been able to see, in my opinion, there will be no regime change unless they literally go in and destroy every single person who holds that worldview, and that's not going to happen. That's the same reason things didn't go well in Iraq and Afghanistan. That mindset is different than any Western mindset that we can think of. And it's also prophetically one of the reasons why there's a constant cry for peace in the Middle East. And it's why Daniel 9:27, we're seeing the foreshadows of that, that one day there will come a man on the scene after the rapture who will be able to somehow bring peace temporarily, at least bring everybody to the table to confirm that covenant for a false peace for a short time. But even that, the turmoil in the Middle East and the unsolvable Rubik's Cube that it is, is all prophetic and all lines up with what we read in scripture.

Strait Of Hormuz And Spiritual Warfare

Host: David Wheaton 29:51

Todd, the Strait of Hormuz, which is this waterway, pretty large waterway. It's off the southwest coast of Iran, and on the other side of the waterway are several Arab Muslim countries, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait's in there, Oman, some significant percentage of the world's oil flows through the strait. There's a portion of the strait, this waterway, that has to go around this peninsula that's not very far across from Iran. So there's a choke point. And getting control of this strait has proven to be very difficult to control for the US military, even. Is that cargo tankers are there, they're afraid to go through, they're afraid that Iran's going to shoot missiles at them or attack them. So this is why gas prices are much higher right now. President Trump saying he's going to control and close it. Why has the Strait of Hormuz been so difficult for the US military to control?

Guest: Todd Hampson 30:53

It's not that our weapons aren't bigger, that we can't do more, that we couldn't if we wanted to, even do a ground invasion and we'd lose people, but they'd lose a whole lot more. But as you mentioned previously, they don't care. Life is cheap. To them, if they can use $35 drones to attack boats to keep the strait shut down and the prices high, so that the stock market's putting some pressure on America, then they'll do that and they'll claim victory. Even if we killed 90% of their military leadership, but they still had a few boats to send out to cause harm to keep the stock market going goofy and waited out their time until Trump's out of office and somebody else is in, that's their MO. That's what they do, and they claim victory. To them, victory isn't what we think is victory, overwhelming military victory where someone's completely surrendered and they're decimated and they agree to terms of defeat. To them, victory is if they survive everything we throw at them and they're still messing with the world in terms of its economy and in terms of anything they can do to harass Israel and America to begin with. And then also Iran is Shia Muslim, so they really don't like the Sunni states. So they'll kill them just as easily as they'll try to kill a Christian or a Jewish person. They don't like them. So they're on their own, and it and it all goes back to what you said earlier. They'll leverage everything they have until their last breath to try to bring the Mahdi and to try to cause as much chaos as possible. They do not care about life, they do not care about the deal of the century, they don't care about economics. All they care about is bringing chaos, and it's demonic in nature. That's the other thing we have to realize. There's an immense spiritual warfare going on here behind the scenes. In the book of Daniel, we're told that there's an ancient, evil, demonic presence who is a prince or principality over Persia, which is modern-day Iran. I believe that entity is still there. We learn in Ephesians chapter six that there's this kind of hierarchy of spiritual demonic entities. And the higher they are, the more control they have. And I believe they're very territorial. And I believe that's part of what we're seeing as well in the Middle East from October 7th on forward, and even going back before that. Anytime you see the people of Israel being attacked, anti-Semitism rising, terrorism going crazy, there's a spiritual component, I believe, at play.

Turkey Rising And The Risk To Israel

Host: David Wheaton 33:18

You look at the way they operate, and it's it's would be hard to deny what you what you just said. Todd Hampson is our guest today here on the Christian Worldview. We talked about Israel is ascending in the Middle East, but so is the country of Turkey, which isn't quite in the Middle East, but is really bordering it. It's I guess it would be Southwest Asia, would be Turkey, but very close to Israel, and and they're very much of a strong and growing power. They're an enemy of Israel, they're Sunni Muslim. Used to be where historic Christianity was, by the way. All the the towns you read about in the New Testament and in the in the book of Revelation from Christ, those were towns in Turkey, which is now Islamic. So let's keep that in mind. It's been announced recently. They're doing military exercises with the country of Egypt, I think, for the first time ever or the first time in a long time. President Trump was just recently meeting with the president of Turkey, Erdogan. Trump likes him, it said. President Trump's considering selling Turkey US fighter jets, F-35s. So you can imagine how they have been making Israel feel. What do you make of the development taking place? Like Turkey's rise, you said how important they are in the end times, and then the US posture toward Turkey with President Trump seemingly being quite favorable to them.

Guest: Todd Hampson 34:43

People from Israel used to go on vacations in Turkey, but they can't anymore because the anti-Semitism is so bad. And Erdogan himself has made so many comments about he's even made comments about directly attacking Israel since the October 7th attack and all kinds of stuff, and has agreements set up with Iran and with Russia. Again, the three key players that we read about in Ezekiel 38 and 39. I think Trump is overconfident in his deal-making ability and thinks that other world leaders think like he does. Now he's the best deal maker there is, but he can't get out of his own mindset. I think he thinks if he shows enough people favor and shows them, look how good America is, you could be like this. Look at the financial upside for you personally and for your country if you make deals with us. But he doesn't understand worldviews and he doesn't understand the background of that. Even Trump, I don't believe he's a believer. I think he's the Lord's been trying to draw him, the Lord has been putting people around him to literally present the gospel to him, but he reminds me of Nebuchadnezzar. He's this close, but he's still so prideful and so fixed in his own ways and his own mindset that he just can't quite make that leap. But the Lord is using him despite that, in good ways and in stage-setting ways, such as this, partnering with Turkey. Wouldn't it be ironic, sadly, if U.S. weapons were in the hands of Turkey and that's part of what comes against Israel in the Gog-Magog War? I don't know that's the case. That's there's no prophecy that says that, but stranger things have happened. It's kind of strange to me that he would be doing that at this time.

Host: David Wheaton 36:16

Todd Hampson of the Prophecy Pros Podcast and author of the Nonprofits Guide Series is our guest. We have links to him at TheChristian Worldview.org. After this short break, we'll discuss the rise of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish sentiment, and what the church and Christians should be doing with regard to biblical prophecy. I'm David Wheaton. You are listening to the Christian Worldview Radio program. The July-August issue of the Christian Worldview Journal commemorates 250 years of America. Ed Vitagliano of American Family Association writes how foundations of our past provide a blueprint for future political and cultural renewal. My column is about the consequences of a nation rebelling against God and the blessings for repentance as described in Psalm chapter 2. There is lots of additional content, including the insert with resources for adults and children. The Christian Worldview Journal is a bi-monthly print and digital publication designed to sharpen your biblical worldview on current events and issues of the faith. The journal is sent to Christian Worldview Partners as a thank you for their support of this radio ministry. To become a Christian Worldview partner or to order an individual issue of the journal, go to TheChristianWorldview.org or call 888-646-2233 or write to box 401 Excelsior, Minnesota 55331. The classroom and the dorm room students encounter at secular and yes, Christian colleges lead to as many as 50% of students who profess upon entering college to be born-again Christians not saying the same four years later. So, how can students avoid spiritual shipwreck? In my book, University of Destruction, Your Game Plan for Spiritual Victory on Campus, I give a scouting report on the three pillars of peril in college and provide a game plan to be an overcomer. This would be a meaningful gift for the high school or college students in your life. And there's a free study guide available as well. University of Destruction is soft cover, 176 pages, and retails for $17. For a limited time, you can order signed copies for a donation of any amount to the Christian Worldview. Bulk discounts also available. Go to The Christian Worldview.org or call 888-646-2233.

Anti Semitism Spreads Into The Church

Host: David Wheaton 38:49

Thanks for joining us on The Christian Worldview. I'm David Wheaton. Today's program and past programs, along with transcripts and short takes, are available at TheChristian Worldview.org. While there, you can also sign up for our weekly email and the Christian Worldview Journal print publication, order resources, and support the ministry. Our topic today is Part Two of understanding current events in the Middle East through the lens of biblical prophecy. Our guest is Todd Hampson of the Prophecy Pros Podcast and author of the Nonprofit's Guide Series. Todd, you mentioned earlier about the unexpected change in perception toward Israel and the Jews after the October 7th, 2023 attacks. You would have thought there had been great sympathy. Israel lost, I think, about twelve hundred people in this attack by Hamas, just a brutal attack as they came across the border of Gaza into Israel. But really what's taken place is tons of conspiracy theories about how Israel allowed the attack because they wanted to attack Gaza themselves and get rid of them. You hear all kinds of conspiracy theories. How could the most defended border in the world between Gaza and Israel, how could Israel with the greatest weapons and the greatest intelligence, how could this take it ever that it's not even plausible that this could happen? I don't know. I can't answer that question. But it did happen and they lost about twelve hundred people. But the response has been, and it started out on the college campuses in protests against Israel and in favor of Palestine and Gaza and Hamas and so forth. But then it quickly has gone over the last couple years, I'd say, where the those on the right, notable influencers in the media like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, Alex Jones with InfoWars, Nick Fuentes, and there's a host of others too. I'm not naming all of them, but it this is very common now. And I even see it within Christian ministries. Christian ministries that are out seemingly trying to make a difference biblical teaching, even the gospel, are pretty strongly against Israel and Netanyahu, and it's been remarkable to watch. So, how do you explain how all that has taken place? Was this as laying latent before sort of under the surface and it just came out, or have minds been changed? What's going on, Todd?

Guest: Todd Hampson 41:19

I think possibly a combination of that. I mean, sadly, when you look at church history, this isn't the first time that Christians have taken the wrong side in terms of anti-Semitism. I have a good friend who has a ministry. He's a Jewish guy, lost his grandfather in the Holocaust and became a believer in his 20s. His mission is to educate the church on what church history has been like. Sadly, there's been a lot of anti-Semitism at different periods in church history at the hands of believers. So he also witnesses to Jewish people and tries to get them to see that the Messiah is their Savior and get them to accept Jesus. But he says there's a lot culturally to overcome because a lot of Jewish people, as soon as they hear Christian, they think anti-Semitic because there have been ebbs and flows, but there's been sadly times in church history when good, prominent Christians and big Christian groups have been anti-Semitic. And I think it all goes back to studying God's word and knowing what God's attitude is towards the Jewish people, understanding the Abrahamic covenant through and through, understanding what Paul said in Romans 9 through 11. Christians really need to wrestle with that and really need to know what they believe, to know what Scripture says, because if we don't realize Scripture teaches Israel, and I mentioned this before, but that Israel would be in the land again in unbelief, if they don't realize that's actually prophesied in Scripture logically and overtly in a couple places, then they're going to miss the reality that Israel is there as prophesied in Scripture, and that lends itself to. Also, I think there is a huge spiritual warfare component behind all of this. I'm not one who says there's a demon behind every bush, but the irrational, global, exponential rise of anti-Semitism from the left, and now, as you mentioned, from prominent voices on the right who are just saying some really wacky, crazy stuff and coming up with new theories every day with nothing to back it up. Sounds more like 1937, 1934 Nazis than it does American Christians. It's sad. But all that, I believe, has a deeply spiritual component. And also, I've seen a couple interviews, one with Candace, where they asked her if she believed in the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture, because that's really where it starts. And she wouldn't answer. And the reason is she doesn't. Because if you believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture, you have to believe what it says, particularly about the Jewish people and God's promises to the Jewish people, and you can't ignore it. But if in your mind you can say, Well, God's word is in the Bible, but it's not necessarily all inspired, or it's not all inerrant, then you can pick and choose what you want to believe and you can become anti-Semitic overnight. So I think it really comes down to what people believe about the scripture itself. And by the way, if it's not all inspired and all inerrant, then how do we know if any of it is true? And who's the authority to pick what's true and what's not true? You become the authority, not the Bible itself. So it really is that important and that all-encompassing. It's an all or nothing sum game when it comes to the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture.

Host: David Wheaton 44:32

You're right. And you just read a chapter like Romans chapter 11. If you're listening today and are skeptical about God's plan for Israel, it's really impossible to even read that one chapter and hear what Paul writes about Israel. I don't have it here in front of me, but go ahead and read it, and you'd have to completely mangle the text to come away thinking that there's no future significance for the Jews and for Israel.

Pastors Teaching Prophecy Without Fear

Host: David Wheaton 44:56

How do you think pastors and churches should be addressing what we've been talking about in our conversation with regard to biblical prophecy, with regard to current events that are taking place in the Middle East in Israel? Because from what I can see, now of course I only go to one church, but just from what I hear, there's not a lot of emphasis on biblical prophecy. There's not a lot of emphasis on the future significance of, or the current and future significance of Israel. What do you think pastors and churches should be doing to address this?

Guest: Todd Hampson 45:31

I think they should address it. I think they're called to teach and preach the entire council of God, the whole council of God. Our job, as much as we want to reach every person out there with the gospel, our job is not to make Sunday a day of just lowest common denominator basic theology. Our job is to equip the saints to go out and do the evangelism and do the discipleship. The paradigm has been flipped, but biblically, when you look at what Paul instructed Timothy with and other passages in the New Testament, the purpose of the church is to equip and send the saints, not to bring in the world and dumb everything down and only talk about stuff that nobody disagrees about. Again, using an analogy we used earlier, if that was the case, we would never talk about salvation because until the Reformation, there were different ideas about what it meant to be saved and how you become saved. And also I do think, again, that it means that we're in the last days. This means we're nearing the time of the Lord's return at the very time. And we're told in Scripture that in the last days, scoffers will come saying, where is the promise of his coming? I think this is exactly what we should expect to see. Even though God wrote the end of the story, even though our human nature always longs to know and embrace and celebrate the climactic end of the story, somehow the end of the story has been benched and sidelined just because there's different views about the timing of certain things, or because sadly some people have sensationalized things and pick dates for the Lord's return and these kind of things. But that shouldn't let us gut our teaching. Again, 28% of the Bible is prophecy. The last book of the Bible is 95% prophecy, and it's Jesus' final words to the church. We should be celebrating that. Every church should study revelation. Every church should study Bible prophecy. Every church should wrestle with and have a grip on God's purposes for the church and for Israel, especially when it's something that is so divisive and confusing right now. We need clear communicators who stand on the authority of God's word and boldly preach what the Bible actually says. I think it's a time we need to call some pastors and leaders and speakers up to get on the field and do what they're called to do and stop hiding from these issues and stop sidelining the topic of Bible prophecy and eschatology. Everybody wants to understand the end of the story. The end of the story makes the rest of the story make sense, and it's the anchor to our future hope that helps us persevere through these hard times. Yet Satan has convinced many in the church today to not talk about the very thing that will help the church get through the tough times we're in right now.

Host: David Wheaton 48:07

Yeah. And the great hope and expectation of believers is the return of Christ. I mean, that's what we're looking for, right? If that doesn't happen, then it's all fraudulent. But we know that's what's coming. And you said how much prophecy has been fulfilled in Scripture. There's no reason to think that won't be fulfilled, that will be fulfilled

What Believers Watch For Now

Host: David Wheaton 48:24

in the future. So what should believers be doing and looking for in the world right now? Is there something that we should be looking at? Like, is there going to be a temple starting to be rebuilt in Jerusalem? Or are there other signs that we should be looking for as scripture says we are to eagerly anticipate the return of Christ?

Guest: Todd Hampson 48:45

The attitude for believers should be always keeping one eye to the sky because the rapture could happen at any moment, but our feet planted firmly on the ground, working hard, sharing the gospel, creating disciples, being good husbands, being good wives, being good students. Basically, what God has called us to do from the get-go, but knowing that we are deep in the end times, there's a lot of sensationalism out there and there's a lot of voices. There's no signs we're supposed to be looking for. I mean, we can see the stage being set. And even with the first coming, it said Jesus came in the fullness of time, meaning prophetic time, but also the Roman roads had to be in place, the Koin A Greek language so that the message could go out. I think all that, the stage setting had to be done for that. So we're seeing the stage being set for the end times with the anti-Semitism, the geopolitical alignments, the cultural conditions, so many signs we're seeing, but they're not signs. They're really more trends or stage setting events. So I think it's important to make a distinction that the only thing we're looking for prophetically is the rapture of the church. Now we do know there will be a temple by the midpoint on the Temple Mount, by the midpoint of the future tribulation period, and there's a push to that now. There's a whole unit in Israel right now. We visited the museum where they're preparing all the utensils and they're ready at the temple institute. They're preparing everything for it. So the mindset is there, but that's a false belief system, but it's necessary in Scripture. But we shouldn't be looking for that, even though we do see the want-to is there and the utensils are there, and they some people think they even have the temple prefabricated and hidden somewhere waiting to be installed and that kind of thing. But I don't think we need to put too much emphasis on that other than to recognize that what scripture says, that there's a future tribulation era temple that will be built on that temple mount by the midpoint, because the Antichrist has to go in and defile it. So that's another stage-setting event. But the only thing we should be looking for is the rapture, and we still need to be very sober-minded, keeping our feet on the ground. Jesus even said, occupy until I come or do business until I come. He wants us to invest our treasure time and our talents in the things of God while we wait and while we live faithfully awaiting his return.

Host: David Wheaton 50:55

Yeah, I heard someone say recently, I think it was a pastor who said that we should live in light of the fact that Christ could return anytime, but we also live as if he may not, and we could carry on our lives. We don't need to go into a bunker and be looking out the top of the bunker, seeing if he's coming in the clouds today. We want to go on with our lives and live like he may not come for a hundred years. We don't know. Yeah. But we want to be ready though, right now, today.

Guest: Todd Hampson 51:21

We want to be ready, and along with what you said, we want to equip the next generation to be ready because we don't know the day or the hour.

Host: David Wheaton 51:28

Right.

Guest: Todd Hampson 51:28

Even though we think we feel like some days it could happen right now, and it could, we still need to be about the Father's business and equipping the next generation so they'll be grounded in the word if he doesn't come in our lifetime.

Final Encouragement And Closing Scripture

Host: David Wheaton 51:39

Well said. Well, Todd, we so much appreciate you taking so much time today on the Christian worldview and really clarifying a lot of these things of scripture that are clear for those who diligently study it, but it's helpful to discuss things. It's also helpful to discuss some of the other views as well. We're not against, you know, talking about the other views, but we do want to land on what we believe is a ministry and what you believe in your ministry is what actually the Bible teaches. So thank you for coming on the program today, and we just wish all of God's best and grace to you.

Guest: Todd Hampson 52:10

Likewise, brother, it's been great to join you, and I thank you for the opportunity.

Host: David Wheaton 52:14

We hope this program and last have sharpened your worldview on prophecy and even more strengthen your faith in God and His sure plan. Again, we have links to Todd Hampson and his books, podcasts, and events at TheChristianWorldview.org. Thank you for joining us today on the Christian Worldview and for your support of this nonprofit radio ministry. Let's close with how the prophetic book of Revelation begins. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near. So until next time, think biblically, live accordingly, and how Revelation closes, come Lord Jesus. The mission of the Christian Worldview is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We hope today's broadcast encouraged you toward that end. To hear a replay of today's program, order a transcript, or find out what must I do to be saved, go to The Christian Worldview.org or call toll-free 888-646-2233. The Christian Worldview is a listener-supported, nonprofit radio ministry furnished by the Overcomer Foundation. To make a donation, order resources, become a Christian Worldview partner, sign up for our weekly email, or the Christian Worldview Journal print publication, or to contact us, go to The Christian Worldview.org, call 888 646 2233, or write to box 401 Excelsior, Minnesota 55331. Thanks for listening to the Christian Worldview.