With the conflicts in the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine, and tensions between China and Taiwan, are we on the eve of destruction? Michael Snyder believes that World War Three has began. Has it? What are the beginning of sorrows that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:4-8? Should they trouble Christians? What about what happens afterwards according to Jesus in Matthew 24:9-14? Will the Philadelphian Christians be instructing "many" per Daniel 11:33 while being subject to persecution? Will the faithful getting their "fifteen minutes of fame," as the late Andy Warhol put it, succeed in fulfilling Matthew 24:14 related to proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God to the world as a witness? Did the late Herbert W. Armstrong teach that the Great Tribulation was the start of what could be called WWIII? Did he also teach that may involve nuclear weapons hitting cities in the UK, USA, and Canada? Will the Philadelphian Christians flee before the start of WWIII? What about terrorism and the predominantly Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa? Biblically, do we expect Armageddon, and a WWIV or WWV? Will there be a confederation including Russia, China, and others that will attack the coming European King of the North Beast power? How can we know the timing of what could be called WWIII, WWIV, and WWV? Is any of this related to a temporary peace deal as mentioned in Daniel 9:26-27? What does the Bible say about the ride of the second horseman of the Apocalypse? What should a Christian do according to Jesus? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

A written article of related interest is available titled 'MS: What Do You Call A War With China Plus A War With Russia Plus A Colossal War In The Middle East? WWIII. No according to Jesus: This would be part of ‘the beginning of sorrows’

Youtube video link: WWIII or 2nd Horseman of the Apocalypse?

MS: What Do You Call A War With China Plus A War With Russia Plus A Colossal War In The Middle East? WWIII. No according to Jesus: This would be part of ‘the beginning of sorrows’

COGwriter

Are we currently in World War III or perhaps, instead, the “beginning of sorrows”?

People such as Michael Snyder has speculated that we have seen the start of WWIII or at least triggers for it. Here is some of his latest post on that topic:

What Do You Call A War With China Plus A War With Russia Plus A Colossal War In The Middle East?
January 11, 2024
Did you see that we just bombed the Houthis? Each new day in 2024 seems to bring some sort of a new escalation, and for now most Americans can ignore all of the fighting because it is all happening on the other side of the globe. But how are they going to feel when the U.S. is actively engaged in multiple wars simultaneously and those wars are directly affecting daily life inside the United States? …
Most Americans don’t realize this, but this weekend Taiwan will hold an election which may determine whether the U.S. and China go to war.
In fact, China has literally framed this election as “a choice between war and peace”…
Taiwan presidential front-runner Lai Ching-te’s lead over his main opposition rival has narrowed significantly, setting the stage for a close race in the final weeks before the pivotal vote.
Lai’s ticket, representing the ruling party, leads with 37.3% of support followed by Hou Yu-ih’s of opposition Kuomintang (KMT) with 33.4%, according to a survey conducted between Dec. 19 and Dec. 21 by pollster My Formosa. Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party trails with 17.7%.
If Lai Ching-te wins, a Chinese invasion becomes very likely.
And the moment that China invades Taiwan, the U.S. and China will be at war.
Meanwhile, the war in the Middle East just got even more “interesting”. It is being reported that a “U.S.-led coalition” just struck more than a dozen targets in Yemen…
In addition to being at war with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, now we are essentially at war with the Houthis. …
Needless to say, this war in the Middle East is still only in the very early stages.
It is going to get so much worse.
The war in Ukraine is going to get a lot worse too, and in recent weeks Russian forces have been steadily gaining ground. …
Hundreds of thousands have already died, and many of them never even receive a proper burial.
As the Ukrainians lose ground, they will become increasingly desperate.
Some Ukrainian leaders have suggested using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike missile launch sites inside Russia, and Dmitry Medvedev is warning that such a move could provoke a nuclear response…
A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that any Ukrainian attacks on missile launch sites inside Russia with arms supplied by the United States and its allies would risk a nuclear response from Moscow.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that some Ukrainian military commanders were considering hitting missile launch sites inside Russia with Western-supplied long-range missiles.
This war should have been ended a long time ago.
At some point someone is going to push things too far, and then there will be no going back.
A lot of people out there still have faith that our leaders know exactly what they are doing and that they will be able to keep World War III from erupting.
Unfortunately, the truth is that World War III is already here, and soon global events will spiral completely out of control. https://endoftheamericandream.com/what-do-you-call-a-war-with-china-plus-a-war-with-russia-plus-a-colossal-war-in-the-middle-east/

Yes, there are wars, threats of wars, and rumors of war. Michael Snyder is right about that.

However, regarding the current situation, no it is NOT WWIII. Jesus said to expect wars and rumors of wars as part of what He called “the beginning of sorrows”:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)

Notice that Jesus said that wars and hearing of rumors of war (like China possibly invading Taiwan) should not trouble His people. And again, notice that Jesus called these part of “the beginning of sorrows.”

That said, Jesus continued with:

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)

So, after all the “the beginning of sorrows” has started, there will be persecution of the most faithful and the gospel of the kingdom proclamation will be a sufficient witness. Jesus tied those together sequentially, and His statements look to be consistent the the following in the Book of Daniel:

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. (Daniel 11:32-33)

So, we see that the persecuted Christians are giving a witness. That will be what the late Andy Warhol might have referred to as their “fifteen minutes of fame.” Meaning between what they say when they are instructing many and the media coverage, that, along with what the faithful church will have been doing to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God, will result in all nations getting a witness (see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word). We can also see this from Mark’s account of Jesus’ words:

9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. (Mark 13:8-10)

The late Herbert W. Armstrong also taught:

World War 3 brings with it THE GREAT TRIBULATION. That is now next in order. But Jesus, in foretelling this chain of world events, said the GREAT TRIBULATION would be preceded by the world-wide proclaiming of HIS Gospel. “The GOSPEL must first be published among all nations,” said Jesus (Mark 13:10), or, as recorded by Matthew (24:14): “This Gospel OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto ALL NATIONS; and THEN shall the END (of the world) come.” (Armstrong HW. Brethren and Co-Worker Letter, May 22, 1953)

We in the Continuing Church of God are working on the fulfillment of Mathew 24:14 (and even have had our English-language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 1000 languages; see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages). The fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10 is something that all true Philadelphian Christians realize that they need to support.

Now, after the gospel reaches the nations as a sufficient witness to God’s satisfaction, there will be signs for the most faithful to flee and for WWIII to begin. Notice more words from Jesus as recorded by Matthew:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)

The “great tribulation” that Jesus spoke of basically is the start of what could be called WWIII. Jesus promises physical protection for the Philadelphian Christians in Revelation 3:7-13 but not all, as is pointed out in Revelation 12:13-17 (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra).

Some may wish to see what the old Worldwide Church of God taught would begin the Great Tribulation and World War III, as taught by the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

The Next World War
Now, all the pieces that have divided them over there, are beginning to fall into place, and it’s very shocking news. You’ll find it prophesied in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation and many other prophecies in the Bible. And it is going to trigger World War III, the feared, the unthinkable nuclear World War III. I want to read you what the Bible says about this World War III coming on; it’s in Matthew 24 and I’m going to show you how the time is now. And it begins, I’ll just begin in verse 21, it’s a prophecy of Jesus Christ Himself when He was here on earth and speaking of this time that we are in now He says:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be [that’s the time of trouble in the world, that’ll be far greater than World War I and World War II, much greater]. And except those days should be shortened [unless God Almighty Himself intervenes supernaturally to cut it short], …no flesh [should] be saved [alive]…”: (Matthew 24:21-22)

It’s talking not of spiritual salvation but saving humanity alive. In other words; every man woman, child on earth would be snuffed out. You, your children, myself, all of us. Humanity would be erased.
Matthew 24: “…except those days should be shortened, no flesh should be be saved [alive]…That great tribulation that is the nuclear World War III, (Armstrong HW. Tribulation. Radio Broadcast, 20th century. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1567869049)
Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15 … From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” … We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beast’s armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

Herbert W. Armstrong referred to “the seventeenth chapter of Revelation.” In it, Mystery Babylon is mentioned along with two reorganizations in Europe–one which turns power over to the beast. The armies of the beast are prophesied to destroy the strongest military in Daniel 11:39. So, for WWIII to happen in the next decade or less, that would point to the USA itself getting destroyed–and that is consistent with what Herbert W. Armstrong was warning would happen.

While elements of WWIII are in progress, and Russia, the Middle East, China, and terrorism are influencing events that will lead to that, neither Russia nor China nor Hamas, are the powers that will actually start WWIII. Instead, their actions are influencing the actions of others, and ultimately that will start what could be called WWIII.

Many believe that WWIII will entail massive conflict with Russia and/or China and/or Iran and/or is mainly an Islamic war. Those views are in error. WWIII basically will be the risen European power and its allies (Germany and its allies began WWI and WWII) attacking and beating the USA, UK, and their Anglo-Saxon allies (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11; see also Germany in Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy).

Terrorism will be part of that and will likely involve an alliance with Europe of many nations in the Middle East and North Africa that are currently Islamic (see Psalm 83; see also Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? and Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy and Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History). But then Europe will eliminate them as a threat (Daniel 11:40-43) after the USA is eliminated (Daniel 11:39).

What perhaps could be called World War Four (WWIV) would be an attack against the European Beast power by Russia, China, and their confederated allies. This will also tie in with the gathering of the armies at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). For more details, see also Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future and Asia in Prophecy. As far as Armageddon goes, please see the video shot from there simply titled Armageddon.

The fact is that the 6000 years God gave humankind to rule itself is about to come to an end (see Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), which means we are nearer to the start of the Great Tribulation, WWIII, and even WWIV.

Because of the proximity to the end of 6000 years for humanity to rule itself mainly cut off from God, (see Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), we are to expect wars, rumors of wars, and various sorrows (Matthew 24:4-8). And then the end of the nations of USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies once the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) begins.

The current situation with Russia and Ukraine is speeding up the type of unity that the European Beast power will have, as well as getting the Europeans to decide they need to have more military power, more quickly.

WWIII will not come until about 3 1/2 years after a ‘peace deal’ has been confirmed by a ‘prince’ (Daniel 9:26-27) who later will become the final King of the North (Daniel 11:31-44). This leader will be European, and eventually destroy the nation with the strongest fortresses (Daniel 11:39), which in the 21st century would be the USA. He will proclaim peace and safety:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

This leader will encourage proclamations of peace, yet sudden destruction will come (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3). After destroying the USA, etc., he will turn against a power in the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43): this could be called WWIV or perhaps will be considered as a second part of WWIII.

A battle involving Russia and its allies against the final Beast power will come over three years later and could be called WWIV (or WWV if the elimination of the confederation in the Middle East and North Africa would be called WWIV, which is discussed in Daniel 11:40-43).

The reality is that steps are in progress for world war. What we are seeing is consistent with Jesus’ words related to the beginning of sorrows, as well as the following from the Book of Revelation:

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

To a degree not seen since WWII, peace has been taken from the earth. But things will get much, much worse.

People are not as safe as most seem to think that they are. WWIII is not yet here, but steps are in progress.

Ultimately of course, there is good news as ultimately, Jesus will return, God’s kingdom will come, and those issues will be gone (Revelation 7:16).

UPDATE 01/14/24: We just uploaded the following related video:

14:18
WWIII or 2nd Horseman of the Apocalypse?
With the conflicts in the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine, and tensions between China and Taiwan, are we on the eve of destruction? Michael Snyder believes that World War Three has began. Has it? What are the beginning of sorrows that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:4-8? Should they trouble Christians? What about what happens afterwards according to Jesus in Matthew 24:9-14? Will the Philadelphian Christians be instructing “many” per Daniel 11:33 while be subject to persecution? Will the faithful getting their “fifteen minutes of fame,” as the late Andy Warhol put it, succeed in fulfilling Matthew 24:14 related to proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God to the world as a witness? Did the late Herbert W. Armstrong teach that the Great Tribulation was the start of what could be called WWIII? DId he also teach that may involve nuclear weapons hitting cities in the UK, USA, and Canada? Will the Philadelphian Christians flee before the start of WWIII? What about terrorism and the predominantly Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa? Biblically, do we expect Armageddon, and a WWIV or WWV? Will there be a confederation including Russia, China, and others that will attack the coming European King of the North Beast power? How can we know the timing of what could be called WWIII, WWIV, and WWV? Is any of this related to a temporary peace deal as mentioned in Daniel 9:26-27? What does the Bible say about the ride of the second horseman of the Apocalypse? What should a Christian do according to Jesus? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

Here is a link to our video: WWIII or 2nd Horseman of the Apocalypse?

Although, according to Jesus, the time of sorrows is not one to trouble Christians, notice something else that He did say:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Worse things are coming, and Jesus stated what He said He wanted all of His people to be doing. So, watch and get ready.

War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety,’ Zephaniah 2 to ‘gather together,’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on fleeing to a place–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of related interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here are two related items in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra? and Existe un Lugar de Seguridad.

Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here are two related YouTube videos titled Final Phase of the Work: Need and Background and The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra. And here is a link to a related Spanish language sermon: La obra corta y el Hambre de la Palabra de Dios.

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There are also three video sermons you can watch: Cancel Culture and Christian Persecution, The Coming Persecution of the Church, and Christian Persecution from the Beast. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.

Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.