Future Headlines, Middle East War

War in the Middle East

This isn’t a shocker—a war in the Middle East. Of course, there would be war in the Middle East. When has there not been war in the Middle East, right? Yes, this is the modus operandi of the area, but Scripture details a future war between modern-day Iran and modern-day Turkey. This war is part of the rise of the Antichrist and is a future headline. This series of articles lays out future headlines gathered from Bible prophecy and especially related to the Antichrist’s rise. These are headlines you can bet on.

Daniel 8 War

Of the future headlines in this series, I’d bet on this one, but it would be a conservative wager for the interpretation of this war presented in Daniel 8 is a novel interpretation. I’d argue a responsible interpretation, but I’m in the minority of this view. Daniel 8 retells a vision that Daniel had while in Persia which is modern-day Iran. Not only does the chapter recount the vision, but the angel, Gabriel, interprets the dream.

Daniel’s dream is of a two-horned ram and a one-horned goat. The ram was powerful, it charged to the north, south, and west. It defeated all it came against. Then the one-horned goat rose and defeated the ram. The goat then rose to power and spread its power throughout the area. Following the goat’s domination, its horn broke off, and in its place, grew four horns. From the four horns grew one horn that rose to power. That one horn came against the beautiful land (Israel) and the sanctuary (the Temple). Daniel admits this is a wild dream. Though wild—it provides incredible insight.

Gabriel tells Daniel that the ram with two horns represented the Medes and Persians while the goat represented Javan. Most English translations have Greece in place of Javan, but Javan is the word in Hebrew. Though some connect Javan with Greece, it would be better to associate it with modern-day Turkey. The Angel went on the say that the Medes and Persians would rise to power and spread that power across the region. Eventually a prominent leader would arise in Javan. He would lead Javan against Persia and win. That prominent leader would then be disposed of in some way. In his footsteps there would arise four leaders and from that four there would come one. This one would come against Israel and commit the abomination in the temple. From the terms used to describe that “little horn” it’s obvious he is the Antichrist. The terms match other descriptions in Daniel of this final ruler.

Daniel 7 and Revelation 17

The preceding chapter in Daniel says the final empire would be ten leaders (or nations), then three, and the three would be replaced by a “little horn”. In Daniel 7 that little horn speaks boastfully, so we can identify it as the Antichrist.

In Revelation 17 we find a succession from ten leaders or nations leading to the rise of the Antichrist. There’s much evidence connecting the final horn in Daniel 8 to the Antichrist. Also, as mentioned in a previous series, Scripture provides ample support that the Antichrist’s kingdom would be headquartered in modern-day Turkey (Javan).

There isn’t much debate in commentaries about the final horn being the Antichrist. Though the end of the vision is accepted to be the Antichrist, predominantly the rest of the passage has been understood to detail the history of the rise of Alexander the Great. In this historical view, the prominent horn is Alexander, the four horns that replace him are his generals that took over his conquest. This historical approach does match the passage. Therefore, most commentaries explain that Daniel 8 has two-parts, half in the past and half in the future. It could be, but multiple times throughout the chapter Gabriel stresses that these events will take place in the latter days. The language he uses points to the end of the age.

Future Fulfillment

I believe a more accurate interpretation of the passage is that all the events in the chapter take place in the future at the end of the age, but there has been an almost fulfillment in the past with Alexander the Great. My friend, Daniel Secomb, uses the term “pattern” prophecy. We see throughout Bible prophecy that there are near fulfillments, but eventually there will one ultimate fulfillment.

In the futuristic view, Iran (Persia) will spread its power throughout the Middle East until Turkey (Javan) comes against Iran. A prominent leader leads Turkey to begin to conquer or continue conquering. Eventually that prominent leader dies or is disposed of, and in his place multiple leaders arise. Likely it’s not just leaders but a coalition of nations. From that group the Antichrist rises and eventually comes against Israel and ends the sacrifices that have restarted.

Though the futuristic view is a minority view it is gaining steam. I believe it’s important to consider the futuristic possibility of Daniel 8 because out of all the future headlines it’s the most detailed and likely the first to appear.

Future Headlines

Therefore, we should expect to see future headlines like:

• “Iran continues to gain power and control in the region.”
• “Iran has a wide reach in the Middle East either through their army or proxies.”
• “A prominent leader in Turkey desires to expand its borders.”
• “Turkey has declared war with Iran.”
• “Turkey defeats Iran.”
• “Turkey is heading up a new coalition of nations in the Middle East.”
• “The prominent leader in Turkey has passed, his coalition of nations will rule through a council of leaders.”
• “The Turkey led Middle Eastern coalition has consolidated power with one man.”
• “The Turkey led Middle Eastern coalition has turned its sights on Israel.”

This article first appeared in Jake’s syndicated column Stand Firm & Live Epic as published in The Baptist Trumpet and other publications. After three months the articles are adapted and published here. To read the articles at release subscribe here.

Jake McCandless

Executive Director of Stand Firm and lead pastor of Epic Church NWA in Springdale, AR and multiple award-winning author, Jake has a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Studies from Central Baptist College, and an Advanced Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Former regular contributor to the Baptist Press and WND News with popular conservative voices such as Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Ben Carson, Chuck Norris, Greg Laurie, Ben Schapiro, Joel Richardson, and others. He now is a weekly contributor for Israel, Islam, and the End Times and Armageddon News. He has authored books such as the, award-winning Spiritual Prepper from WND Books. Award-winning devotional books, Invincibleand For Uncertain Times, he authored the ground-breaking children’s book, Jesus and His White Horse from CrossLink Publishing. He is also a regular guest on national and international radio and streaming web shows, along with hosting his weekly live streaming program Talking Stand Firm and weekly podcast Stand Firm Parents.