No doubt there are going to be those who claim that the current devastating wildfires in Spokane, Greece, Spain, Montana, and elsewhere are God’s wrath being poured out on a sinful and wicked people.
And sadly, this kind of “hellfire-and-brimstone” nonsense will be preached by so-called “Christians,” as it has been countless times when death and tragedy strike a particular community or geographical area. No wonder people are abandoning traditional and Evangelical Christian churches in droves.
Let’s look at the answer Jesus gave to his questioners in Luke 13:1–5 when they asked him about Pilate slaughtering a group of Galileans:
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Our Lord could not be more clear. Disaster, suffering, and death, whether natural or man-made, are not meted out according to the level of sinfulness present in an area. Bad things don’t happen exclusively to bad people, and tragedy is not a sign of God’s judgment in this present age.
However, there is a time coming when God’s judgment and restoration will fall on the entire creation. The Apocalypse is real, but it is reserved for a future time, and those who have already accepted the sacrifice of the Lamb and are covered by it will be spared from the judgement of that great and terrible day.
Scroll social media for five minutes and you’ll find someone announcing they’ve finally cracked the prophetic code. Look, a red moon! Wow, another war in the Middle East. Did you hear about that earthquake? A politician whose name could be a 666 code. Is AI the Beast of Revelation?
Apparently, every headline is the headline that proves Jesus is coming back next Tuesday at 3:17 p.m.
Yes, Jesus absolutely told His followers to watch the signs. He pointed to wars, earthquakes, persecution, deception, and upheaval as reminders that history is moving according to God’s grand plan and toward His appointed conclusion. But He never told us to become prophecy detectives obsessed with predicting dates or identifying every newsmaker as the Antichrist.
Instead, He said, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33, KJV)
Watch the signs, but don’t worship or obsess over the signs. They are road markers, not the destination. Their purpose isn’t to make us fearful, distracted, or addicted to doom-scrolling. Their purpose is to remind us that God keeps His promises and that His Kingdom is drawing nearer every day.
So What?
The real question isn’t, “Can I predict the day?” Jesus already answered that: Nope. The better question is, “If He returned today, would He find me faithfully following Him?”
It’s good to stay informed. It’s wise to think about and try to understand what biblical prophecy means for us today. But if we spend more time refreshing the news than reading God’s Word, we’ve probably started watching the wrong thing.
So yes, we’ll keep one eye on the headlines—but we’ll keep busy and focused on the work God is calling us to.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Speak the truth. Be an example and blessing to others. Pray and manifest power and healing by the spirit God has given you. That’s what watching looks like.
Because when the King does return, He isn’t looking for people who guessed the date. He’s looking for people who were faithful while they waited.
Here are three of the most recent biblical archaeology discoveries that have made news:
Rare Roman Mosaic Found Near the Biblical City of Perga (Turkey)
Archaeologists uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved third-century A.D. Roman mosaic in the ancient city of Aspendos, near Perga, where the Apostle Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in Asia Minor (Acts 13:13–14).
The mosaic, measuring roughly 20 × 25 feet, decorated what appears to have been a ceremonial pool and features a rare depiction of the river god Eurymedon. Although pagan in theme, the discovery provides valuable insight into the cultural environment encountered by the early Christian church during Paul’s missionary journeys. (New York Post)
Ancient Egyptian Settlement Discovered from the Period Often Associated with the Exodus
Excavations at Tell el-Koua in Egypt’s Wadi Tumilat uncovered a substantial settlement dating from the Second Intermediate Period through the early New Kingdom—the era many scholars investigate when discussing the historical context of the biblical Exodus.
The site includes:
Residential buildings
Mudbrick tombs
Storage silos
Ovens
Bronze tools
Scarab amulets
While the discovery does not prove the Exodus, it provides important archaeological evidence about life in Egypt’s eastern Nile Delta during the period often examined in Exodus research. (New York Post)
Earliest Christian Church Identified Beneath Ancient Italian City
Archaeologists excavating beneath a former fish market in Oderzo (ancient Opitergium), Italy, uncovered what is believed to be the city’s earliest known Christian church, dating to the 4th or 5th century A.D.
Among the discoveries were:
Intricate polychrome mosaic floors
A large basilica with a central nave and side aisles
Several Christian burials associated with the church
Although this find is post-New Testament, it offers significant evidence for the rapid spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire in the generations immediately following the apostolic era. (New York Post)
Everyone’s arguing about politics, celebrities, wars, and the latest viral nonsense. Meanwhile, two stories this week barely made a ripple.
In Nigeria, more Christians were murdered in brutal attacks by Fulani extremist militants, including entire families. In India, church leaders continued warning about growing restrictions and violence targeting Christians and Christian ministries. These aren’t isolated headlines—they’re reminders that faith in our risen and returning Savior still carries a real cost for millions of people. (Source: Persecution.org)
Meanwhile, here in America, people sometimes think being a Christian is “hard” because someone rolled their eyes at a Bible verse on social media. Around the world, many believers are risking prison, losing their homes, or giving their lives simply because they refuse to deny Christ.
Our Lord never promised popularity. He promised hard truth.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” — John 15:18 (KJV)
Who or what will we be faithful and loyal to, even when the crowd goes the other way?
Maybe we shouldn’t be asking, “Why are Christians persecuted?” as much as we should be asking, “If following our Lord cost me something, would I still follow Him?”
That’s a question worth thinking about long after today’s headlines disappear.
Say the word “Antichrist” and people picture a global supervillain, a smooth-talking dictator with a sinister smile, or the guy from every end-times movie ever made.
But what does the Bible say? The word “Antichrist” appears only FIVE times in the entire Bible.
The term “Antichrist” doesn’t appear anywhere at all in the books of Revelation or Daniel. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Surprised?
It’s only used in John’s letters. Here’s where:
1 John 2:18 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (KJV)
John tells believers that many antichrists had already appeared and says that they were living in the “last time” back in the first century. He also mentions that they had heard that an “Antichrist” was coming, but his emphasis is on the many antichrists already active in his own day.
1 John 2:22 – Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (KJV)
An antichrist is anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and rejects him as the only begotten son of the Father. There were lots of Jews and Gentiles at the time who would have fallen into that category, right? Of course, that has also been true ever since then, including in our own day and age.
1 John 4:3 – And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (KJV)
The “spirit of antichrist” is any teaching that refuses to confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, is who he claimed to be. And that spirit of antichrist was already present in the world over 2,000 years ago.
2 John 1:7 – For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. KJV
Those are the only four passages in the entire Bible that use the word “antichrist”, and only five occurrences of the word itself.
Notice that John isn’t describing a politician taking over the United Nations. He’s talking about false teachers denying the Messiah and spreading lies about Jesus.
What Does “Antichrist” Actually Mean?
The Greek word is ἀντίχριστος (antichristos).
It’s made from two parts:
anti (ἀντί) — against, opposed to, or in place of.
christos (Χριστός) — Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.
So an antichrist is someone or something that opposes Christ or tries to replace Him.
That could be a false teacher or a counterfeit gospel. It could also refer to a movement that offers salvation without a Savior or to anyone pointing people away from the real Messiah.
John says that many antichrists already existed in the first century because deception didn’t start in the future—it started almost immediately after Jesus’ resurrection.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be powerful opponents of Christ in the future. Scripture certainly speaks about rebellion, lawlessness, and evil rulers. But we shouldn’t force every scary end-times passage to mean “the Antichrist.”
The Bible is only correctly understood when the historical context is understood and we should never read movie scripts, popular novels, or modern-day, ear-tickling preachers and prophecy peddlers into it.
So What?
Instead of letting Hollywood define your theology, let Scripture do it. This week, read 1 John from start to finish. It takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll learn more about the Antichrist from the apostle who actually used the word than from a dozen conspiracy videos.
Every generation wants to change the world. That’s not a bad thing. But today’s headlines show something deeper, and more troubling, happening: confidence in free-market capitalism has slipped, many young Americans are questioning the American Dream, and traditional institutions—including marriage and family—continue to lose influence. (The Wall Street Journal)
But, what if we’re tossing out the owner’s manual before figuring out why it worked in the first place?
The Bible isn’t a campaign platform for capitalism or any other political ideology or party. But it does praise honest work, personal responsibility, generosity, faithful families, and wise stewardship. Those aren’t outdated, old fogey ideas—they’re God’s design for human flourishing.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” — Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)
If we abandon hard work because it’s difficult, family because it’s inconvenient, or personal responsibility because someone else should fix everything, we shouldn’t be shocked when society starts wobbling. You can’t delete the blueprint and expect the building to stay standing.
Pick one biblical value you’ve been ignoring—work hard, honor your parents, keep your word, or serve someone without expecting anything back. Live it out this week. Don’t just complain about culture.
Be a true rebel and remember—the surest, shortest way to “change the world” is to take care of your family and get involved in your local community.
Today’s headlines are once again dominated by the White House and Tehran. The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate, with new military strikes, retaliation, and fears of a wider regional war filling every news feed pretty much every day. CNN
Every generation obsesses over who sits in the palace, the parliament, or the Oval Office. People act like the next election, the next revolution, or the next regime change will finally fix humanity. It won’t
Governments rise and fall. Kings and Queens die, and Presidents leave office. Supreme Leaders get replaced by Regular Old Leaders pretending they are supreme. And all the while the human heart remains desperately wicked and filled with pride, greed, violence, and brokenness.
The Bible points us to a different King. One who is surely coming to set things right.
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 (KJV)
That doesn’t mean we ignore politics or world events. Christians should care about justice and pray for leaders. But our ultimate hope isn’t in whoever occupies the White House or the palace in Tehran. Our hope is in the return of the King of Kings, who won’t campaign for righteousness—He’ll establish it forever.
Until then, don’t let headlines rule your heart and mind. Do what you can within your sphere of influence to be God’s image bearer and add value to His creation.
Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected spiritual leaders and influencers on the Book of Jonah.
Charles H. Spurgeon
“Most of us would be willing to obey the Lord if we were allowed to choose our own road. But the test of obedience is whether we will follow the path He appoints.” — Often used in connection with Spurgeon’s sermons on Jonah, emphasizing Jonah’s flight from God’s calling.
J. Vernon McGee
“The Book of Jonah is not about a great fish swallowing a little man. It is about a great God who has compassion on a great city.” — From McGee’s Thru the Bible commentary on Jonah.
Tim Keller
“Jonah is not just the story of a man running from God; it is the story of God’s relentless grace pursuing both the rebellious prophet and the sinful city.” — From The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy.
Warren W. Wiersbe
“The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” — Frequently cited by Wiersbe in connection with Jonah’s story in Be Amazed (Minor Prophets), highlighting God’s sustaining grace even when His servants fail.
