With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many are worried about the times we have entered. Has the Cold War returned… and finally gone hot? Is this a sign of the End Times, the “war and rumors of wars” that bring the end?
To answer that question, we need to consider what Jesus said about wars and rumors of wars.
Culled from: https://www.crosswalk.com
Where Does the Bible Talk about “Wars and Rumors of Wars”?
The phrase “wars and rumors of wars” appears twice in the Bible, both times in the Gospels.
In Matthew 24, Jesus is in Jerusalem, teaching people and challenging religious leaders who question him. After Jesus finishes teaching for the day, he and his disciple walk out of Jerusalem, and some of them point out the beautiful temple and other architecture. Jesus answered, “Do you see all these things?…Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2-3).
Outside Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Jesus for more details about that day. He replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:5-6).
Jesus then gives further details about this time, including his followers being persecuted, nations fighting nations, the “abomination that causes desolation” appearing in the holy place, and “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 24:6-51). Jesus ends his explanation using a fig tree to talk about knowing the right season has come (Matthew 24:32), and “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36).