As we step into this new year, we cannot ignore the troubling realities around us. Conflicts seem to reach every corner of the world.
- The war between Russia and Ukraine has the potential to escalate into a broader confrontation between the West and the East.
- Rising tensions between China and Taiwan, which could again draw global powers into conflict.
- Ongoing wars in Africa, including the devastating civil war in Sudan, the long-running armed conflict in the Congo, and conflicts in Somalia and Ethiopia.
- Instability in Southeast Asia, including tensions between Thailand and Cambodia and the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
- And the Middle East, where the attention of many nations is now intensely focused on Gaza, as well as Hezbollah and Iran.
We might say we are not starting the year very well, are we? Yet this is precisely where we must not lose sight of the power of prayer. Prayers affirm that history is not driven merely by nations, armies, or headlines, but by the will of the Lord Who reigns overall.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Many in the secular world sense that the coming years will bring profound change. According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists—a body of scholars and scientists that monitors nuclear developments and which Albert Einstein supported at its founding in 1945—their 2026 message states that we have now entered what they call the third nuclear age.
The First Nuclear Age was from 1945–1991: a period defined by the discovery of nuclear weapons, arms buildups, and the constant fear of nuclear war.
The Second Nuclear Age spans from 1991 to the present: a period marked by major arms reductions and growing concerns about nuclear terrorism.
The Third Nuclear Age that is emerging now is expected to feature renewed arms buildups driven by intensifying great-power competition.
These are the ones who set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight. Not very optimistic; however, they are not Bible believers but scientists.
The Third Temple
Even in Israel, some have seen a new wave of strong interest in building the Third Temple, which is needed for the Tribulation prophecies to begin. New statistics show that nearly 80,000 Jewish people ascended the Temple Mount this year, a 31% increase from last year. In fact, that figure was surpassed in a single month. Interest in rebuilding the Temple has also increased this past year, and it is now a shared experience across the Jewish spectrum, from ultra-Orthodox to fully secular.
This shift is multi-generational; from soldiers to high school students, more people are ascending the Temple Mount, and this time, Jews are praying openly there using siddurim, Jewish prayer books. The last time we went to Israel, prayer meant whispering Psalms while pretending to chat, out of fear. Today, Jews can openly pray and study on the Temple Mount with dignity. Times are changing.
Church Attitudes
Amid the conflicts unfolding around us, I want to share an important observation about changes within the Churches and attitudes toward Israel. One of our recent Facebook posts reached nearly 620,000 people, far exceeding our usual audience. We thank the Lord that His Word is reaching so many.
The post was a short video that opened with a simple question: “If Messiah came, why is there no peace?” The question generated many responses. Some were thoughtful and encouraging, but others were deeply troubling and openly antisemitic, unlike anything I had seen before. As a result, many of those comments had to be removed.
These comments directly blamed the Jewish people and Israel for the world’s troubles, accusing them of preventing peace; the rhetoric was disturbingly similar to that used in Europe before the Holocaust. However, what was most striking was that these comments did not come from Muslim extremists. In fact, I do not recall any such responses from them. Instead, they came from individuals who identify as Christians. This was evident when I visited their profiles, where crosses and even Bible verses were prominently displayed.
Some of the comments that attempted to answer, “Why is there no peace even though the Messiah came,” included the following: “Because Israel exists.” “You guys subvert all culture to create war for profit, making money from both sides.” “Because you keep trying to steal land that you believe God promised you.” “Zionists are the most evil and narcissistic people in the world, even more so than Muslims.”
Once again, many of the comments were encouraging, filled with prayers for Israel and the Jewish people. We are thankful for those voices. Yet the majority of the comments remind us of a sobering reality: we are entering a new phase as we draw closer to our Lord’s return, a phase marked by a growing antisemitism within Christianity, especially among younger Christians.
Social Media Influencers.
Not long ago, we highlighted several Christian influencers who have increasingly portrayed Israel as a burden or obstacle to the United States. Another recent study, published last week by the Jewish People Policy Institute and conducted using AI, which simply gathers data and patterns without emotion or bias, revealed something deeply concerning. Over the past six months, Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, influencers with millions of young followers, have significantly amplified antisemitic narratives among Christians.
America First, not Israel
One argument is repeated again and again under the “America First” slogan. It claims that the United States gives billions of dollars to Israel and that this money should instead be kept at home. This claim is distorted and misleading. First, no money is given freely. In reality, a large portion of U.S. military aid to Israel is legally required to be spent on American-made weapons, equipment, and services. This means the money flows back into the U.S. economy, supporting American defense companies, creating jobs, and strengthening U.S. industry.
In return, the United States gains strategic, economic, technological, and geopolitical benefits. Many technologies used worldwide today emerged from U.S.–Israel cooperation, including USB flash drives, cybersecurity tools, and medical innovations. Beyond this, Scripture is clear, and history confirms it. God declared nearly 4,000 years ago, “I will bless those who bless you.” This principle has shaped history and helps explain America’s prosperity and global influence.
Many American leaders understood this. Presidents such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump spoke of U.S.–Israel relations in biblical and covenantal terms. President Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people, reflects that conviction.
Today, however, we are witnessing a shift away from this belief, and this development aligns with biblical prophecy, reminding us of this powerful prophecy in Zechariah 12:3: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the nations.” That weight is already being felt.
Prayer
Yet, we are not powerless. Prayer still matters. Truth still matters. Action still matters. Whether through prayer, speaking truth clearly, or even something as simple as responding wisely online, we can still make a difference by lifting up the Word of God in a time of growing darkness. So, this year ahead will test our convictions and call every believer in the Scriptures to courageous action. It is my prayer that we will all respond and always uplift the name of our Lord