Does the Bible predict there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times?
The Bible clearly speaks of wars that will take place in the end times. In Matthew 24:6-7 Jesus said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." These wars include not only conflicts that happen today but those that will take place during the seven-year tribulation following the rapture.In Revelation 6, a vision of events during the tribulation, much war is mentioned. The first horse is a conqueror who goes to war (v. 2). The second horse is a red horse that causes people to slay one another (v. 4). The beast will make war (Revelation 11:7; 13:7), war is referred to in heaven (Revelation 12:7), the dragon makes war with a woman and her offspring (Revelation 12:17).
In addition to war in general during the end times, Ezekiel 38 speaks of a gathering of nations that will come together in war against Israel. Verses 8-9 note, "In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you." In this war, Israel will be supernaturally rescued by the Lord.
A final war will also take place at the end of the tribulation that is usually called the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 17:14; 19:11-21). At the conclusion of this battle led by Christ Himself, Jesus will begin His millennial kingdom that involves a 1,000-year reign.
This time period will be concluded with one final battle in which "Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea" (Revelation 20:7-8). They will be defeated by fire from heaven followed by the final judgment, a new heavens, and a new earth.
As can be seen, the end times will be marked by much war and conflict. However, there is nothing specifically mentioned in the Bible about a particular number of wars or a specific World War III. These names are human labels given to global conflicts that have involved numerous nations and people. Instead, the Bible predicts wars that will ultimately be larger in scale than any war currently known that will precede the coming and reign of Jesus Christ.
The Battle of Armageddon - What is it?
Who or what are Gog and Magog?
The day of the Lord – What is it?
The Apocalypse – What is it?
What are the signs of the end times?
Truth about the End Times
