PROPHETIC NARRATIVE AND THEOLOGICAL MISINTERPRETATION REGARDING THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT AND GLOBAL CRISIS.

PROPHETIC NARRATIVE AND THEOLOGICAL MISINTERPRETATION REGARDING THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT AND GLOBAL CRISIS.

By Isaiah-Phillips Akintola

As followers of Christ, we find ourselves in a unique position when addressing the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran that have intensified into direct warfare in 2025. The current situation, following the 2024 Gaza conflict and the January 2025 hostage-ceasefire agreement, demands that we speak with clarity and biblical discernment rather than political convenience.

The complexity of the current Middle Eastern situation, with its deep historical roots and ongoing humanitarian costs, demands the kind of careful, biblically-grounded discernment that puts Christ’s teachings above political loyalty. As the regional conflicts continue to escalate, Christians must choose between the narrow path of gospel truth and the broad road of political convenience.
We are called to be prophetic voice and solutions in our generation and not to be seeking how to use nationalist, Christian rhetoric mixed with political power to justify evil.

God’s Heart Condition:
The Foundation of Prophetic Fulfillment
There exists a consistent context of biblical principle heaven uses in the fulfillment of prophecy which is the heart condition of both of people and their leadership.

God’s redemptive counsel and purposes are primarily engaged by the configuration of leaders and the response of peoples according to what He expects in terms of righteousness and justice, not through ideological, humanistic, or political maneuvering that contradicts His principles, values, and standards. This reality is crucial for how Christians worldwide should align their hearts toward the present global and regional crises.

Many Western Christians have embraced a troubling notion that people from the Middle East are doomed for destruction—except for Israel. This false narrative has been promoted for decades and has deeply infiltrated what can be defined as pro-American nationalistic Christianity. Yet when the American government needs financial resources, they quickly turn to Middle Eastern nations for money and influence. This represents a profound double standard that completely contradicts biblical values and principles.

The fundamental truth we must grasp is that every part of the world, including the Middle East, is designed for redemption and must be viewed through the lens of God’s Word as a place where God desires to pour out His glory and righteousness in these last days. When we embrace the ideology that some parts of the Middle East must be wiped off the face of the earth because we are fighting some religious war, in my strong view, these beliefs or nation is a dangerous one that follows of Christ must watch and guard against.

I would like to emphasize that I am not naive to the various interpretations and ideologies surrounding Jihad in Islamic theology, particularly those that promote the idea of conquering the earth through violent means. Throughout human history, we have witnessed numerous religions employing the tactic of force, intimidation, and various forms of manipulation to spread their religious ideologies, including some individuals who claimed to follow the teachings of Christianity.

This has been a prevalent practice since the inception of organized religion. Throughout history, from the days of the great Roman Catholic Crusades to present-day conflicts, numerous prominent religions have used this method of spreading their beliefs and ideologies. This, however, is not and should never be the stand of any true follower of Christ. It is a fact that those who have chosen to engage in acts of violence and murder in the name of Christ are not truly representing the principles and teachings of Christ or the religion of Christianity in any shape or form.

It is neither my position nor anyone else’s to attempt forcing God’s hand to bring about His prophetic redemptive agenda through political manipulation or traditional religious narratives. When we try to manipulate geopolitical events based on what we think aligns with our political views or interpretation of biblical prophecy, we risk being used by the enemy to promote what God has neither sanctioned nor ordained.

The Danger of Misguided Christian Nationalism

Unfortunately, this misguided approach is evident among many so-called American prophets, particularly those embracing pro-Western Christian beliefs that do not necessarily represent authentic Christ followers. As I have consistently emphasized, it is easier today to be called a Christian than to truly be a follower of Christ.

We must remember that while Jesus Christ was born in Israel and His ministry originated from Nazareth, Christ did not call us to follow the traditions of the nation of Israel. In fact, His death brought about the complete transformation of everything religious Judaism represented. Christianity was not established upon Judaism as a political system to be manipulated by either the Israeli or American government when deemed convenient.

The Judaism of today and the political Zionist movement of the modern nation of Israel do not represent Christianity—this is a biblical interpretation and fact every child of God must understand. This does not mean we should stand against Judaism as a religion; however, we should not support what today’s Zionism and its political positions represent in terms of regional alienation. Such actions are ungodly, unbiblical, and should be called out for what they are.

The Gospel Standard vs. Political Loyalty

As Christians, followers of Christ with a deep passion and compassion for missions, we must acknowledge that Israel’s aggressive stance in the Middle East and its ongoing conflict with Iran contradicts the values of compassion, love, and peace that Jesus taught. Let me be unequivocally clear: Israel as a people has the right to live, thrive, and prosper without fear; this statement cannot be overemphasized. On the same note, Israel is not given permission by God to wipe a people off the face of the earth.

Christians who use threatening rhetoric to justify destroying a particular group or community are challenging the values, teachings, and principles of Christ. The current Iran-Israel war that began in June 2025 represents an escalation of regional tensions that has caused immense suffering, much of which was initiated by Israel and is totally uncalled for. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to speak out against injustice and evil, regardless of who commits it. By remaining silent, we become complicit in perpetuating harm.

Distinguishing Between Christ’s Kingdom Values and Political Zionism

The Israel of biblical prophecy and the modern political state of Israel are not necessarily the same entity, this should be obvious. The Bible speaks about the Israel of God; those who are circumcised in heart, not flesh. We must differentiate between these concepts, or we will find ourselves standing against what the Lord has spoken in Scripture because we have not taken time to study and understand.

Ignorance has always been the tool the enemy uses to draw innocent people into wars that God never ordained for them. We must be awakened in this season with knowledge of biblical doctrinal foundations for dealing with weighty issues, particularly as they relate to the nature of the times in which we find ourselves. The distinction of what sound biblical Christianity represent has to be emphatically clear from that of Judaism and what today we are seeing as the rise of Zionist political movement, and I would like you to quickly consider these few points.

Judaism as Religion vs. Zionism as Politics:

Judaism as a faith tradition deserves respect, but political Zionism’s approach to regional dominance and civilian displacement contradicts Christian principles of justice and mercy. True biblical prophecy unfolds according to God’s timing and purposes, not through human political engineering or military aggression.

The Call to Prophetic Discernment

The prophetic voice serves as God’s instrument to communicate His intentions, counsel, and purposes related to His redemptive and restorative work across the nations. The prophetic ministry should not be used or manipulated by nationalist, political, religious, or traditional affiliations. When the prophetic becomes hijacked by narratives and beliefs that conflict sound, theological, biblically balanced understanding, it reveals the ministry of Jezebel in operation.

What many may be calling powerful prophetic expression today, particularly regarding current events in the Middle East, in my strongest opinion is actually the operation of a Jezebel spirit. This is not a feminist concept, but rather a powerful demonic spirit that seeks to destroy God’s prophetic agenda on Earth. This deception must be recognized for what it truly is.

The prophetic tradition in both Hebrew and Christian scriptures consistently called out wrongdoing by leaders and nations, including God’s own people. The prophets spoke truth to power regardless of political consequences. Modern Christians must maintain this same prophetic voice.

When we examine the current situation through the lens of gospel values, meaning, compassion, justice, and peace, we must critique policies that harm civilians or perpetuate cycles of violence, regardless of which nation implements them. The ongoing conflicts in Gaza, the broader Middle East tensions, and the new Iran-Israel war all demand this kind of careful, biblically-grounded discernment.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies, seek peace, and care for the oppressed. These teachings provide a framework that may sometimes conflict with nationalist or political loyalties. The Prince of Peace called us to be peacemakers, not war justifiers. When we witness civilian casualties, forced displacement, and regional destabilization, our response should be guided by Christ’s heart for the suffering, not by political allegiances or misinterpreted prophecy. This is the prophetic voice the church must recover in these turbulent times.

It is essential for Christians to critically evaluate their stance on Middle Eastern issues and ensure it aligns with the principles of love, mercy, and justice that are at the heart of the gospel.

This means:
• Speaking truth regardless of political convenience
• Defending the oppressed regardless of their nationality or religion
• Refusing to use the misunderstanding of biblical prophecy to justify contemporary violence
• Maintaining prophetic distance from political movements that contradict gospel values
• Prioritizing Christ’s teachings over cultural or political narratives

The Body of Christ globally now needs the courage to stand against popular narratives when they contradict the clear teachings of Jesus Christ and his kingdom. The gospel calls us to something higher than political Zionism or any other nationalist ideology. It calls us to the Kingdom of God, where justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.