Has the Battle of Armageddon Started?

HAS THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON STARTED? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

The current situation in the Middle East is deeply worrying. America and Israel expected a quick fix in sinking the Iranian autocratic regime but this has not happened so far. The war is now ballooning into a regional conflict pitting Iran and American allies such as UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. 

Some European countries have distanced themselves from the war, fearing for military casualties and economic costs involved. America and Israel have therefore been isolated on the battleground. Will Europe join their old ally later in this war?

Military experts reckon that the Iranian regime has built deep underground secret chambers and tunnels where thousands of missiles, drones, and cluster bombs have been hidden. It is also feared that the Iranian nuclear enrichment program could be going on in the secrecy of  these deep bunkers. 

Analysts believe this war may take decades to conclude unless peace negotiations are successfully undertaken. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of military personnel may sacrifice their lives on both sides.

Analysts also consider the growing influence and support of the Iranian regime by Russia and China as a worrying trend. These two powerful Iranian allies are believed to covertly offer military hardware and intelligence to Iran. China and India are understood as major destinations of Iranian oil. Russia is meanwhile benefiting from the war thanks to the meteoric rise in crude oil prices and the lifting of American sanctions against their oil trade. 

The Iranian backed militia groups such as the Yemeni Houthis, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza are classified as an auxiliary axis for the Iranian regime. They all target Israel and its allies in the Middle East, thanks to Iranian funding.

Global crude oil prices are expected to skyrocket if the Straight of Hormuz remains blocked, keeping hundreds of crude oil vessels stuck in the high seas on either side. This will have catastrophic implications on the global economy and many countries would pile pressure on America to accept cease-fire negotiations. 

Will Donald Trump yield to his critics and back down? What happens if he suddenly pulls back claiming the military objectives have been met? Will Israel survive without American support in the Middle East?

Some observers consider the ground invasion option as the new Vietnam war which mirrors the American experience in Vietnam in the 1970s during which tens of thousands of America military personnel were killed and others were trapped in the deep Vietnamese jungles. This led to the coining of the American slogan: "can't win, can't get out". 

It is instructive that Americans are sharply divided over their involvement in the Iran war which is thousands of miles away from American territories.

Theologically speaking, some Bible scholars have speculated that the conflict might precipitate into the battle of Armageddon which will usher in the end times contemplated in Scripture (Revelation 16:12-16). These speculations are now at the centre of global theological discourse. 

Could this war herald the end times? Is it setting the pace for the unveiling of the Antichrist system taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12? Is the church staring at the final apocalypse contemplated in Scripture? 

We cannot precisely tell at this point what God has in store concerning the developments in the Middle East. God is sovereign over global human affairs and will assert His divine authority at His pleasure.

This conflict perhaps serves to remind us that this world is under a divine lease which will expire at God's appointed time when Christ returns to take His saints and later reign at Jerusalem for 1000 years (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6). 

As God's covenant people, we should earnestly pray for God's  intervention in bringing a lasting solution to the Middle East crisis. Let us also watch and pray so that we are not caught unawares when God's divine clock synchronises with human history. 

Luke 21:28 says "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (NKJV). 

Shalom 

@ Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

What are The True Marks of a Child of God?

WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHILD OF GOD?

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

1 John 5:1 says "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him."

The true marks of a child of God are outlined in Scripture. A child of God is a person who has turned from sinful disobedience to Christ. They have been transformed from a sinful vessel. 2 Timothy 2:21 says "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (NKJV). 

The child of God has been transformed by God so that the old sinful nature has been replaced by a new life of obedience and submission to God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

The believer has also been adopted into God's family of faith and therefore numbered among God's holy people.

John 1:12-13 says "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NKJV). 

1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (NKJV). 

This text of Scripture affirms that believers have been sanctified by God and set apart as a royal priesthood in God's kingdom. They minister before God and lead men to God. They should therefore glorify God by their manner of living. 

There is a clear demarcation between God's covenant people and the people of this sinful world. That distinction should always be maintained by God's children. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 says, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God..." (NKJV). 

God desires that as His children continue to grow in Christ, their discernment of their spiritual identity and destiny continues to manifest in their lives. 

A true child of God is therefore marked out by what Scripture teaches concerning them. They have put on Christ. 

This is not to suggest or imply that believers can attain sinless perfection on earth. They will fail God's divine standards from time to time because they live in a sinful world. However, by the leading of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of Scripture, believers can discern when they cross the red line and would readily repent of sin and turn to the Lord with sincere hearts. 

The people of this sinful world are described as "sons of disobedience" because they are trapped in sinful rebellion and have no capacity to submit to God until they repent of sin and turn to Christ. 

Ephesians 2:2 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (NKJV)

Colossians 3:5-7 says "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them." (NKJV). 

Finally, every child of God earnestly looks forward to the soon coming of Jesus Christ when they will be united in glory with Christ and with God forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). 

Keep it Christ. 

@ Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

Where Are the Dead in Christ?

WHERE ARE THE DEAD IN CHRIST? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop

This question lingered in the minds of the Thessalonian Christians who earnestly looked forward to Christ's coming in their generation. When they noticed that some believers in their midst had passed away, they were deeply worried about their divine destiny. The Thessalonians had not been adequately taught the foundational truths of the Christian faith at this point in time. Paul was compelled to respond to their questions and set the record straight. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 says: "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." (NKJV). 

This passage of Scripture affirms that those who die in the Lord are not lost. They have simply exited this earthly life and their souls continue to live on in the presence of God until God's appointed time when the last trumpet shall sound. This is the reason that 1 Thessalonians 4:14 speaks of Christ coming with them. 

The bodies of those who have died in Christ shall however lie in their earthly graves awaiting the rapture. 

Scripture elsewhere teaches that to be absent from this world is to be present with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 says"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (NKJV).

We learn from 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 that "...the body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (NKJV). 

This Scripture underscores the distinction between the perishable earthly body and the spiritual body that the dead in Christ will adorn upon their resurrection. The earthly body is marked with dishonour, weakness, and familiarity. The resurrected body will be glorified and spiritual in nature. 

The precise nature of the spiritual or glorified body is incomprehensible to our finite minds but this reality will be made manifest upon the coming of Christ. There is a residual mystery of the heavenly life that God has concealed from us until Christ is revealed. 

As we yearn for the coming of Christ, we remain steadfast and confident that the souls of the dead in Christ are before the throne of God. Paul looked forward to this special union with God after his martyrdom for which he was prepared (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

The Bible teaches that at the sounding of the last trumpet, the dead in Christ will rise first and those who will be alive at Christ's coming shall be transformed and will adorn heavenly bodies at the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52) and together they will meet the Lord in the air. They shall forever dwell in His divine presence as the redeemed of God in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

How Does 2 Kings 6:16 Encourage Believers Facing Overwhelming odds?

HOW DOES 2 KINGS 6:16 ENCOURAGE BELIEVERS FACING OVERWHELMING ODDS? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

How does 2 Kings 6:16 encourage believers facing overwhelming odds?

2 Kings 6:16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

PASSAGE CONTEXT 

The passage of 2 Kings 6:8-23 records a strange incident during which God blinded the eyes of the Assyrians when they sought to capture prophet Elisha and possibly harm him. God miraculously intervened to protect His prophet from imminent capture. He blinded the eyes of the Assyrian army and Elijah's servant directed them to Samaria, far away from Elisha's location.

Elisha restrained his servants from destroying the Assyrians. Instead, he extended kindness to them by feeding them and sending them away. 

Elisha's prophetic statement recorded in v.16 is compelling. It reveals that God had surrounded Elisha with His heavenly host. There is no greater power than God's army. This was an assurance of God's protection for His servant. God did not permit the Assyrians to capture and possibly kill His servant. 

How does the statement in v.16 encourage believers facing overwhelming odds? 

MORAL LESSONS 

Here's the text: "So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (NKJV). 

Elisha assured his fearful servant that God's heavenly host was at hand to preserve him against the Assyrians. Humanly speaking, this statement was incomprehensible! Elisha prayed that God may open the eyes of his servant so that he could affirm Elisha's prophecy. 

God graciously opened the servants eyes. In v. 17b, the writer says: "Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (NKJV). 

It took God's intervention to calm Elisha's servant. There are circumstances in our lives that God makes some interventions that reveal His presence with His people. God can use these unusual circumstances to calm our fears and to cause us to trust Him. He reveals His loving grace to us through the assurance of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

John 14:15-18 says "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you 

We may not physically see God's heavenly host surrounding us in our moments of distress. However, the assurance of His abiding presence is indelibly affirmed in Scripture. This should cause us to keep our eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews 11:1 says"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (NKJV)

Scripture assures us that God will never forsake His covenant people. In Deuteronomy 31:6, God assures Joshua of His abiding presence and help, saying, "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV). This assurance should encourage God's people facing overwhelming odds.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says: "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (NKJV). 

In the New Testament Scriptures, the writer of Hebrews 13:5 proclaims "For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV). 

No matter what we go through in this passing evil world, we are assured of God's steadfast love and His abiding presence. 

@ Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

What Can We Learn from 1 John 3 on Love and Hate?

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM 1 JOHN 3 ON LOVE AND HATE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

What are some things I can learn about love and hate here?

1 John 3:1-24

This passage of Scripture consolidates a number of topical outlines on moral Christian living. In vv. 1-3 the writer teaches that God's revelation of His love will be more manifestly revealed when we appear before Christ. The writer states in vv.2-3: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (NKJV). 

This text celebrates the bountifulness of God's glory when we appear before Him in heaven. 

In vv.4-9, the writer warns believers on habitual sinfulness. This passage should not be interpreted to teach or imply that believers can attain sinless perfection. Such a theological interpretation would contradict 2 Corinthians 5:21.

In vv.10-15, Scripture exhorts us to love one another. Sincere love among God's people invokes jealousy and hatred from the sinful world. Our love for one another is evidence of the divine transformation in our lives that has separated us from this passing evil world (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is instructive that the writer employs the word "love" four times in this passage, illustrating its significance in his exhortation. The word "hate" is twice mentioned. 

In vv.18-23, the word "love" is once again employed twice by John. The gist of this passage is an exhortation on having a good or clear conscience that is free from sinful condemnation. This is a defining pillar in our life of covenant obedience (vv. 21-23). 

In v.24, the writer concludes his exhortation by underscoring the significance of Christian obedience under the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

What do we learn from this passage on love and hate? 

We learn that we ought to love one another as God's covenant people. This love should be practically demonstrated in word and deed. Our love for God's people comes from God Himself. God extended His love to us in Christ and this love should ooze from us. This loving relationship will distinguish us from the world of sin and disobedience where jealousy and hate is a defining attribute. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

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This answer article was originally posted on ebible.com on 5^th March 2026.

What was the Psalmist's Problem in Psalm 42:3-4?

 

WHAT WAS THE PSALMIST’S PROBLEM IN PSALM 42:3-4?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

What was the psalmist's problem in Psalm 42:3-4?

Psalm 42:1-4 says "As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast." (NKJV).

To appreciate the psalmist's predicament, the Bible reader should read through the entire psalm.

The psalmist exudes hope in v.5b, saying "... Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance."

Was the psalmist possibly in exile at this point? The NKJV aptly titles the psalm "Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses." The psalmist was suffering some heavy distress whose details are not disclosed in Scripture. He was longing for an opportunity to appear before God in the temple. There is a hint in v.44 that the psalmist used to worship God in the gathering of His people. It appears that this experience was curtailed under unclear circumstances. The psalmist admits in v.9b that he was under the oppression of an undisclosed enemy. He had possibly been captured by enemy forces and detained or imprisoned.

The ridicule in v.11 provides a second hint. He was under a humiliating experience. The psalmist's enemies mock him all day long, saying "Where is your God?”. This could be an indication that he was under enemy captivity, far away from Israel. The mention of the territory in v.6 suggests that he was in a heathen location outside the territory of Israel:

"Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar."

While we may not fully understand the circumstances behind the experience of the writer at this point, Psalm 42 reveals that the psalmist as most likely a downcast covenant Jew who was possibly held by enemy captors outside the territory of Israel for an undefined period of time. His liberty was apparently curtailed and this could explain his distress. He longed for the communal temple worship which had previously shaped his religious life. 

The imagery employed by the psalmist in 

 Psalm 42:1-2 is compelling. His longing

 for an opportunity to appear before God

portrays the consuming depth of his 

covenant life with God. 

Some Bible scholars suppose that the writer may have been a victim of a Canaanite raid into territories of Israel. This raid could be similar to the Amalekite raid on David's camp at Ziglag in the Negev which is described in 1 Samuel 30. 

This psalm teaches us that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, our covenant relationship with God will be preserved and God's loving grace will be extended to us. God will never leave or forsake His covenant people. He preserved the children of Israel in Gentile territories, including Egypt, Babylon, and Persia.

We should therefore be encouraged that God is still with us in those difficult moments. We can commune with God and make petitions to Him and, more importantly, keep our hope on Him. At His appointed time, He will rescue us from our distress and affliction. 

Job suffered horrendous affliction under the Chaldeans. His devastation is recorded in Job 1:6-19. Job endured the painful affliction with compelling courage. Job 1:20-22 says:

"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.2)
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." (NKJV). 

God came to Job's rescue in the end (Job 41-4. We serve a faithful God who stands with us even in the worst storms of life. You could be navigating difficult terrains in life, not sure about how things would come out in the end. Place your hope in God and wait upon Him. Psalm 121:7-8 says:

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore." (NKJV). 

Shalom

 

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This article was originally posted on ebible.com on 13^th February 2026. It was revised and posted on Listening & Doing Biblical Forum on 4th March 2026. You can access this website through ezekielkimosop.blogspot.com. 

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026

How Did Jesus Become Sin in 2 Corinthians 5:21?

HOW DID JESUS BECOME SIN IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

2 Corinthians 5:21 says: "For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Christ]." (NKJV, emphasis mine).

A plain reading of the text may appear to suggest that Jesus was literally made a sinner at the cross. Nothing could be further from the truth! The writer of this text of Scripture employs metaphorical language to explain the essence and purpose of Jesus' atoning death on the cross of Calvary. This figurative language is intended to convey an overarching divine truth - that Jesus carried the weight and burden of our sin at the cross yet He was without sin. He was undeserving of the condemnation that He suffered to redeem us. Our sin in Adam could not be atoned by the blood of bulls and goats (Hebrews 10:4). Only the sinless blood of Jesus Christ could atone for our sin and our alienation from the holy and righteous God of Scripture. 

If Jesus was truly made sin, and hence became sinful even by a speck of it, He could not have satisfied God's divine purposes for the atonement. Only a sinless Lamb of God could qualify to be slain at Calvary.

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that Jesus voluntarily submitted Himself to the Father in order to come as God incarnate and redeem us (Philippians 2:1-10). When Scripture speaks of Jesus being made sin, it underscores the theological paradox in His redemption work. It was inconceivable that a member of the divinity could come down to take on the role that Jesus accepted as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This truth underscores the essence of the substitutionary atonement that Christ accomplished for us - dying in the place of condemned sinners to free them from God's divine wrath.  

In His incarnation, Jesus came to us as our kinsman Redeemer. He took on flesh and was in every essence human except for His divinity and His is sinlessness. This was a significant feature in His incarnate coming and atoning death. Scripture attests that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth who could have taken the place of Christ in redeeming humanity. This is the reason that Jesus is celebrated in heaven as the Christus Victor - the one by whom a decisive victory over Satan was resoundingly achieved to the glory of God. Jesus took our place on the cross and suffered the condemnation that was meant for us. He redeemed us from the bondage of sin to which our transgression in Adam consigned us.  Any sinner that looks to the cross in faith will receive his atonement for sin and will adorn the righteousness of God in Christ.  Isaiah 53:6, speaking of our disobedience and Christ's atonement, says: 

"All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned every one to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on Him the inequity of us all" (NKJV). 

Revelation 5:2-5 says "2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (NKJV).

Revelation 5:9-10 celebrates Christ's triumphant mission at the cross, saying:

"And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.” (NKJV).

Jesus was therefore not literally made a sinner. He took on our burden of sin on the cross and by His death and resurrection, He defeated Satan and freed us from sinful depravity. Colossians 2:13-15 says of Christ's redemption: “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (NKJV).

Keep it Christ!

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026