The Christian Worldview

David Wheaton: What is the significance and justification of the war with Iran? That is the topic discussed today right here on The Christian Worldview Radio Program, where the mission is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. I'm David Wheaton, the host. The Christian Worldview is a non-profit, listener-supported radio ministry. Our website is thechristianworldview.org, and the rest of our contact information will be given throughout today's program. As always, thank you for your notes of encouragement, financial support, and lifting us up in prayer.

After weeks of a massive US military buildup in the Middle East and after several rounds of failed negotiations with the Islamist Iranian regime to abandon their nuclear weapons program, Americans woke up on Saturday, February 28th, to learn that their country and Israel had begun a joint war against Iran.

Donald Trump: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran.

David Wheaton: President Trump delivered a message in the middle of the night outlining the justification for attacking Iran, which centers around eliminating the regime's ability to construct nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The first day of the war had the stunning result of killing Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and 50 high-level leaders through an airstrike as the regime gathered to meet in the capital city of Tehran.

Now just one week into this war, the US and Israel have systematically degraded Iran's military leadership and infrastructure, even as Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel and American naval ships, military bases, and other US interests in the region. There have been six American casualties so far.

While many Americans support the demolishing of Iran's capability to follow through on its long-time objective of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," others, including almost all on the political left and many on the political right even, are against this war for a variety of reasons. They assert the US is fighting another war for Israel. There is little strategic interest for America in Iran halfway across the world. This is illegal without a congressional declaration of war. Trump promised to not get us into wars and we have bigger problems at home. Or there is no way to bomb our way to peace in the Middle East.

From a biblical standpoint, this is not just another war between nations who are at odds with each other. This is a war between two of the nations, Israel and Iran, historically called Persia, who are explicitly referenced in Scripture to face off in the lead-up to the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. This weekend on The Christian Worldview, we will discuss the significance and justification of this war and why Christians should be paying very close attention.

What are some reasons this war is significant? Number one is that this war may impact the balance of superpower influence in the world. The US and China are the world's superpowers, and to some degree, Russia. They all have huge militaries, nuclear weapons, and economic power to varying degrees.

China is aligned with Russia, Iran, Venezuela, all in opposition to the United States. Now with the US dismantling Iran and then having previously decapitated Venezuela with Nicolas Maduro being extracted out of that country and brought to the United States, the superpower influence in the world may be altered in ways we don't even know yet. It looks like the US may be ascending, at least while we have strong leadership, or circumstances could go sideways in this war or in somewhere else around the world where the US becomes spread out and somewhat weakened.

A second reason this war in Iran is significant: this may impact not only the balance of superpower influence in the world, but it will likely impact the balance of power in the Middle East. Before October 7, 2023, when Hamas in Gaza came across their border and attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, Israel had been in their decades-old position of being isolated from their Arab Muslim neighboring countries and threatened in their own historical homeland in Israel.

Whether it was Hamas in Gaza or Hezbollah to the north in Lebanon or it was the Houthis in the country of Yemen, all of them were plotting and exacting pain on Israel and taking away Israel's ability to live in peace. Iran was the home base of it all, instigating these attacks, funding them, and arming these groups.

These groups hold to different branches within Islam. Just like there's different beliefs within Christianity, it is the same within Islam. But these groups, these Islamic groups, are united in their hatred and their mission to destroy the Jews and Israel. Hamas is Sunni Muslim. That is the largest sect of Islam. Hezbollah in Lebanon is Shia Muslim. That is the minority sect in Islam. They are specifically part of what is called the Twelver Shia.

The Houthis in Yemen are also Shia, but they are a distinct sect known as Zaidism. I went to just an online summary of this just to get an explanation, a basic explanation of this, and it said that Islamic eschatology, their view of the future, shares core elements across these sects. Key differences emerge in the role of the Mahdi, who is called the Messianic Redeemer, the Dajjal, who is a deceptive false messiah akin to the Antichrist, and the return of Jesus, who they call Isa.

It is incredible, but do you see the similarities here to biblical eschatology and how the world would be so easily deceived? They have their own Messiah called the Mahdi. They have their own Antichrist called the Dajjal. They have their own unbiblical, wrong, false version of Jesus called Isa. All three of these sects share belief in ultimate divine judgment, the defeat of evil, and Jesus's role, but differ sharply on the Mahdi, their Messiah.

Sunnis see a future leader, not a hidden leader, while the Twelver Shia wait for the supernatural 12th Imam's return as the central eschatological event. That is what the Iranian regime believes. The Zaydis and the Houthis downplay a singular hidden Mahdi in favor of ongoing righteous leadership. It is a little confusing, but the point here is that distinct Islamic groups in the Middle East and the source of it all, Iran, are united in their death mission against the Jews and Israel.

This perfectly aligns with the satanic mission to destroy God's chosen people that we have seen throughout all of history, from ancient Egypt with Pharaoh trying to kill the Jews, to Persia with Queen Esther saving the Jews from Haman's plot there to kill them, to the Russian pogroms, to Nazi Germany, to Iran screaming "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has largely defeated Hamas in Gaza. They have greatly diminished Hezbollah to the north in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Now with a US partnership, they are dismantling the Iranian military capability in Iran. Meanwhile, Israel is coexisting at least with other Arab Muslim countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and others.

Some of these countries are even supporting their fight against Iran because Iran has been firing missiles at these neighboring countries trying to attack American interests there and these Arab countries do not like that. You have to remember that Iranians are Persian, not Arab. Iran is the second largest country in the Middle East by landmass after Saudi Arabia. It has a second largest population at 90 million plus people, after Egypt and before Turkey.

Even though it seems like things are going well for the US and Israel in this war after one week, we do not know how this will turn out. But it will have major effects on the Middle East, and it looks like Israel will be living in a much less dangerous Middle East, at least for a time.

The third reason that this war has significance is that this war may impact life and economies around the rest of the world. 20% of the world's oil and 20% of liquid natural gas goes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is just off the west coast of Iran. US taking action over there may lead to major disruptions if we do not have protection for that sort of shipping lane. All kinds of global trade goes through this region. An interruption to that will have impacts not only on fuel prices but on semiconductors and shipping vessels and all the products they carry.

Beyond the significance of superpower geopolitics, the Middle East balance of power, and the economic impact on the world, there is one issue that towers above the significance of these. It is this: there are two events that are tied as the most significant events in human history. One of the events has already occurred, and that was the first coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to live, to die on the cross for sin, to rise again, and then ascend to the right hand of the Father in heaven.

The other most significant event has not occurred yet, and that is the second coming or the return of Jesus Christ to save, to judge, and to reign. Revelation 19 describes that return of Christ. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He, Jesus, who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Skipping down to verse 20 of Revelation chapter 19: "And the beast, the Antichrist, after Christ returns, was seized, and with him the false prophet, the religious leader who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest, those that followed them, were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him, Christ, who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh."

This is the prophecy about the return of Christ coming to defeat the kingdom of the beast, to put them in the lake of fire for a thousand years, and then for Christ to begin His literal one-thousand-year reign on this earth in righteousness and in justice. This is why this war is significant and why we need to pay attention. It involves Israel, God's chosen people, whom He has not forsaken, whom He will save as a nation, and many of whom He will save spiritually in the lead-up to the return of His Son.

It involves Iran, a nation who will come against Israel before the coming of Christ. It involves America, who is helping and partnering with God's chosen people to defeat a shared enemy. How will this turn out? Will it lead to peace in the Middle East and with Israel and set the conditions for the future invasion of Gog and Magog and God's rest? Or will it just inflame further conflict in the Middle East? We do not know yet, but we need to be paying attention and praying. After this short break, we will discuss why Christians view the significance of this war very differently.

Guest (Joe Rigney): This is where the left has really discovered the one-two punch. If they can define empathy and compassion according to their definitions, and then in this next step they can accuse you of not having it unless you go along, then they've got you. You don't want to be called a hater, you don't want to be called callous and heartless because you think, "I want to be known as a compassionate person," but you're not using the Bible's definition of compassion. You've now adopted this progressive leftist worldly definition and you're being steered by it.

David Wheaton: That was Pastor Joe Rigney explaining how the left manipulates Christians through twisting empathy. For a limited time, you can order his book, *Leadership and the Sin of Empathy*, for a donation of any amount to The Christian Worldview. The book is hardcover, 164 pages, and retails for $22. To order, go to thechristianworldview.org or call 1-888-646-2233 or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331.

The March-April issue of The Christian Worldview Journal features a special section on Easter and the resurrection of Christ. An article by Pastor Joe Rigney on how untethered empathy is used to manipulate and advance leftist power. Journalist Alex Newman writes about the godless globalist tentacles of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The Christian Worldview Journal is a bimonthly print and digital publication designed to sharpen your biblical worldview on current events and issues of the faith.

It also includes a resource catalog and ministry updates. The journal is sent to Christian Worldview partners as a thank you for their support of this radio ministry. To become a Christian Worldview partner or order an individual issue of the journal, go to thechristianworldview.org or call 1-888-646-2233 or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331.

Welcome back to The Christian Worldview. I'm David Wheaton. Be sure to visit thechristianworldview.org where you can sign up for our weekly email and The Christian Worldview Journal print publication, order resources for adults and children, and support the ministry. Our topic today is: What is the significance and justification of the war with Iran? Every true Christian believes that Christ is coming again, as He promised.

But what precedes the return of Christ or the events leading to the second coming of Christ is debated amongst Christians. There are three main views. There is the amillennial view, there is the postmillennial view, and there is the premillennial view. The amillennial view means "a" means no, so there's no future 1,000-year reign of Christ, amillennial. The millennium to amillennialists is a symbolic long period of time. They would consider that the age we are in right now, the age of the church.

Christ is actually reigning spiritually now in the spiritual millennium. They believe there is a mix of the advance of the church and the gospel at this time, and there is opposition the church faces right now. Christ will at some point return for final judgment. There is no seven-year tribulation period that precedes that time. The postmillennial position is that Christ returns after, post, the millennium.

The millennium is a symbolic long time right now that we are in, during which Christianity increasingly advances in the world through the church, in nations, in laws, and in institutions. There is a growing influence, maybe even a dominance of Christianity in the world, and then Christ eventually returns to judge. Again, there is no seven-year tribulation. Both of these views, amillennial and postmillennial, do not see Israel as prophetically significant.

They see Israel as just another people group who can be saved spiritually through the gospel, but promises that were made to Abraham of land, seed, and blessing are not relevant for modern-day Israel. They see the church as the new Israel consisting of both saved Gentiles and saved Jews, through whom the church will be the object of God's blessing. There is not a separate entity of God's chosen people, the Jews, that have a future purpose and plan by God for them.

The last prophetic view, generally speaking here, is the premillennial view. This is where Christ returns before, pre, a literal 1,000-year millennial reign on earth. In this view, the lead-up to His return, there is increasing tribulation in the world, and there is particularly a seven-year period of time before His return called the tribulation. During this tribulation, there is a rise of the Antichrist, the one who is inspired by Satan and he opposes the Jewish people and the Jewish nation.

There is a turning against Israel halfway through this tribulation. There are these judgments of the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls during this time of the tribulation; it gets increasingly worse. Two-thirds of the Jews die in judgment during the tribulation, but one-third are spiritually saved during the tribulation. Christ returns to defeat the Antichrist, to judge unbelievers, and begin a literal 1,000-year reign.

Those are the prominent eschatological views within Christianity. There are others, subsets of those, but those are the main ones. What about Iran? I would like just to read a passage from Ezekiel 38 and 39 to give us some insight as to why Iran is such a significant country, both in the past—they have been around for millennia—but also in the future when it comes to eschatology or God's promise of the end times. Ezekiel 38 talks about this prophecy of the future invasion of Israel by Gog and Magog.

"And the word of the Lord came to me saying," this is Ezekiel the prophet writing, "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired."'"

"'Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah and the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.'" That first paragraph is saying that God is going to draw all these different nations against His people Israel. Verse 8: "'After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste.'"

"'Its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.' Thus says the Lord, 'It will come about on that day that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, "I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls."'"

"'...against the people who are gathered from the nations. You will come up against my people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog. With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord.'"

As you read through that, it is just unmistakable that Israel has been gathered back into the land and God draws these enemies of His people to come against Israel, and then He miraculously saves them. Why is this war significant? Persia, Iran, is part of the Gog and Magog coalition that invades Israel. This probably takes place in the early to mid-portion of the seven-year tribulation. This coalition is supernaturally defeated by God, and everyone knows that God did it.

Leading this invasion, Gog, I believe that is a reference to the Antichrist, the beast, this human who is satanically inspired during this time of tribulation. Apparently he survives this invasion of Israel because at the midpoint of the tribulation, he sets up an image of himself in the temple to be worshiped. Later in the tribulation, he returns to lead the armies of the world against Israel, known as the Battle of Armageddon. That is the point at which Christ returns to Earth to save Israel, to judge the world, and to begin reigning in the millennium.

Now let's bring this to modern day. The rise of Israel currently in the Middle East. The great reduction of their enemies—Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and then most importantly, Iran. Perhaps the signing of the Abraham Accords, the peace agreement amongst the nations of the Middle East. This could be leading to a time of peace and security for Israel, heading into the time of the tribulation, and then this invasion of Gog and Magog comes.

What happens to Iran in this war? Whether it is a complete defeat and regime change to a more favorable regime, or even just reducing their power for a time, this is very significant because someday they are going to revive to join in that Gog and Magog invasion of Israel. We do not know the timing yet, but we do know this: every day, God is moving circumstances around the world toward His plan of snatching up of His church, saving Israel physically and even spiritually, and the return of His Son.

Most of the world does not know about this and certainly does not believe any of this. Most Christians do not even believe this. Most Christians are either amillennial or postmillennial and do not see the significance of the nation of Israel and Iran. They just think it is about the church and the propagation of the gospel at this point, and then Christ will return at some undefined point in the future. There may be some postmillennial Christians who see this war as a Christian war against Islam.

They actually see this favorably as Christians taking dominion perhaps in the Middle East and the world. I do not think the Bible teaches that. But I think it is unmistakable that Israel, God's chosen people, is His special object of affection and blessing, despite the fact that they are in unbelief and even in a kind of judgment right now for rejecting their God. But will God utterly reject His chosen people? Let's let the Bible answer that question. Romans chapter 11.

It is so clear. "I say then," Paul writes, "God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!" That is the strongest way of saying, no way. "For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin," Paul writes. "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how Elijah pleads with God against Israel? 'Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.'"

Elijah thought he was the only one. Verse 4: "But what is the divine response to Elijah? God says, 'I have kept for Myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.' In the same way, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice." Now skipping down to verse 25 of that chapter: "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery: that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

What that means is, yes, the Jewish people are largely in rejection of God and their Messiah Jesus Christ, and that has opened a door of opportunity for the Gentiles to be grafted in to salvation. He says in verse 26, "And so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'" Then he says this in verse 28: "From the standpoint of the gospel," Paul writes, "they are enemies for your sake, enemies of the gospel."

"But from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." They cannot be changed. What God established and chose for His people in the Old Testament—they were disobedient a lot of the time in the Old Testament, they were primarily responsible for the rejection of their Messiah along with the Romans who crucified Christ, they have rejected Him across the ages since then—but it won't last forever.

God's plan is irrevocable. This is why this war is significant. It doesn't mean that the tribulation begins tomorrow, but I think it doesn't take very much imagination to see that this is a major move that is going on, a restructuring of the Middle East that could be putting Israel in a position of peace and prosperity and strength that may go forward to having some peace in the Middle East and then everything changes with this Gog and Magog invasion when Israel is not expecting it.

Guest (Jared Moore): Knowing all that we know about God, His beauty, His value, we're headed to eternity. Our sins have been taken care of. My greatest problem in life is my sin and it's been taken care of forever. I'm no longer a child of the devil. God has given me so much and blessed me so much. How could I possibly return to what the devil likes, what the devil loves? How could I give my life to that which reflects the evil one rather than God?

David Wheaton: That was Pastor Jared Moore exhorting Christians to love God more than their own lusts. For a limited time, you can order Pastor Moore's devotional book, *33 Days to Freedom From Lust*, for a donation of any amount to The Christian Worldview. The book is softcover, 246 pages, and retails for $15. To order, go to thechristianworldview.org or call 1-888-646-2233 or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331.

Thanks for joining us on The Christian Worldview. I'm David Wheaton. Today's program and past programs, along with transcripts and short takes, are available at thechristianworldview.org. While there, you can also sign up for our weekly email and The Christian Worldview Journal print publication, order resources, and support the ministry. Our topic today is: What is the significance and justification of the war with Iran? In this final segment, let's discuss whether there is justification for this war.

As we heard earlier in the program, this is what Americans woke up to on Saturday, February 28th, just a week ago—that our nation, partnering with Israel, had begun a war with Iran. President Trump gave a very carefully worded eight-minute message to the nation that started this way:

Donald Trump: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime—a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted "Death to America" and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries.

Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole; many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq.

The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. It was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7th attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal—something like the world has never seen before.

Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terror and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States—in particular, my administration—that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again: they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons. We sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it, they didn't want to do it. Again, they wanted to do it, they didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening—they just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They've rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore.

Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.

We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy. We are going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. They will never have a nuclear weapon.

This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration, and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength, or sophistication. My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region. Even so, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war.

But we're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm's way, and we trust that with His help, the men and women of the Armed Forces will prevail. They will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard: you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity or, in the alternative, face certain death.

Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered, don't leave your home—it's very dangerous outside, bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. For many years you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny. May God bless the brave men and women of America's Armed Forces. May God bless the United States of America. Thank you.

David Wheaton: I thought that was a very powerful speech by President Trump that established really an air-tight justification for this war with Iran. Iran has been at war with us for 47 years and our chief ally, Israel. They can't be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Notice that he didn't mention regime change from Islamist as one of the goals of the operation, but he is clearly hoping that will occur for Iran to have a new governing leadership. It is very hard to do regime change without troops on the ground.

The Iranian people don't have weapons while the most radical Islamists do over there. I am very skeptical that regime change can happen. Perhaps the best result we can hope for is that they are at least defeated for a time. The bottom line is: any nation that feels threatened by another nation like this has every right to do whatever it takes to protect itself. Iran has been threatening "Death to America," "Death to Israel" for decades. They have been killing Americans, taking us hostage, and attacking our ally Israel.

We tried to negotiate a deal that they wouldn't develop a nuclear weapon. We offered to give them nuclear energy. They refused that. This war is fully justified. Really the better question is: is the war a wise decision? Because there are lots of risks here—American deaths, being taken hostage, other countries getting involved, Russia and China aggression elsewhere, spurring Islamic attacks here in America. The question is: would it be better to manage this as we've been trying to do for decades with sanctions and subterfuge?

That has been tried and nothing changes with them. Frankly, it is a moot point now because we are into this war now and now we must win. It is going very well. A lot of their leadership has been killed. Their military and navy have been devastated. Iran has alienated their neighboring Arab nations. But the outcome is far from clear in the very early stages. I mean, will a favorable leadership take over? Perhaps unlikely. Will Iran simply rebuild to fight another day?

That is what all radical Islamists live for: to kill infidels, to fight to destroy Israel and be martyred for Allah. Their worldview is totally different than Americans. We need to understand this. We think about raising families and having your kids be educated and get jobs and buying a home. They don't think that way. These true Muslims dream about converting the world to their satanic religion of Islam, by whatever means necessary. That is their purpose in life.

The American mind and the Iranian Islamist mind are on completely different wavelengths. So are the minds of many Americans. Ilhan Omar said, "President Trump is unilaterally dragging this nation into an illegal and unjustified war with Iran without congressional authorization, without a clear objective, and without any imminent threat to the United States." Her sentiments are representative of almost the entire left in this country. Shane Claiborne said, "Killing is wrong. Attacking Iran is terribly wrong. We will never build a better world by killing other people's children."

Violence only begets more violence. When we live by the sword, we die by the sword. It is impossible to love our enemies as Christ commands and simultaneously prepare to kill them. By his reasoning, there is never a time for war, which the Bible specifically says there is. God ordered Israel to militarily take over the promised land. There is Candace Owens, anti-Israel on the right, who said, "We will never forget that they murdered Charlie Kirk for this war, and he knew they were going to do it. I stand against Israel."

She is saying that Charlie Kirk was murdered because he was beginning to understand that Israel is the problem. There is no evidence of that. By the way, those who stand against God's chosen people, God will stand against them. Christians don't need to be pro-war to understand why degrading the threat of Iran is justifiable for the US and our allies in Israel. I wish the conflict could have been solved without war. Efforts have been made for decades and in the lead-up to do that, but it didn't resolve anything. Let's not be persuaded that there is no justification for this war because there is plenty.

Let's pray to close today's program. Omnipotent Father in heaven, Your word says You have established Your throne in the heavens and Your sovereignty rules over all. We believe that, that You are powerfully moving events toward the salvation of Your people and even more toward the return of Your Son. Help us to trust You as You work through imperfect leaders and nations to bring about Your plan. Let us not be drawn into opposing Your people; instead, let us pray for their turning to You.

Our nation is sinful and we don't deserve Your favor, but we pray for Your favor, Lord, in our opposition to this Iranian regime which is even more evil, who desires to destroy us and Your chosen people of Israel. We pray that You would protect Iranian believers and open up many hearts in Iran to believe the gospel. We pray for wisdom and salvation for President Trump and our other leaders and for the protection, the peace and salvation of the members of our military and their families.

Help us, Lord, to be faithful as we eagerly anticipate the return of Your Son to save Israel, to judge those who reject You, and to reign over the earth. It is in His name we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining us today on The Christian Worldview and for your support of this non-profit radio ministry. Until next time, think biblically, live accordingly, and stand firm.

The mission of The Christian Worldview is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We hope today's broadcast encouraged you toward that end. To hear a replay of today's program, order a transcript, or find out "What must I do to be saved?", go to thechristianworldview.org or call toll-free 1-888-646-2233. The Christian Worldview is a listener-supported non-profit radio ministry furnished by the Overcomer Foundation. To make a donation, order resources, become a Christian Worldview partner, sign up for our weekly email or The Christian Worldview Journal print publication, or to contact us, go to thechristianworldview.org, call 1-888-646-2233, or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331. Thanks for listening to The Christian Worldview.