Russia Ignites War in Ukraine

On the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a devastating attack on Ukraine. The attack occurred by air, land and sea, with Russian forces bombing city centres and other civilian areas. In the first week alone, at least 352 civilians have been killed and another 1,684 wounded. Many people around the world are bracing themselves, asking: “is this the start of World War III?”

Is this event a fulfilment of Bible prophecies?

• Jesus (pbuh) said that one of the events leading up to his return is warfare. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” (Holy Bible: Matthew 24:6). And he said: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Holy Bible: Matthew 24:7). Clearly, war is a sign of the times.
• The Book of Revelation depicts the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The second of these horsemen is The Rider of the Red Horse. “When the Lamb opened the second seal… Another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.” (Holy Bible: Revelation 6:3-4) Red equals blood and blood equals war. This rider takes peace from the earth.

Is this event a fulfilment of prophecies from the Ahlulbayt (pbut)?

• Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) said: “The Hour will come when violence, bloodshed, and anarchy become common.” (Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)
• The Prophet (pbuhahf) also said, “…the iron will run on the air’s back, and fire will be rained upon them, and the people of Earth will die, five from seven” (250 Signs, Muhammad Ali Tabatabaei, p. 161, sign 181) Clearly, modern warfare involving modern weaponry is exactly what the Prophet (pbuhahf) describes in these narration. 

What does this mean for the future?

The appearance of the signs of the End Times also signals that relief is near. The Bible says that God will bring an end to wars throughout the earth (Holy Bible: Psalm 46:9). And Jesus told his followers to pray for the arrival of the Kingdom of God, which will accomplish God’s plan for peace and prosperity to fill the world. 

The narrations of Ahlulbayt (pbut) also indicate that the signs of the End Times signal the arrival of the promised Saviour of Mankind, and he has indeed arrived. The Qa’im will overturn the darkness of the world and usher in a new era of light. Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) said:

Learn more about the various signs of the apocalypse in the article “Signs of the End Times”