February 3, 2026

Bible Prophecy and the New Year

It is a new year and many are wondering how much further we are going to move the needle toward total annihilation. Let us look to January 2026 U.S. headlines for any clues. Please note, the following does not condone, nor condemn actions or events. We are only examining the actions, or events, in the light of Bible Prophecy—what saith the Scriptures?

The extraction of Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, led the headlines. Just in case you did not hear, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, the U.S. conducted military operations that lasted approximately 30 minutes and resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan leader, along with his wife. Apparently, the Americans had been building drug and weapon trafficking charges against the two since before 2020. In August of last year, U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, announced they were offering a $50 million dollar reward for information resulting in the capture of Nicolas Maduro—therefore, it should not have come as a surprise that the U.S. captured the couple to stand trial for those charges. What does this have to do with Bible Prophecy?

Venezuela actively helped Iran pursue its global goals of terror.

In an analysis article by Herb Keinon, for Jerusalem Post, there is an interesting link between Venezuela and Iran (a country the Bible refers to as Persia). Even though Venezuela was never an Iranian proxy in the way that Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis or even Syria (when Bashar al-Assad ran the country), it was, (according to investigations by US law enforcement agencies and other sources), allowing the integration of crime-terror enterprises into its economy and protecting it. The article goes on to say, “Hezbollah trafficked cocaine from Venezuela, laundered money, transferred weapons, and helped the Islamic Republic evade US sanctions. As early as 2018, the US Justice Department concluded that Hezbollah rivaled the major Latin American cartels in scale and sophistication.” However, there was one glaring difference—revenue generated in South America did not stay there; “it was sent to Lebanon, where it helped pay for the terrorist organization’s military buildup.” He goes on the say, “...Venezuela offered something else as well: a protected air and maritime bridge linking Tehran, Damascus, and Caracas. This allowed the transfer of Iranian personnel, dual-use goods (meaning items that can serve both civilian and military purposes), fuel, and cash.” In other words, Venezuela actively helped Iran pursue its global goals of terror.

Other headlines from January 2026

Iran Faces Growing Protests Amid Deepening Economic Crisis. It would appear that due to U.S. sanctions over their nuclear project, (which has resulted in a 50% inflation rate), plus the Iranian governments' inability to provide basic needs for the country (electric and water, etc), the Iranian people are suffering and frustrated. Please note, even if the citizens lived where electric and water can be provided, most lack the revenue to pay for such services—the country's national currency has all but collapsed. To further antagonize the situation, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, “The Iranian regime’s approved budget for the year 1404 on the Persian calendar (March 2025 – March 2026) reveals a sharp increase in funding for state-controlled media, security forces, and religious institutions, while public services, infrastructure, and economic relief remain severely underfunded.” They summarize saying, “the regime’s budget prioritizes propaganda, military expansion, and ideological control over addressing the country’s worsening crises.”

The people of Iran are upset and are protesting, even though they know it could mean death to them. People can not survive without food and water—so they protest to make a change. Although no definite reports have tallied the causalities, the Iranian government has met these protest with their usual response—kill the protesters. By executions, imprisonment and random shootings into crowds, Iranians have perished by the thousands. No one really seems to know, but estimates range from 20-60,000—that is a lot of dead people. There are also rumors of government forces moving on hospitals and killing the wounded, plus doctors and nurses who were attending them—trying to save their lives.

It is also reported that the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a plan which involves escaping Iran if things get too difficult. He is suppose to also take with him his estimated 95 million that he has collected to fund his propaganda war against the Jews and the U.S. Some could ask, why doesn't he just stay and provide food, water and electricity for his people—wouldn't that stop the riots?

However, there is still more. Due to Iran's harsh treatment toward their own people and rhetoric toward Israel, the U.S. and their allies, the U.S. President, Donald Trump, has sent an aircraft carrier group and thousands of troops to the region. According to Central Command, “The US Air Force has also deployed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets to the Middle East to 'enhance combat readiness and promote regional security and stability'”. There has also been reports of US military cargo planes moving into the region, similar to the air defense hardware sent to the region last year—all in anticipation to an Iranian retaliation if the U.S. would attack Iran.

Many are looming this as Armageddon getting ready to explode. However, as nerve racking as it may be, we must look to the Word of God for greater understanding. Many are speculating that there will be great up evil if the Americans attack Iran. The countries in the Middle East, that are allies to the Americans, are afraid what will happen in their country? The Europeans, who have allowed millions of Islamist to pour over their borders, fear violent riots in the streets. Even many of President Trumps' fellow Republicans are nervous. What do the Scriptures say?

It is written in the book of Matthew, “And as he (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows”-Mt 24:1-8.

If you are interested in Bible Prophecy, check out, Tribulation in Detail, an essay depicting someone who has gone through the Tribulation and is looking back, but it uses Scripture as the eye witness account. It is a different prospective. At the end of the page, click on the link, Tribulation In Detain-Home, then click on,  section 5.

May God open your understanding of the times with which we live and how important it is to not only believe on Jesus, repent and get baptized, but also read the Bible every day and witness for Jesus. May your lights be burning when Jesus returns.

Sources:

foxnews.com politico.eu jpost.com-Iran’s friends vanishing: Why Maduro’s arrest matters for Israel - analysis jpost.com-Iran's Khamenei has escape plan to flee to Moscow if regime falls amid protests - report chrobinson.com aljazeera.com ncr-iran.org un.org thenewhumanitarian.org gulfnews.com

Kresge, Ted. The Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy:The Latter Days. (The Gospel Truth of St Petersburg, 1998) section 811-4G-2, p 320.

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