Monthly Archives: March 2026

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

World War III?

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I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard or read that we’re on the verge of a third world war (WWIII)! Some even believe the war has already begun. Many, especially Evangelicals, think WWIII is tied to end-of-the-world prophecies. Is this true? Or are people just overreacting? I’ll discuss these questions here to help ease fears or anxiety.

Is World War III starting or about to happen? Probably not. Deep alliances, divisions, and failed diplomacy — like those that led to the first two world wars — aren’t at pre-war levels. And although Jesus showed several signs of the end times, current events don’t match anything more than ‘birth pains’ leading to the end. This has been true for 2,000 years, and it will be, with the frequency and intensity of events foretold by Jesus increasing significantly as the end approaches.

Unfortunately, people often believe that current conflicts and natural disasters indicate the end of the world, leading to fears of a looming global war like biblical Armageddon. However, these predictions have recurred throughout history. For example, the Crusades, the Black Plague, the Napoleonic Wars, both World Wars, the Cold War, and Y2K have caused Christians to think the world was ending. Adding to the confusion are Nostradamus’ cryptic prophecies, which some interpret as signs of imminent disaster or biblical prophetic fulfillment.

It’s true that close alliances and divisions among nations, or an event that triggers a major conflict involving them, can lead to a large-scale war. Territorial expansion, dominance, military buildup, and failed diplomacy might signal a global conflict, as seen with both World Wars. Still, we should focus on hope, not despair—on biblical and historical truths, not on distorted media hype, prophecies, or YouTube sensationalism.

What does the Bible reveal about World War III? Nothing. The Bible does suggest there will be at least two major conflicts: the Armageddon of Revelation 16:12-16 and 19:11-21, and the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20:8-9. However, neither Armageddon nor the Gog-Magog wars qualify as world wars. Both involve or are against God, and at least the Gog-Magog war targets Israel during a time of peace. Currently, Israel is seen as an aggressor, not a peacetime victim. Also, God is not openly a combatant as He will be in both conflicts I mentioned. Nonetheless, how should we behave?

How should we respond? Paul teaches us to persevere through trials, which builds character and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Jesus also encourages us by saying that those who “endure to the end will be saved” (rescued from God’s wrath to come in the last days—Matthew 10:22 and 24:13). Meanwhile, spend more time honoring God and loving people than watching or reading media outlets!

In short, we’re unlikely to see WWIII or the end of the world anytime soon. Still, we must stay strong and faithful during difficult times. In the next column, I’ll try to unravel the mystery of ‘salvation.’

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Heavenly Armor: Part One

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Evil is everywhere! For example, wicked spiritual beings in an unseen realm influence people and governments: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Thankfully, God has provided us with various defenses and an offensive weapon to counteract trouble: heavenly armor. Here, I’ll introduce what can keep you safe from ungodly spiritual forces. In Part Two, we’ll focus on its ‘Shield of Faith.’

Here’s an interesting fact: Paul’s description of heavenly armor is partly based on Isaiah 59:16-17, which mentions the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation (below). The context of the Isaiah reference is God arming Himself in wrath as He deals with the unfaithful. This is in direct contrast to Paul’s use of the Old Testament text, which presents heavenly armor—including salvation and righteousness—that humans can wear to repel unwanted spiritual forces. Was Paul being careless or dishonest? No, he was simply using a text that the Jews would have recognized to emphasize clothing ourselves with the same armor God used when fighting evil.

So, wear the six-piece spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:11-13. There, Paul explains the protection God’s children automatically receive: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” I want to emphasize that ALL of God’s children have access to the heavenly armor. It can be helpful to remember what God has given by imagining ourselves putting them on regularly—maybe every morning? Here are the individual pieces:

Belt of truth. Jesus Christ’s truth secures our faith and provides the foundation of the universal Christian Church.

Breastplate of Righteousness. Just as the breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteousness of Christ protects our mind (spiritual heart.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. When we wear them, we share the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to people through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection (primarily through behaving as Kingdom citizens).

Shield of Faith. Faith protects us from fear, doubt, or anxiety. God provides more of this when we’re low.

Helmet of Salvation. With it, we can take every thought captive and avoid sinful pursuits, knowing we will be rescued (saved) from God’s wrath.

Sword of the Spirit. This ‘offensive’ weapon is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” according to Hebrews 4:12. With it, we can discern God’s truth from the lies of the Evil One.

In summary, God has given us the good news of His Kingdom (the gospel of peace), His standard (righteousness), and His ultimate rescue (salvation). We also have the truth Christ taught, protection from doubt (faith), and God’s truth (to combat falsehoods). Next time, we’ll explore faith and the ‘shield of faith’ more deeply before explaining righteousness further.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

No Affirmation or Couch Potatoes!

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Many Christians live at a spiritual extreme that could hinder God’s partnership with those He seeks. Some believe that Christians only need to accept Jesus as their Savior and confess their sins. This dangerous mindset, common among many Western Evangelical Christians, can lead to spiritual complacency and contradicts the commands of Father and Son to honor, grow, love, and obey. How did this occur? It has developed over decades through misapplications of core principles like salvation by grace, a lack of discipleship, poor teaching, and selfishness. Father and Son understand who they are and what They’ve done—they don’t need our approval but do want our partnership!

God seeks partners to reconcile His creation in this age and to rule in the next.

  • “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, . . . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2Corinthians 5:18-20)
  • “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS” (Revelation 2:26; see also Revelation 3:21 and 1Corinthians 6:2-3).

The role of partnership involves training and transformation through discipleship, which should be each Christian’s top priority as both a disciple and a disciple-maker. Everything else stems from it, including worship and spiritual growth. However, statistically, fewer than 20% of churchgoers regularly participate in discipleship activities such as small groups, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and accountability (https://www.barna.com/research/state-church-2016/). Moreover, only 14% of today’s Western Christians seem to demonstrate the actions and attitudes that Barna researchers associate with those of Jesus (https://www.barna.com/research/christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees). These numbers suggest that little discipleship is taking place, and imitating the One we call Savior is even more rare. Nonetheless, no spiritually lazy people are welcome in God’s Kingdom!

  • “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away . . . If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (John 15:2-16)
  • “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’” (Matthew 25:41-43)

In summary, God doesn’t need our affirmation, nor will He tolerate Christian laziness! Repent and thrive or perish! In my next article, we’ll learn about the heavenly armor of God and why it’s a must-have!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.