Tensions High as Major Signs Continue to Converge

Weekly Prophecy News Recap for April 21 to April 27, 2025

Headlines from this past week continue to mirror key prophecies long foretold in scripture as signs of the last days. Wars, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, false prophets, signs in the heavens – these things have all happened before. But ask yourself, have they ever all happened at the same time?

So likewise ye, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Mark 13:29

We’ll start this recap with wars and rumors of wars because nations and kingdoms are most definitely rising against other nations and kingdoms.

Escalation in the Israel–Gaza War – In the Middle East, violence surged in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Israeli airstrikes over a 24-hour period (April 26–27) killed at least 51 people across the Gaza Strip, bringing the war’s official death toll above 52,000

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Matthew 24:6-7, NKJV)

Missiles and Proxy Conflicts in the Middle East – Regional tensions flared beyond Gaza as well. On April 26, Israel’s air defenses intercepted a long-range ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward Israeli territory. The Iran-aligned Houthis have increasingly engaged in the conflict, a reminder of how Iran (“Persia” in scripture) and its proxies are entangling with Israel. In Lebanon and Syria, Israeli strikes also targeted Iran-backed forces last week. These developments foreshadow the alliances foretold in Ezekiel 38, where a confederation including Persia comes against Israel in the “latter days.”

Persia… will be with them… You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, in the latter days. (Ezekiel 38:5, 16, NKJV)

War Rages in Ukraine (and Draws in New Allies) – In Eastern Europe, the Russia–Ukraine war ground on relentlessly. On April 24, a Russian KN-23 ballistic missile struck a civilian area of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, killing 12 people and wounding around 90 (including children). Just a day later in Russia, a high-ranking general was assassinated in a car bombing near Moscow – a sign of growing internal turmoil from the war spilling into the heart of Russia. In a startling twist, North Korea confirmed on April 27 that it has deployed an unspecified number of its soldiers to assist Russia’s military, one day after Moscow publicly welcomed these North Korean “volunteers.” This marks a rare direct involvement of an East Asian nation in the European conflict. The expanding war and the knitting of alliances (Russia, Iran, North Korea, etc.) bear the hallmark of the global conflicts Jesus warned about.

Asia-Pacific Tensions and “Rumors of War” – In Asia, military tensions simmered. On April 26, China forcibly seized control of the disputed Sandy Cay reef in the Spratly Islands (South China Sea), fortifying its claim despite competing claims from the Philippines and Vietnam. The move drew international condemnation and fears of a new flashpoint in the Pacific. Meanwhile, Taiwan reported multiple incursions of Chinese military aircraft, and North Korea continued testing missiles (earlier in the month) as Japan and South Korea stayed on high alert. These persistent “rumors of wars” in Asia align with Jesus’ prophecy that conflicts would be widespread before the end.

Moscow Hints at Nuclear Escalation – The specter of nuclear war loomed larger this week. In an interview published April 24, Russia’s Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu declared that Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if it faces aggression from Western countries. This stark warning – effectively a nuclear threat – comes as Russia grows more confrontational with NATO over Ukraine. Earlier in April, President Putin himself boasted that Russia was “technically ready for nuclear war” and suggested that any direct U.S. military intervention in Ukraine could trigger an atomic response. These statements, while perhaps saber-rattling, sent chills through the international community. They evoke the apocalyptic imagery of world-destroying fire found in Scripture.

Escalation of India-Pakistan Conflict -  on April 22, a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily Indian tourists. The attack has been attributed by India to Pakistan-based militant groups, though Pakistan denies any involvement. In response to the attack, India has taken several measures, including expelling Pakistani diplomats, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and closing the Wagah border crossing. Pakistan has retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement, closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, and expelling Indian diplomats. ​There have been reports of exchanges of gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC), with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations. India has also conducted operations against suspected militants within its territory. ​The situation remains volatile, with both nations being nuclear-armed and having a history of conflicts over the Kashmir region. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, urging both sides to engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Deadlock in Nuclear Arms Control – In a related development, high-ranking Kremlin officials admitted there is little chance of extending or renewing nuclear arms control treaties with the United States in the foreseeable future. The last remaining U.S.–Russia arms pact (New START) is expiring soon with no replacement in sight. This erosion of arms control raises the risk of a new nuclear arms race. The Bible warns of a future time when devastation by fire will be unparalleled – language that resonates in an age where humanity has the power to scorch the earth.

"…the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV) 

Next, we’ll cover the global economy. Fears and uncertainty over President Trump’s tariffs have been in the news for weeks. Unfortunately, the situation didn’t improve last week. China still refuses to back down from it’s stance against Trump’s policies, and rumor has it that container shipments have slowed to an all time low. Rumor also has it that people are beginning to take out payday advance loans to finance groceries. We’ve not been able to substantiate this yet, but experts are also warning consumers to expect empty shelves in the coming weeks as trade continues to slow. Such economic distress and inequality call to mind the prophetic vision of scarcity in Revelation, where basic goods become precious and costly in the tribulation era.

"A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius – and do not harm the oil and the wine." (Revelation 6:6, ESV) 

Moving on to natural disasters, last week was again a tumultuous one.

A 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Istanbul (Turkey) – On April 23, a strong magnitude 6.2 earthquake rattled the Istanbul region. Centered under the Sea of Marmara, the quake injured at least 359 people as buildings swayed and panicked residents fled into the streets. Fortunately, no mass casualties were reported, but it served as a jarring reminder of Istanbul’s seismic risks." 

And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places." (Matthew 24:7, ESV)

Wildfire and Hailstorm in the U.S. – In the United States, extreme weather struck on April 22 when a sudden wildfire, fanned by high winds, tore through 12,500 acres in New Jersey. Thousands were evacuated as flames and smoke darkened the skies. Elsewhere, unusual spring hailstorms pelted parts of the Midwest. These disasters bring to mind biblical imagery of fire and hail as signs of judgment.

"…and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth…" (Revelation 8:7) – a foreshadow of devastating plagues in the end times.

Severe Flooding in Kashmir – An unusual flood struck the disputed Kashmir region on April 26. Amid heightened India–Pakistan tensions, India released a large volume of dam water without warning, causing the Jhelum River to overflow in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Villages along the river were inundated, forcing evacuations and destroying homes. Coming on the heels of India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, this “man-made” flood added to regional chaos. The sudden deluge brings to mind Jesus’ words about the distress of nations and perplexity at the roaring of waters in the last days.

"And there will be... on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25, NKJV) 

Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano Flares Up - The 16th eruption since December occurred this week on Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano, with lava fountains reaching over 650 feet. Scientists say more episodes are imminent.

Eruption in Iceland Forces Evacuations - Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted again, prompting evacuations and lava breaches near the town of Grindavik. This is the third eruption in six months, and scientists warn more could come.

Joel 2:30-31 – “...fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness... before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

In other news, violence and a spirit of  lawlessness continues to show its ugly face. One of the more well known stories last week happened on April 26 in Canada. A driver there deliberately plowed his car through a crowded street festival in Vancouver, killing 9 people and injuring others. This horrific vehicle-ramming attack – targeting families at a community event – stunned the nation. Another example - in Sudan on April 27, militants massacred over 31 civilians, including children, in a senseless shooting spree amid chaos.

"Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." (Matthew 24:12, NKJV) 

And, let’s not forget the deadly explosion at the Iranian port on April 26. A massive blast rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, igniting a towering pillar of smoke. The explosion killed at least 25 people and injured over 800 others. Authorities are investigating the cause – whether accident or sabotage – as shocked survivors likened the scene to a war zone.

As always, this recap is just a sampling of what took place last week. We urge you to remain watchful. Keep an eye on our news feed. We'll continue to bring you breaking stories as they happen.