[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]
2026 Trends in Bible Prophecy
Where is our world heading in 2026? Will a lasting peace come to the Middle East? Or will it, along with the rest of the world, be plunged into a holocaust beyond anyone’s imagination? Some things we have no control over, so whether peace or war, my question for you today is: Where will you be at the end of 2026?
No one can tell the future for any one of us in precise detail. We may plan our lives, but the unexpected not only can happen, it often does. Yet, there are some things we can count on and plan for.
Do you realize that about 30 percent of the Bible is devoted to prophecy? And based on past history, if the Bible says it is going to happen, it will!
On this Tomorrow’s World program, I’ll review three trends I said to watch at the beginning of 2025 and add two more.
But first let me make it clear that I am not a prophet, nor is anyone else here at Tomorrow’s World a prophet. However, we can read the prophecies recorded in the Bible, and by looking for the signs they give, we can have a general idea of when these prophecies will take place.
At the beginning of last year, I gave three trends to watch. According to the Bible these things will happen. It is only a matter of when, not if.
Trend 1: Religious Revival of False Christianity
The first trend I gave was:
- Watch for a worldwide revival in counterfeit Christianity.
Now why would we say this when religion—especially Christian religion has been on the decline for decades?
We’ve been told that Bible sales and church attendance is up since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, but that is not what I’m describing here. Predictions coming from Tomorrow’s World are not based on polls or testing which way the wind blows, but on what the Bible tells us.
And what the Bible tells us is that there will be a charismatic miracle-working religious figure who will deceive hundreds of millions. Note that I said a revival of counterfeit Christianity.
False Christianity is not strictly an end-time phenomenon, as the scriptures reveal that it began very quickly in the first century.
Bible Verses About False Teachers
Jesus and His apostles warned us of this, but few take the warnings seriously. The Apostle Paul chided the church at Corinth for allowing themselves to be deceived on the most basic of doctrines (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!
He went on to say that Satan has his ministers, and these are not those who claim to represent the devil, but those who claim to represent Christ. Notice it beginning in verse 13.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, declared that there were those who turned God’s grace into license to sin. Notice it, Jude the first chapter verse 4.
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4).
And notice this caution given by Jesus in Matthew 24, the very first sign He gave when asked about the end of the age. Notice it (verse 4).
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name [that is, claiming to speak for Him], saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ [in other words, admitting that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah] and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4).
While false Christianity has been around from the first century, this warning by Jesus explains the identity of the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6, the first of the famous four horsemen. The second, third, and fourth are easily discerned, but the first has been almost universally misunderstood. Most commentators identify it with Christ, or the church conquering for Christ. Yet when you compare Jesus’ Olivet Prophecy in Matthew 24, you will see that the first sign of the end will be false Christianity.
Trend #1: Watch for a worldwide revival in counterfeit Christianity.
Trend 2: Escalating War in the Middle East
The next trend was:
- There will be continuing conflict in the Middle East that will lead to Christ’s return.
There was great conflict in the Middle East last year, but you may say that 2025 also saw Hamas release the hostages and agree to a peace treaty with Israel.
As I’m preparing to record this program, I have no idea how many twists and turns may occur between when it is recorded and when it airs. There will be ups and downs, but one thing is certain—a lasting peace will not come until the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, returns. In fact, one reason for His return is to save the Jewish people from total destruction.
Furthermore, when peace at last appears to be here, sudden destruction will follow. Notice it in 1 Thessalonians 5, beginning in verse 1.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).
Trend 3: Animal Sacrifices in Jerusalem
The third of last year’s trends involved a very specific event.
- Watch for daily sacrifices to begin in Jerusalem.
Now that’s based on a prophecy in Daniel 12:11.
End-Time Prophecy: Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 12, Matthew 24)
We read there that sacrifices will be stopped three years and seven months prior to the coming of the Messiah, and for them to stop, they must first begin.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days (Daniel 12:11).
Jesus also spoke of this time as the greatest time of trouble the world has ever seen—or ever will see.
Therefore when you see the “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand)…. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:15-22).
These three trends that I gave last year are still relevant today.
- There will be a revival in counterfeit Christianity.
- War will continue in the Middle East with the focus on Jerusalem, without regard to any temporary cease-fires.
- And daily sacrifices will begin.
While the title of this program is “2026 and Beyond”, we simply cannot know the exact timing of most end-time events. However, any thinking person realizes our world is in trouble.
The Antichrist that I spoke of earlier may not show up this year, but it’s not unreasonable to think he will burst onto the scene within the next very few years.
End-Time Prophecies About Jerusalem
It was foretold 2,500 years ago that there would be a militarily powerful Jewish state in control of Jerusalem during the years leading up to Christ’s return. Notice this remarkable prophecy in Zechariah 12, beginning in verse 2.
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. . . . In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2-6).
Consider—how could anyone know 2,500 years ago the following points revealed in this passage of Scripture?
- Jerusalem would be in existence.
- It would be the focus of trouble on the world scene.
- There would be a Jewish state controlling Jerusalem.
- All the nations of the earth are against the Jewish state.
- They would be militarily powerful and overcome enemies on all sides.
Now, is that not exactly what we see today?
Furthermore, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, gathered all his sons together and foretold what would become of them “in the last days” (Genesis 49:1).
That was more than 3,500 years ago. And what did he foretell for his son Judah—the Jews? Notice it in verse 9.
Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him? (Genesis 49:9).
Iran and their proxies Hamas and Hezbollah would have done well to read that before poking the lion.
Nevertheless, there is coming a time when Jesus will need to return to save the Jewish people from disaster, as shown in Zechariah 14:1-3.
Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.
Trend 4: Rapid German Military Build-Up
Thus far I’ve reviewed three trends to watch, given at the beginning of last year. Now let me add to this list two more. Trend number 4:
- Watch for a German-led remilitarized Europe.
We here at Tomorrow’s World have for decades been warning about a military resurgence in Europe, and most especially in Germany. Even American presidents could not cajole that country—and others—to step up to the plate to take on a greater role in the defense of Europe, but Russian President Putin accomplished that in a matter of hours following the invasion of Ukraine.
Who would have thought even a year ago that Germany and other European nations would boost defense spending by a whopping 5% of GDP? Yet today, that is the trajectory on which most are committed. And the speed in which they are ramping up military spending and preparing for war is astounding.
German thinking is perhaps best summarized by General Carsten Breuer as reported by the BBC.
“We are threatened by Russia. We are threatened by Putin. We have to do whatever is needed to deter that”…. He warns that Nato should be braced for a possible attack in as little as four years…. “And the sooner we are prepared the better” (Germany decides to leave history in the past and prepare for war, BBC.com, March 31, 2025).
End-Time Prophecies About the Beast Power
The books of Daniel and Revelation reveal a ten-nation military and economic colossus to arise in Europe at the time of the end—in effect, a revived Roman Empire. Notice that only the true servants of God will see this coming (Revelation 17:8).
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And [notice this,] those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
People have scoffed at the idea of a remilitarized Germany, but that is what we are seeing today. If the Bible says it will happen, it will. So:
Trend #4: Watch for a German-led remilitarized Europe.
And 1 Thessalonians 5 gives us a warning not to get caught up in the euphoria of a false peace. Notice it in verse 1.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).
Trend 5: Man Would Rather Believe a Lie Than the Truth
Now let me give a fifth vitally important trend to watch:
- Nominal Christians will follow traditions over truth.
Jesus chided the Pharisees of His day for this very thing.
They came to Him complaining that His disciples did not wash in a ritualistic manner before eating. This was not a law of God, but a tradition of the elders. Notice Jesus’ strong response in Matthew 15:7-9.
Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Some translations put an erroneous twist on this account by claiming that Jesus did away with the laws of clean and unclean meats—laws that go back to the time of Noah.
You can read that in Genesis 7:2. Look it up and see it for yourself—Genesis 7:2.
But Jesus left no doubt about the subject being discussed here.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man (Matthew 15:19).
Placing tradition over truth has been a perpetual problem and don’t expect that trend to stop anytime soon.
As historians Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, Edward Gibbon, Will Durant, and many others record, the Christianity of Christ, His apostles, and first-century Christianity no longer exists.
Søren Kirkegaard states bluntly:
The Christianity of the New Testament simply does not exist…. what has to be done is to throw light upon a criminal offense against Christianity, prolonged through centuries, perpetuated by millions (more or less guiltily), whereby they have cunningly, under the guise of perfecting Christianity, sought little by little to cheat God out of Christianity, and have succeeded in making Christianity exactly the opposite of what it is in the New Testament. (Kierkegaard’s Attack Upon “Christendom”, translated by Walter Lowrie, 1946, pp. 32–33).
The Truth Protects You from the Antichrist
Without realizing it, most professing Christians are already immersed in the spirit of antichrist.
How can you be certain that you will not be deceived by the Antichrist? Here are five suggestions.
#1: Order your free copy of Who or What Is the Antichrist?
It is free for the asking and you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so do it today.
#2: Don’t be a collector—open it up and read it.
We find that many people have good intentions and order our literature, but not everyone takes the time to read it. A resource sitting on your coffee table unopened will do you no good. So open it and read it.
#3: Pray for understanding and look up the scriptures provided.
As we often say here at Tomorrow’s World, “Don’t believe us just because we say it. Open your Bible and prove it for yourself.”
#4: Ask challenging questions about traditions handed down to you.
For example:
Think about that. Does that make any sense?
- Why was the date of the birth of the sun god Mithra selected to commemorate Jesus’ birth?
- Further, why is the birthdate of Christ nowhere found in Scripture if God wanted us to celebrate it?
And here is another one:
That’s a long punishment for someone who never had a chance.
Most people follow family traditions and never challenge where these traditions come from. Frankly, most people don’t care, but they should!
What about you?
And finally, and most importantly,
#5: Act on what you learn.
When the Bible tells you not to worship God in the way the heathen do, do you continue following heathen customs and traditions handed down by family and friends? Or do you have the courage to go against the crowd and obey God? Perhaps your mother asked you: “Just because your friend jumps off a cliff, will you do the same?”
Good advice from Mom.
Choose to Live by the Word of God
When Jesus said in Matthew 19:17, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments,” do you believe Him? Or do you believe your preacher who says you don’t have to keep the commandments? And how about what the Apostle John wrote in his first letter (1 John 2:4-6)?
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Now we understand that we are all sinners and cannot save ourselves by our works, but does that mean the law of God, which defines sin, no longer needs to be kept? Do we understand what Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote in Jude 4?
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4).
Knowing Bible prophecy and what is coming means nothing unless you act on what you know.
So, dear friends, in the year 2026 I hope you will act on what you know. There are difficult times ahead and only those who truly put God first will find the way of escape.
Be sure to order your free copy of Who or What Is the Antichrist? And be sure to come back again next week when Wallace Smith, Rod McNair, and I will bring you more good news of the coming Kingdom of God and explain the prophecies of the Bible. See you next time.
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