War with Iran and the Oil Shock

The current conflict involving Iran has already sent shockwaves through the global energy system.
In a report by The Telegraph published on 13 March 2026, entitled “Oil prices rise despite Trump lifting Russian sanctions,” the article opened with the observation that:
“Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel as conflict with Iran threatens global supply.”
Energy markets react quickly to instability in the Middle East, and that instability is now having global consequences.
Similarly, The Guardian, in a report from 13 March 2026 entitled “Europe rebukes US for temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil,” explained that the crisis had forced major changes in energy policy. The article reported that sanctions relief had been granted partly because oil prices had “surged past $100 per barrel.”
But the report also contained another striking admission. It noted that:
“Trump acknowledged, for the first time, that Russia may be assisting Iran in the conflict.”
That single statement is extremely significant.
For many years Bible students have expected Russia and Iran to be closely aligned in the latter days. The prophecy of Ezekiel 38 lists “Persia” among the nations allied with Gog, the northern power.
Modern Iran occupies the same territory as ancient Persia.
So when headlines suggest Russia assisting Iran, it naturally attracts the attention of those who study Bible prophecy.

A War That Is Strengthening Russia

The conflict is also having another unexpected consequence: it may strengthen Russia economically.
A report by Sky News, titled “Why Trump’s war with Iran will help fund Russia’s assault on Ukraine,” highlighted how rising energy prices could benefit Moscow financially.
Even though Russia is not directly involved in the conflict with Iran, the global energy shock may work to its advantage.
Higher oil prices increase revenue for major energy exporters — and Russia is one of the largest in the world.
In fact, another analysis reported that easing sanctions during the crisis could send billions of dollars toward Russia’s war effort.
In other words, a Middle Eastern war may indirectly strengthen the very northern power that the Bible says will dominate the latter-day confederacy.

Europe’s Energy Dependence

The crisis has also exposed something else: Europe’s continuing vulnerability to energy shocks.
In a report published on 11 March 2026, CNBC ran an article entitled “EU fears Iran war could increase reliance on Russian gas and oil.”
The article warned that:
“A wider conflict involving Iran could deepen Europe’s dependence on Russian energy.”
That warning reflects a long-standing strategic concern in Europe. For decades Russia has used energy exports as a geopolitical tool, and European economies remain highly sensitive to disruptions in global oil and gas supplies.
When Middle Eastern conflict pushes prices upward, Russia’s position as a major energy exporter becomes even more influential.
That dynamic places Europe in a position of strategic vulnerability.

The Biblical Picture

When we step back from the headlines and look at the prophetic picture outlined in Scripture, the parallels are striking.
Ezekiel 38 describes a latter-day confederacy led by a northern power called:
“Gog, of the land of Magog.”
Among the nations listed as part of that alliance is Persia.
For many generations students of the Bible have recognised Persia as the ancient name for modern Iran.
Thus the prophecy depicts Iran as part of a northern alliance.
At the same time, the territories of Magog are associated historically with the regions north and West of the Black Sea — areas that correspond broadly with Russia and Eastern Europe.
Taken together, the prophecy presents a northern power that leads a coalition stretching from Russia through parts of Europe and down toward Iran.

Europe in the Prophecy

But the prophetic picture does not end there.
Ezekiel, driven by God’s Holy spirit power, also lists Gomer among the nations of the confederacy in his prophecy.
Ancient historical sources link Gomer with early peoples who later settled across parts of Europe.
This suggests that Europe itself ultimately becomes part of the wider northern alliance.
Another prophecy adds further detail.
In Revelation 17, we read of a group of kings who:
“have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”
Many students of the Bible have long understood this to describe a unified European political system.
The language suggests political consolidation — a group of nations aligning themselves under a central authority.
When this passage is considered alongside Ezekiel 38, the prophetic picture becomes clearer: Europe ultimately aligns with the northern power, while Persia is also included within the same confederacy.

Watching the Direction

Now it would be wrong to say that every headline is a direct fulfilment of prophecy.
But it is reasonable to observe the direction of events.
Consider what we are seeing today:
* Israel and the US are at war with Iran.
* Reports suggest Russia are likely  assisting Iran.
* Rising oil prices are strengthening Russia economically.
* Europe remains strategically vulnerable to Russian energy influence.
Each of these developments moves the geopolitical landscape closer to the configuration described in Scripture.
The Bible says a northern power will lead.
It says Persia will be part of that alliance.
And it indicates that Europe will ultimately align within the same system.

The Final Outcome

But the purpose of prophecy is not merely to describe political alignments.
It is to reveal how history will ultimately reach its climax.
Ezekiel 38 describes the moment when the northern confederacy descends upon Israel.
And then God declares:
“Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23)
The final outcome of these events is not the triumph of human power, but divine intervention.
The return of Christ will change the course of history.

Conclusion

The war with Iran, rising oil prices, Russia’s growing influence, and Europe’s vulnerability are all major developments in today’s world.
Individually they are political events.
But together they form a pattern that aligns remarkably well with the prophetic outline found in the Bible.
The Scriptures describe a northern power leading a confederacy that includes Persia and reaches into Europe.
When events appear to move in that direction, they remind us that history is not unfolding randomly.
It is moving toward the moment when God will intervene in the affairs of nations.
And that is why we watch the news - through the lens of Bible prophecy.

This has been Matt Davies joining you for another Bible in the News. Join us again next week as we continue to watch world events in the light of Scripture.