Prophetic Word for 2021: An Era of Wars, Rumors of Wars, Natural Disasters, and Plagues

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7 NKJV)

Prophecy 

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, but those who are Mine are of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. In this era, there will be increased wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, natural disasters, plagues, and pestilences. Do not fear but pray—draw close to Me. You will find your refuge, peace, strength, health, and provision in Me. For those who know Me there will be no need to fear or to be anxious, for My hand will guide. 

When those whom I have created are at peace with Me and are aligned to My ways, there is rest in the land and creation rejoices. But when rebellion toward Me and disobedience to My Word are manifest, there is unrest and turmoil, and creation groans for there is an enemy that takes advantage. He comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. In the midst of seasons of demonic assault and casualties, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14 NKJV). 

In the midst of tensions and shakings, there will be a reset that will take place in the hearts of many. Idols of the heart shall be revealed and they will topple. Many will turn to Me in this hour, for even though the enemy is purposing to destroy lives and destinies of individuals and nations I will work it together for good and there will be a great harvest. He will be defeated, and My great glory will be manifest and spread to the nations. 

Fearless warriors will rise up in this era and will go forth as light in the midst of deep and treacherous darkness. They will honor Me and will be willing to lay down their lives for My gospel. Glory shall rise upon them and appear upon them and nations will come to their light and kings to the brightness of their rising (see Isa. 60:1-3). 

In the midst of a dark day I will manifest My love, My power, and My provision to all who trust in Me. I will display My goodness for all to see, for I am a righteous God and I am love. 

Wickedness is no match for righteousness and deception is no match for truth. Therefore, in the midst of difficult and challenging times, know that I am your hiding place— draw near to Me and turn to Me with all your heart, for I will keep all in perfect peace whose minds are fixed on Me and to those who trust My Word (see Isa. 26:3). 

I am a refuge for My people and a strong tower. I will hide My people under the shadow of My wings and will give My angels charge over them. The angel armies of heaven will be released to fight on behalf of truth and righteousness. My people will call, and I will answer. I will be with them in times of trouble and guard them in all their ways, for I am the Lord of Hosts, the Captain of the armies of Heaven. 

Do you see people trembling around you? Do you see them gripped with fear? Do not withhold My love and peace from them in their time of distress, but go and proclaim the good news of My gospel. I send you forth as My ambassadors of peace, healing, hope, and blessing. You are My benefactors in trying times—you are My heavenly ambassadors. Go—for I love them and desire for them to know Me. I long to see them safe in My Kingdom, so go. Go.

Insights 

Any time that disasters and treacherous circumstances hit the earth, historically we see people coming to the Lord and believers realigning their lives. On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers in New York were attacked by terrorists and around 3,000 lost their lives and 6,000 were injured in one sweep. Immediately following, the nation was called to prayer and churches were filled to overflowing. Many responded to altar calls for salvation and to receive comfort, healing, and deliverance from fear and loss. Sadly, after a few months when the initial trauma settled, church attendance slowly declined. 

The church needs to be “first responders” in times of crisis— ready to meet the needs of the people and especially to preach the good news of the gospel. In difficult times, people’s hearts are tender, realizing their dependency on God. 

Every generation will face hardships and some generations face more difficulties than others. We know that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give us beautiful and glorious life even in the midst of hardships. It is important to turn to Him and to live for Him, not only in times of attack and severe hardship, but always. The most important posture in life is to live for Jesus— to love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength (see Deut. 6:5). Hardships, although not necessarily authored by God, invite us to live in this posture. 

Signs of the End 

Although I realize that there are a variety of beliefs, interpretations, and convictions regarding the end of the age, the return of Christ, and the events surrounding us, I believe there are some things to be gleaned by reading the following scriptures as Jesus mentions wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, indicating a warning concerning the times. 

The disciples came to Jesus privately, asking, “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). 

Jesus had already come, as He was sitting there speaking with them, so they must have been referring to a subsequent coming. Jesus responded to their question as follows: 

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:7-14 NKJV). 

I encourage you to read the rest of the chapter and the following chapter as there is much to glean from it as Jesus describes the events that mark His return and the end of the age. 

The wise response to all that is revealed is simple—we draw close to the Lord and serve Him from a heart of love, devotion, and holy expectation. These signs are a wakeup call for us, not that we should live in fear but in renewed focus and faith. It is like an alarm clock going off in the morning reminding us that it is time to arise. No one wakes up in fear, saying, “Oh no, it’s morning!” But we realize it is time to get up and prepare for the day for the new day has begun. 

Jesus described some signs (i.e. war, famines, pestilences, earthquakes) that would fore-run the end. Every generation has witnessed signs such as these, and although they might have encountered a time to reset, the “end of the end” has not yet been fulfilled with all the details outlined in various scriptures throughout the New Testament. We do know that His return will come, but we do not know the day and the hour. However, Jesus said that it will come suddenly and yet not without warning. 

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24:36-39 NKJV). 

When we hear of wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, plagues, earthquakes, etc. in this next era, we are to respond with a call to attention and alertness before the Lord, bringing our lives into divine alignment. It is a wakeup call. I am not suggesting that this will necessarily be the “end of the end,” but it is a possibility. Are you ready? 

This is not intended to be a confrontation of various viewpoints of a believer’s eschatology, for I am not in a position to confront, but I have encountered the urgent prompting of the Spirit to not only prophesy the coming of critical events in this next era but also to call us to attention, position, and alignment. Whether there are wars or no wars, our position should be the same. Whether there are earthquakes or no earthquakes, our faith should remain unshakable. Whether there are famines or no famines, Jesus should always be our living bread. Whether there are plagues or no plagues, Jesus should always be our life, our strength—our all. 

When we are in Christ, we are blessed, hidden, and protected. He is our present help in time of trouble. When everything else that we leaned on fails us, Jesus keeps and sustains us. He will never leave us or forsake us. Let’s always draw near to Him, not out of fear or urgency but because we are fully in love with Him, trusting Him with everything that pertains to us. When we have this blessed assurance, then we are able to confidently go and share His love and salvation with all who do not know Him. A great harvest awaits us in the midst of treacherous times, and a great move of His glory will follow. Let’s draw near to Him and delight in His goodness. 

Thoughts to Ponder

• Do you fear possible disasters, wars, or catastrophic events? If so, in what areas does fear grip you? 

• How can you eliminate those fears? 

• Take an inventory of your faith in this hour. Is it strong in the Lord no matter what or does it need strengthening? 

• Are you confident in God’s ability to keep you during crisis? If not, why? 

• What are some ways you could reach out to others in the midst of crisis? 

Prayer for Help in Time of Trouble 

Heavenly Father, 

You say in Your Word that You are my refuge and strength and a very present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). Fill me with assurance and strength and make me a bold proclaimer of Your love and truth to others in times of crisis. Help me to be Your ambassador of hope to those who suffer. Empower me and mark me as Your servant in dark days that many might be reached for Your glory. 

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.