Could the Holocaust Happen Again?

Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, anti-Semitism has risen dramatically around the world. 

Many people see Israel as an instigator of war in the Middle East and as a source of instability, even as it seeks to defend its very existence. Now a growing conservative movement—particularly in the United States—wants to withdraw American support for Israel.

Growing anti-Semitism worldwide is drawing together unlikely allies. Those on the political left, and Islamic extremists have recently been joined by some conservatives in a shared animosity toward Israel.

Anti-Semitism increasing around the world 

On March 19, 2026, the Antisemitism Research Center reported that anti-Semitic activity had increased 32 percent that week. Examples cited were the bombing of a Jewish school in Amsterdam, vandalism of a Holocaust memorial in Hanover, Germany, and the assault of three Jewish men in a restaurant in San Jose, California. 

In addition to those examples, on March 12, 2026, a man rammed his truck through the front of a Jewish synagogue that housed the Early Childhood Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The truck traveled nearly 40 feet into the building before being stopped. Though it seems the intention was to harm the Jewish children, thankfully, no children or staff were seriously injured.

Since then there have also been arson attacks on Jewish synagogues in the U.K. and the burning of several Jewish ambulances in north London.  

What many do not consider is that these sentiments, though driven by different reasons, share a common source: an ancient animosity toward the Jewish people—one that continues to evolve, but stokes the same hatred.

In a March 13, 2026 article for The Atlantic, David Frum cited many other examples of anti-Semitism in recent times and ended with these sobering words: “In this polarized country, anti-Jewish feeling is one sentiment that reaches across lines of party and ideology. Republicans and Democrats, left and right—both are being subverted by anti-Semitism within . . . The pandemic is raging everywhere on these shores, and if we’re not all working together on containment and a cure, the virus will claim many more victims—both those whose bodies are destroyed by bullets and those whose minds are devoured by prejudice and hate.” 

The coming Great Tribulation

Although hatred toward the Jewish people has evolved, it often precedes times of global instability and chaos. 

Before World War II, the German Nazi Party scapegoated Jews as the cause of Germany’s woes and began to alienate them from society. We see a similar pattern today as the Jewish nation is portrayed as the main cause of instability in the Middle East, with claims that it deviously controls the foreign policy of other nations, particularly the United States. 

After World War II, the world vowed “never again” in response to the Holocaust. Yet, unfortunately, Bible prophecy indicates that another holocaust lies ahead.

The Bible prophesies that in the end times, a power known as the “beast” will again arise (Revelation 13; see “Who Is the Beast?”). This 10th and final resurrection of the Roman Empire will be a conglomeration of European leaders under a single charismatic political leader. Another name for “the beast” is the “King of the North.”

This power will react to the aggressive actions of the “King of the South” (likely a confederation of Muslim nations) by defeating it with an overwhelming military force (Daniel 11:40-43). One of the reasons this confederation will be formed is to destroy the state of Israel (Psalm 83:4).

This future European power will enter into the Holy Land, Israel (Daniel 11:45). But it will not come to celebrate friendship and camaraderie. This leader will conquer the Holy Land and set up a false worship system (Daniel 12:11).

This will begin the period of time Christ called “great tribulation,” the worst time in all of human history (Matthew 24:21). This echoes prophecies by Daniel (Daniel 12:1) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 30:7). The Great Tribulation describes a period of unprecedented war, violence, suffering and chaos that will impact the entire world.

Even though the desire behind the words never again is sincere and honorable, the Bible shows that the reality is, human suffering on a vast scale will happen again. This European power will inflict suffering on all the nations that have descended from ancient Israel. The Jews living in the state of Israel will literally flee for their lives from this invading power (Mark 13:14).

Though Europe is at peace with Israel now, that peace won’t last forever. The end-time beast power will likely be led politically by Germany and religiously by Rome.

Sadly, atrocities greater than the Holocaust will be perpetrated by this future power. Since Jesus clearly stated that this time will be worse than any that preceded it in history, that means the human atrocities that will be committed by this future European power—and other world powers—will be worse than what happened during the Holocaust (Matthew 24:22).

Part of this suffering will be due to global warfare. The book of Revelation symbolizes this future warfare as the rider of the red horse, who will “take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another” (Revelation 6:4).

In response to the beast’s dominance, a group of nations from the East will form an alliance to challenge the European power (Revelation 16:12; Daniel 11:44). They will launch an attack against the beast with an enormous 200-million-man army. In the process, “a third of mankind” will be killed (Revelation 9:15-18).

Yes, even though the desire behind the words never again is sincere and honorable, the Bible shows that the reality is, human suffering on a vast scale will happen again.

Despite this dismal future, there is hope. But things will first get very bad.

The nations align against Israel

The psalmist foretells that the nations of the Middle East will form a confederacy to “cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more” (Psalm 83:4). Even Israel’s allies will turn against them. Isaiah foretells that even Ephraim (the United Kingdom) and Manasseh (the United States) will oppose and betray Judah (Isaiah 9:21).

Watch for ever-increasing hostilities from the nations against Israel.

The Bible warns that “though all nations of the earth are gathered against” Jerusalem, God will defend Judah. The Lord will strike the nations with “confusion,” “madness” and “blindness” (Zechariah 12:2-4). 

That is, until Jesus Christ Himself will return and defend the city (Zechariah 14:1-4).

The Kingdom of God will bring peace

When talking about this future time, Jesus gave some good news: “But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:22, English Standard Version).

Jesus Christ will intervene to stop this brutal human carnage. With His overwhelming power, He will forcibly bring it to an end and then begin to build a new world. He will replace the flawed governments of this world with His government—the Kingdom of God (Daniel 7:27). His government will cause peace, justice and righteousness to spread throughout the world (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Only then will people’s attitudes toward the Jewish people dramatically change. God will dwell in Jerusalem and bring peace to the city, the region and the Jewish people (Zechariah 2:12).

Then, instead of seeking to destroy the Jews, people will seek to learn from them: “In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you’” (Zechariah 8:23). 

Only then will the phrase never again ring true.

To learn more about what the world will be like under Christ’s direct rule, download our free booklet The World to Come: What It Will Be Like.

Date Posted: April 17, 2026