India and Pakistan: A Prelude to the Brink?

In April, separatists seen as aligned with Pakistan murdered civilians in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir.

CBS News reported: “At least 26 people were killed and many others injured Tuesday [April 22, 2025], the vast majority of them tourists, when suspected militants opened fire on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.”

On May 7, India responded by launching missiles at locations in the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir. The Indian Express reported, “Indian armed forces targeted and destroyed nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir including the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed”—militant groups whose objectives include merging all of Kashmir into Pakistan.

Over the next few days, the cross-border conflict escalated into drone and ballistic missile attacks on at least three Pakistani air bases and six Indian military sites, raising concerns that the conflict might spiral out of control.

On May 10, at the urging of international diplomats, India and Pakistan agreed to yet another ceasefire.

Regular readers of Discern know that we examine world events in the context of Bible prophecy. Does the conflict between India and Pakistan foreshadow any prophetic events? Let’s examine these recent skirmishes in the light of Scripture.

Rumors of war

Sadly, conflict is nothing new to the region—or the world.

What impact does this have on you? Should you be concerned about the turmoil in India, Pakistan or any other far-flung region of the world? Following independence from Britain and partition in 1947, India and Pakistan have gone to war four times. Historic grievances rooted in religious, social and territorial ambitions have plagued the Indian subcontinent for decades.

In addition to active warfare, the ongoing dispute over the territory of Kashmir has been a near constant challenge since 1947, often erupting with skirmishes, terror attacks and border incidents.

Following partition, Kashmir, a Muslim-majority area ruled by a Hindu, Maharaja Hari Singh, was briefly independent before acceding to India after a Pashtun invasion supported by Pakistan. The resulting conflict was devastating. In 1949, India and Pakistan agreed to an uneasy truce that divided control of Kashmir between the two countries.

The ongoing discontent and recurring violent clashes in Kashmir illustrate a truth observed by the prophet Isaiah: “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:8).

Jesus foretold that this nearly ubiquitous condition would be amplified through time. Addressing questions about the timing and events surrounding His return, Jesus said, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:6-7).

The heightened tension and military clashes between Pakistan and India are another example of “wars and rumors of wars.” They provide sobering evidence that Jesus’ prophecy is true.

Nuclear powers

The recent hostilities between India and Pakistan highlight another prophetic condition that will exist prior to Christ’s return.

Jesus, when describing the escalating conflicts near the end of this age, observed, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive” (Matthew 24:22, New Living Translation). Jesus anticipated a time when humans would have the capacity to destroy all life on the planet.

For much of history this was not convincingly possible. However, with the advent of the nuclear age, mankind achieved the ability to annihilate all life on earth. That capacity has existed now for decades, and the initial concern and sobriety generated by the first atomic weapons has dissipated. Many today express little awareness of the precarious conditions across the world.

This brings the India-Pakistan conflict into sharper relief. Both countries have nuclear capabilities.

In his article “India and Pakistan Don’t Fight Wars Like Other Countries. Here’s Why,” reporter Riazat Butt quotes security analyst Syed Mohammed Ali, based in Islamabad. He noted, “Pakistan and India have enough nuclear weapons to wipe the other side out several times over. Their nuclear weapons create a scenario for mutually assured destruction.”

The drone and missile exchange between two nuclear powers reminds us that man, through our rebellion against God’s way of peace, has the capability to destroy all human life. Mercifully, Jesus promised, “But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22).

Where is this heading?

The cycle of conflicts will culminate in a worldwide conflagration. Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 24:21).

This prophesied time of great trouble will engulf the world in conflict and destruction. Bible prophecy reveals a conflict between large military powers referred to as kings of the North and the South (Daniel 11). Review our online article “Daniel 11: The Most Detailed Prophecy in the Bible” for more information on this conflagration.

The end-time king of the North, a revival of the Roman Empire, will “enter the Glorious Land”—a reference to the historic land of Israel and Judah (Daniel 11:41). This voracious empire will for a time exercise control over much of Europe and the Middle East. Its influence will be felt across the world.

News from the east

The king of the North will occupy Jerusalem and surrounding areas when “news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (verse 44).

This “news from the east and the north” seems to indicate Russia, China and a collection of other Asian nations. Could India or Pakistan play a role in this troubling news? It behooves readers to be alert to conflicts and national developments in all areas of the world.

The Bible also prophesies a time soon after that when a large military conglomeration from Asia will engage other world powers in a prelude to the return of Jesus Christ. John describes a 200 million-strong army from beyond the Euphrates (Revelation 9:13-17). Again, this prophecy seems to indicate Asia, possibly including the Indian subcontinent.

Historically, the Euphrates was often seen as the far edge of the Roman Empire. The “way of the kings from the east” (Revelation 16:12)—likely nations or confederations of countries in Asia—will be prepared in order to set the stage for a final conflict.

The King is coming

These dramatic events will reach a feverish peak at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). The armies of the world—including those of the king of the North and those from the east—will be gathered near the hill or mountain of Megiddo, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Jerusalem.

They will be assembled, under the sway of the devil, to fight against the returning Christ outside Jerusalem.

Jesus prophesied, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).

Jesus will come with power and might (Revelation 19:11-16). The armies of the world will be no match for the returning King of Kings (verses 17-21).

Jesus’ return will usher in a new age. It will be a time of peace, restoration and relief. For more insight into that wonderful future age, download The World to Come: What It Will Be Like.

What about you?

What impact does this have on you? Should you be concerned about the turmoil in India, Pakistan or any other far-flung region of the world?

Bible prophecy gives us assurance that God is in control of the final outcome. He will intervene to prevent human annihilation (Matthew 24:22) and to eventually bring a kingdom of peace (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Those who follow Jesus Christ do not need to be troubled.

Prophecies in Scripture offer us insight into events that will surely come to pass. They remind us that God is in charge and that He will win in the end. They are offered to encourage us to be alert and prepared spiritually.

Jesus instructs us, “Therefore you also be ready” (Matthew 24:44). Luke’s account of this prophecy adds, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

As you see troubling events on the world stage, we encourage you to focus more intently on spiritual growth. For ideas on how to kick-start your spiritual growth, download our free book Five Tools for Spiritual Growth.