Human societies are inherently violent, with peace often shattered by conflict and war driven by aggression, fervor, or greed. The term *ethnos* (G1484), often translated as "nation" or "people," underlies many of these conflicts, reflecting divisions among groups that fuel violence. History reveals countless examples of such strife, from mass murders and ethnic cleansings to global wars and smaller conflicts taking thousands of lives across various regions. The Bible predicts that the time of the end will be the bloodiest period mankind will ever experience, with millions or even billions perishing in calamities, some manmade like the wars represented by the red horseman of the Apocalypse. This second horseman, with its fiery red color and great sword, symbolizes unrelenting, intensifying conflict, embodying the destructive nature of divisions among *ethnos* that lead to horrific violence. God intends this fearsome figure to instill terror in mankind, hoping they will repent of their enmity and be saved from destruction and death.

In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of nation rising against nation, but this does not refer to countries as commonly understood. The Greek word for nation, ethnos (G1484), means race or ethnicity, describing different cultures, traditions, and backgrounds within the same country. This points to internal conflicts and awakenings among diverse groups of people, reflecting a powerful rousing of tensions and disorder across societies.

The term *ethnos* (G1484), often translated as Gentiles, refers to the nations or peoples in Revelation 11:2. It signifies the various kinds of people in the world, distinct from those who know God. These nations are described as being cut off or apart from God, and can be understood as pagans, heathens, or simply the unconverted and uncalled. In this context, it is made clear that these nations, who do not know God, have control over the court outside the temple, emphasizing their separation from the church and God's plan at this specific time. They are the ones who will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months, indicating their role in the desecration and domination of Jerusalem during this period.