Iran and Prophecy
While my plan was to continue on our short series on the Churches discussed in Revelation, I am eager to have a discussion on a rather timely needed post. Today, I want to discuss the next chapter of Persia.
Immediately, I want to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are currently in Iran. You are loved and cherished and the Lord God Jesus Christ has you in His hands. Nothing can take you away from His ever loving care. Be of good cheer and know that our God is bigger then anything our advisories can do to those who are Jesus’. Our Blessed Hope is coming one day to take us to our heavenly home with Him. Keep fighting the good fight and share God’s love to anyone who is willing to listen.
Isaiah 41:10-13 “Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. 12 You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. 13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
You are not alone! We eagerly pray and ask the Lord for your protection.
This post is to examine the future of the Persian nation and the actions to come. Many are discussing and speculating what will happen in the upcoming days and weeks with Iran, and more importantly the Iranian government. If the United States strikes we can only assume it will be precise and overwhelming. However, what comes next for the Persian people and nation? God’s Word is clear that Persia has a place in Bible prophecy. And yet, how do we get from here today to where the Bible says they will be? Persia is mentioned as one of the key nations that will strike an unsuspecting Israel in the end days. This battle is detailed in Ezekiel 38-39. Many Bible prophecy students are aware of the verses, however, not many understand the geopolitical foundation needed for this to be set into place.
Israel must not be suspecting the attack. Many will speculate how this could happen, but I will provide the most likely scenario. Israel, for a group of reasons, let’s down their guard. It will not be one reason by itself, but rather a plethora of surmounting decisions that bring about the described Israel we see in Ezekiel. Persia is not the only player discussed. The prophecy in Ezekiel identifies the leader of the multinational invasion force as Russia. Ezekiel 38:4 “I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.”
Russia is not wanting to deal with Israel. They will be focused on something else entirely and “hooks” are put into their “jaws” and they are pulled to the fight. This means that at least Russia is not planning this fight at the beginning, but will be drawn into it. Many speculate and have their own ideas (including myself) however, today I want to highlight one specific thing. Persia is described as joining Russia for the attack. Israel is not suspecting it, which implies the Persian nation as a whole are not openly calling for the destruction of Israel as they currently are now.
Whatever happens in the coming days and weeks, the nation of Iran and the Persian people will come through. What we as believers should be doing is praying for a reprieve for our brothers and sisters in the current nation of Iran. We should be praying that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the opportunity to be heard by all there. We should be ready at a moments notice if the Iranian government comes crashing down, that the true body of Christ goes racing in to help our fellow born again believers and also help bring the good news of Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the Ezekiel 38 battle is for Israel to recognize God and for the gentile nations to realize that God is no longer playing by the standard rules of the past two thousand plus years. Just look at Ezekiel 39:22-29 and see how God has a plan for Israel and also the gentile nations. “So the house of Israel shall know that I [am] the LORD their God from that day forward. 23 “The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 “According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.” ’ 25 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name-- 26 ‘after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their [own] land and no one made [them] afraid. 27 ‘When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 ‘then they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29 ‘And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”
So no matter what happens in the next several days and weeks, God’s Word will come to pass. The Persian aggression against Israel will come about one day. However, let’s pray it is after our Blessed Hope and our meeting of Jesus in the sky. Until that time, let’s look for any instance we can to share the gospel and be courageously fighting the good fight and loving those around us. Let’s be about the work that God has given the body of Christ to do. Remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in current day Iran, and pray that the Gospel gets one more chance to be proclaimed to the masses in Persia.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL