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A Prophetic Harbinger?

| Josh Davis

A Lot Can Happen in Twelve Days

War broke out between Israel and Iran. The U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites, causing people worldwide to fear that World War III had begun. Then, like a summer thunderstorm, the fighting ended as quickly as it came.

President Trump announced a ceasefire, followed by tense moments as Iran and Israel exchanged missile strikes until shortly after the time the ceasefire officially began.

Iranian media reports that its leaders will honor the ceasefire, as long as Israel does. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to honor the truce and is pleased that Israel “sent Iran’s nuclear program down the drain” with Operation Rising Lion.

Netanyahu acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear armament posed great danger to the land of the Bible, as it is often called: “We removed two existential threats: The threat of annihilation by nuclear weapons and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles. Had we not acted now, the State of Israel would have soon faced the danger of annihilation.

“But this did not happen because at the decisive moment, we rose up and stood like lions, and our roar shook Tehran and echoed around the world.”

He vowed that Israel would not allow Iran to rebuild its nuclear weapon capabilities.

The big question Christians are asking is: Where does this fit into Bible prophecy? Ezekiel 38-39 has been at the forefront of this discussion, thanks chiefly to the mention of Persia, which officially became known as Iran in 1935.

Is Iran mentioned in Bible prophecy? Yes, the region now called Iran was Persia and Elam in biblical times. A brief Bible study of these names reveals we could be on the cusp of prophetic events.

Persia’s Future in Bible Prophecy

The Bible mentions Persia 29 times in 25 verses. Of these 29 occurrences, 23 are historical references to the Medo-Persian empire that overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C. This leaves six prophetic occurrences of Persia in Scripture.

Daniel mentions Persia in Daniel 8:20; 10:1, 13, 20; 11:2. Daniel 8 prophesies about Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Medo-Persian empire. Interestingly, Daniel was in Elam when God gave him this prophecy.

Daniel 10 describes spiritual warfare between God’s angels and a being called the Prince of Persia. Daniel 11:2 prophesies that there will be a succession of four Medo-Persian kings. This culminated with the prophesied fourth Persian king, Xerxes I, who was the most successful of the four and fought against Greece, just as Daniel prophesied. Thus, Daniel’s references to Persia are fulfilled Bible prophecies. That leaves two references in Ezekiel to consider.

Ezekiel mentions Persia twice: Ezekiel 27:10 and Ezekiel 38:5. The first reference is part of a lament over Tyre and is not prophetic. We are now down to one Scripture to consider, and it is the most significant for our discussion on Iran’s place in Bible prophecy.

This famous passage reveals an end-times invasion of Israel by a coalition of forces, including Persia, Ethiopia and Libya, led by Magog (Ezek. 38:1-6). As I pointed out in my last article, the recent fighting between Israel and Iran does not fit this scenario for several reasons. Chiefly, Israel will be at peace when this battle occurs (Ezek. 38:10-11, 14).

While this 2025 battle did not fulfill Ezekiel 38-39, could it be a harbinger of that future war? Yes. There is talk of expanding the Abraham Accords to bring greater peace to the Middle East. Over recent months, President Trump has pushed for bringing other nations into the Abraham Accords.

Whatever comes to fruition, one thing is certain: Israel will have a sense of peace and security before the Ezekiel 38-39 war breaks out. Could Iran broker peace with Israel, then secretly join forces with the Ezekiel 38 nations to ultimately come against them?

That brings us to Turkey – another nation mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39 as an enemy of Israel. President Erdogan has openly supported Hamas’ war against Israel. He recently threatened retaliation against Israel if it did not honor the ceasefire with Iran. Hours later, Erdogan met with Trump at the NATO summit as both presidents displayed a warmer, diplomatic tone, calling for peace in Europe and the Middle East.

The Elam Prophetic Connection

Now, what about Elam? That word is used 28 times in 27 Bible verses. Fourteen of those references are to Elam as a place, the other fourteen are about people named Elam. Interestingly, several nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 are descendants of Noah listed in Genesis 10. Elam is listed as Noah’s grandson, the son of Shem (Gen. 10:22). The land of Elam is part of modern-day Iran.

All four major prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, mention Elam as a place. This locale became part of the Medo-Persian empire and is used in connection with that empire in several prophetic references (Isa. 21:2; Jer. 25:25).

Jeremiah 49:34-39 contains a specific prophecy against Elam. No other Scripture provides prophetic details about Elam like this one. In context, Jeremiah prophesied destruction upon many nations that opposed Israel. Most of these destructions have a fixed fulfillment in history. However, Bible commentators struggle to find a specific fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy about Elam. The pieces of that puzzle don’t fit together nicely. Thus, some point to a yet-future fulfillment for this prophecy.

Could this prophecy be unfolding before our eyes? I hesitate to speculate and encourage a wait-and-see attitude. Jeremiah 49:35 prophesies: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.” Some have linked this verse to the recent military action to take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities. While that’s a possible interpretation, we must remember to keep Scripture in context.

The next verses prophesy events that will unfold after the bow is broken. To summarize Jeremiah 49:36-38, Elam’s citizens will scatter around the world, the nation will be dismayed before its enemies, and God will destroy its leadership. These things have not happened yet. That’s why I urge a wait-and-see attitude. Only time will tell if this is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 49.

Jeremiah’s prophecy against Elam ends with hope, as God promises the reversal of Elam’s captivity. “But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD” (Jer. 49:39). Jeremiah records similar statements about Egypt, Moab and Ammon in this context.

Here’s another nugget of truth to ponder: Ezekiel 32:24 mentions Elam, and two verses later mentions Meshech and Tubal, two groups who are part of the Ezekiel 38 coalition against Israel. Could Ezekiel 32 be a foreshadowing of God’s prophesied doom on these nations as detailed in Ezekiel 38-39? Could this connect to Jeremiah’s prophecies? Just something to consider.

What Could Be on the Horizon?

Iran’s economy has faced significant struggles in recent years, due in part to high inflation and a devalued currency. It seems the Iranian people are hungry for change. While cable news commentators discuss Iran’s political climate, of greater consequence is its spiritual climate.

Estimates vary widely, due to the nature of Iran’s underground church, but reports suggest that Christianity is growing rapidly in Iran as people grow weary of the oppressive Islamic regime and find true hope in Jesus Christ.

I pray that many more souls are saved across the Middle East. I pray we enter a season of Gospel flourishing in that spiritual desert. I pray that God brings peace to the world through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. While many people are hungry for peace from God, may we first desire peace with God through Jesus.

The pieces of the prophetic puzzle are coming together. Consider what could be on the horizon.

Could an economic resurgence occur in the Middle East, causing Iranian citizens to find greener pastures elsewhere, in fulfillment of Jeremiah 49? Will we soon see the ancient city of Babylon rebuilt as a center of commerce (Rev. 18)? Will the expanded Abraham Accords give Israel a sense of peace and prosperity with its neighbors? Will part of this peace agreement allow the Temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem? Will this set the stage for the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 and Ezekiel 38-39? We will have to watch and wait.

What a fascinating time to be alive!

Remember, the church’s role is to share God’s truth as we see the signs of the times emerge.

  • Share the Gospel.
  • Walk with God.
  • Stand firm in the faith.
  • And… keep looking up!