The removal of Iran’s regime brings key Bible prophecies into sharper focus. Iran is known by two names in Bible prophecy—Persia and Elam. Many Bible prophecy students are familiar with the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy that includes Persia. But there are other dots Christians must connect, including those from the books of Jeremiah and Esther.
How do these events fit into God’s prophetic plan? As followers of Jesus, our first impulse must be to turn to God’s Word. We cannot and must not read today’s headlines into the pages of Scripture. We start with what Scripture says, then gain insight into what is happening in today’s world.
Before turning to Scripture, please notice the intentional phrase in the opening sentence that says prophecies are coming “into sharper focus.” This is not the same as saying that these prophecies were fulfilled with the removal of Iran’s leadership. Rather, we can see the fulfillment of prophecies much more clearly, just like a blurry camera lens coming into focus.
Consider a quick illustration. A mere 100 years ago, people wondered how the whole world could see the two witnesses’ dead bodies during the Tribulation (Rev. 11:9). As broadcast television and the internet came along, this prophecy came into a much sharper focus. Although this prophecy still awaits a future fulfillment, it is easy for us to understand how the whole world could witness this event. The same principle applies to these events.
The Prophecy of Elam in Jeremiah 49:34-39
Ancient Elam was located in southwestern modern-day Iran. In this section of Jeremiah, he delivers God’s prophetic messages concerning many kingdoms, ending with Elam. Most of these prophecies concerning other kingdoms had a historical fulfillment, exactly as God predicted. However, many Bible scholars struggle to find a historic fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Elam. There has not been a complete historical fulfillment of this prophecy. Thus, it seemed to await a future fulfillment.
During the June 2025 Twelve-Day War between Israel and Iran, our ministry alerted Christians to carefully watch how the situation would develop. At that time, some prophecy students suggested that Jeremiah 49:35 could be fulfilled:
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.”
The bow and arrow were Elam’s military might. Some wondered if the long-range missiles and nuclear capabilities could be a modern equivalent of Iran’s military might. We urged people to wait and see, based on what the next verses predict will happen when Elam’s bow is broken.
Notice the next prophecy in this passage, “And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come” (Jer. 49:36). In recent years, high inflation, a collapsing economy, strict religious laws, and increasing violence against its own citizens have caused hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Iranians to leave the country, scattering around the world. But there are more boxes to check concerning this prophecy before it is marked fulfilled.
Consider what the next verse says. “For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them” (Jer. 49:37). The next verse connects key dots about the sword coming after Elam: “And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD” (Jer. 49:38). Notice the focal point of this destruction—the king and the princes. Who was the target of the U.S. and Israel’s attacks? Iran’s leadership!
Now, the next verse ends this prophecy with a significant promise. “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). God promises to restore the people to the land. This is a key prophecy to watch, which could lead to the fulfillment of other prophecies, like Ezekiel 38.
It certainly seems like the recent events check a lot of boxes against Jeremiah’s Elam prophecy; however, we must maintain a wait-and-see attitude as this situation develops further.
How Does this Connect to Ezekiel 38-39?
One of our followers on our Prophecy in the News Facebook page asked us if the removal of Iran’s leadership signals a delay in the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy. No, it does not. Ezekiel 38:5 states that Persia will be involved in the coalition of nations that attack Israel in this end-times battle. It does not say that Persia will lead the attack, only that it will be involved in the coalition.
Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, will lead this coalition (Ezek. 38:3-6). Interestingly, these locations are in modern-day Turkey, a nation whose leadership continues to oppose Israel, and which recently condemned the removal of the Iranian leadership.
Will the remaining Iranian Ayatollah sympathizers regroup and join a coalition with the Ezekiel 38 parties? This could allow an anti-Israel Persian force to form in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike Israel.
Remember, when the Ezekiel 38 battle begins, Israel will be at rest, “dwelling safely” (Ezek. 38:11, 14). A modicum of peace will cause Israel to think it is safe, then this coalition will strike. Could the current Iranian conflict and the removal of Israel’s chief antagonist lead to a Middle Eastern truce? Could President Trump’s Board of Peace, an extension of the Abraham Accords, be key in these peace talks? It seems that this scenario could create the environment necessary for the Ezekiel 38-39 conflict. It is coming into sharper focus.
Based on other factors described in Ezekiel 38-39, it seems most likely that this battle will begin shortly after the Tribulation begins. That means the rapture occurs before this battle begins. If all born-again followers of Jesus are raptured, global support for Israel will be greatly diminished. Israel will stand alone against its enemies in this future battle, but it is not truly alone, for Almighty God will deliver Israel out of that conflict (Ezek. 38:18-23; 39:1-8).
The Biblical Irony of this Campaign
God providentially delivered Israel from wicked Haman’s annihilation plot, as recorded in the book of Esther. God placed a beautiful Jewish woman, Esther, as queen in the Persian empire. Isn’t it amazing how God had positioned the person to deliver His people before the problem even arose? Only God could providentially plan such a victory!
The Bible specifically says that she was at the palace in Shushan (Esth. 2:3, 8). Where are the ruins of ancient Shushan located? In southwestern Iran, near the modern city of Shush. Thus, God delivered the Jewish people from destruction from the land currently called Iran. While this is an ironic connection to the present, it isn’t the only piece of this puzzle.
The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates this divine deliverance each year. Ironically, the campaign against Iran’s leadership started just a couple of days before Purim would be celebrated on March 2-3, 2026. Could this be another signal of a turn to peace for Israel, setting the stage for the biblical end-times scenario?
Keep Watching and Praying
As these events unfold, our ministry continues to watch and pray, just as Jesus instructed His followers (Matt. 26:41; Luke 21:36). As biblical watchmen on the wall, we must remain vigilant. This could be a powerful Gospel moment worldwide, and especially in Iran. The need is urgent. The time is now. Jesus has providentially put His followers here, “for such a time as this” (Esth. 4:14). Will you continue watching and praying with us? Until the trumpet sounds, keep looking up!
