First, our prayers today are for the many people suffering because of the war in the Middle East. In Israel, there’s a constant barrage of drones and missiles coming from Iran and Lebanon, launched indiscriminately toward civilian areas across the country. Some of the weapons reportedly used are cluster munitions, which open in the air and release many smaller explosives over a 10 km area. In Lebanon, reports indicate that more than 800,000 civilians have been displaced. In Iran, 3 million people have been displaced; this is truly a human tragedy. Antisemitic acts are multiplying worldwide. This morning, an explosion damaged an Amsterdam Jewish School. On Thursday, a man crashed his car into Temple Israel Synagogue outside Detroit; thank God the explosives in his car did not reach the dozens of children inside.
The war with Iran has taken a dramatic turn this week. To the surprise of many, Iran’s government shows no sign of admitting defeat. But this raises an important question: Who is Iran in the context of history, and what do biblical prophecies say about this nation?
In the Scriptures, the land we now call Iran is mainly referred to by three names: Elam, Media, and Persia. These names represent different peoples who lived in the same region. Elam is the oldest and descends from Shem, while Media and Persia descend from Japheth. Over time, these three groups occupied the same land: first Elam, then the Medes, and later the Persians.
What is striking is that end-time prophecies concerning Iran present two very different outcomes for this nation. One prophecy speaks of restoration. In Jeremiah 49:39, the Lord declares, “I will restore the fortunes of Elam.” Another prophecy offers a much darker perspective. In Ezekiel 32:24, Elam is depicted among the nations in the lower parts of the earth, in Sheol, as unrepentant. The prophecy describes them as those who “instilled their terror in the land of the living and bore their disgrace with those who go down to the pit.”
These two contrasting prophecies appear to signal a major division within the Iranian people, a split already evident in many ways today. Over the years, many Iranians I have personally met have shown remarkable kindness and warmth even toward Israel. However, at the same time, the government governing them is widely regarded as one of the most oppressive and ruthless regimes in the world. Regarding the name Persia, some have also pointed out that in Hebrew, the name Paras (פרס) is connected to a verb meaning “to divide” or “to split,’ which powerfully reflects the division these prophecies predict: a nation torn between two very different futures.
What is even more remarkable is that Elam already appeared in Genesis, 4000 years ago, as a dominant power attacking the area now known as Israel. This was her first attack ever. It is as if there was an early and persistent desire to control or destroy the land of Israel, even before the emergence of the Jewish nation.
This particular war and how this king lost it are also important: In Genesis 14, we see the king of Elam, Chedorlaomer, leading a coalition of four kings in an attack against the cities south of Jerusalem. During this campaign, they attacked Sodom and captured Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Abraham then went out to confront Elam and its allies. What is especially noteworthy is that he fought this battle with only 318 men, and he won. In some ways, this reminds us of the situation we see today between Israel and Iran: a small nation facing a much larger power, yet often maintaining a decisive advantage.
But more importantly, what can we expect from Iran in the near future? The name Persia, which was used for the country until 1935 when it officially became Iran, is associated with a major attack and invasion on Israel in the near future known as the war of Gog and Magog, described in Ezekiel 38–39. This is portrayed as a devastating conflict that many rabbinic commentators see as the last great war before the coming of the Messiah.
In this prophecy, we see a coalition of nations coming together to attack Israel in the end times. Persia is the first nation listed after Meshech and Tubal, linked to ancient territories that are now part of modern-day Russia. This coalition will be led by Gog, which is not the name of a country but a leader. Some interpreters even suggest that this figure could be the one described as the dragon in the Book of Revelation, the evil being who ultimately leads the nations of the world into rebellion and war during the final days.
Today, we clearly see a strong and growing bond between Russia and Iran. Over recent years, their relationship has become much closer, especially in the military sector. Iran has supplied drones that Russia has used in the Ukraine conflict, which has led many to wonder whether Russia might someday support Iran. It’s possible that Russia is already providing covert support. This might explain why Iran is holding on.
But what we have examined so far is only a brief overview of what the Scriptures say about Iran. There are more prophecies that may be revealed over time. The primary prophecies about Iran are found in Jeremiah 49, Ezekiel 32, and chapters 38 & 39, as well as others. Yet through all of this, one truth becomes clear: God is sovereign. He knows the nations, understands their histories, and knows their destinies. Nothing escapes His knowledge, and nothing is beyond His control.
Therefore, we can fully trust the Lord and His Word, which reveals these things to us long before they happen.
Click here for the Video: Israel and the Nations – Iran in Prophecies