Iran - Past, Present, and Future

     Until about 75 years ago, Iran was known as Persia.  The land was originally occupied by Madai and Elam, sons of Japheth and Shem respectively.  A significant fact about Iran is that it is located east of the Euphrates River.

     Iran (Persia) has a rich Biblical history as well as a profound Biblical future.  The area also has a significant future according to Islamic teachings.  Using both sources of information will help paint a broader picture of that geographic area and its future.

     When one thinks about Iran today, their current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comes to mind.  He is a Shia Muslim and believes in the twelfth Imam, or the coming Islamic Mahdi.  In fact he has stated publicly that he believes he has been called to usher in the Islamic savior by initiating a period of great unrest and conflict in the Middle East.

     Perhaps Ahmadinejad is better known for his hatred of Israel and the great Satan, i.e. the United States of America.  His agenda coincides with the Hamas charter in that it centers on the total destruction of Israel.  He has no reservations about sharing his intentions.

     Iran is presently developing nuclear technology and missile delivery systems.  Many believe their goal is to use such technology to develop weapons to use on Israel as a means to usher in their Mahdi.  The Bible also confirms Iran (Persia) will be involved in an attack on Jerusalem in the latter days.  This situation is perhaps the greatest challenge facing America’s foreign policy makers today.

     God, however, even uses those who don’t know Him to perform His will.  Recall that God called the Persian King Cyrus by name 140 years before he was born to free the Jews from Babylonian captivity in 539 BC.  Likewise, Ahmadinejad is in the palm of God’s hand.

     Another reference to the nations east of the Euphrates River in the latter days is found in the book of Revelation.

     “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.”  Revelation 16:12

       There is a very prolific writer and speaker on Islamic affairs named Sheikh Imran Hosein.  He specializes in world economic/political issues.  He recently paraphrased a profound Islamic prophecy.

     “According to the prophecies of Prophet Muhammad…a non-stop army will rise from the land of Khorasan holding black flags of Islam in the end times.  This army will conquer several occupied lands of Muslims till it reaches to Jerusalem.  Then it will pledge its allegiance to Imam al Mahdi.”

     The black flags carried by Muslim armies are called ‘flags of Jihad’.

     Sheikh Imran Hosein went on to define the geographic area known as Khorasan.  He said it included the northeast area of Iran, the northwest area of Pakistan, and all of Afghanistan.  He went on to say that the British had failed in Afghanistan three times, Russia failed after a twelve year attempt, and he predicted that the United States will also fail in their attempt to change, tame, and democratize Afghanistan. 

     Therefore, both the Bible and Islamic teachings tell of the upcoming confrontation between the kings of the East and the future King of Jerusalem.  A major difference, however, is the prophesied outcome of the conflict.  Both Islam and the Bible agree there can only be one victor.  The Biblical version:

     “And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.”  Zechariah 14:12

       Americans have both the opportunity and responsibility to discuss such significant issues.  Recall both our Secretary of State and the head of the OIC have publicly stated that such open dialogue is healthy and will promote democracy.

     Owing to the significance of Iran’s present actions and the heightened violence in Afghanistan, it is believed that the current administration will ‘double down’ on their Middle East policy as soon as the polls indicate it would be politically expedient to do so.