How War with Iran and Hamas May Fit Within Bible Prophecy
Israel is God’s epicenter for the last days events. With the eruptions of war with Hamas and Iran, many people question if and how these hostilities factor into Bible prophecy. You know we are living in prophetic times when Breaking News is catching up with ancient Scriptures.
The Divine Perspective on Prophetic Events
God is sovereign over all, and He is moving nations, leaders, and events according to His good purposes. Isaiah 46:9-10: “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying ‘My purpose will be established.’” Every detail and insight He determined essential for us to know, He provided through the prophets. These insights become signposts, indicators, of where we are on the road to the Lord’s return.
Significant Signposts: 1948 and 1967
The rebirth of Israel in 1948 and Jerusalem’s return to Jewish sovereignty in 1967 were signposts the size of advertising blimps! Both events were prophesied, both came about miraculously, and both needed to happen prior to Jesus’s return. Prophecy students went on high alert, scooched to the edge of their seats, and scanned east then west for more signposts. Every war Israel engages in captures the attention of Bible students, and for good reason.
Historical and Modern Relations with Iran
When we read about Elam and Persia in the Old Testament it’s referring to the general region that is today Iran. In the 8th century BCE, Elam was feared in battle because of their exceptional archers. Isaiah recorded that Elam joined Assyria’s unsuccessful attempt to conquer Jerusalem (Is. 22:6). The word of the Lord to Jeremiah concerning Elam: “I will break the bow of Elam, the finest of their might.” (Jer. 49:35-39). The prophecy describes a severe punishment but one that ends with hope. In the last days their fortunes will be restored.
For centuries, the Persian and Jewish people enjoyed peaceful relations and cultural respect. God moved these godless Persian kings to decree His purposes for the Jewish people: release from exile, safe return to their homeland, to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and restore and secure the city.
The Decrees of Persian Kings
| King | Prophetic Significance and Actions |
|---|---|
| Cyrus (539 BCE) | Decreed the release of all the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the temple of God. |
| Ahasuerus (473 BCE) | Authorized the Jewish people to defend themselves on the day of their planned annihilation. |
| Artaxerxes (445 BCE) | Granted his Jewish cupbearer, Nehemiah, permission and decreed a full provision to go and complete the work of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and restoring the gates. |
Current Conflicts and Future Expectations
Interestingly, King Ahasuerus’s second decree permitting the Jewish people to defend their lives was written on 23 Sivan, on the Hebrew calendar. This year, 23 Sivan corresponded with June 19—the exact time of Israel’s 12-day war against Iran’s Islamic regime and their bold, repeated promise to annihilate Israel. Surely, there was no coincidence.
Ezekiel briefly described a time of peace for Israel prior to Jesus’s return—a notable peace—that will precede an end time war. Could we be entering Ezekiel’s prophesied season of peace for Israel? It’s too soon to tell the broad effects of the 12-day Israel-Iran war. Will the ceasefire hold? Will there be a leadership change within Iran that could result in an ideological shift toward peace with Israel, the US, and the West? And will Hamas in Gaza and other Iranian militant proxies have their supply chains cut and lose their ability to terrorize Israel? Let’s pray so!