Is A Nuclear Iran Spelled out In Biblical Prophecy?
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-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-
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Feb 9, 2012, 6:27:42 AM2/9/12
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Is A Nuclear
Iran Spelled out In Biblical Prophecy?
What is the role of Iran in the biblical prophecies?
Sunday, February 5, 2012 - World’s Best-Selling Book by Donald L.
Brake, Sr.
The Washington Times
FLOWER MOUND, TX, February 3, 2012— U.S. Defense Secretary Leon
Panetta dropped a bomb shell on reporter David Ignatius when he
revealed that he believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel
will attack Iran in April, May or June 2012. The front page news
for many days has referred to Iran as getting closer to a
functional nuclear bomb, a prospect that the West and especially
Israel find reprehensible.
This follows Israeli reports that Iran has the capability to
develop nuclear missiles that could reach Israel and the US.
Israel maintains that there is a limited time prior to Iran having
a bomb before the window of opportunity to prevent it will be
closed. Does the Bible say anything about Iran and a nuclear
attack on Israel?
It is not unusual to predict the future and especially the end of
the world. California radio station personality, Harold Camping
caused a major uproar when he predicted the rapture of the Church
(Christ’s return for all true Christians) on May 21, 2011 and the
destruction of the world (final judgment) on October 21, 2011. The
coming end of the age did not happen.
Survivalist, Patrick Geryl quit his job as a laboratory worker for
an oil company because he believes the world will end December 21,
2012. Geryle points to the ancient Maya cyclical calendars that
supposedly predict a catastrophic end in 2012. He finds support
for his claims from the ancient Egyptians who saw 2012 as a year
of super disaster. According to this amateurastronomer, the
Earth’s magnetic field will completely reverse and that will
result in earthquakes and tidal waves that will destroy
civilization.
It is estimated that 25 percent of the Bible is predictive in
nature. Some prophecies have been fulfilled and some appear to be
future to their time and, perhaps, to our time as well. To
interpret the prophecies in the Bible one must do so with fear and
trembling. We live in completely different times, rapidly changing
culture, and in a modern technological civilization. Are biblical
prophecies intended to give clues to future events?
Modern Iran is the biblical Persia. It played a fairly significant
role in the history recorded in the Bible. Although the Persians
are a very ancient people, Cyrus the Great (reigned 550-529BC)
established the Persian Empire. Darius (521-486BC) built his royal
palace in the capital of Shushan (Susa). Later Xerxes (486-465)
also known as Ahasuerus, figured prominently in the biblical story
of Esther (Esther 1:1). It was in the city of Shushan that the
prophet Daniel had his vision of the ram, the goat, and the small
horn (Daniel 8:2-14) and where Nehemiah lived in exile (Nehemiah
1:1).
Persia was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world. The
Persians flourished and dominated the geo-political landscape from
539-331BC. The Bible records the fall of the Babylonian Empire to
the Persians. This set the stage for the return of the Hebrew
people to Jerusalem about 538-445BC following their seventy-year
Babylonian captivity (606-536BC).
King Darius in his second year granted permission for the Jewish
Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt following a 14 year delay (Ezra
4:24 and 6:1). He also helped finance the completion of the
reconstruction of the Temple.
The biblical “end days” are usually equated with the battle of
Armageddon and the return of Jesus Christ. Those who believe the
accuracy of the Bible differ on interpretation of specific
biblical prophecies. Some biblical prophecies were literally
fulfilled; some appear to be future to their day.
While there is no evidence from Scripture that Iran will strike a
nuclear blow to Israel or the US, Scripture implies that the end
times conditions are present in the 21st century. Israel has been
brought back into the “promised land” and is a sovereign state.
Jerusalem remains the center of prophecy and modern controversy.
An Iranian nuclear attack on Israel would set the world on a
course closely related to biblical descriptions of the events of
the end times.
The Hebrew Prophet Ezekiel describes a dictator called Gog (often
associated with Russia) who will form a military coalition with
Iran, Sudan, Libya, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian countries in
“the last days” (Ezekiel 38:16). Could this be a reference to
modern day events in the Middle East? While it is impossible to
say for sure, the biblical prophecies refer to wars, rumors of
wars, earthquakes, and famines. All of which are common news
features today.
The passages generally associated with this event are: Zech
14:2-4 2I will gather all the nations to fight against
Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the
women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and
the rest will be left among the ruins of the city. 3 Then the LORD
will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in
times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of
Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split
apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the
mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.
(Living Bible Translation)
Rev 16:12-17 12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the
great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the
east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.
13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from
the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 14
They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the
rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on
that great judgment day of God the Almighty. 15 “Look, I will come
as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for
me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk
around naked and ashamed.” 16 And the demonic spirits gathered all
the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name
Armageddon. 17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the
air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple,
saying, “It is finished!” (LBT)
While the Bible purposely keeps the times and dates close to the
chest, most Christians place their faith on the teaching that
Jesus is coming again. It will occur in the midst of worldwide
catastrophes. At such time he will come as the conqueror, “On his
robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and
Lord of all lords.”