Pastor Tim preached two messages, 3/1/26 and 3/8/26, on the Prophetic Implications of Persia and how God will defend his people. The scripture reference is Ezekiel 38-39.
Message 1: Persia has big prophetic implications. In 1935 Persia changed its name to Iran. It has a great deal to do with end times. The nation came to prominence in Daniel. God raised up the Medes and Persians in Daniel 8. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream showing kingdoms to come. Babylon fell when the Medes/Persians overtook them. They then allowed Israel to keep their identity. Persia became a world empire. Further back, Isaiah 44:28, says That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. This was 150 years before Cyrus was born. Chapter 45:1 says Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut. Why does it matter? Written before he was born, Cyrus was shown the writings and signed the decree to allow Israel to go back and rebuild. God is not surprised by political shifts. He’s not surprised by what just happened when Israel/US targeted Iran. That means we don’t need to be worried. We–God– wins in the end!
God let Persia be raised up as an instrument of restoration for his people. The people were allowed to go home. The walls were rebuilt along with the temple. However, later we find them in opposition to Israel. We must realize that Iranians are a different sect, not of Jewish descent like other “Arab” nations. Those nations descend from Ishmael. Iranians/Persians are from a Gentile nation that hates everybody. They hate the US and Israel more than any. What happens after a regime change? It may be okay for a while, but the nation will rise again against Israel. We see God’s providence with his people in the book of Esther. Down through history, many have tried to destroy the nation. Hitler killed 6 million Jews. History has lined up with what God said. There is a total prophetic plan and it will be fulfilled.
Iran’s leaders hate the US. They hate Israel. They have even been killing their own people. If the US continues down its current path, we may find ourselves in big trouble. Both sides of the aisle are extreme. As Christians, we need to watch for extremes. Stay in the Word. Act like Christians. Iran/Persia hates everything about God. America was a godly nation at one time; we are far away from him now. We cannot go down the path of Iran. Get back to the Word. Stand under the blood-stained banner of the cross. If we don’t, we will fall. There is so much division and a house divided against itself will not stand. Come back to God. Stop arguing about things. Put faith back in God and trust his Word. It’s the only way. We must pray and come back to God.
Message 2: God will defend his people. The Bible is more accurate than the newspaper. The Bible speaks about modern day Russia and Turkey. They too will target Israel. The set up is already in place. Israel has always been hated. They’ve been captured. Threatened. Killed. Since they once again became a nation in 1948, we have seen them targeted time after time. Why? They believe in the one true God. That makes them and Christians the most hated people in the world. The enemy’s plan is to come against Israel again. Israel has the technology and has been intercepting missiles from Iran. It would be a mistake on their part to think they are safe by their own means. They must trust God. At some point the battle shown here in Ezekiel 38-39 will happen. This is not the Battle of Armageddon. There will be a coalition of many nations rising against Israel in the latter days. We are in the latter days. God will reveal himself mightily. It will look hopeless for Israel. BUT GOD intervenes. There will be a supernatural rain, a great shaking, fire and brimstone. And God WILL get the glory. He will magnify and sanctify himself. Chapter 38:23: Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord. Chapter 39 goes on to say they will bury the dead 7 months, and Israel will use the fuel from this battle for 7 years (vs 8-12). Everyone will know the Lord is God.
There are several opinions on when this war will take place. Some think during the tribulation, possibly mid-way through. Some think right after the rapture. Some think it will be before the rapture. Personally, I hope it’s before the rapture. Why? I want my lost family and friends to realize and know God is the Lord and be saved. In Revelation 3 we read of the Laodicean church, the age most Bible history scholars believe is represented in the present day. They felt no need of nothing, yet they were lukewarm Christians. Just me and mine and forget everyone else. This is the church to which Jesus said Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Rev. 3:20). God is saying “let me in.” I want our lost people to know and see God. I want the church to return to God and let him back in. To sup with him means a reuniting; I hope an end-time revival is about to happen.
I hate war. I don’t want to see people die. But I do want God to get glory. Pray that God is revealed among the heathen. Being revealed doesn’t guarantee repentance, but in this age of grace, I desire to see a revival that brings people back to God. Pray. Is there anything in your life that needs to be repented of? Open the door of your heart so others can see God and he can be glorified.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 