Preacher’s Point

0

The nuclear deal with Iran is one of those things people either love, hate or don’t know exists. The Senate vote on the treaty should take place in mid-September, about two weeks from now.

Much of the press is indicating that “the deal” will pass. Those against the measure believe it will pave the way for Iran to have nuclear weapons sooner than later. Those in favor of the treaty, claim those against it are wrong and insist it will lower tension in the world. I haven’t heard anyone explain why they believe this to be true.

This week’s column is not about the merits or the disaster of the treaty; it is about the future of Iran.

Iran was named Persia until 1935 less than a century ago; whenever your read about Persia in the Bible you are reading about Iran. The yet unfulfilled prophecies of Persia are the prophecies of Iran. The two are one and the same.

What does the Bible say will happen to Iran? Do the prophecies of the Bible spread light on how “the deal” will work out?

The Bible describes a future battle and names Persia as one of the participants. Iran will be on the losing side. Most religious scholars place the battle either in the tribulation period (a seven-year period of great worldwide turmoil ending with the return of Jesus Christ) or shortly before it. Ezekiel 38-39 gives a detailed description of the battle, which is an invasion of Israel. According to the Scripture, the invaders are (Biblical names, if different, are in parentheses) Iran (Persia), Russia (Magog), the Ukraine (Gomer), Turkey (Togarmah), Ethiopia, Sudan, Libya and several of the former Soviet states (Meshech and Tubal).

It would be interesting to note here, there is no mention of the nations that currently border Israel involved in this battle. With the hatred of Israel in the area, it is difficult to comprehend why Syria is not joining in as Iran is marching through, or why the terrorist groups controlling Lebanon are not siding up with Turkey, Russia, and the Ukraine as they come from the north.

The Bible may give us the answer. Psalm 83 describes an invasion of Israel by Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Negev into the Sinai, Gaza, and the Palestinians from within. Psalm 83:13-14 tells us the invaders are destroyed “as a fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire.” Also, the first two chapters of Amos lists each of these nations and tells of their destruction by fire.

It appears the battle of Psalm 83 comes first. Israel wins with the destruction of Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Why are these nations not joining in the massive invasion of Ezekiel 38-39? They have no fight left in them; Israel has just laid them to waste. Israel may have even increased her borders with the Israeli flag flying over the “ruinous heap” of Damascus (Isaiah 17:1).

The outcome of Psalm 83 will be motive enough for the invasion of Ezekiel 38-39. What happens to the thundering herd?

Only 1/6 of the invading forces will survive (Ezekiel 39:2). They will fall in the mountains and the open fields of Israel (Ezekiel 39:4-5). The “fire” of destruction reaches all the way to Russia (Ezekiel 39:6).

With “fire” destroying the invaders of Psalm 83 and reaching all the way to Russia during this battle, can we assume Israel is the ones using the nukes?

Look at it this way; no one wants to bring a knife to a gun fight, so no one would want to bring conventional weapons to a nuke war either.

Iran has a history of being in the background helping enemies of Israel. If Israel believes Iran has the bomb, then is surprised by an attack from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, she may use her nukes, thinking of Iran lurking in the background. Remember the invaders of Psalm 83 are all destroyed by fire.

What is the future of Iran? Bomb or no bomb, deal or no deal, 84 percent of her military will perish inside Israel, after that, not much will be heard from her again.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2015/09/web1_TimJohnson_.jpg
The future of Iran

By Timothy Johnson

Preacher Johnson is pastor of Countryside Baptist Church in Parke County Indiana. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.preacherjohnson.com. E-book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TUJTV2A If you email, inform me where you have seen Preacher’s Point. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

No posts to display