To Holy Spirit-centered Bible prophecy observers, there should be little, if any, doubt that we are dealing now with demonic activity at every turn. This is truer than ever when considering things going on in the Middle East. Narrowing it down to the nation Israel, the dark spiritual forces become even more manifest.
The other nation-state entity that makes clear the demonic influences in that volatile region is Iran. This nation, of course, is located in the area where ancient Persia sat.
This is important to think on at this present hour; everything of significant prophetic importance now revolves around this region.
Daniel, the great prophet who was given an end-times heads-up concerning his people, the Jews, had a visit in which God’s angel told him about this very time that is front and center in our hourly news. At least it seems this is likely the beginning of the time the angel spoke of that is the nucleus of the stage being set for the wrap-up of things leading to Christ’s Second Advent.
Here is that one-way conversation the angel delivered:
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thane heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. (Daniel 10:12–14)
The angel then laid out what would happen after those many days had passed. Those days have now passed, and the book that was closed to him, Daniel was told about later, is now almost certainly opened.
That prophecy said the “wise who see these things of the end times will understand” (Daniel 12:10). All who view the issues and events developing in the Middle East, overlaid by the template of Bible prophecy, are the “wise” the angel mentioned.
Things involving Daniel’s people, Israel, and the area of ancient Persia, Iran, have the diplomatic world in a fever pitch to force peace and safety in the region. There is great fear that Iran is about to attack Israel in retaliation for the Israelis eliminating Iran’s proxy terrorist leaders. And, to add insult to injury, Israel did so in one instance by going to the heart of Teheran.
Iran has been threatening ever since to launch a major assault to destroy the Jewish State.
This hasn’t happened, nor do I believe it will. The Iranians (Persians), creators of the game of chess, are smart enough to know better. They are fully aware that Israel has one of the great militaries in the world and possesses nuclear weapons that would devastate any enemy. The Iranian Israel-haters know better than to threaten Israel’s destruction at this point.
To attack in such a way would give Israel the excuse it has been wanting—to do whatever is necessary to destroy Iran’s budding nuclear program hidden deep within the Bushehr Mountains area.
Now, our God is in complete control of all things at all times. He is restraining at every level throughout this world of evil that is straining at the leash to bring about the Antichrist. That said, I think it is accurate to believe the same prince of Persia the angel, with the help of Michael, fought against is alive and well in that region. He is doubtless whispering in the ear of the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. He is likely saying in the ears of the ayatollahs to withhold their attack until a more propitious time—when they and the massive coalition outlined by Ezekiel come together with tremendous power to destroy the hated Israel.
So, in that sense, it might well be the prince of Persia who is postponing the war that everyone in the diplomatic world fears.
The blustering Khamenei and his fanatic Islamists are obviously quite hesitant to carry out their threats to get revenge. Their hesitancy is based in fear, we can conclude. The following somewhat adds credence to this likelihood.
For all Iran’s threats to retaliate against Israel for assassinating key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, the key concern for the ayatollahs will be that, in any confrontation with the Israeli military, they have no chance of winning.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have risen considerably since Israel was accused of carrying out the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau leader Ismail Hanimex in Tehran shortly after the swearing in ceremony for Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian last month.
Although Israel rarely confirms or denies its involvement in overseas assassinations, the Iranian regime has been quick to accuse Israel of killing Haniyeh, who reportedly died after a bomb exploded in his guest apartment in northern Tehran.
A senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, was assassinated in Beirut the previous day, in an operation for which Israel took credit. (“Iran knows it cannot win a war against Israel,” By Con Coughlin, Gatestone Institute, August 11, 2024)
Other news items frame Iran’s reluctance to launch an attack on Israel. The following briefs on Raptureready.com news linked to stories relevant to Iran’s hesitancy.
Ayatollah Khamenei faces tough dilemma when it comes to retaliating against Israel
The 85-year-old despot is keenly aware of the repercussions of a major strike on Israel and, given the delicate timing of Masoud Pezeshkian’s first steps as president, it’s somewhat likely Iran’s Supreme Leader will opt for a more prudent approach.
Internal strife: Iran’s delayed retaliation to Israel sparks rift within terror proxies
Iran has angered its allies, particularly Hezbollah and Hamas, by once again urging caution in responding to Israel after the assassinations of high-ranking Hezbollah terrorist Fuad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Kuwaiti newspaper al Jarida reported on Wednesday.
An all-out Middle East war just might be restrained for the moment with the assistance of the Prince of Persia, that old nemesis of Daniel’s angel visitor and Michael, God’s mighty archangel.
You want to be among the “wise” who watch with understanding the entire stage being set, not among those who haven’t a clue. Those who are wise can take comfort from knowing that all these things happening mean Jesus is about to call all believers to Himself in the Rapture.
Here is how to go to Him when He summons Christians in that great event.
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
For those who are wise to see and understand what is underway, we know this wisdom comes from God Himself. When we study His word, experience His revelation through the Holy Spirit and trust in Jesus, everything makes sense…even when chaos and confusion seem to rule.
Iran needs a full alliance with Russia, Turkey and other nations to have any semblance of success against Israel. Of course, we already know how that is going to work out. But the Prince of Persia and the Prince of the Power of the Air don’t care that the destruction to Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Stans, and other nations who join them will be destroyed. Death is their stock in trade. The more death and destruction, the more Satan believes he is winning. Daniel tells us the Antichrist will worship war and death (the god of fortresses.)
Daniel 11;36-38 “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 37-He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. 38-He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.
The worse it gets, the closer we are to our blessed hope. I trust it will be soon, all the prophetic signs for the start of the 7-Year Tribulation are overflowing. The events of the past 3 months alone have been startling; wickedness is spreading everywhere.
The Church as the Restrainer is soon to depart.
Pray like Daniel, endure like Job, and get inside the Ark like Noah. Eyes on Jesus!
Hi, Robin.
If we look at history, it’s pretty clear that when one of Satan’s human instruments has completed, or failed to complete their assigned task, he abandons them.
All we have to do is to look what happened to Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, the terrorists that killed almost 3000 people in New York on 9-11, along with all the other dark figures of history to see that this is so.
Those who ally themselves in the Ezekiel 38 attack will suffer the same fate even though this has been spelled out crystal-clear in the Bible. Thing is, none of them would believe it even if they read it.
They will be getting exactly what they deserve and so will the Antichrist and his henchmen when he comes, be they human or demonic.
Yes Ed, there is a reason both man’s history and the Bible teach the lesson that making any deal with the devil, wittingly or not, is the worst possible move. Yet people do it again and again.
It is particularly bewildering that those who are deceived in the name of Allah, or Baal, or Molech, or any other pseudonym Satan uses, believe they are following the prevailing path. They have darkened hearts and minds that have no love for Truth and the One True King.
Jesus meant it in the strongest possible sense when He said the road is narrow and the gate is small, and few find it.
Most baffling of all is the relationship Lucifer enjoyed with the Almighty before he rebelled. How any being could exist in that kind of communion with the Lord and then reject Him (and go to war against him!) is something I can’t comprehend this side of Heaven. It is humbling and terrifying. Thankfully I trust Jesus when He said in John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
When we follow Jesus at His second coming, I’m looking forward to witnessing His destruction of all His enemies. Our shouts of victory, giving all glory to God, will never be forgotten.
Robin, I, too, absolutely can’t figure out what made Lucifer “go bad.” Since everything God made during Creation was “very good, i.e. perfect, I assume the angels he made were likewise perfect. Even so, the one who would become Satan and 1/3 of the angels rebelled.
One can only assume that, somewhere down the line, this defect showed up, but where it came from is anyone’s guess.
Was it necessary for all sentient beings to have genuine free will? To have to make a real choice?
Just one of many questions I reckon will remain unanswered while we are in this “earthy tenet.”
These are the things I meditate upon, in expectation of glorification. Deuteronomy 29:29 will likely always be in effect, even when we are in heaven, but so much more will be revealed….gradually over eternity. One AH HA! after another :).
Probably if we knew now what we will learn then, our heads would explode. Or worse, in our human form we might become insanely full of pride ourselves, God forbid.
All in His time.
God’s timing is always perfect. The Bible clearly shows that he gave people the information they needed which was appropriate to their current era and society. Otherwise it would have been a serious case of information overload and we know God is not the God of confusion.
As you correctly said, we couldn’t handle it all now and, when we get “topside,” I think one of the joys for us is that it will be a constant learning experience forever.
I am really looking forward to that.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that what we see in our world is merely the tip of the iceberg of the spiritual battle raging out of sight. What Terry said above totally agrees with this truth.
The Iranian leaders are obviously consumed with demonic-inspired hatred toward Israel, but not to the point where they are ignorant of the fact that Israel could send them back to a flint arrowheads-type arsenal.
What we can expect is more attacks, not only on Israel itself by their proxies, but on Jews and their around the world, giving them a “plausible deniability” whenever it is convenient.
They are obviously crazy, but they are not stupid.
I thank Jesus daily for saving me and loving me ✝️✝️✝️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
This article is excellent. The plain truth. The only thing I disagree with is the mention of the false doctrine “the rapture”. There is nothing in the holy scripture to support such a thing as a doctrine. But anyway thanks.
Well, Bernard, there are actual Biblical references to the Rapture. Here are some:
Old Testament rapture-like events which have already happened:
Enoch – Genesis 5:23-24; Hebrews 11:5 God took him away directly.
Elijah – 2 Kings 2:11 God took hm away directly, too.
Rapture passages from the New Testament which are yet to come:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Jesus will save believers from “wrath” I believe the Rapture is the way he will do it:
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 5:9
Romans 5:9
Revelation 3:10
Of course, you may have your own interpretation of what these mean, but I consider them solid evidence for the Rapture.
Consider, finally, this following argument:
Since believers are the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), why would God leave them here when he pours out his wrath upon the Earth during the Tribulation? Wouldn’t he therefore be destroying his own temples and punishing himself? That just doesn’t make any sense at all.
Hope this information has been useful to you.
with due respect, that is a very special interpretation of those verses. I don’t think is correct to make a WHOLE doctrine of the way I THINK those verses are meaning. After 50 years of studying the bible I don’t find not even a little bit in support of that doctrine. I do believe you are doing a great job for our lord. Maybe I’m mistaken about that doctrine. soon we will know, cause I’m sure we are in the last days of this world..
Blessings
I’ve been studying the Bible over fifty years myself, Cheerful2ff, and you are certainly entitled to your own opinion.
Reckon we will indeed find out, probably soon, which of us is correct, anyway.