Understanding the people of modern day Iran/Persia, is not a simple task. Contrary to what people think, the Iranians are not Arabs whom make up only 2% of the population. The Persians hold the majority with between 61 & 65%. The Azerbaijanis at 16% speak a Turkic language while the Kurds and Lurs make up around 10 and 6% respectively.
The Persian empire ran from about 550 BC to 330 BC and perhaps other than Egypt, no other country in the Bible has had more history and influence on the nation of Israel, past, present, and yet future. In the past, Persia was a help to Israel; now and in the future, an enemy.
However, we must not forget about the very ancient Elamites from Elam which preceded the Persians by around 2,500 years beginning in 3,000 BC. They are recorded as one of the oldest civilizations on earth.
The Elamites came from Elam who was the son of Shem who was one of the three sons of Noah. The generations of these three sons populated the entire earth. Elam was mentioned as a nation by the time of Abraham.
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. Genesis 10:22
Elam was mentioned as a nation at the time of Abraham.
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. Genesis 14:1-4
Both prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah associate the people of Elam as powerful archers; the main point of their military might. The quiver and bow to hold and shoot arrows.
And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. Isaiah 22:6
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. Jeremiah 49:35-36
In the 7th century BC, the Assyrians conquered Elam at Susa. Assyrian records state the city was captured and looted, temples destroyed and much of the population was deported. The King stated he devastated Elam leaving it like a desert. Elam never fully recovered after this. In a sense, Jeremiah 49 was fulfilled at this point. However, much of the time, prophecy has a dual fulfillment. It does not reason to say the people of Elam were scattered to all nations, even those that existed at the time from this Assyrian invasion. At a much later point after the Assyrian invasion, the Persian empire came along and absorbed the whole region of what became modern day Iran.
The Kingdom of Elam lasted from 2700 BC to 539 BC, by far longer than the Persian empire. Even at the time of the New Testament, there was still a distinction of that people group.
At the day of Pentecost, the Jewish people came from many nations to gather in accord in one place, and the nation of Elam was recognized.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Acts 2:5-9
Enter modern day Iran. The arrow has been replaced by missiles. A missile silo is used to hold and launch missiles, a modern day quiver and bow. The missiles are the might of the Iranian regime. The U.S. and Israeli forces have been constantly targeting Iranian missile factories, storage, and launching facilities many of which are underground and were built ongoing for the last 40 years by the regime.
According to CIA Director Ratcliffe, Iran was developing missiles “at rates that were alarming” and faster than the United States could build defenses.
Here is a photo of some of their missile launch locations. Note the large number in ancient Elam and the one next to the Bushehr nuclear power plant (directly north of the word “Arabian” on map).
Green icon = most frequently used launch sites, Yellow = intermittent launches, a few recorded incidents over the past 1-2 weeks, Red = launches on rare occasions.
President Trump says US will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants in exactly 48 hours if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. There is roughly 24 hours left as of this writing. Trump administration also said bombing Iran’s nuclear power plants is “not off the table.”
TRUMP: “You will soon find out what will happen with the ultimatum on the power plants. The result will be very good. There will be the total destruction of Iran, and it is going to work great.”
Are we about to see the 2nd fulfillment of Jeremiah 49??
On a side note, Iranian missile fragments have already hit directly on the Temple Mount and in the Old City of Jerusalem on top of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher located roughly 1,400′ from the Temple Mount. Almost as if to prophetically state Israel will take complete control of the Temple mount through the outcome of this war.
As I stated previously, we are witnessing the rise of Israel and their dominance in the Middle East and this war will be won as a temporary peace has to come before Iran invades again with an incredibly large coalition during the Gog and Magog war.
Looking for that Blessed Hope! 