Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Look Up!"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
We are people of habits, and we do not like changes, or upheavals in our lives. We like to have “all our ducks up in a row” way in advance. We write dates and times on our calendars to minimize surprises, and to not be late for appointments. It puts us on a schedule that simply makes it easier to get through each day, week, and month. We like seeing what is in store for us.
But our personal schedules do not necessarily match God’s. His schedule will take precedence over ours every time. His prophetic time table is the same. It is with good reason that He does not share His schedule with us; He instead tells us to remain flexible, so that we are doing His will rather than our own.
If it is about His coming Kingdom, we willingly bow to His plans, because His plans include us! He has given us warnings ahead of time:
“And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” - John 14:29
The Apostle Paul echoes this thought in Romans 15:4 –
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope.”
These verses are the two witnesses we need to understand God’s prophetic truths: Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through Paul’s Epistle. We do not know when, but we are assured of a coming event.
Matthew 24 tells us of spiritual warfare manifested on earth as "wars and rumors of war." Jesus’ words are quoted, and comfort us that the end is not yet. One would think we would be prepared, but the whole of mankind is rarely prepared for God’s timing.
Ezekiel 38 & 39 speaks of Russia initiating a war against Israel. And with Iran falling apart today, we know that it will not be Iran that initiates such an invasion any time soon. It will have to occur at some point in the future, and with Russia leading the charge against Israel, because that’s what God has said.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” - Luke 21:28
Bobservations Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Jeremiah 49:34-39 - Look Up! - Part 8
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
When people talk about Iran in Bible prophecy, they are not engaging in speculation or modern politics dressed up as theology. Scripture itself repeatedly references this region under its ancient names—Persia and Elam—and places it squarely within God’s prophetic timeline.
Iran has been in the biblical record from the beginning of Israel’s exile to the birth of the Church, and it has not disappeared from prophecy concerning the last days.
In the Old Testament, Iran appears first as Elam, a region east of Babylon, west of Persia proper, and south of Media. The prophet Jeremiah pronounced judgment on Elam, foretelling both its destruction and its eventual restoration:
“I will break the bow of Elam… Yet it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam.” (Jeremiah 49:35, 39)
Iran’s involvement in the end times will be as one of the nations involved in the battle of Gog and Magog, which probably occurs during the first half of the tribulation. Ezekiel 38:5 specifically mentions Persia as an ally of Magog/Russia. Other nations included in this coalition will be Sudan, Turkey, Libya, and others. This vast army will come against Israel, who at that time will be “a peaceful and unsuspecting people” (Ezekiel 38:11).
The outcome of this end-times invasion is predicted: God supernaturally intervenes, and Gog’s coalition is utterly destroyed. “On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals” (Ezekiel 39:4–5). Iran, allied with Russia, will think their invasion of Israel is a sure victory, but God has different plans. In protecting Jerusalem, God will send a strong message to the world: “I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7).
Sunday Morning Audio Message: Upcoming!
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
The Bow (49:35) - The passage speaks of God breaking "the bow of Elam," scattering them to the four winds, and setting His throne there. The "bow" signifies the destruction of its military strength, pride, and power. Elam was known for elite archers and the composite bow, which symbolized their supreme military might.
Scatter Them to the Four Winds (49:36) - Global dispersion. Iranians are scattered to the "four winds" among all nations, suggesting significant diaspora or displacement.
Set My Throne in Elam (49:38) - God declares judgment against the nation of Elam (modern-day Iran). He will establish divine sovereignty over the region, breaking their military power ("the bow of Elam"), and destroying their leadership.
The King and the Princes (49:38) - The rulers and leaders of the nation will be destroyed.
I Will Bring Back (49:39) - promising future restoration to the ancient nation of Elam (modern-day Iran) after a period of intense destruction and scattering by divine judgment. This promise occurs in the "latter days," offering hope after judgment.
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