Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I’m starting a three-part series on a nation that most Christians have never thought about from a prophetic perspective—Iran. As you know, or as I hope you know, it is in the news right now as it seems to be undergoing a revolution!
Now, when you hear "Iran" today, you probably think about the oppressive Islamic regime, nuclear threats, support for terrorism, and hostility toward Israel and America. And all of that is true.
But friends, there's another story about this ancient land—a biblical story that most people have never heard. A story of judgment, yes, but also a story of promise. A story that's still unfolding today.
Because hidden in the pages of Scripture is an explicit promise of restoration for the ancient people of Elam—the region we now know as Iran or Persia.
And today, we're going to unpack what the Bible says about Elam, why it matters, and what God has promised for this nation in the latter days.
Let me start with the most important passage—the one that should have every prophecy student paying attention to what's happening in Iran today.
Jeremiah 49:34-39 records God's judgment against Elam:
"I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go... Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come, declares the LORD."
Now, catch what's happening here. God pronounces judgment—military defeat, scattering among the nations, dispersion to the four winds. But then—and this is crucial—God makes a promise: "I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come."
Friends, this is the clearest restoration promise made directly to Elam. Not symbolic. Not spiritualized. God says, "I will restore."
And that promise is for the "latter days"—the end times.
Let me give you some context. Elam was located in what is now southwestern Iran. Its capital was Susa—the same city where Esther became queen and where Daniel had a vision. This was a real place with real people, and God made them a real promise.
But Elam isn't the only name Scripture uses for this region. It's also called Persia. And when you look at what the Bible says about Persia, a remarkable pattern emerges.
Persia plays a unique role in redemptive history.
Let me show you. In Isaiah 44:28 through 45:13, God does something extraordinary. He raises up a Persian king—Cyrus—and calls him by name…150 years before he's born.
God says: "Who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid."' This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus... I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me."
Think about that. God calls a pagan Persian king "my shepherd" and "my anointed." He commissions Cyrus—who doesn't even know Him—to free Israel from Babylon, rebuild Jerusalem, and restore the temple.
Friends, Persia was used as God's instrument of redemption for His people.
And that's not the only time. In the book of Esther, it's the Persian king Xerxes who was tricked into sentencing the Jewish people to genocide but later, because of God’s hand and the courage of Esther, he reversed his decision and allowed them to protect themselves, which they did! Also, in Ezra and Nehemiah, it's Persian kings who continue to fund and authorize the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Genesis 12:3 says, "I will bless those who bless you." Persia blessed Israel—and God used Persia for His purposes.
Now, let me show you something else remarkable. In Ezekiel 32:24-25, the prophet lists nations present in Sheol at the time of judgment. And Elam is mentioned.
What's the implication? Elam is not erased from history. It remains a distinct people in a prophetic vision. Even in judgment, God preserves their identity.
And then we get to the New Testament—and here's where it gets really exciting.
Acts 2:9 lists the people present at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell: "Parthians, Medes and Elamites... we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Elamites. The people of ancient Elam were there at the birth of the Church. They heard the gospel in their own language. They were included in the New Covenant blessing.
Friends, this is spiritual restoration beginning.
Now, let me also mention Daniel 10. This is a fascinating passage where Daniel receives a vision, and an angel tells him, "The prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me twenty-one days."
What does this tell us? That Persia is part of the spiritual battlefield. There are demonic powers assigned to nations—and Persia is no exception. But God ultimately prevails over these powers.
So let me summarize what Scripture teaches about Elam and Persia:
First: Elam receives judgment—but also an explicit promise of restoration.
This is unique. Not every one of Israel's neighbors receives this. Egypt does. Assyria does. But most don't.
Jeremiah 49:39 is crystal clear: "I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come."
That's a promise. And God keeps His promises.
Second: Persia plays a redemptive role in God's plan.
God raised up Cyrus as His instrument to free Israel. Persia funded the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. Persian kings protected the Jewish people.
Persia participated in the Abrahamic blessing cycle—"I will bless those who bless you."
And friends, that pattern continues spiritually today.
Third: Elam is present at Pentecost—indicating spiritual restoration has begun.
Acts 2 shows us that Elamites were there when the Church was born. They heard the gospel. They received the Holy Spirit.
The restoration of Elam isn't just physical or political—it's spiritual. And today, the underground church in Iran is growing faster than any other area in the Middle East. I will speak more to that in the next two episodes.
Now let me give you three key takeaways from this.
First: God's promises are irrevocable—even to nations under judgment.
Elam was judged. Scattered. Defeated in the past and it is undergoing great turmoil as I speak. But God said, "I will restore." And when God makes a promise, He keeps it.
Romans 11:29 says, "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."
That applies to Israel. And it applies to Iran today.
Second: Persia is not cursed forever.
When you look at modern Iran—the oppression, the hatred of Israel, the Islamic extremism—it's easy to think God has abandoned this nation.
But Scripture says otherwise. And the growing underground church says otherwise. Persia has a unique place in redemptive history. And God's promise of restoration still stands.
Third: We should be watching Iran with prophetic expectation.
If God promised to restore Elam in the latter days, and if we believe we're living in the latter days, then we should be paying attention to what's happening in Iran.
And friends, something remarkable is happening. The Church in Iran is exploding. Despite brutal persecution, despite executions, despite imprisonment—more Iranians are coming to Christ than at any time in history.
We'll talk more about that in part three of this series. But for now, understand this: God is keeping His promise. The restoration of Elam is happening before our eyes.
Let me pray
Thank you for joining me today. I hope this has opened your eyes to a biblical promise most Christians have never heard about. Elam—ancient Persia, modern Iran—is not forgotten by God. He has a plan. He made a promise. And He's faithful to fulfill it.
In our next episode, we'll explore how Zoroastrianism prepared the Persian heart for the Messiah, who the Magi really were, and how the early Church Fathers viewed Persia.
Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, remember that God keeps His promises, and watch what He's doing in Iran—because Elam's restoration is underway.
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