Iran Today: Islamic Oppression and the Unstoppable Church

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. This is part three of our series on Iran—ancient Persia—and God's prophetic plan for this remarkable nation.

In part one, we explored the biblical promises to Elam, including Jeremiah's explicit prophecy that God would restore this nation in the latter days.

In part two, we saw how Zoroastrianism prepared Persian hearts for the Messiah, and how the Magi became the first Gentiles to worship Christ.

Today, we're going to look at what happened when Islam conquered Persia, how the 1979 revolution weaponized religion, and—most remarkably—how the Church is exploding in Iran today despite brutal persecution.

Because friends, something extraordinary is happening. While the Islamic regime tightens its grip, God is keeping His promise. The restoration of Elam is underway.

Let me start with the history.

Before Islam arrived, Persia was one of the most advanced civilizations on earth. The Achaemenid Empire—Cyrus and Darius—the Parthian Empire, and finally the Sassanian Empire dominated the region for over a thousand years.

And the dominant religion was Zoroastrianism—that ancient faith we talked about in our last episode, with its emphasis on moral accountability, final judgment, and a coming deliverer.

Persia had a deeply spiritual worldview long before Islam arrived.

But in the 7th century, everything changed. Between 633 and 651 AD, Muslim Arab armies defeated the Sassanian Empire. The key battle was at al-Qadisiyyah in 636 AD, and by 651, Persia had fallen.

Political power shifted to the Islamic caliphate. Arabic became the language of religion. Islam became the state faith.

But here's what's fascinating: Persia was conquered militarily—but it later conquered Islam culturally.

The Persian language eventually revived. Persian culture, bureaucracy, and philosophy remained influential. And over time, Persia didn't just adopt Islam—it reshaped it.

Originally, Persia was mostly Sunni Islam, like the rest of the Islamic world. But that changed.

Shia Islam—which emphasizes martyrdom, suffering under unjust rulers, and reverence for a sacred lineage of leaders called Imams—resonated deeply with the Persian worldview.

The martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala in 680 AD became central to Shia identity. And for Persians, with their Zoroastrian background of cosmic struggle between good and evil, Shiism fit their religious instincts far better than Arab Sunni legalism.

The real turning point came in 1501 AD with the Safavid Revolution. Ismail I founded the Safavid Empire and declared Twelver Shiism the state religion.

From that point forward, Iran became religiously distinct from its Sunni neighbors and the global center of Shia Islam. The clerical class—the ulama—gained enormous power.

This is the birth of modern Iranian religious identity.

Fast forward to the 20th century. From 1925 to 1979, Iran was ruled by the Pahlavi Shahs—particularly Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. The Shah was pro-Western, secular, and aggressively modernizing Iran.

He promoted Western dress, reduced clerical power, aligned with the U.S. and UK, and sidelined mosques and religious leaders.

But here's what he didn't understand: religion didn't disappear. It went underground. And it was building pressure.

Then came 1979.

The Iranian Revolution, led by Ruhollah Khomeini, ousted the Shah, abolished the monarchy, and established an Islamic Republic.

But this wasn't just a return to traditional Islam. Khomeini introduced a radical innovation called Velayat-e Faqih—"Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist"—which meant that clerics would rule directly.

Friends, this was unprecedented in Islamic history.

And it changed everything.

Islam wasn't just revived—it was systematized, militarized, and globalized.

Let me show you five reasons the 1979 revolution amplified Islam in Iran.

First, religion became the state. Islam now controlled law, courts, education, the military, and all media. Every aspect of Iranian life was Islamized.

Second, martyrdom theology became political. The story of Karbala—the martyrdom of Husayn—was transformed into modern politics. Death for the cause was glorified. This was used extensively during the Iran-Iraq War.

Third, the anti-West narrative unified identity. The U.S. became the "Great Satan." Israel became the "Little Satan." Islam was framed as a resistance ideology against Western imperialism.

Fourth, Shia messianism intensified. Belief in the Hidden Imam—the Mahdi , the 12th Imam, who will return to establish Islamic rule—took on apocalyptic urgency. The regime presents itself as preparing the way for his return.

Fifth, the revolution was exported. Iran created and funded Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shia militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza. Proxy warfare was justified religiously. Iran became the ideological engine of modern Shia Islam with global reach.

Friends, this is the regime that rules Iran today—theocratic, apocalyptic, committed to exporting revolution and destroying Israel, and right now, they seem bent on destroying their own people.

But here's what the regime doesn't want you to know: despite brutal persecution, the Church in Iran is exploding.

According to multiple mission organizations and persecution watchdog groups, more Iranians have come to Christ in the last 40 years than in the previous 1,400 years combined.

In 1979, there were estimated to be fewer than 500 Iranian Christian converts. Today, estimates range from 500,000 to over 1 million Persian-speaking Christians—mostly meeting in underground house churches.

Friends, this is one of the fastest-growing movements of Christianity in the world.

Why is this happening?

First, disillusionment with Islam. Forty-five years of Islamic rule has driven many Iranians—especially young people—to question Islam itself. They've seen what an Islamic state looks like, and they want nothing to do with it. 

Second, dreams and visions. Countless testimonies report Iranians encountering Jesus in dreams before they ever meet a Christian or read a Bible.

Third, access to satellite TV and the internet. Despite government censorship, Iranians are accessing Christian teaching, testimonies, and Scripture online.

Fourth, the witness of house churches. Despite arrests, torture, and imprisonment, Iranian Christians are boldly sharing the gospel.

And fifth—and most importantly—God is keeping His promise. Jeremiah 49:39 says, "In the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam." That's not just political restoration—it's spiritual restoration.

But the cost is high. Christians in Iran face harassment, arrest, imprisonment, torture, and execution. Churches are raided. Bibles are confiscated. Pastors are imprisoned for years.

The regime views conversion from Islam as apostasy—punishable by death.

And yet, the Church grows.

Now let me give you three lessons and then a prayer guide.

First: God's promise to restore Elam is being fulfilled before our eyes.

This isn't speculation. This is measurable reality. The spiritual awakening happening in Iran is unprecedented in its history.

Isaiah 60:3 says, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

That's happening in Iran right now.

Second: The enemy's greatest weapon—persecution—is fueling the Church's growth.

Tertullian, one of the early Church Fathers, famously said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

That's true in Iran today. Every arrest, every imprisonment, every execution only strengthens the resolve of believers and draws more Iranians to Christ.

Third: We have a responsibility to pray for Iran.

The early Church Fathers understood that nations are battlegrounds in the unseen realm. Daniel 10 reveals spiritual powers assigned to nations—including Persia.

Our prayers matter. Spiritual warfare is real. And God calls us to intercede.

So let me give you a biblical prayer guide for Iran—one that's rooted in Scripture and consistent with how the early Church prayed.

First, acknowledge God's sovereignty over nations. Daniel 2:21 says God "changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others." 

Second, pray Daniel 10 prayers—restraining spiritual powers. Daniel 10:12-13 reveals the "prince of Persia" resisting God's purposes.

Third, pray for the Church in Iran. Acts 2:9 reminds us that Elamites were at Pentecost. 

Fourth, pray Jeremiah 49—restoration after judgment. God promised to restore Elam in the latter days.

Fifth, pray for Israel. Genesis 12:3 says God will bless those who bless Israel. 

Finally, close with Christ-centered hope. Revelation 1:17-18 says Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades.

Let me pray using these ideas: 

Thank you for joining me for this three-part series on Iran. We've seen God's promise to Elam, how He prepared Persian hearts for the Messiah, and how He's keeping His promise today despite Islamic oppression.

Friends, Iran is not forgotten by God. The restoration of Elam is underway. And the Church—purchased by Christ's blood—is unstoppable.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, pray for the persecuted Church in Iran, and remember—God keeps His promises. Elam is being restored.

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Zoroastrianism and the Magi: How Persia Was Prepared for the Messiah

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. This is part two of our series on Iran, ancient Persia, and God's prophetic plan for this remarkable nation.

In our last episode, we looked at the biblical promises made to Elam—the explicit promise in Jeremiah that God would restore this nation in the latter days.

Today, I want to explore something just as fascinating: how God sovereignly used an ancient Persian religion to prepare the hearts of an entire people to recognize the Messiah.

We're going to talk about Zoroastrianism, the Magi, and why Persian priest-scholars traveled hundreds of miles to worship a Jewish baby in Bethlehem.

And friends, when you understand this story, you'll see the fingerprints of God all over Persian history.

Let me start with the religion that shaped ancient Persia for over a thousand years.

Zoroastrianism was founded by a prophet named Zoroaster—also called Zarathustra—somewhere between 1500 and 1000 BC in ancient Persia.

Now, this is important: Zoroastrianism was one of the world's oldest monotheistic faiths. At a time when most of the ancient world was polytheistic—worshiping many gods—the Persians worshiped one supreme God.

They called Him Ahura Mazda, which means "the Wise Lord."

And their core beliefs were remarkably ethical:

• One supreme God
• A cosmic moral struggle between truth and falsehood
• Human free will and responsibility
• An ethical triad: good thoughts, good words, good deeds

But here's where it gets really interesting. Zoroastrianism contained clear messianic expectations.

They believed in a coming savior called the Saoshyant. According to their sacred texts, the Saoshyant would be born of a virgin, bring final judgment, defeat evil completely, initiate the resurrection of the dead, and establish eternal righteousness.

Friends, this makes Zoroastrianism one of the earliest religions with a fully developed end-times theology—an eschatology.

Now, some scholars argue that these ideas influenced Judaism during the Babylonian exile. Others argue the opposite—that Jewish prophetic revelation influenced Zoroastrianism. I think the truth is that God was sovereignly preparing both peoples for the coming of His Son.

But here's what we know for certain: when Jesus was born, there were Persian scholars who were already watching for a savior. They were already expecting a cosmic king. They were already looking at the stars for signs.

Which brings us to the Magi.

Who were the Magi?

The Magi were most likely Zoroastrian priest-scholars from Persia or Media. They were interpreters of sacred texts, astronomers, dream interpreters, royal advisors, and guardians of prophetic traditions.

The Greek word magoi—which is where we get our word "magic"—appears throughout the ancient world to describe these Persian priestly sages.

And Matthew chapter 2 records their extraordinary journey:

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'"

Think about how remarkable this is. These were Gentile theologians—not Jews. They came from the East—Persia. They followed a celestial sign. They sought a newborn king. And they didn't just honor Him—they worshiped Him.

So here's the question: Why would Zoroastrian priests recognize the Jewish Messiah?

Let me give you several powerful connections.

First, there was direct Jewish-Persian interaction. During the Babylonian exile, Jews lived under Persian rule, specifically Daniel. Later, Cyrus the Great—remember him from our last episode—allowed the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

Zoroastrian priests would have had access to Hebrew prophecies. They would have known about Daniel's writings—Daniel served in the Persian court! They would have been exposed to messianic timelines.

Second, there were shared theological themes. Look at this comparison:

Zoroastrianism taught one supreme God—Christianity teaches one true God. Zoroastrianism taught a cosmic war of good versus evil—Christianity and the Bible is full of references to spiritual warfare between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness. Zoroastrianism expected a coming savior, the Saoshyant—Christianity proclaims the Messiah, Christ. Both taught resurrection. Both taught final judgment.

The Magi may have seen Jesus as the fulfillment of both their traditions and Jewish prophecy.

Third, there was the star itself. Zoroastrians were highly trained in astronomical observation. The Star of Bethlehem may have been a rare planetary conjunction, a nova or supernova, or a prophetic astronomical marker tied to Numbers 24:17: "A star shall come out of Jacob."

The Magi likely interpreted this sign theologically, not superstitiously. They understood it pointed to the birth of a king.

Now, look at the gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

These were not random. Gold represents kingship. Frankincense represents divinity and priesthood. Myrrh represents death and sacrifice.

Friends, this reflects deep doctrinal understanding, not mere homage. These men understood who Jesus was—King, God, and Savior who would die for His people.

Now, let me show you what the early Church Fathers taught about the Magi.

The Church Fathers—those leaders who lived in the 2nd through 5th centuries—spoke often about the Magi. And they understood something profound: God used the Magi's own traditions to lead them to Christ.

Justin Martyr, writing around AD 150, identified the Magi as Persian priest-sages. He emphasized that Gentiles first recognized Christ, seeing their journey as fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1-2 and 6 which says: “Arise, shine, for your light has come…nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn…bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord”  and Psalm 72:1 and 9-11: “Endow the King with Your justice, O God, the royal Son with Your righteousness…May the desert tribes bow before Him… May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to Him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present Him gifts. May all kings bow down to Him and all nations serve Him.” 

Clement of Alexandria explicitly affirmed that Persian philosophy, like Zoroastrianism, was a preparatory tool God used to lead Gentiles to Christ. Philosophy, he said, was a "schoolmaster" for the Gentiles—just as the Law was for the Jews.

John Chrysostom argued that the star was not a normal celestial body—it moved, appeared, disappeared miraculously. God chose to meet the Magi where they were, then led them beyond astrology. The star was a bridge.

Tertullian emphasized the irony: Christ was first acknowledged by strangers. Foreign kings worshiped Him while Jerusalem was disturbed and Herod resisted.

And Irenaeus gave the classic interpretation of the gifts—gold for a king, frankincense for God, myrrh for death and burial. This became orthodox teaching.

Augustine summarized it beautifully: the Magi were the firstfruits of the Gentiles. Their worship proved Christ is King of all nations. Pagan wisdom bowed to divine revelation.

Now, let me be clear about what the Church Fathers did NOT teach. They did not teach that Zoroastrianism was a teaching that would lead to salvation…only Christianity can do that. They did not teach that astrology was valid. They did not teach that Christ was merely another Saoshyant-type figure.

They taught that God sovereignly used partial truth, that Christ fulfilled and corrected it, and that revelation always supersedes philosophy.

Let me give you three key lessons from this.

First: God sovereignly prepares nations for the gospel.

God was at work in Persia for centuries before Christ was born. He raised up a religion that taught monotheism, resurrection, final judgment, and a coming savior—preparing Persian hearts to recognize the true Messiah when He appeared.

Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen... so that people are without excuse."

God left witness in every nation. And in Persia, that witness was profound.

Second: The Magi represent the firstfruits of Gentile worship.

Matthew's account is not just a nice Christmas story. It's a theological statement. Before Israel fully recognizes Jesus, Gentiles from the East worship Him.

Isaiah 60:3 prophesied: "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

The Magi fulfilled that prophecy. They proved that Christ came for all nations—Jew and Gentile alike.

Third: What Zoroastrianism foresaw dimly, Christ embodied fully.

Zoroastrianism expected a savior. But Christ is not merely a savior—He is God incarnate. He doesn't just defeat evil—He atones for sin. He doesn't just bring judgment—He offers grace.

Christ fulfilled and surpassed everything Zoroastrianism anticipated.

Let me pray…

Thank you for joining me today. The story of the Magi is not just about wise men following a star. It's about how God sovereignly prepared an entire nation—Persia—to recognize His Son.

What Israel awaited, Persia discerned. What astrology sought, Scripture fulfilled. What the Magi followed, they ultimately worshiped.

In our next episode, we'll explore the Islamic takeover of Iran, the current oppressive regime, and the incredible growth of the Church in Iran today—and how you can pray for this nation that God has not forgotten.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, remember that God prepares hearts across cultures, and never forget—all peoples are precious in God’s sight.

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