Iran & Syria & Israel: PCG, WCG, CGG, UCG, CEG, COGaIC, LCG, RCG, ICG, CGI, and CCOG
Flag of Iran (note that the central line represents a sword)
Iran, Syria, and Israel continue to take military steps:
Israel-Iran tensions: Is Syria the new battlefield?
24 April 2024
Israel has actually been attacking sites in Syria for over a decade. In 2012, the Iranian government became involved in the Syrian civil war, helping to defeat opposition forces. In return, Syria has been useful to Iran, offering a land corridor to transport equipment and fighters towards Lebanon.
Hezbollah, the most powerful of the various military proxies that Iran supports around the region, is based in Lebanon and is also present in Syria. Both Iran and Hezbollah consider Israel and the US enemies.
Iran’s growing presence in Syria has concerned the Israeli military. They’re worried about the build-up of Iranian troops and infrastructure nearer their own borders. This is why Israel has regularly targeted Syrian infrastructure.
“Israel’s primary interest in Syria is to prevent a strategic Iranian military presence across Syria, including Iranian construction of military infrastructure and cultivation of local partner forces,” think tank International Crisis Group explains in its online monitoring of the conflict.
“Israel has carried out more than 100 strikes on convoys and warehouses serving Hezbollah’s Syrian supply lines.” …
“The conventional wisdom in policy circles is that attacks in Syria are low cost,” says Dareen Khalifa, a senior advisor at International Crisis Group, referring to the fact that Syria tends not to react to such attacks.
“So in that sense, I think we are going to continue to see Syria being a launchpad for attacks from Iranian-backed proxies in the country; it’s also going to continue to be a rear base for them. And as such Israel is going to continue its attacks on Iranian assets in Syria,” she concludes.
However just because it’s happening in Syria doesn’t mean it can’t lead to further regional escalation, Khalifa warns.
“What we’ve been seeing is an incremental escalation regionally. Every actor has quantitatively and qualitatively escalated their tit-for-tat attacks. But thinking these [attacks] are low cost, doesn’t mean other parties are going to see it the same way,” she explains. https://www.dw.com/en/israel-iran-tensions-is-syria-the-new-battlefield/a-68902209
April 23 (Reuters) – An Israeli attack on Iranian territory could radically change dynamics and result in there being nothing left of the “Zionist regime”, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the official IRNA news agency. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-annihilate-israel-should-it-launch-major-attack-2024-04-23/
Where may all this lead?
Well, most Church of God claimed groups realize that Isaiah 17 teaches the following:
1 The burden against Damascus.
“Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city,
And it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)
Yes, Damascus, the capital of Syria, is prophesied to one day be destroyed.
But what about Iran and Israel?
While I posted views of various COGs about Iran in prophecy last week, the hosting company for this site lost that, along with many news posts.
So, at risk of partial (several new items have been added) repeat, let’s look at views from various Church of God groups about Iran and prophecy.
Gerald Flurry’s improper named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) clearly and repeatedly teaches that Iran will be the King of the South:
Here is what I wrote in the Trumpet magazine, July 1993—nearly 18 years ago: “So when does the king of the south ‘push’ at the king of the north? It must happen after the book of Daniel was revealed to Herbert W. Armstrong in this end time. Daniel 12:9 tells us the time of the end begins when Daniel was revealed. [The book can only be understood in this end time (Daniel 12:4, 9).] So the king of the south must arise after Daniel was revealed to God’s end-time Church—specifically to Herbert W. Armstrong. These verses point to a king of the south that is yet future. And I believe all indications point to radical Islam, headed by Iran, as this king.”
How could I have known so long ago that Iran would be the king of the south and clash with the Holy Roman Empire? Because of what was happening in Iran and the Middle East, coupled with Bible prophecy…
So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south. (Flurry G. Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy. Philadelphia Trumpet, April 2011)
How could Gerald Flurry know a falsehood about Iran being the final King of the South?
Well, since Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem, it was not from geography or the Bible. Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South. Furthermore, while Gerald Flurry partially claims to get this from the late Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA), neither HWA nor his church taught that about Iran (see Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?). Actually, HWA referred to Syria which is essentially equal latitude to modern Iran as associated with earlier kings of the north:
Now, the king of the South will be king south of Jerusalem and the king of the North is the one north of Jerusalem or Syria which was at that time possessing Jerusalem. (Armstrong HW. United States and Britain in Prophecy. Radio Broadcast, May 30, 1979)
Iran is NOT the prophesied King of the South!
The Bible shows that God will allow someone, like an Iranian-Syrian confederation, to strike the nation of Israel:
1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.
What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”
5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots,And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning,For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 22:1-14 NKJV)
Elam seems to be a reference to at least some in Iran. The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:
Iranians comprise nearly 70 percent of the country. Iranians, though Islamic, are totally distinct from the neighboring Arab peoples of the Middle East. They are a mixed people of the remnants of Media and Elam and other ancestors of Semitic and Hamitic stock. (Stump K. South Asia in Prophecy. Plain Truth, July/August 1986, p. 5)
Kir is of interest as it has several possibilities. One is that the Bible tells that after Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took over Damascus, he moved Syrians to Kir. While this does not mean that Kir must (or must only) be a reference to Syria, the fact that Syria is an ally of Iran is interesting. Some believe Kir is an area in the south of Iran, while others suggest closer to the Black Sea. God’s word has the expression “the Syrians from Kir” (Amos 9:7), which is basically confirmation that Kir of Isaiah 22 would include Syrians. The Bible also tells of a time when Kir will be destroyed (Isaiah 15:1b) and also says that Syria’s capital Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). The “House of the Forest” was anciently located in Lebanon (e.g. 1 Kings 7:2, 10:17,21; 2 Chronicles 9:16,20)–see also A Discourse on the House of the Forest of Lebanon, pp: 111-134 in Bunyan J. Stebbing H. The Entire Works of John Bunyan, Volume 4. Virtue and Company, 1860.
In Isaiah 22: 8, “Judah” is a reference to those in the land commonly called Israel–God will allow Israel to be attacked! In Isaiah 22:9, consider that “the damage to the city of David” is a reference to at least part of Jerusalem–and notice that the damage will be great.
The point I wish to make is that Isaiah 22 shows, presuming that it has a future application which is seems to, that a time is coming when God will take away the protection of Judah and the City of David (Jerusalem, cf. 2 Kings 9:28).
CGG has posted the following:
The first half of Isaiah 22 (verses 1-14) contains a prophecy against Jerusalem. The prophet foretells the captivity of his countrymen due to their unfaithfulness to God and the covenant they made with Him. Even though God had “called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with sackcloth” (verse 12), the unconcerned Jews carried on with “joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: [saying] ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (verse 13). (Grabbe D. The ‘Open Door’ of Philadelphia. Forerunner, “Prophecy Watch,” November 12, 2018)
Yes, this prophecy shows damage happening to Jerusalem. Yet, CGG does not tie Iran in with this prophecy in the above article nor any other items in an internet search done on April 23, 2024.
Let’s look at something from the United Church of God and Isaiah 22:
Isaiah 22:6 shows the involvement of Elam. This would seem to indicate Elam attacking but perhaps not. It says Elam “bore the quiver,” which could indicate that it is serving another army, perhaps even by compulsion, which would make sense if this applied to the ancient Assyrian army, which likely had Elamites and other peoples pressed into involuntary service (the Elamite nation as a whole was supportive of Babylon against Assyrian rule). Again, however, it is conceivable that the reference is dual, applying also to the end time. As modern Elam is found in Eastern Europe, Iran and India, perhaps weapons from these areas will be utilized by the end-time Assyrian army in its initial assault on the modern nations of Israel. A “quiver” in a modern context might represent a store of missiles. (Bible Commentary Isaiah 22 Posted on Apr 5, 2003 https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-commentary/bible-commentary-isaiah-22)
The above commentary makes no statement related to Syria. And it mainly seems to suggest that maybe Iran is holding weapons, not that Iran may directly attack Israel. It points to Assyria (modern Germanic peoples) attacking.
The Church of the Eternal God (CEG) has the following:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible equates Elam with Persia. … The city of Sushan or Susa was one of the capitols of the Elamite or Persian empire …
Isaiah 22:6 prophesies, in the context of the future enslavement of the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem (compare verses 1-4):
“Elam [Iran] bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.”
The timing is again the day of the Lord or “in that day” (verses 8, 12), when God has “removed the protection of Judah” (verse 8), since they looked to their armor or military, rather than to God (verses 8, 11). We note, from Ezekiel 27:10, that at one time, “Those from Persia, Lydia and Libya Were in [mystical “Tyre’s” or modern Babylon’s] army as men of war.” So it appears that at least some modern Iranians will participate, perhaps as mercenaries, in the military attack of modern Babylon against the state of Israel.
Focusing on other passages in the Bible, we are told that apparently sometime after that attack, the relationship between modern Babylon and Iran will deteriorate, and Elam or Iran will form an alliance with the Medes or Russia against “Babylon.” (What does the Bible say about Iran’s future? June 3, 2011. https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-10313/)
The above post makes no statement related to Syria, although it does mention Kir. It has some similarity to the UCG commentary in that it suggests that Iran is not the main player in the attack, but it points to Iranian mercenaries possibly being involved.
Unlike the Continuing Church of God, neither UCG, CGG, nor CEG looks to have thought that Iran, with allies like Syria, would directly cause great damage to come to Israel. Such damage from Iran and its allies could come soon in 2024.
Although Church of God, an International Community in one place mentioned Isaiah (not chapter 22) and Iran in an article (Hulme D. The God of All Comfort. Vision, Fall 2018) it was not in a prophetic sense. It’s David Hulme also interviewed an Israeli about Iran, but no prophetic position was taken (Hulme D. Breaking the Middle East Impasse. Vision, Winter 2019).
As far as COGWA goes, the only reference to Isaiah 22:1-14 it seems to have is the following:
Isaiah 22:9-11 tells us: “You also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great; and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall. You also made a reservoir between the two walls.”
And archaeology verifies these facts: Hezekiah built a reservoir and a tunnel at the only freshwater source for Jerusalem, the Gihon Spring. He also built a second wall to protect this source. And he tore down houses that were in the way and in one place actually built the wall through a house. The spring and reservoir were located “between the two walls.” (Franks J. Archaeology and the Bible. Discern Magazine , January-February 2015)
So, COGWA appears to believe that Isaiah 22:9-11 has already been fulfilled.
Yet, it looks still be prophetic.
As long-time readers of this COGwriter Church of God News page are aware, for over a decade I have warned, based on Isaiah 22:6-9, that Iran would attack Israel. What we have recently seen is not that, but looks to be setting the stage up for it.
Related to Iran and prophecy, LCG published the following:
As many of you readers know, some self-appointed prophets have made wild pronouncements about Iran’s role in end-time prophecy, even labeling it the “King of the South” despite its location north of Jerusalem. Many mistakenly lump Iran in with the Arab countries to its south, and as a result fail to recognize important details about this mysterious nation. …
What will happen between Iran and Israel? From the word of God, we can be sure that Iran will not succeed in its desires to destroy the nation of Israel. … The rulers of Iran may wound Israel, with the help of Edomite supporters of Hezbollah. …
Alternatively, we might see the Amalekite influence diminish in Iran in favor of the Persian majority, distancing the nation from the virulent anti-Jewish sentiment so common throughout the Arab world. Remember, in both ancient and modern history, the Persian mindset has been quite different from the Amalekite terrorist mentality. (Amalek, Iran and Prophecy. Living Church News, November-December 2014)
Note that Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem. The above article does not make reference to Isaiah 22 nor tying in Syria, and I have been unable to find a reference online at LCG’s two main websites that attempts to explain Isaiah 22:6-9. Furthermore, despite the attacks on Israel by Iran and Israel’s attacks against Iran, I have found no comment in either LCG’s weekly letter or any of its commentaries this month. Iran is another prophetic area where LCG is lacking.
Nor were any attempts to explain Isaiah 22:6-9 found at RCG’s main website. While RCG has several articles about Iran, the possibly prophetic ones do not have scriptures in them, such as Isaiah 22.
While CGI has also several articles about Iran, the possibly prophetic ones do not have scriptures in them, such as Isaiah 22.
While Mark Armstrong has mentioned Iran, his ICG does not have any references to Isaiah 22 online that I have been able to locate. Here for example, is what was in his latest newsletter:
Israel struck back at Iran, after being warned about the slightest incursion. Where it goes from here, we’ll have to wait and see. News reports say Israel bombed the city of Isfahan, home to a military base and the Natanz nuclear facility. Whether that’s the end of it, we don’t know. Iran’s strike against Israel apparently did little damage and didn’t kill anyone. Not that they didn’t try. It was an onslaught of drones and missiles, and Israel had help intercepting them. Even from Jordan.
If you listen to the rhetoric coming out of Iran, they’ve got a lot of big talk about their capabilities and what they might do. I learned a long time ago that this ilk is prone to a lot of chest-pounding talk and here you see it. Let’s hope that’s all it is. This is the first time in all these years that Iran has attacked Israel, and they better be careful. Not that Israel needs another front, but Iran would be making a big mistake.
While, scripturally, Iran has devastation prophesied (Jeremiah 49:34-39), Israel is subject to getting massive damage to Jerusalem from Iran and its allies per Isaiah 22:6-9.
While CBCG does not seen to reference Isaiah 22:1-14 online, it does point to Iran possibly being involved in the fulfillment of Psalm 83 (see https://www.cbcg.org/prophecy/esau-edom-and-amalek.html)–and I have long believed Iran could have some involvement with that.
In Isaiah 22:1-14, the Bible shows that God will allow something that appears to be an Iranian-Syrian confederation, to strike the nation of Israel.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that some have pointed to Ezekiel 38 as involving Iran, and while it does, it is not related to Iran until after Jesus returns (see also Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?).
Last year, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to Iran and Israel:
Iran and Israel Conflict
European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, has been brokering the nuclear negotiations involving Iran and said that he thinks the deal is “in danger.” Iran blames the United States, whereas the USA says they are not delaying it. Israeli sources stated that Israel will stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Joe Biden says the USA would use its own military power to prevent Iran from getting such a bomb if need be. In 2021, Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill seeking the government by law to commit to Israel’s destruction by the year 2040. Does the 22nd chapter of Isaiah point to damage coming to Israel from Iran and possibly Syria? Might Iran be concerned enough about limited progress with the USA to launch some type of attack? Is Iran the prophesied ‘King of the South’? Is it reasonable to think that the prophesied peace deal of Daniel 9:27 will not happen until after a military conflict. like a regional war? Should Christians watch the Middle East? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Iran and Israel Conflict.
We are in a time of wars and rumors of wars as Jesus foretold (Matthew 24:4-8).
The Bible has “a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).
World events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecies.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or ? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
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