PCG: How Iran Is Fulfilling Bible Prophecy
PCG booklet focused on Iran
PCG posted the following from its April 2023 edition of its Philadelphia Trumpet magazine by its leader, Gerald Flurry:
How Iran Is Fulfilling Bible Prophecy
Thirty years later, a key Trumpet forecast holds true.
Watch Iran! Bible prophecy is alive in this aggressive nation, and what it is planning will affect the whole world! Since the early 1990s, the Trumpet has identified radical Islam, led by Iran, as “the king of the south” described in Bible prophecy. …
We have said for more than 30 years that Iran will lead the king of the south, and it will rise up to do so very soon. … Now Iran is coming back into the spotlight. It has assisted in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
No, “a key Trumpet forecast” does not hold “true.”
Iran is not the prophesied King of the South.
Notice something else that PCG posted about Iran in the past:
July 28, 2021
Outgoing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on July 22 the opening of the Goreh-Jask oil pipeline’s export terminal. Iran exports most of its oil from the terminal at Kharg Island, deep in the Persian Gulf. But the Goreh-Jask terminal sits on the Gulf of Oman. This means it bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean. …
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq—export their oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Five of the 10 largest oil-exporting nations sit on the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy also depends on the strait to access its various Persian Gulf naval bases. It is one of the most critical choke points in the world.
This is what makes the Goreh-Jask pipeline so concerning. …
The pipeline’s inauguration will likely be Rouhani’s last major accomplishment before leaving office, exposing him as being no moderate. The Goreh-Jask pipeline could be Rouhani’s parting shot at the West.
The Bible prophesies that Iran will get such control over world trade.
A prophecy in the book of Daniel reads: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. … He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (verses 40, 42-43). …
Who, then, is the king of the south?
From Daniel 11, we know it is a major power located south of Europe; it has a pushy, provocative foreign policy. The references to Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia show that it has influence all over the Middle East and Africa.
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry identifies the king of the south as a radical Islamist power bloc, led by Iran, https://www.thetrumpet.com/24367-rouhanis-parting-gift-a-key-to-lock-the-strait-of-hormuz
No, the Bible nowhere “prophesies that Iran will get such control over world trade.” And most certainly that is not discussed in Daniel 11–the only scriptures the above article cited for this.
PCG (a group officially calling itself the Philadelphia Church of God) frequently implies that its leader, Gerald Flurry, has had prophetic insight based on his interpretation of Daniel 11:40.
But Gerald Flurry’s interpretation of Daniel 11:40 is wrong. Iran is not the prophesied King of the South.
Not only that, but I who disagree with him on Daniel 11:40 also pointed to the Iran nuclear deal failing years ago.
As far as Iran goes, notice something posted here in 2016:
Iran itself would like to knock out the USA whenever it can and it believes that mystical powers will one day allow it to do that.
We in the Continuing Church of God do not believe that Iran will be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. And it may be that provoking some type of conflict with Israel (through an attack or through simply possessing nuclear bombs) may result in Israel hitting Iran hard enough militarily to greatly reduce Iran’s influence in the Islamic world. Since no later than May of 2010, I have been writing that since Iran cannot be the final King of the South that it may be neutralized (see Iran Slams Russia).
Iran could be neutralized because of internal unrest or perhaps a region conflict involving Israel.
Expect Iran to overplay its hand and believe it is more powerful than it really is. Israel, and perhaps even the USA, apparently will be negatively affected by Iran. But I should also point out that the Bible shows that Iran will not end up faring well. Notice the following prophecy which indicates at least part of its destruction before the latter days:
34 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, 35 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam,
The foremost of their might.
36 Against Elam I will bring the four winds
From the four quarters of heaven,
And scatter them toward all those winds;
There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go.
37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies
And before those who seek their life.
I will bring disaster upon them,
My fierce anger,’ says the Lord;
‘And I will send the sword after them
Until I have consumed them.
38 I will set My throne in Elam,
And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the Lord. (Jeremiah 49:34-38)So, what’s next for Iran?
It will complain and try to work around the nuclear agreement until it violates it so much that the USA will decide it has to take further steps (beyond those it has recently taken).
Iran will attempt to improve aspects of its economy and its military so that it can try to persuade the Islamic world to follow it. It may well have a military attack against Israel (Isaiah 22:1-11) and others.
But Iran will not do well and will not be the power that leads the Islamic nations in the Middle East and North Africa–that will be an Arabic power (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8). Arabic powers that also have concerns about Iran and have taken steps of their own (e.g. World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South?). (Thiel B. AP: Nuclear deal puts US between Iran and a hard place. COGwriter, April 10, 2016)
Anyway, Iran is NOT the prophesied King of the South. This is something from the imagination of PCG’s leader Gerald Flurry. His view is not from the Bible.
Notice the regions that are associated with the King of the South in Daniel 11:
40 “In the end times the southern king will attack him. The northern king will rush at him like a storm with chariots, horses, and many ships. He will invade countries, overwhelm them, and pass through their land. 41 He will invade the beautiful land, and tens of thousands will be defeated. But Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites will escape from his power. 42 He will use his power against many countries. Even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will control gold and silver treasures and all Egypt’s treasuries. Libya and Sudan will surrender to him. (Daniel 11:40-43, GWT)
The above peoples are basically Turks, Arabs, and Africans. I should probably add here that the Iranians are Persian, and not Arabs. They primarily speak Farsi, which is not an Arabic language. While the Iranians tend to be strict Muslims (though even that seems to be changing among many there), they are NOT Arabs nor Turks nor African ethnically.
In his The King of the South booklet, Gerald Flurry wrote:
Daniel 11:40 tells us the king of the south will “push” at the king of the north. When does this push occur? It must happen after the book of Daniel was revealed in this end time. Daniel 12:9 tells us the time of the end began when Daniel was revealed. So the king of the south must arise after Daniel was revealed to God’s end-time Church—to Herbert W. Armstrong. However, many of the specifics of Daniel’s book have been revealed to the Philadelphia Church of God today…
“Thus,” Mr. Armstrong wrote, “was the prophecy of verse 4 fulfilled to the letter.” He continued: “Now notice what follows. From here the prophecy foretells the activities only of two of these four divisions, Egypt, [anciently] called ‘king of the south,’ because it is south of Jerusalem; and the Syrian kingdom, [anciently] the king of the north, just north of Judaea.”…
Daniel 11:42 implies that Egypt will be allied with the king of the south, or Iran…
The king of the south, or Iran, is going to “push at him”—that is, the king of the north (the European Union)…
The king of the south is about state-sponsored terrorism. That is how Iran became king! Daniel 11:40-43 is an end-time prophecy. It is about a nation that is always pushy in its foreign policy. It pushes until it starts a war. Having such power means that it must be a large oil-producing country. This king is close to Jerusalem, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya.
Who else could it be in this end time but Iran?
Iran is extremely radical and the king over radical Islam” (Flurry, G. The King of the South. PCG Booklet).
Since Gerald Flurry mentioned that information related to the King of the South was revealed to the late Herbert W. Armstrong by God, one would think that Herbert Armstrong taught Iran was the King of the South.
Yet, Herbert Armstrong never did.
To try to explain that, in that article titled How Iran Is Fulfilling Bible Prophecy in its April 2023 edition of its Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, Gerald Flurry wrote:
Herbert W. Armstrong recognized something that most people ignore: The Bible is filled with prophecy. …
He also correctly taught that Bible prophecy revolves around the city of Jerusalem and the Middle East region, and that the Arabs are among the descendants of Ishmael, whom God prophesied would be a “wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s against him …” (Genesis 16:12). This perfectly describes the present and the past history of the Arab peoples and their interactions with other peoples and nations.
Knowing that 90 percent of Bible prophecy is for what the Bible calls the “latter days” or the “time of the end,” Mr. Armstrong also looked for the identity of the king of the south in Daniel 11:40.
Mr. Armstrong knew this was an end-time prophecy. He thought it occurred during World War ii and that World War iii would occur during his lifetime. What he did not and could not see is that several prophecies, including the war between the king of the south pushing at the king of the north, could not be fulfilled or even understood until after his death in 1986.
Only God can reveal the meaning of Bible prophecy. He did so through Mr. Armstrong with many prophecies that other churches never taught correctly or at all. But He waited until after Mr. Armstrong was gone to make clear the timing of the king of the south prophecy. He did so through the work that kept alive the same message of prophecy that Mr. Armstrong had taught. This was not just Herbert W. Armstrong’s interpretation of prophecy: This is God’s interpretation of prophecy, which He reveals to His servants.
I established the Trumpet in 1990 to continue publishing God’s prophecies. In its fifth issue, I drew attention to Daniel 11:40 in “King of the South—Is He Now on the World Scene?” “Herbert W. Armstrong prophesied for decades that we should focus on the Middle East,” I wrote. “That is where the world order would begin to unravel—triggering World War iii!”
Mr. Armstrong taught from the Bible “an outline of prophecy that has been fulfilled precisely. However, his understanding of the king of the south was incomplete. Partly because he couldn’t see what we see today, Mr. Armstrong erred about when this king would appear on the world scene. …
“Egypt was the king of the south in past history. But who is this mysterious man and nation today? This king is a key player in the book of Daniel—and at the very end time.” …
In the July 1992 Trumpet, I returned to this subject. The Islamic Republic of Iran had reportedly obtained or tried to obtain nuclear weapons from Kazakhstan, another Islamic nation. I wrote: “Much of the world is unaware of what a powerful and dangerous force the Islamic camp is becoming.
“The king of the south could rule Iraq or Iran or both countries. But it is looking more now like Iran may produce this king.”
While Gerald Flurry knows that Herbert Armstrong never indicated that Iran would be the King of the South, Gerald Flurry thought it could be Iraq, but then settled on Iran.
Under his leadership in the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG), notice Herbert W. Armstrong taught that the King of the South would be an Arab-Moslem confederation:
But who is the ‘king of the south’?…in verse 40 we skip to ‘the time of the end’…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final ‘king of the north’…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final ‘king of the south’–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation…Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, the European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…the ‘king of the north’ will ultimately turn against the Arab ‘king of the south’…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion (The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth. December, 1979).
Bible prophecy reveals the coming emergence of an Arab-Moslem confederation in the Middle East. It is referred to in prophecy as “the king of the south” (Dan. 11:40). This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events. (Seeing the World Through Islamic Eyes. Plain Truth, June 1983, p.44).
The king of the South? EGYPT, of course. But not Egypt of today. Egypt of a few more years from now–Egypt as she continues to expand the U.A.R., bringing more and more of the North Africa Mohammedan nations into the same Afro-Arabian power block! (“And when you see the Abomination…” Plain Truth, July, 1963, p. 22).
So under Herbert W. Armstrong, the old WCG taught that the King of the South would be a Arab-Muslim confederation based south of Jerusalem. This is not a reference to Iran as it is basically east of Jerusalem.
Here is what the old WCG taught about Iran prophetically:
Iran will eventually become linked with the Soviet Union. This is not to say that Iran … will be incorporated into the Soviet Union … Rather, there will generally be only political linkage in the form of alliances or vassal states dominated by Moscow” (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, reprint 1980, p. 11).
While the old Soviet Union is no more, Iran is in the process of aligning, at least to a degree, with the Eurasian Union (see Iran praises Eurasian Economic Union, Serbia enters its deal with the EAEU, and China’s connection: Is the time of the Gentiles approaching?), which is essentially made up of several nations that were once part of the old Soviet Union. Iran is also involved with Russia, consistent with what the old WCG taught.
Prophecies, such as those in Ezekiel 30, Isaiah 19, and Isaiah 31 seemingly point to an Arabic Egyptian leader as the King of the South.
Also, notice that the old Worldwide/Radio Church of God essentially taught that the group in Psalm 83:5-7 and Daniel 11:40-43 were the same group:
But who is the “king of the south”?…in verse 40 we skip to “the time of the end”…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final “king of the north”…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final “king of the south”–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation, possibly bearing the very title Mahdi…a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south]…Daniel 11:40-41…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 11-12).
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan] and the Hagarenes [anciently these people dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinian Arabs] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979).
Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)
PCG improperly claims:
The PCG is the only Church that holds onto ALL of what Christ established through Mr. Armstrong (Flurry, Gerald and Leap, Dennis. Ezra and Nehemiah: Building God’s Temple. Booklet. 1997. p.29).
That is not true.
Furthermore unlike the church Herbert W. Armstrong was Pastor General of, PCG has Iran leading Daniel 11:40-43, but in opposition to the group of Psalm 83:5-7.
Notice also a quote published by the old Radio Church of God (the group that later changed its name to be the Worldwide Church of God) in the July 1963 Plain Truth article by Garner Ted Armstrong titled “And when you see the Abomination…” which states that the King of the South will be Egypt:
Daniel was given specific visions of events to occur in OUR TIME!…Notice! And at the TIME OF THE END (this prophecy, then, is absolutely DATED as pertaining to OUR DAY, NOW) shall the king of the south push at him (the “king of the north”) and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over” (verse 40). Bible scholars have recognized the FIRST, TYPICAL fulfillment of this surprising prophecy, but have failed to see its LITERAL application to OUR TIMES!…
But what of the MODERN powers meant by these designations? Remember-the Bible is written, SPIRITUALLY and GEOGRAPHICALLY, from the point of view of PALESTINE! If you were to look on a map, and try to find two powers fitting this description, you would have a fairly easy task…Who else could this be, then, except the coming UNITED STATES OF EUROPE, a resurrection of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE, Just as we have been fearlessly proclaiming…A rearmed GERMANY, heading up a final union…IN EUROPE -THIS is the Biblical KING OF THE NORTH!
The king of the South? EGYPT, of course. But not Egypt of today. Egypt of a few more years from now–Egypt as she continues to expand the U.A.R., bringing more and more of the North Africa Mohammedan nations into the same Afro-Arabian power block! (p. 22).
The old Radio/Worldwide Church of God pointed to an Arabic/Egyptian/African leader as the King of the South.
Herbert Armstrong once said something to the effect that the WCG evangelist Raymond McNair was the most loyal person on doctrine. Hence he probably understood Herbert Armstrong’s King of the South position, so here is something that Raymond McNair wrote:
Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt), Libya, Edom, Moab and Ammon. Many descendants of the ancient peoples known as Edomites or Idumeans now live in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Yemen, the Persian Gulf states, etc. (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).
We see that Raymond McNair understood that Egypt or some other Muslim country (without listing Iran) is where the king of the South will come from.
Wherever PCG’s Gerald Flurry got the idea of Iran as the King of the South from, it was not from the Bible, the old Radio Church of God, the old Worldwide Church of God, or the late Herbert W. Armstrong.
Irrespective of what Iran might attempt to do, it is NOT prophesied to have major control over the world’s oil trade.
What Gerald Flurry asserts has been proven true 30 years later is not the case.
Anyway, those who want to understand more about the coming King of the South should read the article titled Is there a Future King of the South?
As far as Iran and prophecy goes, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
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.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
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 are also two related videos: Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18?
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
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.
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
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