Disclaimer:

I really did not want to write this. However, I don’t know about others who write for Christian publications, but for me, when a message like this crosses my mind, I don’t sleep well, nor am I able to concentrate fully on anything else until I sit down and start writing the words that are constantly scrolling across my mind. This has been going on now for several days, so I’m giving in to this compulsion, however reluctantly. This has not happened to me for a while, as for the past year, I have had another mission in this life. So, I guess the Holy Spirit expected me to take care of those obligations first.

For the past year, I’ve been helping my sister take care of our momma and then our daddy, both of whom passed away last year, and all the details of re-organizing our lives without them. So, my disclaimer is simply this – I in no way intend to create controversy, debate, or conspiracy. So, if any reader feels inclined to refute or debate, know in advance that I will not take the bait.

My only goal here is to share the thoughts and “what if’s” that have been recently occurring to me. And I will also state up front that I voted for Donald Trump. I think he is the best man for the job right now – especially given the alternative – and say that I even like the man. That said, there are some things that he says and does that I would probably say or do differently, and honestly, that is the case with just about everyone I have ever known, liked, and even loved.

We humans don’t usually agree 100% with anyone else 100% of the time regardless of how much we like, love, and respect them. So, please do not misunderstand or misinterpret anything I am about to say regarding our new president and/or his administration or his policies. I do NOT think or even hint for one second, for instance, that he is the anti-Christ. In fact, if you are familiar with how the Bible describes that lawless one to come, Mr. Trump does not even qualify. And only after we are raptured out of this world will that lawless one called the anti-Christ be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:2-12).

Okay, now that I got all that out, I’ll move on with the reason for this article. I think that we humans have an instinct within us to want to know what’s going on. If an ambulance goes down a street in our neighborhood, we go out on the porch to see if we can figure out what’s going on. Some of us are so curious about what’s going on that we will ask inappropriate questions of others even though, most often, the situation does not involve us, affect us, or is none of our business. We just want to “know what’s going on.” Sort of a strange part of our makeup, but true nonetheless.

God knew this about us, too. After all, He created us and knows all of us and all things past, present, and future. So, He so graciously gave us the Bible and all its prophecies so we could know what’s happened before us, what’s happening now, and what will happen in the future.

I have been studying Bible prophecy since about 2007. And, in those past 18 years or so, while I certainly have not become an expert by any stretch of the imagination, I have learned a lot. The Bible as a whole is about 27% prophecy, some of which has already been fulfilled, some yet to come. To paraphrase the “to come” in part, the Bible speaks of a group of nations/kings during the Tribulation dispensation that will equal 10 (Daniel 7:24). So, in other words, the world will be divided into 10 regions or groups if you will. Meaning that each individual nation, as we know them now, will not exist then exactly the same as they do right now.

In my years of study, I have not seen or learned of any indication that the United States of America, as we know it now, will exist during those seven awful years of great Tribulation. That must mean, to me anyway, that our nation, as we know it now, will either not exist at all somehow or will be combined with other current independent nations to form one of these ten “unions” or kingdoms. In years past, while studying Bible prophecy, I have heard prophecy experts describe us combined with possibly Canada and Mexico to form a North American Union.

In Matthew 24, sometimes referred to as the Olivet Discourse, as in other places in the Bible, Jesus Himself tells us what to watch out for in the last days before He returns to this earth so that we can know “what is going on.” Now, some prophecy experts consider Matthew 24 to be signs given to watch for during the Tribulation, before He returns in the Second Coming (the first coming, of course, was when He was born of a virgin as a human, lived a sinless life, died on the Cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead, then descended back into heaven to prepare a place for us – believers, the Bride of Christ – the Church). And some experts consider Matthew 24 to be signs given to watch for just before the Rapture of the Church.

In my opinion, it is both. That’s because I believe the Second Coming of Christ is a 2-phase event. The first phase is when the Father tells His Son, Jesus, to “go get Your Bride.” In that first phase, called the Rapture, He will step out of Heaven onto the clouds and shout with the sound of a trumpet, “Come Up Here,” and all who are dead in Christ (believers who have passed away) will rise first to meet Him in the clouds, then those of us who remain alive and are believers will be changed into our new heavenly bodies and rise to meet Him in the air, to be forever with Him wherever He is, for all eternity (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In the second phase of His Second Coming, at the end of the Tribulation, He will literally and physically touch down on this earth during the battle of Armageddon.

So, in Matthew 24, starting with verse 3, it says that Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, and the disciples came to Him privately, asking him to tell them when He would return and what the signs to watch for would be, so that they could be prepared to know what’s going on and when to expect Him. He tells them that no one knows the day nor the hour except the Father; however, they can know when it’s getting close by paying attention to what’s going on around them to discern the things He says will be happening on that day.

The very first thing Jesus said to watch out for, and mentioned 3 more times in the following verses, was deception! He mentioned it FOUR times! That must mean that it is pretty important and pretty dangerous and pretty telling of where we are in His timeline (Matthew 24:3-44).

Let me also preface my final thought with this: God already knows everything that is going to happen and all the things and people that will implement all the pieces falling into place to arrive at the eternity future that WILL come to pass. That means that all these things will happen, just as He tells us, and there is nothing we can do to stop it, ease it, or change it. All the things He prophesies WILL happen. He so graciously gave us His Word in order that we could also know what’s going on and, therefore, know how close we are to His fulfillment of all He has told us. The prophecies given centuries ago that have been fulfilled already were fulfilled with 100% accuracy 100% of the time. So, we can trust Him to fulfill the coming prophecies the same.

So, having said that, all we can do is to watch what is going on around us and be aware of how close we must be to the end of this age and, with that knowledge, warn others to get ready, if not already, and to pray for discernment lest we be deceived. But we believers are not to fret and worry, as these things will happen (2 Thessalonians 2-12). But for those not saved, there is plenty (eternity) to worry about.

Believers have our blessed hope (Titus 2:13), but if you do not have that, I implore you to NOW make a decision to change your destiny and share in that blessed hope. Romans 10:9-11 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.'”

I believe that some of the terrible things to come, especially during the Tribulation, are now being set up and put into place so that when the Tribulation begins with the revealing of the anti-Christ (I type it this way because I refuse to capitalize his filthy name), he will be ready to go on day one. And I believe that there are good people who will most likely unwittingly implement policies, laws, procedures, etc., that will factor into fulfilling coming prophecies.

Hence, my final thought: when I heard on the news that Donald Trump was thinking about adding Canada, the Panama Canal, and/or Greenland to United States control or actually taking them over as part of our nation, my first thought was, “Wow, I wonder if that is how we will become one of those 10 nation kingdoms mentioned in the last days.”

I had a similar thought when it was announced that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg et al were aligning themselves with this new administration, and I wondered if they would have the influence to implement AI and digital currency, which I believe has to be done in order for the lawless one to come to be able to control every person left behind on the planet during the Tribulation. I don’t mean to indicate that I think these folks have an agenda toward helping the anti-Christ! Nor, honestly, do I think the current administration, wicked as I think they are, has an agenda toward helping the anti-Christ. I do believe they each have their agendas, for sure, but don’t actually realize that what they are doing could lead to that end.

So, there you have it. My thoughts about what is going on. Why does the Holy Spirit seem to want me to share my thoughts? I don’t know for sure, but I had to do it. I hope and pray with all my heart that neither I nor you will be deceived by anything that is going on. And that we will all know and recognize how close we are to the end of this age. So, please, please, again, if you have not yet accepted the pardon that Christ paid for on the cross for YOU, please do so now before it is too late.

Sandy

The prophecy of Elam found in Jeremiah 49:34-39 speaks of a significant event involving a once-powerful nation. While this prophecy may have had a historical fulfillment, its language suggests a future fulfillment, especially when viewed alongside current events. Elam, an ancient region located in southwestern Iran, has been the subject of speculation in light of recent geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and regional instability.

The Prophecy in Jeremiah

The prophecy of Elam, delivered by Jeremiah, is recorded in Jeremiah 49:34-39:

“That which came as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, the finest of their might. I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four ends of heaven, and will scatter them to all these winds; and there will be no nation to which the outcasts of Elam will not go. So I will shatter Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their life; and I will bring calamity upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the Lord, “And I will send out the sword after them until I have consumed them. Then I will set My throne in Elam and destroy out of it king and princes,” declares the Lord. “But it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam,” declares the Lord.'”

Breaking the Bow of Elam

The first element of the prophecy is the breaking of Elam’s bow, which symbolizes its military might. In ancient times, the bow was a primary weapon in warfare, representing the strength and capability of a nation’s army. This “breaking” is seen as a future event where Elam’s military power will be crippled. Historically, Elam was known for its fierce military presence (Genesis 14:1), but the prophecy implies that its ability to wage war will be taken away.

In a modern context, this could be interpreted as a crippling blow to Iran’s military capabilities, particularly its growing nuclear program. The nuclear facility at Bushehr, located in the region that was once Elam, has been at the center of global attention. The “bow” could represent not only traditional military power but also Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which have the potential to be destroyed through military intervention or internal conflict.

Scattering to the Four Winds

The prophecy continues with a vivid image of Elam’s people being scattered “to the four winds.” This phrase represents a worldwide dispersion, similar to the fate of Israel when its people were scattered due to disobedience and judgment (Deuteronomy 28:64). The scattering of the Elamites implies a large-scale displacement, likely caused by warfare or disaster, where the people are forced to flee to every corner of the earth.

The scattering could be related to a nuclear disaster, a military strike, or internal collapse, driving the people of Elam out of their homeland. Current events in Iran, ranging from political unrest to economic instability, point toward a scenario where a mass migration could occur, fulfilling this aspect of the prophecy.

Divine Judgment and God’s Anger

Jeremiah 49:37 speaks of God bringing “calamity” upon Elam in the form of His fierce anger. This calamity is not specified but could include military defeat, political upheaval, or natural disasters. The Lord declares that He will send a sword after Elam, consuming them before their enemies. This echoes other prophecies of judgment where nations that rise against God face destruction (Jeremiah 25:15-17, Isaiah 34:1-2).

In light of Iran’s defiance in the face of international pressure over its nuclear program, this passage could hint at an external attack or internal civil war, both of which would result in significant devastation. It’s important to note that God’s judgment is often preceded by warning, as was the case with Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 25). If this prophecy pertains to modern-day Elam (Iran), then current tensions in the region could be the harbingers of divine judgment.

Setting God’s Throne in Elam

One of the most mysterious parts of this prophecy is the declaration that God will “set My throne in Elam” (Jeremiah 49:38). This indicates a future time when God will establish His presence or authority in the land of Elam. The idea of God setting His throne in a nation He previously judged suggests a significant shift, possibly a spiritual revival or divine intervention.

This could be tied to the concept of God’s sovereignty over the nations (Psalm 47:8), where even those nations that rebel against Him are ultimately subject to His rule. In the future, this may indicate that Elam, or the people of Iran, will experience a major transformation, turning to God in repentance and acknowledgment of His sovereignty. In fact, according to several reports, including the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 International Religious Freedom Report, Christianity is on the rise in Iran. I have personally heard many stories of a major revival in Iran.

Restoration in the Last Days

The prophecy ends with a promise of restoration: “But it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam” (Jeremiah 49:39). Despite the judgment pronounced, God promises that Elam will be restored in the last days, which is consistent with His character of redemption (Jeremiah 30:3). This indicates that after a period of calamity, Elam will be brought back to a place of blessing, whether this means physical restoration or spiritual renewal.

This future restoration parallels other promises in Scripture, such as the eventual restoration of Israel (Isaiah 11:12, Ezekiel 37). Just as God will gather His people back to the land of Israel, He will also restore the fortunes of Elam. This may suggest that a significant remnant of people from Elam will experience spiritual revival, turning to the God of Israel in the last days.

Conclusion: A Fulfillment on the Horizon

The prophecy concerning Elam may be approaching fulfillment as we observe the current geopolitical landscape. Iran’s nuclear ambitions, internal unrest, and strained relations with the international community create the conditions that could lead to the breaking of its military power and the scattering of its people. However, the prophecy ends with a hopeful promise of restoration in the last days, showing that God’s judgment is not the final word.

As events unfold in the Middle East, believers should remain watchful and prayerful, understanding that God’s plans for the nations, including Elam, will come to pass in His perfect timing. The prophecy of Elam, like many others, serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and mercy of God, who judges nations but also offers the hope of restoration for those who turn to Him.

Until next time, keep looking up for the Blessed Hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ!