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** Persia and Israel
14 January 2021
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A weekly reflection on current global affairs concerning Israel and
the Jewish people from a Biblical perspective.

The government in Iran – a country that covers the region of “Persia” of the Bible, and, like other states in the region, contains many different ethnic groups - continues to present a massive, existential threat to the national existence of the Jewish people in the land. Put simply, Israel is under siege.

This is due to the deeply anti-Semitic Islamic fundamentalist ideologies of the current regime. Iran is not only building capability to produce nuclear weapons in Iran, it sponsors anti-Western militia in several other states in the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, that have as one of their objectives the destruction of the Jewish people.

Outgoing President Trump enforced a zero-tolerance policy, withdrawing from the infamous Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement negotiated under the Obama Administration, and imposing heavy sanctions that are crippling the country. To the alarm of many, President-elect Biden has announced he intends to re-negotiate this agreement, in line with the internationalist philosophy of international relations advocated by the incoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In the meantime, Iran continues to build its nuclear capabilities. Last week Iran “upped the ante” by publicly confirming the production of enriched uranium ([link removed]) at an underground nuclear facility and seizing a South Korean oil tanker ([link removed]) transiting the Persian Gulf.

Earlier this week, Israel carried out air strikes on dozens of sites in the Deir al-Zor region of eastern Syria and in Albukamal near the Syria-Iraq border, destroying warehouses and sites belonging to pro-Iranian militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The Iranian regime is led by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, who is 81 years old. What will happen when he dies? Who will take over the leadership? Is there a prospect of regime change?

Let us keep this situation in our prayers. We also should pray for the people of Iran, many of whom are victims of, and suffering from, a regime they do not support.

The Editorial team
Israel & Christians Today

Foreign Policy: “This week’s escalation of tensions by Tehran looks like blackmail to force Biden to abandon sanctions—and give up leverage over the regime.” Read more.. ([link removed])


JPost reports that airstrikes, allegedly carried out by Israel, targeted dozens of sites in the Deir al-Zor region of eastern Syria and in Albukamal near the Syria-Iraq border early Wednesday morning 13th January. Read more.. ([link removed])

Seth Frantzman writes that the Jewish state has carried out more than 1,000 airstrikes on Iranian positions in Syria over the last five years. Read more.. ([link removed])


Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan urges the United Nations Security Council to do more to combat state sponsored terrorism such as that executed by Tehran. Read more.. ([link removed] )


According to Yaakov Lappin at BESA, “the Israeli defense establishment is in the middle of an intense race against time. The goal of this race is to adapt to the growing threats posed to the country’s home front, and to strategic targets such as ports and power plants, from the terror armies located on Israel’s doorstep—threats that will remain long after Israel is able to place the pandemic behind it.” Read more.. ([link removed])


Dr. Ardavan Kashnood at BESA writes: “The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, is 81 years old and reportedly in declining health. The question of the succession will be decided by the regime’s Assembly of Experts, who will choose the new Supreme Leader following Khamenei’s death. Six individuals have emerged as possible successors.” Read more.. ([link removed])


The Vienna-based branch of the NGO Stop the Bomb on Monday issued a stinging indictment of Wolfgang Stanek, the president of Austria’s umbrella parliament covering its nine state governments, because of his efforts to expand trade with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Read more.. ([link removed])

Andrew Tucker writes that Europe is gradually turning its back on the Jewish people and Europe’s own Judeo-Christian heritage: Read more.. ([link removed])

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Is modern Iran the “Persia” referred to
in the Bible?

In this video, Rev. Glashouwer speaks about the countries that form the “second ring” around Israel that will suddenly attack Israel when His people Israel is living in safety: Ezekiel 38 and 39. The prophecy is about Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. The countries involved in this prophecy are identified via their ancient names mentioned in the Bible. The prophecies of the Bible are very accurate. But we should never forget: God is in control and ultimately it will lead to His Kingdom and the coming of the King of the Kingdom. Which is Jesus Christ, who will establish peace all over the world!


** SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:
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** Ezekiel 38:1-9
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The word of the Lord came to me: ^2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him ^3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. ^4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.^5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, ^6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmahfrom the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.
^7 “‘Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. ^8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. ^9 You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.
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