Is End Times Theology Influencing the Iran War?

In the 19th century, John Nelson Darby (1800–1882) popularized the belief that Ezekiel 38-39 portray a future war where Persia and Russia align against Israel and God brings judgment against them. Many Christians believe the creation of the State of Israel was a necessary step toward the fulfillment of this specific prophecy. Some even believe that President Donald Trump’s strikes against Iran are the beginning of God’s judgment on Persia.

While Scripture is clear that the 12 tribes of Israel will be regathered to the Promised Land at the Messiah’s return (Isaiah 14:1-3; Jeremiah 23:7-8; Ezekiel 39:25-28), most Christians do not know that the Jews descended from only one tribe of the ancient nation of Israel, the tribe of Judah (mixed with some Benjamites and Levites). This means that the prophesied regathering has not yet occurred; therefore, President Trump’s war against Iran has nothing to do with God’s ultimate judgment on Russia, Persia and their allies.

Herbert W. Armstrong (1892–1986) proved in his book The United States and Britain in Prophecy that the “lost tribes” of Israel dwell today in Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom and its dominions. These lost tribes will return to the Promised Land at Jesus Christ’s return, but first He will have to liberate them from slavery in “the north country” and lead a Second Exodus (Isaiah 49:3, 6; Jeremiah 31:8, 18).

God’s judgment on Russia and Persia will not occur until after this regathering takes place. This is an important distinction. Some Christians believe God is using Donald Trump to humble Iran, when the truth is that God is about to use a revived Holy Roman Empire to enslave the peoples of the United States and British Commonwealth unless they repent. This means that a U.S. victory over Iran is not a preordained conclusion.