The Interrelationship Between Multiple Old Testament Prophecies That Concern Israel In The Last Days

A dear friend, Tony, asked me the following question in relation to a previous post: Iran Attacked By United States B-2 Bombers: The Prophecy of Ezekiel 38 Implications

“Jeremiah 49:34-39 describes judgement against Elam (which is considered southwestern Iran) in which God declares that He will break Elam’s military power, scatter its people, and bring disaster upon them.  I am not certain if this was fulfilled by the Greeks (Daniels Prophecies) or meant for the latter days. So for my continued education and curiosity, please share your opinion on this as we see the evacuations taking place in Iran now; and, how that Psalm plays into the Ezekiel 38/39 war.” (Great Question)

The Text of Jeremiah 49:34–39 

Jeremiah 49:34-39 (

This message concerning Elam came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.

This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam— the best of their forces. I will bring enemies from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world.

I myself will go with Elam’s enemies to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,” says the LORD. “Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely.

I will set my throne in Elam,” says the LORD, “and I will destroy its king and officials. But I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Geographic and Historical Context

Elam was an ancient kingdom located in what is today southwestern Iran, centered around modern Khuzestan Province, including the area near the Fordow nuclear facility near Qom. This area was a dominant power in the ancient world but eventually fell to a variety of invaders.

The prophecy was given around 597 BC, shortly after Nebuchadnezzar’s first deportation of Jews to Babylon (see Jer. 49:34). The Elamites had been allies and enemies of Babylon at various times. Historically, Elam was subdued by Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon), and later absorbed by the Persian Empire.

In a limited, historical sense, elements of this prophecy may have been fulfilled in:

• Babylonian invasions (~596–539 BC)
• Persian conquest under Cyrus the Great
• Greek conquest under Alexander the Great (~331 BC)
• And subsequent dispersion through Persian and Greco-Roman control.

Key parts of the prophecy were never fully fulfilled historically:

• There is no known event where the entire nation of Elam was scattered “to the four winds” globally.
• Verse 38 is striking: “I will set My throne in Elam” – a messianic overtone, not fulfilled in antiquity.
• Verse 39 prophesies a future restoration, “in the latter days” or “in days to come” — a term used frequently in eschatological contexts (cf. Jeremiah 30:24; Isaiah 2:2; Daniel 10:14).

A Latter-Day Implications & the War of Ezekiel 38–39

Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 38–39 may indeed be interconnected in prophetic scope, especially as Iran plays a prominent modern role in Middle Eastern hostilities, and is central to the Ezekiel 38 prophecy.

Ezekiel 38:5 Names: Persia as a Principal Ally of Gog:

“Persia, Cush, and Put will join them, also with shields and helmets.”

• Persia is modern Iran.
• Persia joins a coalition of Russia (Gog/Magog), Turkey (Togarmah), Libya, Sudan, etc., against Israel.
• Ezekiel 38–39 clearly places this war in the “latter years” (Ezek. 38:8, 16), after Israel has returned to their land.

The Potential Alignment:

1. Jeremiah 49:34–39 describes the breaking of Iran’s military power — precisely what we may be witnessing if the Iranian nuclear weapons program is disrupted by external military force (as recent reports suggest, including the B-2 airstrike on Fordow).

2. The scattering and global dispersion of Elam’s people (v. 36) may align with a mass exodus or refugee crisis if Iran suffers major military defeat.

3. “I will set My throne in Elam” (v. 38) could be interpreted:

   • Spiritually, as the spread of the Gospel reaching Iranians — which is happening today through a rapid underground church movement.

   • Literally, if Jesus physically reigns over the earth in the Millennial Kingdom, and even Iran will be restored under His righteous rule.

Final Thoughts & Theological Insight

Tony’s observation is keen: Jeremiah 49 has partial historical fulfillment, but many details remain future and may be developing before our eyes. The apparent evacuations, rumored military strikes, and destabilization of Iran suggest that Jeremiah 49 is being activated prophetically.

The prophecy also offers a hopeful conclusion: God will judge evil, but He also promises restoration—showing His justice and mercy. Elam (Iran) is not abandoned. In fact, Iran has one of the fastest-growing underground Christian movements in the world today. This may be the early fruit of Jeremiah 49:39.

Citations and Sources

• Jeremiah 49:34–39 — English and Hebrew texts, NLT/ESV
• Ezekiel 38–39 — Gog and Magog coalition war
• Daniel 8; 10 — Greek and Persian conflicts
• “Iran and the End Times” – Joel Rosenberg, Epicenter
• “Understanding End Times Prophecy” – Paul Benware
• Operation World: Iran’s church growth (www.operationworld.org/iran)

Categories: Robert Clifton Robinson