7 Things to Know about Elam and Biblical Prophecy Fulfilled in Iran

"The sons of Shem: Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram" (Genesis 10:22). 

Noah brought three sons with him on the ark: Japheth, Shem, and Ham. The Elamites are descendants of Shem, as Elam was his oldest son. Elam became a great nation and is still around today. However, they are not known as Elamites today. The Elamites are now known as Iran. Iran has been part of God's plan for mankind for centuries, and His purposes are being fulfilled in the present day. 

What is happening today in Iran was already articulated by God in the days of old. As believers, we need to be aware of Iran and be a supporter of their needs and causes. We need to be careful not to align the dictatorship of Iran with the country as a unified sum because most of the populace of Iran does not agree with their present regime. Similar to our own government, we might not always agree with it and wouldn't want people from outside countries identifying us with a regime we didn't agree with. 

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"A dire vision has been shown to me: The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot. Elam, attack! Media, lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused" (Isaiah 21:2). 

Within Isaiah 21:2, we see that God sends Elam out into battle to declare his justice upon the earth. Elam was known to be full of mighty warriors who defended their own people. Through Elam, God destroyed many armies and defeated the hands of those who defied Him. Although we cannot be dogmatic in the present day to say every war is done at the permission of God, we can say within the context of Isaiah 21:2 that God was placing His favor upon Elam. 

While Elam did have many struggles over the course of the Bible, it also regained its honor as well. This is a similar course to what happens with Israel. Sometimes, Israel obeyed God, and sometimes, they did not. However, we do know that God's purposes for Israel and Elam will continue for all eternity. Elam has a special purpose for God's Kingdom that only the Elamites can fulfill. 

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"Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses; Kir uncovers the shield" (Isaiah 22:6). 

This passage also comes from the Book of Isaiah, and it refers to how God is sending His judgment out upon Babylon through the Elamites. We have to remember that Babylon was a juggernaut and was impossible to destroy. Numerous historical accounts have shown the Babylonians to be relentless when it came to complete domination. Despite Babylon's repeated success, God overthrows Babylon by the hand of the Elamites. 

Elam took up their quivers, rode on their charioteers and horses, and plundered Babylon. By defeating Babylon, Elam showed that God favored Elam. He was bringing His plans to fruition through the work of the Elamites. Babylon was destroyed, and now Elam would rise above it. 

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"'I will set my throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials,' declares the Lord. 'Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come" (Jeremiah 49:38-39). 

This passage refers to both a judgment and a promise. God will set His throne in Elam and destroy Elam's king and officials. However, God also says He will restore Elam's fortunes in the future. Many people believe this prophecy is occurring today as the Gospel is being spread across Iran in massive ways. Despite opposition and ridicule, Jesus' gift of salvation is reaching more and more ears every day. 

These fortunes might not be literal fortunes, but they are fortunes of eternal life. By placing faith in Jesus, anyone can be saved from their sin, redeemed, and given eternal life. This beautiful reality has come across Elam and brought many people to the loving care of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the Lord are reigning upon Iran despite these challenging times. 

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"In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision after the one that had already appeared to me. In my vision, I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision, I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could be rescued from its power. It did as it pleased and became great" (Daniel 8:1-4). 

The prophet Daniel spoke much about Elam, particularly in Daniel 8. In order to fully understand this prophecy, it is helpful to read all of Daniel 8. When one reads Daniel 8, they see that there is an allegorical story told of the goat and the ram. Interpretation of this vision shows us that there was going to be an entity to destroy Persia as a world power. No longer would Persia, also known as Iran, be a strong power within the known world. 

This prophecy was fulfilled, and many people credited Alexander the Great as the one who conquered Persia. Many other people ruled Persia after Alexander the Great, such as the Parthians and the Romans; however, the country was eventually controlled by Muslims. As of 1935, Persia has now been renamed to Iran and is still under Muslim power. Due to being under a dictatorship, Islam is the official religion, and anyone practicing any religion besides Islam could be put into prison or be put to death. 

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"After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands" (Revelation 7:9). 

Despite the present difficulties and troubles arising for Iran at the present time, God is still working among them. As in this future prophecy, Elam will be part of its fulfillment. Before the throne of God, every tongue will proclaim the glory of God. Everyone alike will be wearing white robes and will hold palm branches in their hands. 

Elam is just as much part of the family of God as we are. God is working among Elam and helping more people to place faith in His Son. We have to remember that nothing is too hard for God, and He can get the Gospel into unreached areas by various means. A major way people have seen God's hand at work is through dreams. It does seem to be that God visits certain individuals within Muslim closed communities in dreams because they have no contact with the outside world and no possible access to the Bible. 

This was true for the case of Nabeel Qureshi, who wrote "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus." As believers, we need to pray for Elam and ask for the Lord to continue His work among them. We also need to pray for them to be granted relief from their current regime. Ask the Lord to help them stay strong under their current oppressive circumstances and keep yourself accountable for praying for Elam every single day. 

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"Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! (Acts 2:9-11). 

During Pentecost, individuals from all over traveled to see the beginning of the church. Within Acts 2:9-11, we see that Elamites were present at Pentecost. This demonstrates to us that many Elamites had heard about Jesus and wanted to come and learn more from the Apostles. While many people try to classify all of these groups together, the Bible clarifies that these are unique groups as they are individually named. 

The Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Cretans, and Arabs were all individual, distinct people who came to hear about the Lord and declare His praises. On Pentecost, each of these groups declared the wonders of God in their own tongue. Given that these individuals were all from different backgrounds, it would have been an amazing thing to witness all of them speaking about God in their own native languages. This attests to how God can do amazing things and bring all people into His family, including the Elamites. 

God had great plans for Elam that have already been fulfilled, and many more plans will be fulfilled in the future. Regardless of where we live, we need to continue to pray for Elam and ask the Lord to direct their path. God will help them and provide them with the protection, support, and encouragement they need. 

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