17. Iran in Bible Prophecy “The Prince of Persia” Iran is a nation that figures prominently in the news these days. Tenyears ago (Sept. 2001) after the terrorist attacks upon America, President George Bush mentioned the nation of Iran and depicted it as being one of the notorious members of the now infamous “axis of evil” nations. Still, most people in the West know very little about Iran, and the vast majority of American’s are completely unaware of the history of the US relationship with Iran, and the fact that the region of Iran actually has had a long and significant role in world affairs. While Persia has had ties deeply rooted in world history, the direct American-Iranian relationship only commenced in the late 1930’s. Persia joined the allied forces against Germany in 1943, and thus the World War II Mid-east theatre provided the stage that began the rather brief history of the US-Iranian relationship. It is a relationship that has also undergone a complete about face since the 1970’s. Within the scope of this remarkable turn in geo-political affairs in the international relationship between Iran (Persia) and the United States are a host of highly significant factors relative to the prophesied signs of the times, and imminent world events in these Last Days. It was 2540 years ago that the Old Testament prophet Daniel first came into contact with the empire of the Medes and Persians. On a fateful night in 536BC, while King Belshazzar and his ruling company partied in drunken revelry, Darius, the King of the Medes diverted the Euphrates River and his armies entered into the fortress-palace of Babylon and destroyed it. Thus, as Babylon receded into ancient memory, Persia stepped to the forefront of world power.

18. Iran in Bible Prophecy “The Prince of Persia” The Ancient History of Elam (Medo-Persia, or Iran) Iran, the land of the Aryans has a long and rich history. Some of the world's most ancient settlements have been excavated in the Caspian region and on the Iranian plateau. Village life began there around 4000 BC. (post Edenic era) The Aryans appeared here about 2000BC and split into two main groups, the Medes and the Persians. But the geographical region that we know today as the modern state of Iran has been dominated in history by five principle powers. The first tribe to dominate this region was the ancient Elamites, or the descendants of Elam. The five contenders for preeminence in Iran for the first 4000 years of its history have included besides the Elamites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and finally the Medes and Persians. Elam was a son of Shem and a grandson of Noah. The descendants of Elam established the nation of Elam in the southwestern portion of Iran. Elam was bounded on the north by Media and Assyria, on the east and southeast by Persia, and on the south by the Persian Gulf. The Elamites lived primarily in the area east of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. During their history, the Elamites struggled with the Babylonians, the Assyrians, and the Persians for domination of the Mesopotamian region of the ancient world. The great Babylonian dynasty of UR (Abraham’s original home) was brought to an end about 1950 BC by the Elamites, who destroyed the city and took its king prisoner. The capital of Elam during its entire history was Shushan (Susa). Susa was always the pride and joy of the Elamites and later under the Persians. Susa was a city that stood for 5000 years until it was totally sacked and raised to the ground by the Mongols in the 13th century AD. The site is present-day Shush, about 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Persian Gulf.

19. The messenger angel who came to bring the interpretation of Dani'el/ Daniel's vision ( Daniel 10:10-12 ). He is not named in the passage. The prince of Persia. This is evidently a fallen angel working under the direction of satan who operates as the "god of this world" ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ). The prince of Persia withstood the messenger angel for twenty-one days ( Daniel 10:13 ) and hindered him from coming to Dani'el. By this we know that the prince of Persia is of the evil one. This should not be surprising since Sh’aul warned us, " For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. ( Ephesians 6:12 ). Principalities refer to the rule of princes. The prince of Persia was one of these principalities. Mikha'el, one of the chief princes. Mikha'el comes to the rescue of the messenger angel and relieves him for a time so that he might bring the interpretation of the vision ( Daniel 10:13-14 ). So, who is Mikha'el ?

20. In Jude 1:9, Mikha'el is called "the archangel" and he personally contends with the devil. In speaking to Dani'el, the messenger angel calls him, " Mikha'el your prince." The personal pronoun "your" is plural (something that is not distinguished in modern English versions). Therefore, Daniel was not being told that Mikha'el was his own personal angel. Rather, Mikha'el was the angel of Daniel's people. He was the prince of Israel. In Dani'el 12:1, Mikha'el is called " Mikha'el, the great prince who champions your people." It only makes sense that God would take His most powerful angel and put him in charge of his chosen people. The prince of Greece. His coming is prophesied by the messenger angel: ""Do you know why I came to you? Although now I must return to fight the prince of Persia; and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come;." The prince of Greece would be another of satan's mighty princes and he will direct the ways of Greece when it becomes the main world empire.

21. PERSIA: An empire which extended from India to Ethiopia, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, (Daniel 6), Esth. 1:1; Government of, restricted by constitutional limitations, Esth. 8:8; (Daniel 6:8-12). Municipal governments in, provided with dual governors, Neh. 3:9, 12, 16-18.The princes advisory in matters of administration, (Daniel 6:1-7). Israel captive in, 2 Chr. 36:20;captivity foretold, Hos. 13:16. Men of, in the Tyrian army, Ezek. 27:10. Rulers of: Ahasuerus, Esth. 1:3.Darius, Dan. 5:31; 6; 9:1.Artaxerxes I, Ezra 4:7-24.Artaxerxes II, Ezra 7; Neh. 2; 5:14.Cyrus, (2 Chr. 36:22), (2 Chr. 36:23), Ezra 1; 3:7; 4:3; 5:13, 5:14, 5:17; 6:3; Isa. 41:2, 41:3; 44:28; (Isaiah 45:1-8), 13; 46:11; 48:14, 15. Princes of, Esth. 1:14. System of justice, Ezra 7:11-26. Prophecies concerning, Isa. 13: 17; 21:1-10; Jer. 49:34-39; 51:11-64; Ezek. 32:24, 25; 38:5; Dan. 2:31- 45; 5:28; 7; 8; 11:1-4.