Read: Hope for a World in Crisis

Read: Overcoming Fear in the End Times

Read: The Prosperity Gospel and Tithing

THE MIDDLE EAST
Bible Question: I would like to know while reading the bible, does Iran, Iraq and other middle eastern countries appear under another name?
Thanks!
Karen

Dear Karen,
Finding the modern nations in the Bible is quite fascinating and very supportive of our understanding that the Bible is an accurate history of the ancient past. But, of course, since it is the Word of God, it is also a history of the future!
MODERN NAMES. Iran and Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, of course, are modern names for states whose borders were defined in part by the League of Nations (Post WW I) with the French and British playing a major role in controlling sections of the Middle East. These nations as well as others, such as, Israel, Egypt and others, are identifiable with peoples who lived in the region in Bible times.
ISRAEL, CENTER OF NATIONS. For example did you know that when "…the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel." Deuteronomy 32:8. Israel is really the center and focal point of the nations and what has and will happen to those nations is closely tied in to the future of Israel.
IRAN, LEBANON, ETC. While Iran at times prefers the name "Persia" which is in fact where Bible Persia was, Iraq as mentioned is more of a modern contrivance of peoples who lived in the area of Babylonia, Assyria and Chaldea. Laban the father-in-law of Jacob (later named Israel) was called Laban the Syrian. In fact, the area in which he remained when Abraham left for Canaan is now called Syria. Modern Lebanon is is the area where Tyre and Sidon are. Queen Jezebel came from that region north of Israel; Elijah the Prophet hid there during the 3 ½-year drought. Egypt, of course, is Egypt-although some population changes have occurred in all these places since ancient times.
GENTILE NATIONS. What is most vital and relevant to the future-and something you might enjoy following as you read in the Bible-is that the LORD has through His prophets laid out a plan for all these nations. In a dream recorded and interpreted in the book of Daniel (Ch. 2) we have a drama describing the history of the surrounding nations. These nations would also be mentioned throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles as well as the Prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah. The scenario of Israel falling under the control of other nations was played out in the 11th chapter of Daniel and describes a torturous journey from its 7th Century B.C. troubles down to modern times. But Israel’s subjugation to the Gentile empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and finally Rome was for a specific purpose and time. This time concluded with World War I-out of which emerged the Balfour Declaration allowing for a Jewish State.
FUTURE PROPHECIES OF NATIONS. Prophetically speaking Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, 39, are very descriptive of particular nations which will seek to destroy Israel (or raise questions as a challenge to those who come to destroy it). Comparing the nations and their modern roles, we can see that Israel has been subject to Arab League destructive intent since 1945. When the threats of Gog of Magog will fully materialize, is a matter for the future-but not the far distant future. However, when all the nations come against Jerusalem, then God will fight for Israel as before (see also Zech. 14:1-3).
NATIONS ACKNOWLEDGE THE CAPITAL OF GOD’S KINGDOM. We await the time when the Kingdom of God will be manifest in the earth. The time when the LORD will make his Glory seen as He saves Israel from those of evil intent. At that time, when God sets up His Kingdom, the nations will put down their "swords" and devote their resources of peaceful purposes-and come up to Jerusalem, God’s capital, to learn about the God of Jacob. Isa 2:2-4 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
Karen, we encourage you to keep reading your Bible and strongly encourage your considering the Bible Study, The Divine Plan of the Ages. The chapters which deal with the "Kingdoms of this World" in the Divine Plan of the Ages (offered to you free of charge). You will find that this topical study of Bible subjects to be most rewarding. May God bless your reading and study of His Holy Word!
RG