As missile exchanges echo across the Middle East and the world watches Iran’s standoff with Israel and the United States, Rabbi Jason Sobel joined Joseph Z for a wide-ranging conversation that connected Ezekiel’s visions, the book of Esther and the unfolding conflict in Iran to a singular conclusion: God is writing this story.
“God works through prophecy, but He also works through patterns in history,” Sobel said. “Persia shows up at major turning points in the history of Israel, and I believe we’re at another one right now.”
Sobel pointed to Ezekiel 38 and the War of Gog and Magog, which describes Israel dwelling in unwalled cities in an era of unparalleled security before end-time events unfold. He argued that Iran, which has acted as the chief financier of regional terrorism and the primary obstacle to Gulf states joining the Abraham Accords, has been the single greatest barrier to that prophesied peace.
It’s weakening, he believes, begins the prophetic countdown.
The parallels to the book of Esther that the two discussed were equally striking. Sobel noted that on the very day Israeli soldiers read the synagogue passage “Remember Amalek and blot his name out,” it corresponded to the Islamic calendar date of 9/11, the same ideological spirit, he argued, that sponsored Oct. 7.
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“Haman built a gallows for Mordecai and was hung on it,” Sobel said. “Iran wanted to build a nuclear bomb to destroy Israel as a nation, and this is the irony, they’re destroyed by a bomb dropped by the Israeli Jewish military.”
Z inquired as to whether believers should expect doom or redemption in this season. The rabbi’s answer was unequivocal. He pointed to Jeremiah 49:39, which reads, “in the latter days, I will restore the fortunes of Elam.” He connected it to ancient Elam, now part of modern Iran, to the Persians present at Pentecost in Acts 2. “I believe we’re heading back to a Book of Acts moment,” Sobel said. “Elam and Persia is part of that promise.”
Just as Haman’s downfall triggered a mass spiritual awakening across the Persian Empire, Sobel sees Iran’s current crisis as the prelude to revival, not just for Iranians, but potentially for the surrounding nations. “I can tell you we’re also seeing an awakening among the Jewish people,” he said. “Something I have never seen in 30 years.”
Discussing America’s role, Sobel was careful but direct. While acknowledging there is no explicit biblical mention of the United States, he tied America to Daniel’s four-empire framework as the current head of the Western Roman Empire, giving it a significant prophetic function. He cited Hosea 11 and its reference to a “roaring lion,” noting that the current military operation carries that very name. “The roar of the lion, the success of this operation, will lead to the return of the Jewish people from the west,” he said, calling the alignment “something you can’t make up.”
Z framed the cultural backdrop as equally urgent. “It’s an antichrist spirit rising up and attacking the Jewish nation,” he said, pointing to the surge in antisemitism as the dark counterpart to the prophetic invitation for Jewish people to return to Israel.
One thing is clear: the ancient words of Scripture are refusing to stay ancient. When crisis fatigue tempts believers toward despair, we must remember that the tomb is not the end of the story. It never was. It was only the beginning of an eternal story.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
