As tensions surrounding Iran continue to dominate global headlines, Perry Stone says the spiritual dimension behind the conflict may be far deeper than most people realize.
In a recent teaching, Stone explained that long before today’s geopolitical tensions emerged, he had begun studying how Islamic end-times expectations might intersect with biblical prophecy—particularly regarding the rise of the Antichrist.
Stone traced the origins of this belief back to the early 1990s when he began speaking at prophetic conferences throughout the United States.
“At that particular time,” Stone recalled, “most of them believed that the future Antichrist was a Jew from the tribe of Dan.”
But after a surprising encounter during a message on the book of Book of Revelation, Stone says his perspective began to shift.
While preaching in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a young woman from Iran approached him after the service with a striking observation.
“She said, ‘Did you know that you have explained what Islam is teaching about the Mahdi?’” Stone recounted.
According to Stone, the woman explained that in Islamic teaching the Mahdi is believed to be a final world leader who will establish global Islamic rule.
Stone was stunned by what he heard.
“Did you know that the last Islamic leader is supposed to come on a white horse?” she asked him.
Stone immediately connected the claim to a passage in Revelation.
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“Well, that’s Revelation chapter 6,” he said. “There’s a white horse rider that comes with a bow conquering and to conquer.”
Stone also pointed to similarities between Islamic teachings about the Mahdi and the seven-year covenant described in the book of Daniel.
“She said, ‘Did you also know that the Islamic Mahdi will make a seven-year peace treaty?’” Stone explained. “I said, ‘What? That’s Daniel 9:27.’”
According to Stone, understanding Islamic end-times expectations may also help explain why Iran—ancient Persia—often appears unwilling to back down in major conflicts.
In the prophecy of book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, Persia is specifically named as part of a coalition involved in a major end-times war.
“Iran is the biggest Shia Muslim nation in the world,” Stone said, noting that some Shia traditions teach that global conflict will precede the appearance of the Mahdi.
Because of those expectations, Stone believes some Islamic leaders may interpret war itself as part of a prophetic unfolding.
“You will see a great war come,” he said. “Then you will see a time of false peace… and eventually you will see the war of Gog and Magog.”
While Stone emphasized that Christians must approach these topics carefully, he believes the prophetic connections are becoming increasingly relevant as global tensions escalate.
“For those who are Christians watching this,” he said, “we believe based on the New Testament that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and He is going to return.”
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].
