A Nuclear Iran

By Mark Swarbrick

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A Nuclear Iran

Today, June 16, 2025, the world is a much safer place than it was just a few days ago. Why? We are safer because of the Israeli attack upon Iran’s nuclear sites, where Iran has been madly working to manufacture atomic weapons. Although many people may not have realized it, the threat of nuclear destruction by Iran had become extreme. Those following this topic closely have been deeply concerned over the prospect of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran possessing the bomb would be fundamentally different from other countries having it, because the mullahs who lead Iran subscribe to an apocalyptic, genocidal ideology. To understand why they are so dangerous, one must consider the radical form of Islamic belief held by Iran’s current leaders.

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An Apocalyptic Death Cult

Iran’s ruling clerics – especially the hardline elements within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Supreme Leader’s circle – adhere to a radical interpretation of Shi’a Islam known as Mahdism. This worldview centers on the belief in the imminent return of the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi – the “Hidden Imam”– who is expected to reappear at the end of time to forcibly establish global Islam.

The Beliefs of Iran’s Shi’a Muslims

Shi’a Muslims believe the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, who they claim disappeared in 874 AD, will one day return as the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will destroy all religions except Islam. (Incidentally, there is no credible evidence that Muhammad al-Mahdi ever truly existed, let alone miraculously disappeared.)

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s leadership has reinterpreted this doctrine, arguing that Muslims must actively prepare the ground for the Mahdi’s return, rather than passively waiting for it. The regime believes that confronting perceived oppressors is a religious duty that will hasten the Mahdi’s return. IRGC indoctrination teaches that the world is divided between the forces of good (led by Iran) and evil (the U.S., Israel, and their allies).

According to this belief, a final, apocalyptic battle between these forces must precede the Mahdi’s reappearance. Unlike traditional Shi’a quietism, Iran’s current doctrine insists that believers must be politically and militarily active to “prepare the ground” for the Mahdi. This includes exporting revolution and supporting militant groups across the region.

Hate for Israel and America

The total eradication of Israel is seen as a necessary step for the Mahdi’s return. IRGC commanders and clerics have stated that Israel’s existence is “the greatest barrier” to the reappearance of the 12th Imam. Religious hadiths cited by Iranian hardliners claim that the Jewish state must be destroyed before the Mahdi can emerge, and that Shi’a Muslims must wage war against Jews, Americans, and their allies to bring this about.

The U.S. is portrayed as a chief obstacle to the Mahdi’s return, with the regime teaching that a worldwide apocalyptic conflict must be instigated to allow the Mahdi to appear. The IRGC’s Quds Force is tasked with regional and international operations to “pave the way” for the Mahdi, including supporting proxy militias and fomenting unrest.

In essence, Iran’s radicalized clerical ideology holds that it is a religious obligation to help usher in the Mahdi by actively creating the conditions for the 12th Imam’s return. This means provoking war with Israel and the West—even on an apocalyptic scale. Iran’s Supreme Leader is, in effect, the new Hitler, and the leaders of the Iranian regime are the new Nazis (“Nationalsozialists” – National Socialists). Their main goal is the extermination of the Jews and world domination, beginning with the destruction of America.

So, describing the Iranian leadership as an apocalyptic, genocidal death cult is not an exaggeration. This is why it is unthinkable to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. They will not hesitate to use them; their ideology calls for nuclear holocaust.

Pray for Israel and Iran

While we pray for Israel’s success, we must also pray for the Iranian people. God loves them. We should especially pray for the underground church in Iran, whose members literally risk their lives to follow Jesus. Let us pray that the Iranian people can throw off these ruling theological thugs who have made their lives miserable and caused so much death and destruction in Israel

For years, the Iranian regime has been working furiously to build nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering them to any country they choose. They have come very close to achieving this. Intelligence reports show they were within just a few months—perhaps even weeks—of making several nuclear weapons. This is the result of Obama and Biden allowing Iran access to 150 billion dollars. The mullahs used this money to fund Islamic terror worldwide and to rapidly advance their nuclear weapons program.

Trump’s Ultimatum

The chance of nuclear devastation from Iran was an imminent threat – a real and present danger. President Trump, ever the peacemaker, gave Iran 60 days to make a deal, emphasizing repeatedly that if they didn’t dismantle their nuclear weapons program, there would be a devastating attack.

The mullahs thought they could stall and bluff Trump with endless talks, as they did with Obama and Biden. Trump urged them to conclude negotiations to end their nuclear weapons program and warned repeatedly that time was running out. Intelligence showed that the mullahs then ordered their nuclear program into high gear, and Iran’s Supreme Leader announced they would never stop their nuclear program.

Thank You to Israel

Detecting the sudden flurry of activity in Iran’s nuclear facilities, on day 61, Israel attacked and destroyed their nuclear development sites. As a result, the world is much safer. As it says in Genesis 22:18, through Israel, “all the nations of the Earth shall be blessed.” We all owe Israel a big thanks for this. Iran was within months, perhaps weeks, of developing several nuclear weapons, which they had said they would use on Israel and America. Their leaders and supportive crowds continually chant “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”

Many Iranians are now celebrating in the streets the destruction of the mullahs’ war machine. We must pray the Iranian people will be able to overthrow their evil government and finally achieve peace and prosperity. The regime’s repression of its own people, especially its brutal treatment of women, has been horrendous.

So, although the Israeli reprisal against Iran may seem alarming, it is actually a step in the right direction. Appeasement won’t work on the Iranian mullahs any more than it worked on Hitler. With Iran’s nuclear sites destroyed, the world is much safer than it was a week ago.

Signs of the Times

Christians have the advantage of Bible prophecy, which informs us of where things are headed. Jesus forewarned that antisemitism and sexual perversion would sweep the world in the last days.

And indeed, it has. With countries denouncing Israel while at the same time heralding homosexuality and transgenderism as a good thing, we certainly see sick sexual perversion and hate for Israel coming to pass, just as our Lord predicted. These are signs of the times, letting us know that the Rapture of the Church is imminent.

Christians understand that just before Christ’s Second Coming – at the end of the Tribulation period – every nation will unite to attack Israel. The Israeli people will then turn to Christ and believe in Him (Romans 11:26), and thus all Israel will be saved.

At the last moment, when annihilation of Israel seems imminent, Jesus will return and fight against the armies attacking Israel. At that point, the armies of the world will attempt to fight Jesus (Revelation Chapter 19, Revelation 16:14,16, & Zechariah 12:3). Then our Lord will bring about world peace as He rules from Jerusalem, which will become the capital not just of Israel, but of the entire world.

Although things look dire right now, thanks to Israel and Donald Trump, the world is much safer now than it was. And thanks to Bible prophecy, we understand that the current depraved state of the world reveals that the Rapture of the Church is very close at hand.



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