Edmond pastor discusses the role of Iran and Israel in biblical prophecy

The Rev. Mark Hitchcock, Ph.D., senior pastor of Faith Bible Church, 600 N Coltrane, said these nations are the focus of his new book “Iran & Israel: Wars and Rumors of Wars (Harvest House Publishers).”

As a Bible scholar who has written numerous books on Bible prophecy (“The End: A Comprehensive Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days” and “The Amazing Claims of Bible Prophecy,” among others), Hitchcock, 53, said he chose Iran and Israel as the central part of his latest book because he said conflict between the two countries appears inevitable. He said Iran appears to be racing to cross “the nuclear finish line” and though the rest of the world may not like it, “everything seems to be headed for a showdown.”

Hitchcock said he examines Iran, which is called Persia in the Bible, and Israel as the two countries are discussed in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. He said a conflict or war between the two countries is one of the signs of the Second Coming of Christ, according to Scripture.

He said events over the last several years foreshadow a coming clash.

“What we see happening today is not fulfilling any prophecies but sets the stage,” Hitchcock said. “It's building up for what is going to happen in the future.”