Shalom from a nation at war! What a week it has been. The United States and Israel alliance has devastated the terrorist Shiite Islamic regime in Iran. Even more amazingly, the head has been lopped off the evil serpent with the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The hands of this man were soaked with the blood of countless victims in America, Israel, Europe, and throughout the Middle East. Not only was Khamenei sent to his eternal judgment, but many other leaders in the religious ruling council, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij (morality police), the nuclear program, and the other military forces have joined him.
Because of the rapid fire of events taking place, I am under a constant barrage of news. As a result, I don’t have the time to create a full newsletter to summarize the many posts that I’ve included on Telegram and other social media. I had planned to hold a MidEast & Beyond Update with you yesterday, but the accelerated pace of launches from Lebanon and Iran kept sending me and the CONNECT team to the bomb shelter. Thus, we were not able to complete the broadcast. Such are the times of war.
So, I will beg your pardon this week for not creating a full-blown newsletter due to my exigent circumstances. Instead, I encourage you to sign up for my Telegram channel, if you have not already done so. It is filled with news as it is happening, which is why a flood of new subscribers have signed on in the past few days. There are few places where you will be able to follow the action in the Middle East as closely as you can on my Telegram. Also, be watching for Breaking News Updates on my YouTube channel. I have already posted two, and if the need arises, I will post more.
God is good, and He is watching over us. Over the last two weeks, I had asked for you to pray with me about my plans to come to the United States. I was out of the country on October 7, 2023, when everything went down with Hamas. I didn’t want to be away from my family again should war break out. Then, three days before I was to get on my flight, the war began. The airports shut down, and I remained home with my loved ones. In another sign of God’s great mercy, I was scheduled to be in Dubai International Airport at the time it was struck by an Iranian missile. God is good.
I will include below in the ministry section the changes in my schedule due to the war. Also contained will be other updates on Behold Israel’s activities and opportunities. Please continue to pray for safety for the Israeli and American troops, and for all the innocent civilians who are caught up in this necessary quelling of a rogue nation. Pray for the protection of the Behold Israel and CONNECT families who are here in Israel. And pray that God thwarts the nefarious plans of the sleeper cells that have been planted throughout the West. This conflict could spread in very harsh ways without the intervention of the all-powerful God.
Before we get to the ministry portion, however, there is an issue that I want to address because of the sheer number of questions I’m receiving regarding it. That is the Jeremiah prophecy regarding Elam and how it might possibly relate to what’s happening right now in Iran. Before I give my answer, though, I want to make it clear that I am aware of other opinions that exist. In fact, some of the teachers who hold to other viewpoints I both love and admire. This is an issue in which it is okay to disagree.
Jeremiah 49:34–39 is a prophecy that has already been fulfilled. The first part speaks of the breaking of the bow of Elam – the destruction of its military power and national strength. Historically, the Kingdom of Elam was decisively defeated by the Assyrian Empire under King Ashurbanipal, and its central government collapsed during a series of invasions between 647 and 646 BC. Although Susa was razed in 647 BC, the final and complete subjugation of Elam took place around 640 BC.
The latter part of the prophecy speaks of restoration, declaring that in the latter days the Lord will restore the fortunes of Elam. Elamites are later mentioned in Acts 2:9 as part of the diverse crowd of Jews and proselytes present in Jerusalem at Pentecost, witnessing the apostles speaking in other tongues. Coming from the ancient region of Elam in southwestern Iran, their presence highlights the international character of the early church from its very beginning and the rapid spread of the gospel across different peoples and lands.
It is also important to distinguish between Elam and Persia in biblical prophecy. Elam was only one historical region located in what is today southwestern Iran. Modern-day Iran corresponds primarily to ancient Persia, which appears in future, unfulfilled prophecies such as Ezekiel 38–39. In other words, Elam represents a regional entity within the land, whereas Persia refers to the larger nation that corresponds to modern Iran in biblical prophecy.
The Ministry
We have seen the awesome power of the alliance between the United States and Israel as they joined forces to defeat a strong foe. But what if Israel was alone in the fight with no United States to help, and what if the enemy they faced was a multi-national axis that was so massive that it was impossible to defeat? This is not an “if,” my friends. According to Ezekiel 38-39, this is a “when.” That is why my friend, Steve Yohn, and I have made this coming situation the subject of our upcoming thriller novel, “The Next War.” The first book in the new Nir Tavor Tribulation Series, this story will take you into the hearts and minds of a nation that finds itself on the brink of annihilation with no possible way out. It’s a Bible-based thriller ride you will not forget. Preorder your copy of “The Next War” today!
Due to air travel shutting down, I have been forced to postpone my trip to the United States. Mike Golay, vice president of operations for Behold Israel, will be very capably standing in for me at my dates in Lakewood, Colorado, and Gilbert, Arizona. However, The Israel Decree Conference in Reno, Nevada, and the Proximity Conference in Anaheim, California, which will also be focused on The Israel Decree, have been rescheduled to April 25 and May 2, respectively. The Reno date is sold out, but there are still a few seats to be had in Anaheim. For all my travel schedule, please check out the Teaching Around the World page on the Behold Israel website.
Are you ready for the tour of a lifetime? Athens, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Corinth, and Rome – those are just some of the many ancient sites that you’ll visit on our two-week long 2026 Footsteps of Paul Tour taking place this coming November 5-20. With luxury accommodations, a Mediterranean cruise, professional guides, and enriching Bible teaching, this trip will help you understand Paul in a way you never have before and will deepen your faith in extraordinary ways. Register for your place today!
To all my friends in Japan, I’m coming your way in April! Registration is now open for events in Tokyo, Nagano, Hokkaido, and Osaka. Check out our Teaching Around the World page for dates and times, and for opportunities to register your attendance today!
The current generation of young adults are being bombarded by deception through universities, television, and social media. At Behold Israel, God has called us to meet those lies head-on. This has led us to launch GenZion! By connecting Scripture, Israel, and current events, GenZion equips Gen Z with biblical truth in a noisy, divided world. Our desire is to help young adults think critically, stand firm in their faith, and engage culture with clarity and courage. From college campuses and young-adult gatherings to immersive Israel tours, digital content, and online conversations, GenZion meets Gen Z where they are: on their socials, in their classrooms, and in their questions. Learn more and get involved at https://beholdisrael.org/about/young-adult-strategic-vision/.
At Behold Israel, one of our goals is to link believers to one another through prayer and Scripture. Every week, we offer two opportunities for you to be a part of this. First, every Monday we have a Weekly Prayer Meeting on Zoom that lasts from 7:00-8:00 AM PST. It’s always a special time to pray for the world, for the ministry, and for one another. Then, every Thursday, you can join us for our live Public Reading of Scripture from 6:00-7:00 PM PST. The title says it all; it’s a time when we celebrate the Bible by reading it out loud. You are invited to both, and we would love to see you there!
This conflict will not be over in only a few days. There is much to be done to destroy the power the Iranian Islamic regime had throughout many countries. We also don’t know what plots and schemes the bad guys may already have in place. What is very evident, though, is that the church needs to be in constant prayer in the days ahead. Please join me in coming before the Father and asking that His will be done. Pray for the safety of those fighting for right. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Thank you for your constant prayers for me and for the entire Behold Israel staff. And thank you for your unceasing financial support of this ministry. We are so blessed to have you as part of our family.
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsafati
By Khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0, link
Amir, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.
The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the CURE News and Clergy Blog.
