Showdown with Iran: Nuclear Iran and the Future of Israel, the Middle East, and the United States in Bible Prophecy

by Mark Hitchcock

Bible prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock, PhD, is noticing a dangerous trend: the nation of Iran remains in the news for all the wrong reasons:


Iran attacks tankers in the Persian Gulf.
Iran secretly backs Syrian dictator during bloody civil war.
Iran bombs its neighbor Saudi Arabia with a drone.
Iran funds war in Yemen.
As a longtime student of Bible prophecy, Hitchcock is convinced Iran continues to play a central role in bringing about chaos in the Middle East.

Showdown with Iran is a timely, up-to-date book that will show readers exactly why this rogue nation is so dangerous.

Yet the warning is not new. In the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the Bible records many predictions about the region known as Mesopotamia or Persia. These ancient prophecies predict an end-time rise of Iran, as well as Russia and Turkey. Are they still true today?

What about a possible invasion of Israel? Does Iran still plan to wipe Israel off the map? And what about the role of the United States in Bible prophecy?

Dr. Hitchcock will thoroughly examine these issues and more in Showdown with Iran .

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2020

About the author

Mark Hitchcock was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from law school in 1984. After working for a judge at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for four years, Mark was led to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1991. Since that time, he has served as senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He completed his PhD at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2005 and serves as an associate professor of Bible exposition at DTS. He has authored over thirty books related to end-time Bible prophecy that have sold over one million copies. His books have been translated into over ten languages. Mark is a frequent speaker at churches and prophecy conferences both in the United States and internationally. Mark and his wife, Cheryl, live in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have two sons, Justin (married to Natalee) and Samuel, and two grandchildren..
You can also connect with Mark on Facebook

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a renowned Biblical scholar, gives us his interpretation of recent world events in relation to Biblical accounts of prophecy. He makes the argument that while Armageddon isn't here yet, several signs point to a climax of world-changing dimensions sometime soon. I found the book to be very well balanced, although a bit too far to the right wing to interest the generally liberal reader. If you aren't into Christian themed books you won't like this one.

[Susan Wachtel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showdown with Iran by Mark Hitchcock – Sobering, Fascinating, Informative and Well Grounded in Bible Prophecy

When you read the headline news and there are developments in Israel and the Middle East do you wonder how that fits into end-times Bible prophecy? If you do, then you may want to read Mark Hitchcock’s most recent book Showdown with Iran. This year began with the news that Iranian General Soleimani was killed in the US ordered drone strike. Just this week, Iran issued an arrest warrant for President Trump in connection with the drone strike. So how does all this fit into Bible prophecies about Iran? What about the nations that surround Israel that are hostile towards her?

In Showdown with Iran, Mark starts by reviewing the current state of Iran and recent hostile acts that seem to lead us ever closer to war. One of the more sobering facts is that Iran is drawing closer to having a fully functional nuclear weapon in seven to eleven months. Will Israel be forced to take a preemptive strike to stop that from happening? If so, how will Iran respond?

I was interested to learn that there is a conflict between Islamic nations in the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia and Iran. But there are many nations that are in league with Iran and Israel is surrounded by hostile nations. Today, we are seeing ties between Syria and Iran and interestingly Russia is one of their allies. How does that line up with Bible prophecy?

Also covered is the history of an important area, the Strait of Hormuz, where oil tankers from surrounding Persian Gulf nations must pass. They do so under the watchful eyes of Iran. An important element in the relationship between Israel and Iran is religion. Bible prophesies about Iran and other Middle East nations are covered as well as the Islamic faith, prophecies, and the differences between Sunni and Shia faith and how those differences impact international relationships.

Something I found very helpful is information about the ancient Biblical names of nations and their current modern-day names. When Mark disagrees with what other Bible prophecy teachers believe, he explains their conclusions, his conclusions, and why he differs. Bible end-time prophecies are covered from the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation and what has already been fulfilled and what is to come.

This most interesting chapter to me was Will America Survive? When you read Bible prophecy there’s no clear reference to the United States. Mark does an excellent job of explaining why that is. The scenarios he puts forth are very sobering and timely especially in light of Covid-19 and recent civil unrest in our Country.

While end-time Bible prophecies could be fulfilled at any time, Mark is cautious and reminds the reader that Scripture forbids date setting. He brings the reader back putting our hope in the Lord God Almighty, truth found in the Bible and the assurance of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone.

I highly recommend Showdown with Iran by Mark Hitchcock and encourage you to get a copy and read now it before the next eruption of conflict with Iran. Another great resource is the Marking the Times weekly videos on YouTube where Mark covers various Bible prophecies and current events and to date, he has 119 episodes.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Showdown with Iran by Mark Hitchcock. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

[Yibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps, like me, you haven’t been following the Middle East news for a while. The beginning of this book will catch you up on the major developments in Iran from the past year. Then it moves on and explains why these events might just be Biblically important. I enjoyed that mix of news, history, Biblical exposition, and encouragement.
Hitchcock also takes the time to explain some of the varying views about Iran in the last days and why America isn’t mentioned in prophecy. Those parts are very interesting but occasionally verged on the speculative.
This was written pre-COVID 19 so at first, its news sounds a little dated, but as you read you realize that it isn’t. As the author points out God’s plan will not be prevented or postponed. Hitchcock carefully points out that while the players of End Times Prophecy seem to be moving into place for the final battle; we do not know when God will call his church home and pour His wrath out upon this world. Still, it might just be, that we are seeing the beginning of the end. Even if we aren’t, a correct understanding of Prophecy will always be grounding and encouraging. So I believe this book will encourage you as it did me.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Emanate Books, Thomas Nelson. No favorable review was required and it was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book “Showdown with Iran: Atomic Iran, Bible Prophecy and the Coming Middle East War” Mark Hitchcock mixes newspaper headlines, biblical insight and history as he explores the growing danger of Iran (formerly Persia) as the countdown continues towards the end of this age. A well-known prophetic teacher he lays out Iran’s role in the Middle East as it draws closer to gaining a nuclear capability, and joins forces with countries like Russia and Turkey in its eagerness to destroy Israel. He even offers a possible answer to the question of what role the United States will play in Biblical prophecy.

Well-written, intriguing and backed by the biblical writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel as the signs of chaos in the Middle East mount and the world seems headed towards the biblical events foretold, the author cautions the reader about setting a date for the Rapture or the Tribulation, instead urging renewed faith and hope that God is in control and all will be made known in his timing.

Eye-opening as he gives life to end times prophecy and answering many questions people continue to ask, this is a book that will encourage believers.

[Gurudjieff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb religious "thinking" as expected, Evangelical so dumber than usual. Two stars for brevity and staying on topic throughout.