Could Isaiah 18 be Actually Referring to the U.S. and Iran? A Prophetic View of a Pre-Ezekiel 38 War

Jun 25, 2025

In a world increasingly marred by wars, rumors of wars, and political unrest, many believers are asking whether some of the prophecies long recorded in Scripture are now unfolding before our very eyes. One such prophecy is found in the often-overlooked chapter of Isaiah 18. This mysterious passage speaks of a far-off, powerful nation known for the sound of “buzzing wings” and for sending envoys across the seas. It also describes an interaction with a feared nation that, by many characteristics, resembles modern-day Iran—formerly known as Persia.

Could Isaiah 18 be describing a prophetic confrontation between the United States and Iran? Could it be that the events we are witnessing, even as recent as yesterday’s reports of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets, are a fulfillment of this prophecy? And if so, what does that mean for believers today? Let us walk slowly through the text, listening carefully to what the Spirit might be revealing in these days of trembling.

Isaiah’s Prophecy: A Closer Look at the Text

Isaiah 18 opens with the declaration: "Woe to the land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush, which sends envoys by sea." The reference to the "rivers of Cush" places this vision in the context of Africa—modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. The land described lies beyond this region, implying a far-distant nation removed from the biblical world. The poetic phrase “buzzing wings” has puzzled readers for centuries, but in our age of aircraft and drones, the image becomes strikingly relevant. We are reminded of the constant hum of aerial vehicles—jets, helicopters, surveillance drones—all tools of modern military power. It is not unreasonable, then, to consider that Isaiah may have seen a vision of a future nation identified by its air power.

This nation sends envoys by sea, suggesting a global naval presence. It has diplomatic reach and military mobility. This description matches the global presence of the United States, which sends diplomats to nearly every nation, dispatches aircraft carriers across oceans, and maintains military bases around the world. The United States is arguably the only nation whose military dominance in both the air and sea has earned it global recognition—and, increasingly, global fear.

Isaiah then tells the messengers to go “to a nation tall and smooth-skinned, feared far and wide, a powerful nation with a strange language, whose land is divided by rivers.” This new nation in focus appears to be the recipient of the buzzing-winged nation’s attention. It is not hard to see how these words may refer to Iran. Ancient Persia, known for its tall and noble people, was feared across the ancient world, just as modern Iran is viewed with deep concern today because of its nuclear ambitions and militant ideology. The reference to a “strange language” simply means a tongue foreign to Hebrew, which applies to Farsi, the official language of Iran. The detail that this nation is “divided by rivers” also fits Iran’s geography. The Karun, Karkheh, Zayanderud, and other rivers split Iran into multiple regions, further validating the literal fulfillment of this detail.

A Preemptive Strike "Before the Harvest"

Later in the chapter, Isaiah makes a puzzling yet profound statement: “Before the harvest, when the blossoming is complete… he will cut off the shoots with a pruning knife; he will remove and clear away the branches.” This verse speaks of an act of sudden and targeted judgment, executed before a season of great fulfillment. In biblical language, “harvest” often symbolizes divine judgment or deliverance. In the New Testament, harvest is closely associated with the rapture—the moment when Christ comes to gather His faithful Bride. Jesus referred to the harvest at the end of the age when angels would separate the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:39).

So, if the "harvest" here points prophetically to the rapture, Isaiah may be revealing that before the rapture, God allows a powerful nation to strike down a feared enemy—an act of pruning that precedes a greater spiritual event. Scripture consistently uses harvest imagery to depict the end-time gathering of believers, as seen in Matthew 13:39 where Jesus explains, "The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels." Similarly, Revelation 14:14-16 depicts Christ with a sickle, reaping the harvest of the earth when it is ripe. In Mark 4:29, Jesus teaches that "when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." This interpretation takes on greater weight in light of recent developments.

June 21, 2025, news agencies confirmed that the United States conducted precision airstrikes on Iranian targets in the Middle East. These strikes were reportedly in response to Iranian proxy attacks on U.S. forces and infrastructure. Could this be the very “cutting off” Isaiah described? If so, we are not looking at a distant prophecy but a present reality. God may be using the United States to execute limited judgment on Iran, removing certain branches before the final harvest. But Isaiah goes on to say that these fallen branches will not be buried but will be “left for the birds of prey and wild animals”—a poetic yet chilling description of death, devastation, and divine abandonment. The aftermath of this strike may escalate tensions, leading to wider conflict. And from that conflict may arise the infamous war described in Ezekiel 38.

How Isaiah 18 Connects to Ezekiel 38

In Ezekiel 38, the prophet describes a massive, multi-nation invasion of Israel in the last days. One of the key players in this attack is “Persia,” which we know today as Iran. The other nations involved—Russia, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan—are all forming new alliances in our generation. But Ezekiel 38 does not begin with Iran’s strength—it begins after God has weakened and judged certain nations. If Isaiah 18 is indeed describing a preemptive judgment on Iran, it would explain why Persia must later rely on a broader coalition to invade Israel. This weakening through military strikes could set the stage for the Ezekiel 38 alliance to rise in retaliation.

Furthermore, Ezekiel is clear that God, not America, defends Israel when the northern coalition attacks. This distinction is critical. The buzzing-winged nation in Isaiah 18 plays its role, then disappears. God alone receives the glory for defending His people in the end. This shows us that America, though used temporarily, is not the Savior of Israel. God is.

Enter the Deceiver: Antichrist’s Opportunity

After such destruction and international chaos, the world will be ripe for peace. That is when another prophecy enters: Daniel 9:27, which speaks of a deceptive leader who confirms a covenant with many for seven years. This man, known as the Antichrist, will promise peace and security just after the world has been shaken by judgment and war. Paul echoes this in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: "When they say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come upon them."

It is not difficult to imagine a global leader rising in the wake of war between the U.S. and Iran, followed by a failed invasion of Israel. The world will be desperate for calm, and Israel will be vulnerable and ready to sign any agreement that promises protection. But this covenant, the Bible warns, is a "covenant with death" (Isaiah 28:15)—a false peace that will be broken halfway through the seven years, when the Antichrist reveals his true nature (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

A Call to Prepare for the Harvest

If Isaiah 18 is indeed unfolding now—and if the rapture is the harvest Isaiah saw just over the prophetic horizon—then the message to believers is clear: the time to prepare is now. Before the harvest, before the door is shut, before the trumpet sounds, we must ensure our lamps are filled with oil. The Lord is pruning the nations. He is shaking the powers. The earth is groaning in anticipation. But He will not wait forever. Jesus said, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28). The harvest is close. But only those who belong to Christ—washed by His blood, filled with His Spirit, walking in truth—will be gathered.

Final Word to the Watchmen

This is not the time to slumber. If the United States is the buzzing-winged nation of Isaiah 18, and Iran is the feared nation being pruned, then we are witnessing prophecy as it unfolds. But the Church’s hope is not in political outcomes or military victories. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who will return for His Bride like a thief in the night. Let us be found ready. Let us call others to repent while there is still time. Let us lift our eyes, for the fields are white—and the harvest is near. “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Him!” — Matthew 25:6

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