'Billy Graham of Iran': Israel defeating Iran-backed terror groups prophesied in Bible

A ministry leader known as "The Billy Graham of Iran" believes that Israel's ongoing conflict with Iranian proxies aligns with biblical prophecies. He predicts, however, that a prophesied peace between Israel and Arab nations is on the horizon, emphasizing the increasing discontent among many Iranian citizens with their government.

In addition to fighting a war against Hamas following the terror group’s Oct. 7 attacks last year, Israel has dealt with missile attacks from two other Iran-aligned terrorist groups, Hezbollah and Houthis. On Oct. 1, Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel following an Israeli operation that took out key Hezbollah leaders through pager and walkie-talkie explosions. 

Hormoz Shariat, founder of Iran Alive, an organization that shares the Gospel in Iran online and through satellite, noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran lost respect among many nations and its proxies due to Israel’s operation. Shariat believes that Iran’s motivation for the missile attack was not to inflict damage but to regain respect from its proxies. 

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Many Iranian citizens, however, are celebrating the destruction of Hezbollah, as the people there despise the Islamic regime of Iran and its leaders, according to Shariat.

He claims that the people of Iran want to see Israel and the United States bring down the regime.

“The first opportunity that they can bring down the government, they will,” Shariat told The Christian Post. “This is like the first time in history where people of a country are asking foreign powers, ‘Would you attack us?’ They’re asking Israel, ‘Would you attack us and surgically remove these mullahs and set us free?’” he added. 

Shariat hasn't been to Iran since 1979, but he told CP that he is still there “every day,” in a sense, through media and his connections with Christians on the ground in the area. He grew up surrounded by Islam before he discovered Christianity in 1980. 

The Christian convert founded Iran Alive in 2000, planting the largest underground church network in Iran. 

Since 2001, the ministry has documented over 15,000 people dedicating their lives to Christ after receiving the Gospel through satellite broadcasts, which Shariat noted is controlled by the Iranian regime. Iranian citizens can also access the Gospel online through the development of Virtual Private Networks. 

The Iranian people’s discontent with their government is due in part because many are living in poverty, their family members have been killed by Hezbollah, and they're leaving Islam for Christ. 

“So, in general, there is misery in Iran, number one. Number two, they have rejected not just the government, but they have rejected Islam altogether,” Shariat said.

“The majority are moving towards secularism. They are very open to other ideas, including Christianity, and that is why Iran has the fastest-growing Evangelical population in the world.”

The Christian ministry leader cited Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 38, asserting that these verses in the Bible prophesied the current events happening around Israel. Shariat predicted that Israel making peace with its neighbors is “not far off,” stating that Iran’s Islamic government is “on its way down,” having lost the support of many of its people.

“Why aren't Israel’s neighbors listed in Ezekiel 38? The reason, you can see with our own eyes, is either Israel has made peace with them, like the Abraham Accords has happened, or it has destroyed its enemies,” he said. “So, in one sense, what Israel is doing is aligning with Bible prophecies in Ezekiel 38.” 

Israel’s destruction of Iranian leaders was prophesied in Jeremiah 49, according to Shariat, as well as the current revival in Iran. 

Following Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, Israel promised "significant retaliation,” which could include targeting oil production sites and other strategic locations inside Iran. President Joe Biden has indicated that he would not support an Israeli strike on Iran’s oil facilities, however. 

Regarding the United States’ strategy toward Iran, Shariat believes that regardless of whether a Republican or Democrat is in charge, the U.S. typically doesn't support toppling the Islamic government. While the Biden administration prefers the appeasement route, the Trump administration sought to handle Iran with threats and sanctions, he added. 

“But in the end, it’s about the same, which is put Iran under control, but do not destroy the Iranian government,” Shariat said. “Neither side has helped the people of Iran.” 

Some lawmakers and activist groups have called for a ceasefire, demanding that Israel no longer take up arms against Hamas and other Iran-backed groups. According to Shariat, many in the U.S. don't understand the mindset of Middle Easterners, but Iranians and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do. 

“The language of the Middle East is force,” Shariat said. “And the people of Iran say, ‘You have to speak their language.’ You cannot appease them. You have to use force, both against Hamas, Hezbollah, and, unfortunately, against the Iranian government.”