WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS

 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

    they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the Lord,

    give yourselves no rest,

 

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

    and makes her the praise of the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

 

This morning, Sunday 22 February 2026, the world is teetering on the edge of a crucial moment of decision. The negotiations with Iran have clearly failed, and US President Donald Trump is poised to give the order to attack Iran.  A military intervention now seems inevitable, and the question remaining is "When?". The words 'imminent' and 'within days' are prominent in the media. 

 

The Iranian regime has again and again threatened to attack Israel with massive missile barrages should the U.S. or Israel strike. We know the regime will try, and they may even risk a pre-emptive strike. They are also likely to attack US bases and interests (oil) across the Middle East, threatening also to attack any country that will help the US-Israel attack by providing bases or air corridors for the passage of aircraft, for example.

 

We are used to hearing such bombastic rhetoric from Iran, but it remains to be seen whether it has sufficiently rebuilt its defensive and offensive military arsenal since the 12-Day War of June 2025 and has sufficient firepower to make good on its threats. Estimates are that Iran still possesses around 1500 long-range missiles and 200 launchers. They may also resort to using non-conventional weapons.

 

This is not only a pivotal moment for Israel and the Middle East, but potentially for the whole world. No one knows how an attack on Iran will play out. Will Iran succeed in a massive attack on Israel? Will Iran's remaining proxies, Hezbollah and the Houthis, join in the fray? Will Iran attack Europe and the US? Will Pakistan, Russia or China get involved supporting Iran? Is this the beginning of World War III? Or can the hostilities be contained in Iran only? Can the Ayatollah regime in Iran be toppled, and a workable alternative be established? That is the hope, but no one knows what the outcome will be. 

 

Here in Israel, we are collectively holding our breath for the moment the red alerts sound. There is no panic, no hysteria but there is concern. On the surface there is calm and people are just getting on with their lives, but there is some tension and trepidation. To some extent we are all suffering from the 'boy who cried wolf' syndrome. There have been so many warnings of imminent attack, and nothing has happened, that now many are failing to take such warnings seriously. However, in the fairy tale, the wolf does eventually arrive. I hope we will not be caught out. 

 

That said, we have been quietly preparing. The IDF is operating on the highest level of readiness both offensively and defensively. Our defensive array has been strengthened, updated and prepared. It has also been and augmented by the American military with the positioning of three naval aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East. Many U.S. fighter planes are also now sitting at the ready across Europe and in some Middle Eastern countries.

 

The Home Front in Israel has been running drills and hospitals are on 'war readiness', but the instruction to civilians so far is 'business as usual'.  Individuals are checking their food, water and medical supplies, and rechecking their 'grab bags' for use in case of evacuation. We know the drill. But that may be our weak point. It is easy to be a bit nonchalant. We have survived 2 years and 4 months of war so far, including the 12-Day War with Iran, Operation Rising Lion, as it was called here. I hope we are not being overconfident. 

 

I confess I have grown weary of the war, now into its 871st day, and guilty of ‘falling asleep’ from time to time.  Perhaps you feel the same? This morning however the LORD has prompted me to write this and is also challenging me to wake up and take prayer more seriously, even though there are many other things in my life clamouring for attention. 

 

If you are called to be an intercessor for Israel, and that includes “all who call upon the Lord” (see v. 6 above), NOW is our time to pray fervently, to stand on the walls of Jerusalem as watchmen.

 

In a week's time we will be celebrating Purim, the Feast of Esther. At the time of Esther, the Jews, the captives from the Kingdom of Judah, were in Persia and an edict went out for their total annihilation. They were saved because Esther, a Jewish member of the harem of King Xerxes, at the risk of her own life, dared to intercede on their behalf. Ester's uncle encouraged her to do so, saying, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,... And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Ester 4: 14). 

 

Are you here in this world, at this time, as part of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), ‘for such a time as this’? If so, do not be silent.

 

King Xerxes reigned over the Medo-Persian Empire from the capital city, Susa.  Susa lies in the western region of modern-day Iran. In ancient times Susa was the capital of the empire of Elam. The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed this against Elam.

 

 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:

 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will break the bow of Elam,

    the mainstay of their might.

I will bring against Elam the four winds

    from the four quarters of heaven;

I will scatter them to the four winds,

    and there will not be a nation

    where Elam’s exiles do not go.

I will shatter Elam before their foes,

    before those who want to kill them;

 

I will bring disaster on them,

    even my fierce anger,”

declares the Lord.

“I will pursue them with the sword

    until I have made an end of them.

 

I will set my throne in Elam

    and destroy her king and officials,”

declares the Lord.

 

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam

    in days to come,”

declares the Lord.

 

Jeremiah 49: 36-39

 

This prophecy has never been fulfilled historically. Is it now about to be fulfilled? In ancient times, the Persians were known for their skill with the bow and arrow (see v. 35), but what is the modern equivalent of an arrow, if not a missile?  Will nations from the 4 corners of the earth join in this attack? That remains to be seen, but already several nations are helping the US and Israel in this venture. Will the people of Elam be scattered to the 4 winds? Already around 3 million Iranians have fled and are scattered amongst almost all the nations of the world (v. 36). Will God shatter Elam and make an end of the leadership (v. 37)? Watch this space!  

 

Will God set up his throne in Elam? We know that when Messiah returns he will set up his throne in Jerusalem, not Susa or Teheran, so what can this mean? Simply that God will rule over Iran. Already we know there are at least 1 million Iranians who know Jesus and worship the God of Israel. This is perhaps the fastest growing 'church' in the world, and these new believers are strong and fearless in spite of much persecution.  Many Iranians are growing disillusioned with Islam. If a coalition of Christian and Jewish nations defeat Iran, the current 'god of Iran', Allah, will be shown to be weak. This may cause even more to turn away from Islam, and YHWH, the God of Israel will be enthroned on the hearts of many in Iran. 

 

Will the leadership of Iran be overthrown (v. 38)? This is one of the goals of this coming war. The people of Iran are already rebelling against the current ayatollah regime and demanding a new leadership. The economic and ecological situation in the country will inevitably destroy the regime, even if the military intervention does not. 

 

The ultimate hope for Iran is promised in v. 39, 

“’Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come’ declares the Lord.”

 

Many of the protestors in Iran are waving the pre-revolution Iranian flags together with the Israeli flag. Many, if not most, Iranian people are looking to Israel for rescue. Israel has no issue with the people of Iran, and historically we were friends. This can happen again. Genesis 12:3 states, “ I will bless those who bless you...”. Iran will yet come into a time of great blessing according to this prophecy.

 

In the meantime, are you willing to take up position on the walls of Jerusalem as a watchman?  Prior to the Babylonian conquest of Judah, Isaiah said this,

 

Israel’s watchmen are blind,
    they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
    they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
    they love to sleep.
 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
    they never have enough.

 

Isaiah 56: 10-11

 

I feel convicted by these verses. Judah’s watchmen failed and Judah was overcome and taken into exile at that time. Will we fail again?

 

May we not be blind, lacking knowledge, mute, asleep and consumed with hedonistic appetites. Instead, may all of us who call upon the LORD, the God of Israel, be fervent in prayer and intercession, as never before.