Assyria the Work of My Hands: God’s Shocking Promise for Iran’s Future
Introduction: We Know How the Story Ends
The middle is dark.
Iranian women beaten for showing hair. Protesters shot in the streets. Christians imprisoned and tortured. An oppressive regime claiming to speak for God while crushing His image-bearers.
The middle is very dark.
But here’s what changes everything for Christians: We get to see the end.
We’re not watching a story unfold with no idea how it concludes. God has already told us. He’s written the final chapter. And it’s glorious.
Listen to what God says about the Middle East—about Egypt, about Assyria (Iraq/Iran region), about Israel:
“In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’”
— Isaiah 19:24-25
Read that again slowly.
God calls Egypt “my people“—a title usually reserved for Israel.
God calls Assyria “the work of my hands“—language Scripture uses for God’s most precious creations.
God calls Israel “my inheritance“—their covenant identity.
All three blessed. All three serving God together. All three called by names of intimacy and affection.
This is where the story ends.
Not with ayatollahs. Not with oppression. Not with persecution. Not with darkness.
With God’s redemptive purposes fulfilled. With former enemies worshiping together. With the Middle East blessed.
The middle may be dark and murky. But Christians don’t live in the middle—we live in the hope of the end.
And God has shown us the end.
Isaiah 19: The Full Prophecy
Context: When Was This Written?
Isaiah prophesied around 740-680 BC during a tumultuous period:
– Assyria was the dominant empire (brutal, conquering)
– Egypt was a fading power (once great, now declining)
– Israel (northern kingdom) was about to fall to Assyria (722 BC)
– Judah (southern kingdom) was caught between these powers
In this context, God gives Isaiah a stunning prophecy about Egypt’s future (Isaiah 19), followed by this climactic promise about Egypt, Assyria, and Israel.
Isaiah 19:1-17: Judgment on Egypt
The chapter begins with judgment:
– Civil war in Egypt (v. 2)
– Economic collapse (v. 5-10)
– Failed leadership (v. 11-15)
– Terror of Judah (v. 16-17)
Egypt will be judged for pride, idolatry, and oppression.
Isaiah 19:18-22: Egypt’s Conversion
Then comes transformation:
“In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts… In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border… When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.”
— Isaiah 19:18-20
Egypt will:
– Speak Hebrew (language of Canaan)
– Worship Yahweh (altar to the LORD)
– Cry out to Him
– Be saved and delivered
Isaiah 19:23: The Highway
“In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.”
— Isaiah 19:23
A highway—not for war, but for worship.
Egypt and Assyria, ancient enemies, traveling freely to worship God together.
Isaiah 19:24-25: The Climax
“In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’”
— Isaiah 19:24-25
Three nations. Three titles. One God.
This is the end of the story.
Understanding “Assyria the Work of My Hands”
The Phrase “Work of My Hands”
In Scripture, “work of my hands” describes:
1. Creation itself
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
2. Israel specifically
“But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
“Israel, in whom I will be glorified… my chosen, the work of my hands.” (Isaiah 43:21; 60:21)
“Work of my hands” is intimate, personal language—God speaking of what He has formed with intentionality and love.
The Shock of Applying This to Assyria
Assyria was:
– Israel’s brutal enemy
– Destroyer of the northern kingdom (722 BC)
– Infamous for cruelty (skinning captives alive, impaling populations)
– Proud empire that defied God (2 Kings 18-19)
– Used by God to judge Israel, then judged themselves (Isaiah 10)
And God calls them “the work of my hands.”
This isn’t describing what they were. It’s describing what God will make them.
What This Means Theologically
1. God’s redemptive purposes extend beyond Israel
God’s covenant with Israel was always intended to bless the nations:
“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3)
Isaiah 19 shows this fulfilled—former enemies become family.
2. God’s grace transforms the worst sinners
Assyria wasn’t just an enemy. They were the enemy—brutal, cruel, proud.
If God can call Assyria “the work of my hands,” no one is beyond His grace.
3. God’s judgments lead to redemption
Notice the pattern:
– Judgment on Egypt (vv. 1-17)
– Conversion of Egypt (vv. 18-22)
– Blessing on Egypt and Assyria (vv. 23-25)
God judges to redeem. He tears down to rebuild. He allows suffering to produce salvation.
This is Savage Mercies theology: God allows the painful middle to bring about the glorious end.
How Does This Apply to Iran?
Geography and Identity
Assyria’s ancient territory included:
– Northern Iraq (heartland of Assyrian Empire)
– Parts of Syria
– Parts of southeastern Turkey
– Parts of western Iran
Modern Iran is primarily the ancient territory of:
– Persia (southwestern and central Iran)
– Elam (southwestern Iran)
– Media (northwestern Iran)
So is Iran “Assyria”?
Not exactly. But the principle applies because:
1. Overlapping territory
Parts of ancient Assyria and Media overlap in what is now Iran/Iraq.
2. Shared regional identity
When Isaiah speaks of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel blessed together, he’s speaking of the Middle East as a whole—the nations surrounding Israel.
3. Typological fulfillment
If God can redeem brutal Assyria, He can redeem any Middle Eastern nation—including Iran.
4. Prophetic pattern
Just as Jeremiah 49:39 promises to “restore the fortunes of Elam,” Isaiah 19:25 promises to bless the nations of the region.
The principle is clear: God has redemptive purposes for Iran.
“In That Day” – When Will This Happen?
The phrase “in that day” appears 12 times in Isaiah 19. This points to a future, specific time.
Three Main Views
1. Already Fulfilled (Historical View)
Some see this fulfilled in:
– Early church spread through Egypt and Middle East
– Coptic Christianity in Egypt (still exists today)
– Christians throughout the region in early centuries
Strengths: Christianity did spread to these regions
Weaknesses: Egypt, Iraq, and Israel have never been “a blessing in the midst of the earth” together as described
2. Future Fulfillment (Millennial View)
Others see this fulfilled in:
– Christ’s millennial kingdom (Revelation 20)
– After Christ returns and establishes His reign
– Perfect worship and peace for 1,000 years
Strengths: Fits “that day” language common in millennial prophecies
Weaknesses: Requires waiting until after tribulation and Christ’s return
3. Already/Not Yet (Progressive View)
This view sees:
– Beginning fulfillment now (underground church in Iran, Christian remnants in Egypt and Iraq)
– Full fulfillment later (millennial kingdom or eternal state)
Strengths: Accounts for current revival while recognizing incomplete fulfillment
Weaknesses: Requires holding tension of “already/not yet”
I lean toward view #3: We’re seeing the beginning, full consummation awaits Christ’s return.
The Dark Middle: Why Does God Allow It?
Here’s the hardest question: If God promises this glorious end, why does He allow the dark middle?
Why allow:
– 47 years of Islamic oppression in Iran
– Christians tortured and imprisoned
– Women beaten for showing hair
– Centuries of suffering under Islam
Why not just skip to the blessed end?
Because the Middle Produces the End
The dark middle isn’t wasted. God is using it:
1. To expose Islam’s bankruptcy
Every year under Islamic rule demonstrates: Islam doesn’t deliver what it promises.
God is allowing Iran to experience the full consequences of rejecting Him—so when they turn back, they’ll know why.
2. To drive Iranians to Christ
The underground church isn’t growing despite persecution—it’s growing because of persecution.
When Islam crushes you, you seek something better. When you seek, you find Jesus.
3. To refine Iranian believers
“He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)
The Iranian believers emerging from this dark middle will be spiritually mature, battle-tested, refined by fire.
They won’t be nominal Christians. They’ll be warriors.
4. To prepare for prophetic fulfillment
God may be preparing Iran for a role in His end-times purposes. That requires:
– Large population of believers (happening now)
– Deep spiritual maturity (produced through suffering)
– Willingness to sacrifice (learned under persecution)
The dark middle is producing the glorious end.
Romans 8:28 Applied to Iran
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
— Romans 8:28
“All things” includes:
– Islamic Revolution (1979)
– 47 years of oppression
– Persecution of Christians
– Economic collapse
– June 2025 war
– Current protests
God is weaving all of it—even the evil—into His good purposes.
MacArthur preaches on Romans 8:28: “All things are not necessarily good in themselves, but God takes all things and weaves them into what is good… Nothing happens by accident to the Christian. Nothing… God fathers all events.”
The dark middle isn’t random. It’s part of God’s sovereign plan to bring Iran to the blessed end.
We Know How the Story Ends
This is what separates Christians from everyone else watching Iran:
The world sees: Chaos, oppression, uncertain future
Christians see: God’s sovereign plan unfolding toward a predetermined end
The world asks: “Will it get better?”
Christians know: “God has already told us—yes.”
The world wonders: “What’s the point of all this suffering?”
Christians understand: “God is working all things for good to produce the glorious end.”
The End Is Certain
God doesn’t say “maybe Assyria will be blessed.”
He doesn’t say “if conditions are right, Egypt might worship me.”
He says: “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands.”
Settled. Decreed. Certain.
The same God who:
– Named Cyrus 150 years before his birth (Isaiah 45:1)
– Prophesied 70 years of Babylonian exile to the day (Jeremiah 29:10)
– Predicted Jesus’ crucifixion in detail 1,000 years early (Psalm 22)
That same God has spoken about Iran’s future. And it will happen exactly as He said.
What the End Looks Like
Based on Isaiah 19 and related prophecies, here’s what we know about the end:
1. Egypt, Iraq/Iran, and Israel Worship Together
The ancient enemies become family. The war-torn region becomes peaceful. The divided Middle East becomes unified—not politically, but spiritually.
Former Muslims, Jews, and Arab Christians worshiping the one true God together.
2. A Highway Connects Them
Not just symbolic—actual free travel for worship and fellowship between nations that once killed each other.
3. They’re Called by Intimate Names
- Egypt: “my people” (covenant relationship)
- Assyria: “the work of my hands” (precious creation)
- Israel: “my inheritance” (treasured possession)
All three loved. All three valued. All three blessed.
4. They’re a Blessing to the Earth
Not just blessed themselves—they become a blessing to other nations.
The Middle East, source of so much conflict, becomes a source of blessing to the world.
This is the end.
Signs We’re Moving Toward the End
Are we seeing movement toward this prophecy? Yes:
1. Underground Church Explosion in Iran
- 500,000 to 2 million believers
- Fastest-growing church in the Islamic world
- Former Muslims worshiping Jesus
- House churches multiplying despite persecution
Assyria is beginning to call on the name of the LORD.
2. Christian Remnant in Egypt
Despite Islamic dominance:
– 10-15 million Coptic Christians in Egypt
– Ancient church surviving centuries of oppression
– Still worshiping, still faithful
Egypt hasn’t forgotten the LORD completely.
3. Messianic Jews in Israel
- Thousands of Jewish believers in Jesus
- Hebrew-speaking congregations
- Growing movement among Israelis
Israel is beginning to recognize their Messiah.
4. Regional Alignments Shifting
- Abraham Accords normalizing Israel-Arab relations
- Economic cooperation growing
- Shared opposition to Iran’s regime (ironic—this may change when regime falls)
The impossible is becoming possible.
5. Technology Enabling Connection
- Satellite TV broadcasting gospel into closed nations
- Internet allowing believers to connect
- Social media spreading testimonies
- Translation work making Scripture available
The highway is being built—digitally first, physically later.
How Should Christians Live in the Middle?
We’re living between the dark middle and the glorious end. How should we respond?
1. Hold Fast to Hope
When you see darkness in Iran, remember: God has already written the end.
Assyria will be called “the work of my hands.”
That’s not speculation. That’s prophecy.
2. Pray for the End to Come
Pray:
– For millions more Iranians to be saved
– For the underground church to grow
– For the regime to fall
– For open worship to begin
– For the highway to be built
– For Egypt, Iran/Iraq, and Israel to worship together
Pray toward the prophesied end.
3. Support Those in the Middle
Iranian believers are living through the dark middle right now. Support them:
– Transform Iran
– Mohabat TV
– International Christian Concern
– Voice of the Martyrs
Don’t just hope for the end—help those enduring the middle.
4. Trust God’s Timing
The end will come when God decrees. Not before. Not after.
Our job isn’t to force it. Our job is to trust the God who ordained it.
5. Tell Others How the Story Ends
The world needs to hear: God isn’t done with Iran. He isn’t done with the Middle East. The end is glorious.
Share this hope.
The God Who Writes the End First
Here’s what makes the God of Scripture different from every other deity:
He tells you the end before the middle happens.
False gods react to circumstances. The true God decrees the outcome before the story begins.
“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’”
— Isaiah 46:9-10
God wrote Isaiah 19:25 in 700 BC.
2,700 years later, it’s still unfolding.
And when it’s fully accomplished—when Iranian believers, Egyptian Christians, and Messianic Jews worship together in peace—we’ll know it happened exactly as God said.
Because His counsel stands. His purposes don’t fail. His Word doesn’t return void.
The Dark Middle Is Not the End
If you’re watching Iran and feeling despair—stop.
If you’re seeing persecution and thinking God has abandoned them—He hasn’t.
If you’re wondering if there’s any hope for that region—there is.
The dark middle is not the end.
God has already shown us the end: “Blessed be Assyria the work of my hands.”
The ayatollahs are not the end.
Islamic oppression is not the end.
Persecution is not the end.
God’s redemptive purposes are the end.
And we get to see it. We get to know it. We get to hope in it—even when the middle is dark and murky.
Prayer
Father,
You’ve shown us the end. You’ve told us how this story finishes. Iran—Assyria—will be called “the work of Your hands.”
We believe it because You said it.
As we watch the dark middle:
– Strengthen our hope in the glorious end
– Help us trust Your timing
– Give us faith to see beyond current circumstances
– Sustain Iranian believers enduring the darkness
– Accelerate the fulfillment of Your promises
– Save millions before that day comes
You declared the end from the beginning. Now bring the beginning to the end.
Let Assyria become the work of Your hands. Let Egypt become Your people. Let Israel inherit their Messiah.
Do what only You can do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sources
Scripture
- Isaiah 19:1-25; Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 8:28; Genesis 12:3; Psalm 22; Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 29:10
Theological Foundation
- John MacArthur, “The Extent of the Believer’s Security” (Romans 8:28) – Savage Mercies Library
- God’s sovereignty over nations (Daniel 2:21, Acts 17:26) – Savage Mercies Library
Prophetic Interpretation
- Multiple evangelical commentaries on Isaiah 19
- Messianic Jewish perspectives on Israel’s role
- Middle East Christian ministry reports
