Iran lost many top leaders: Let’s call that a partial neutralization

I warned here last this month that Iran looked to be overplaying its hand (see Iran makes retaliatory threats–is Iran overplaying its hand?).

For over a decade I warned that Iran was not the coming King of the South, that the regime in Syria would change, and that Iran would somehow be neutralized. Here are parts of three of many posted statements related to Iran:

According to the Bible, the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) will rise up and we will see if this happens sometime after an Israeli conflict with Iran. Since Iran is not destined to be the King of the South, but Syria seemingly is, I have long written that Iran will somehow be neutralized (through a conflict involving Israel and/or internal strife, etc.) and the regime in Syria would change. (Thiel B. Obama arrives in Israel and meets with Netanyahu. COGwriter, May 20, 2013)

I have long believed that Iran is a threat that will one day be ‘neutralized,’ as I believe it will overplay its hand. (Thiel B. After second tanker incident, Israel says it is ready to attack. COGwriter, August 5, 2021)

PCG’s leader, and falsely self-proclaimed prophet, Gerald Flurry has made at least two significant errors related to the sequence of Daniel 11:39-44 and the identity of the final King of the South.  Here are some statements he has published with the improper identity:

The king of the south is about state-sponsored terrorism. That is how Iran became king! Daniel 11:40-43 is an end-time prophecy. It is about a nation that is always pushy in its foreign policy. It pushes until it starts a war. Having such power means that it must be a large oil-producing country. This king is close to Jerusalem, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya.

Who else could it be in this end time but Iran? (Flurry, G. The King of the South. PCG Booklet).

We have prophesied for over 13 years that Iran would head up the “king of the south.” (Flurry G. Iran-Egypt Alliance Prophesied. Philadelphia Trumpet, March 2008, p. 33).

How could I have known so long ago that Iran would be the king of the south and clash with the Holy Roman Empire? Because of what was happening in Iran and the Middle East, coupled with Bible prophecy…(Flurry G. Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy. Philadelphia Trumpet, April 2011)

How could Gerald Flurry know a falsehood about Iran being the final King of the South?

Well, since Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem, it was not from geography nor the Bible.   Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South. (Thiel B. PCG on Daniel, yet Gerald Flurry is in error on two important ‘King of the South’ matters. COGwriter, April 2, 2014)

Yet, a critic of my sermon, 21st Century Prophets (and Prophetesses), posted the following at the Banned by HWA website:

Not one ‘prophet’ from within the Armstrong fold as far as I can see, has predicted the unfolding events in Iran. Latest news is that Ayatollah Khamenei has been eliminated, as have many at the very top of the Islamic regime. Including defence minister. Goodbye king of the south lol. Have family in Ashdod and Jerusalem, so am concerned for their welfare at this time. No one has heard of Dr Bob Thiel in the ME, especially in Israel. Total unknown.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:09:56 PM PST

As seemingly typical of critics posting there, poster failed to realize that:

1. I have written that Iran would not be the King of the South.
2. That Iran would be somehow neutralized.

The loss of its Supreme leader and several of its top military and political leaders is a partial neutralization.

Something like this may have been unexpected by Gerald Flurry, but not to those of us willing to believe what the Bible actually teaches.

The Book of Proverbs notes:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

Many critics think they are wise, but many have not seemed to have been interested enough to take the time to check out the facts to be able to discern the truth over falsehoods.

We in the CCOG have always taught against the idea that Iran would lead the King of the South.

Related to prophets, Norman Edwards, a former employee of the old WCG and later a former board member of the old Global Church of God, wrote the following:

There are over 40 separate passages about prophets and their prophecies in the New Testament—so many that one might easily get tired of reading them! We have left out verses about the Old Testament prophets and New Testament false prophets to keep the list shorter. If we want God to show us what will happen in the future, we need to “desire earnestly to prophesy” (1 Cor 14:39). It is a New Testament teaching we must not ignore! …

Do people today have faith that God is able to prophecy through people …?

1Jo 4:1-2 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

Note: If there were no true prophets, there would be no need to “test the spirits”—because every prophet would be a “false prophet”. But because there are both true prophets and false prophets, we need to “test the spirits”. (Edwards N. Need Prophets More than Prophecy. Shepherd’s Voice, Fall 2013)

Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right

… 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order (1 Corinthians 14:31- 33, 37-40).

Simply because some congregations do not follow this scripture does not mean that there is not a proper use of spiritual gifts today. Think about this. Almost all of us would agree that we know of another church denomination or congregation that teaches erroneous doctrines. But does that error stop us from teaching the Bible? It should not. Similarly, many people do not attend church congregations because they have experienced corruption there before. But should that stop us from continuing to meet in congregations as the Bible instructs?

Two wrongs do not make a right!

Simply because some congregations that promote “spiritual gifts” do not follow all the scriptural teaching on it, does not mean that dedicated believers can abandon these vital gifts. It becomes all the more important for godly people to do it right. The number of false prophets compared to the number of true prophets does not matter. Elijah went up against 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. The power of God destroyed all the false prophets (1 Kings 18:17-40). (Edwards N. Spiritual Oomph! Shepherd’s Voice, Fall 2015, pp. 11-12)

Basically, Norman Edwards is saying that the New Testament does tell of prophets, and that even though there can be vast multitudes of false prophets, that those who will really be the most faithful will listen to God’s prophet(s). Jesus Himself also warned in His parable of the talents that some would not support the work for fear of mistakes, and Jesus condemned the one who was afraid to do what should have been done (Matthew 25:24-30).

TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT!

The existence of false prophets like Gerald Flurry (watch 21st Century False Prophets) does NOT excuse not supporting a real one.

Sadly, many these days have fallen for Satan’s accusatory trap of “guilt by association,” instead of looking at actual teachings. This is a tactic that Jesus’ enemies also used against Him (Mark 2:16; Luke 15:1-2). Since the Bible teaches that Satan is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) and “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10), it is not a surprise that many are influenced to misjudge Christians who are faithful to God’s teachings today. Those at the Banned site like to group me in with false leaders–do not fall for Satan’s tactics!

The Bible teaches that there will be true vs. false prophets. The Bible also says to listen to prophets from God. Notice the following:

17 “And the Lord said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. 18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:17-22)

While the end is not yet, it is getting much closer. As Jesus said:

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and  Iran and Israel Conflict.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
21st Century False Prophets There have been many false prophets to rise up from various churches. This article denounces and calls several out by name. Here is a link to a related sermon: 21st Century False Prophets.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
21st Century Church of God Prophets Are there any true prophets in the 21st century? What about false prophets? What are scriptures and fruits to identify the true from the false? Will you prove all things and test the spirits? Here is a link to a relate sermon: 21st Century Prophets (and Prophetesses).
26 items to prophetically watch in 2026 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 26 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon: 26 Items to Watch in 2026.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.