The Citizens of Iran are More Worried About Food Than Freedom
While the world watches for political shifts, the uprising that exploded on December 28th is driven by a more primal desperation: a catastrophic economic collapse.
Iran’s currency, the Rial has hit a staggering record low:1.45 million Rial to 1 (one) US dollar. Food prices have soared 70%, leaving the middle class struggling to afford basic necessities. And in case you’re wondering, for a minimum-wage worker in Iran today, a full day’s labor often barely covers one basic meal for a small family, rather than a full day’s worth of food and living expenses.
. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. – Revelation 6:5-6 KJV
These lines were once dismissed as mere symbolic poetry—the subject of academic debate in quiet halls rather than a literal roadmap. However, by 2025, this language has shifted from the metaphorical to the undeniable, taking on a profound new significance.
A ‘penny’ is actually the word ‘denarius‘ in the Greek, a standard day’s wages for a laborer. A measure of wheat was roughly what it took to bake one loaf of bread, which was considered enough food for one person, one meal.
The Hope for a New Era
Because the math of survival no longer adds up, the Iranian people are looking backward to move forward. In the streets, a surprising cry is heard: “Reza Shah, bless your soul.”
The people are increasingly looking to Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah. Unlike the current regime, Pahlavi represents a secular, nationalist identity that many Iranians believe could restore the economy and reconnect the country to the world. While he lives in exile, his popularity is at an all-time high; he has become the symbolic “center of gravity” for a nation that has lost faith in the Islamic Republic.
The Bible Shakes Iran
It truly seems the prophecy in the book of Jeremiah in which he refers to Iran as the land of Elam is coming true right in front of our eyes. Yet God gives hope for the land, that one day they will rest in peace.
34 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.
35 Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. 36 And I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven. And I will scatter them to all those winds, and there shall be no nation to which those driven out of Elam shall not come. 37 I will terrify Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the LORD. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, 38 and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the LORD.
39 “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 49:34-39 ESV
The Bible seems to, once again, prove itself literally true. The people of Iran are left without water, unaffordable food, a questionable future, an impossible government who doesn’t regard the lives of the citizens, and the threat of war from its enemies. Truly this is a nation in terror (v. 37).
The Critical Threshold: Military Might vs. Barrier of Fear
Predicting an overthrow of Iran is a difficult thing; one of the first things the Islamic Regime did was install a massive, multi-layered security apparatus designed specifically to survive uprisings. The uncertainty this time is three things that make people wonder if that apparatus can survive.
- External Weakness: The regime is coming off a summer of military tension/conflict with Israel, which has drained its resources and damaged its image of “invincibility.”
- The Syria Factor: The recent fall of the Assad regime in Syria has emboldened Iranian protesters, who see a blueprint for how a long-standing authoritarian ally can collapse.
- Internal Splits: There are rumors of disputes within the military leadership (Artesh vs. IRGC) regarding how to handle the protests.
But most importantly of all the Barrier of Fear is gone. The population, once in the bonds of Islamic Sharia law, now has lost the fear of the government. Women openly walk about with their heads uncovered, despite government laws threatening the death penalty for those who dare disobey. People openly call for the removal of the government and have gone as far as to chant for the death of the Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
At one time, the mere mention of his name in a disrespectful manner would be worthy of death. For decades, the “sanctity” of the Supreme Leader was the ultimate red line in Iran. To even whisper a criticism of Ali Khamenei—let alone chant for his death—was considered Moharebeh (enmity against God), a crime that carries the death penalty.
The “wall of fear” that the Islamic government relied on has crumbled away. Iranians feel like there is nothing left to lose. The economy in freefall, people unable to feed themselves, and a drought. Let’s explore that next:
The Silent Partner of an Uprising
While the currency collapse is the immediate shock, the drought is the structural rot that makes recovery almost impossible under the current regime. In fact, many experts are now calling this a “Man-made Apocalypse” rather than just a natural disaster. For decades, Iran took a stance of self-sufficiency, depending on their own resources to feed the people in order not to be dependent on the West. However, this stance has blown up in their face. To Achieve this, farmers were encourage to pump their groundwater in order to grow crops. As of 2025, 70% of that ground water is now gone, and because of the drought;
The Import Trap: Because they can’t grow enough food, they must import it. But because the Rial has crashed to 1.45 million, the cost of importing that “measure of wheat” has become astronomical.
Adding to the economic fire is a literal thirst. Iran is currently enduring its worst drought in 50 years—a crisis worsened by decades of regime mismanagement and ‘prestige’ dam projects. With 70% of the country’s groundwater gone and the land in Tehran literally sinking, the regime’s promise of food self-sufficiency has turned into a salt-choked wasteland. When the people cry for ‘Water, Electricity, and Life,’ they are pointing to a government that has not only stolen their money but has dried up the very earth beneath their feet.
The Bible Wrote the Headlines in Advance
Elam, or Southwestern Iran, was given a detailed prophecy of its fate in the last days. Jeremiah speaks of a time when God will “shatter the bow of Elam” (the source of their military might) and “set His throne in Elam,” destroying its “king and officials.” Is this event taking place right in front of us?
Many believe this refers to the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). Their “bow” (missile power and proxy armies) has been their pride. The prophecy suggests a total collapse of the current leadership, followed by a “restoration of fortunes” in the latter days. It hints that the regime change won’t just be a political shift, but a spiritual one where the Iranian people are freed from their “officials.”
2 “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. – Zechariah – 12:2-3 ESV
The hatred the government has for Israel is no secret. They have been, again for decades, the biggest threat to Israel, the loudest critic, the thorn in the side of Israel. Now as the last days approach, we see Zechariah’s word literally coming true.
Someone once asked about my ability to predict the future. I told them I was anti-psychic; nothing I predict ever comes true. However let me give you a scenario: The Bible tells us:
“For when they shall say, ‘Peace and safety’; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:3 KJV
Now, everyone is watching and hoping that the Islamic Regime will collapse, and the son of the Shah, Reza Pahlavi, to come and take control of this nation and restore it to its once famous glory. But I wonder if this hope for peace is really the foreshadow of destruction. Does Iran possess a nuclear warhead? Do they possess a ‘dirty bomb’; a conventional explosive warhead poisoned with nuclear material that covers the area with deadly radiation? What exactly is the Islamic regime capable of with their seat of power in jeopardy?
But one thing we do know, my fellow Christians. We know that just as it has been doing all along, God’s word will be fulfilled down to the last letter. And we can have comfort knowing that, just as God’s word tells us, when these things begin to come to pass, look up, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
On the other hand, if you don’t know Jesus, this is an absolutely terrifying time for you. But it doesn’t have to be. God’s forgiveness was paid 2,000 years ago, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that receiving that gift simply requires a little belief and confession. No long, drawn out prayers, no repeat-after-me declarations, but only sincerity and humbleness.
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:9-10 ESV
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