February 26, 2023—The Euphrates River is located in Western Asia and traverses from Turkey to Syria, to Iraq, and ultimately joining with the Tigris River. The confluence of these two historically and culturally significant rivers is known as Shatt al-Arab (river), which discharges to the Persian Gulf. Last year, Iraq was facing a significant drought which emerged an ancient city.
The ancient city is likely the Bronze Age city of Zakhiku, associated with the Mitanni Empire. This empire is not mentioned in the Holy Bible, but the Hittites are mentioned in the Holy Bible and were located north of the Mitanni Empire. In addition, the Assyrians are also mentioned in the Holy Bible, and they were located to the east of the Mitanni Empire.
Exclusive to the Old Testament, people of a Hittite origin are mentioned in various chapters of the following books:
Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
In Deuteronomy, the Israelites were brought “from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh King of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:1). According to archeological records, the exodus occurred sometime in the 13th Century B.C. God was leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the land of the Hittites and six other nations who were more powerful than the Israelites. The Holy Bible says, “when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.” (Deuteronomy 7:2).
The Mitanni Empire reigned between 1500 B.C. and 1260 B.C. and fell to the Hittites and later the Assyrians. The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt occurred when the Mitanni Empire reigned. Did the Israelites and the Mitanni people come in contact with one another?
If It Is Not in the Bible…
If it is not in the Holy Bible, does it matter? The answer is “Only if it ties into the Bible.” In some ways, the drought in Iraq does. Two prophecies in the Holy Bible concerning the Euphrates River have not been fulfilled. Here is the first one:
Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
Revelation 9:13-19
The second prophecy at the Euphrates River is less intense than the one above it. Here is what it says:
Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the king of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Revelation 16:12-16
In addition, the prophet Daniel tells us that knowledge will increase until the end of the age, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4). Has knowledge increased? Certainly. Think of advances in technology, medicine, and science. Not to mention discoveries made by researchers and archeologists over the years, including the most recent excavation and surveying of Zakhiku. Does the revealing of this city fulfill biblical prophecies?
Determining If Modern Events Tie into Biblical Prophecy
To determine if the drought in Iraq is fulfilling biblical prophecy, you need to listen to the Holy Spirit, read the Holy Bible, pray, and fast. These are the things that God calls us to do to get closer to Him. You also need to ask questions. Let us take the ancient city of Zakhiku as an example. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Was this excavated site located in the Euphrates River? No, it was located in the Tigris River.[1]
Are there any biblical prophecies regarding the Tigris? No. The only time that the Tigris is mentioned is in the Book of Daniel. In the verse about the Tigris River, Daniel gives his location, “Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris” (Daniel 10:4). The Tigris is never mentioned as part of a prophecy.
Does it matter that it is not in the Holy Bible? Not really. Sure, it is exciting and fascinating but do not confuse these matters with prophecies in the Holy Bible as they are unrelated. Instead, look to Jesus Christ’s teachings and ministry.
What Jesus Christ Taught Us
When He was alive on this earth, Jesus Christ of Nazareth taught us not to worry because God loves us and knows what we need. Pairing that with the fact that nothing is impossible for God, we should not have anxiety or fear as Christians. For Jesus Christ told us the signs of the end of the age, and He told us to watch the signs as we watch the seasons:
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Matthew 24:32-35
Beloved, if someone is telling you that the emergence of this city is fulfilling biblical prophecy, first connect the pieces of the Holy Bible and think critically. The great tribulation starts with the opening of the seven seals (Revelation 6 and 8). It will continue with the sounding of the seven trumpets (Revelation 8 and 11), and it will come to an end with the seven bowls of judgment (Revelation 16), where God’s wrath will be completed (Revelation 15:1).
Now ask yourself these questions:
Has the Great Tribulation started? No.
How will you know when it starts? A few events need to occur first. The two witnesses and the Antichrist and the False Prophet must rise. Paul said, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Notice how he says that the Antichrist will be revealed, not hidden, but revealed. Therefore, we will know the identity of the Antichrist when he comes. We will know the mark of the beast when it comes because the false prophet will require it.
Have hope, brothers, and sisters in Christ. While I believe we are in the end times, we are not in the tribulation yet, and God will not leave or forsake us. The Holy Bible says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; bet content with such things as you gave. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5). Now is the time to repent from your sins and return to God.
Accepting Jesus Christ
Beloved, the time to accept Jesus Christ as your savior is now. It only takes a few moments, and you may not be here tomorrow, for tomorrow is not promised to anyone. To accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your savior, say this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen!
[1] CNN, Megan Marples, A 3,400-year-old city in Iraq emerges from underwater after an extreme drought dated June 20, 2022, accesses February 25, 2023.