When I read Wednesday’s front-page story in the New York Times, “As Arab World Shakes, Iran’s Influence Grows,” I thought of at least a dozen Trumpet articles we’ve written over the past two decades.

After Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in late 1990, for example, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry asked this in just the fifth issue of our fledgling magazine: “King of the South—Is He Now on the World Scene?” (September-October 1990). As our regular readers know, the “king of the south” is mentioned in Daniel 11:40, where it is prophesied to push at the “king of the north,” which results in a clash that triggers the start of World War iii.

At the time, Mr. Flurry speculated that Saddam’s Iraq might fill the prophesied role of the king of the south. He wrote, “Even if it isn’t Saddam Hussein, the king of the south shall rise in that part of the world—and soon!” (emphasis mine throughout).

How right he was. Less than two years later, in July 1992, he wrote, “The king of the south could rule Iraq or Iran or both countries. But it is looking more now like Iran may produce this king.” Even as early as 1992, he was already indicating that this prophesied king might rule over Iran and Iraq.

Radical Islam, he also said, would be the driving force behind the king of the south.

He also made some astonishingly prescient remarks about Egypt, which had been the king of the south in Old Testament history. Based on what it says in Daniel 11:42, he said that Egypt would not be the king of the south in the end time, but that it would be “somewhat allied with the king of the south.” This is why we have constantly prepared our readers for a radical swing in Egypt’s government. Notice what our editor in chief wrote, also in 1990:

Presently, Egypt would not closely befriend a leader like the king of the south (which it would seem they may do to also be attacked by a United Europe). But with a few violent assassinations that could change quickly! Such acts can rapidly change the people’s minds. Revolutions often result. Anyhow, Egypt also becomes the enemy of the king of the north.

He wrote that in 1990. In December 1994, he asked in this memorable headline: “Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran?” By then, it was already clear that Iran was the most powerful force in the Middle East. “Can you imagine the power they would have if they gained control of Iraq, the second-largest oil-producing country in the world?” he asked.

In that same article, he reminded our readers of Egypt’s impending alliance with the king of the south. He wrote, “The radical Islamic movement, led by Iran, is very strong in Egypt and Algeria. This religion will probably take control of both countries very soon.”

After radical Islam lashed out at America on Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. retaliated by invading Afghanistan—a tiny faction of a state-sponsored terror network that had gone global. We again pointed to Daniel 11 and told our readers that the United States would not win the war against terrorism because we were not prophesied to go after the head of the snake located in Iran. In fact, no Bible prophecy speaks expressly of a major clash between the U.S. and Iran.

“While the U.S. wants to eliminate terrorism and is becoming much more aggressive in trying to do so, its efforts will fall short,” we wrote. Iran would not only survive America’s post-9/11 aggression, we said from the start—it would thrive and actually get stronger!

Now consider the American-led invasion of Iraq. “It may seem shocking, given the U.S. presence in the region right now,” Gerald Flurry wrote in June 2003, “but prophecy indicates that, in pursuit of its goal, Iran will probably take over Iraq.”

Over and over again, from the very beginning of the Trumpet’s existence, we have repeatedly highlighted the pivotal prophecy that is actually driving the earthshaking jolts that are now rocking the Middle East—Daniel 11.

Even after the revolt in Tunisia set the region on fire in January, as Joel Hilliker wrote about earlier this week, Mr. Flurry again returned to Daniel 11, this time focusing on verse 43, where it identifies Libya and Ethiopia as two more nations that will join the radical Islamist camp. He taped that program on January 27, just two days into the Egyptian protests.

Back then, who could have imagined that Muammar Qadhafi’s regime in Libya was on the verge of a complete meltdown? Today, Qadhafi is facing the worst crisis of his four decades of rule. He’s already lost control of eastern parts of his country, an area that is fast becoming a jihadist camp—and that happens to border Egypt. Should the chaos descend into full-scale civil war, it could turn the entire nation into a terrorist safe haven.

Now consider that New York Times headline from Wednesday: “As Arab World Shakes, Iran’s Influence Grows.” The balance of power has shifted dramatically in the Middle East over the past few weeks, the Times wrote. The realignment started with the aftershocks of 9/11. Notice:

By ousting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and then Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the United States removed two of Iran’s regional enemies who worked to contain its ambitions. Today, Iran is a major player in both nations, an unintended consequence.

Earlier this month, as we have covered extensively at theTrumpet.com, Iran’s most formidable foe in the region collapsed in Cairo. It has only been two weeks since Mubarak was ousted and already Egyptian generals have allowed two Iranian warships to pass through the Suez Canal and have welcomed home an exiled Muslim extremist who called for the conquest of Jerusalem at a “victory” celebration in Cairo.

Clearly, Iran has again emerged as victor amid the most recent turmoil. The Times wrote, “Qatar and Oman are tilting toward Iran, and Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and Yemen are in play.”

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is understandably shaken by the shocking turn of events that has left it virtually alone in resisting an Iranian power now closing in on its borders from every direction.

“While it is far too soon to write the final chapter on the uprisings’ impact,” the Times wrote, “Iran has already benefited from the ouster or undermining of Arab leaders who were its strong adversaries and has begun to project its growing influence.”

Actually, the final chapter was written long ago by the Prophet Daniel! Students of Bible prophecy know exactly where this is leading.