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What Does ‘Ēl Mean For Iran & Wildfires?

What Does ‘Ēl Mean For Iran & Wildfires?

Last updated on: August 2, 2026 at 10:58 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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What Does ‘Ēl Mean For Iran & Wildfires? 2026-08-02T22:58:32-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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The big news this weekend has been about Iran and the power-tripping going on with world leaders. The Iranian military continues to strike ships in the Strait and American interests in the region.

Of course, President Trump promised to launch more intense attacks against both military and civilian infrastructure in Iran. But it didn’t take long for the president to once again reverse course and call off the attacks after talking with other leaders in the Middle East.

Image by Wikipedia Commons

The president’s boasting and ego have caused him a lot of pain and defeat recently. Last month, he bragged about being the most powerful person on the planet. The president is focused on and obsessed with what will not last:

Wealth
Earthly greatness
Military might
Fame

That is why it is ironic that President Trump and MAGA claim to be believers, yet will not submit to God’s authority over all (Psalm 103:19, Matthew 28:18). To make matters worse, the president spent the weekend posting AI images of himself in positions of leadership and then posted a picture of himself kissing the head of Jesus on a golden cross.

The greatest things of this temporary kingdom don’t compare to the greatness of heaven where we will be in God’s presence once again (1 Corinthians 2:9). Regardless of what the president, his followers, or Iran believe, they are nothing compared to the greatness of God (Psalm 19: 9-10). There is only one Almighty and all-powerful and everlasting God (Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

What Is All-Powerful

We think of power; we can only define or reference earthly examples: military, athletes, wealth, or politics; but the Bible is clear God is on His throne and reigns above all of the kings and nations of the earth (Psalm 47:7-9; 103:19).

Image created by Martin Thomas Johnson using Canva AI

All-powerful is defined as, “Having complete or sole power.” If we believe any man or anything is more powerful than God, we have turned to idols. God’s people should understand the danger of following or believing powerful men and earthly things (Psalm 146:3-5, Matthew 6:24, 1 Corinthians 3:18-21).

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about God being all-powerful and mighty (Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20-21). Ever since the fall, sin has entered the world, and idols have led people astray (Psalm 115:4-8, Romans 5:12).

The Bible teaches God’s people to love God above everything and everyone else (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 22:37-38). God is the only all-powerful God above all of the idols and temporary things of this kingdom (Acts 17:24-25, Hebrews 12:28, 1 John 2:15-17, Colossians 1:15-17, 1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 11:15). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about the all-powerful God.

‘Ēl

The Torah tells us that in the beginning and all Paul for God created the earth and the heavens above (Genesis 1:1-14; 2:1-4). It was God who gave life to mankind and all the creatures of the earth (Genesis 1:20-25; 2:7).

Abraham believed the Almighty and all-powerful God could do the impossible for him (Genesis 7:18-20). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for power is ‘ēl, and it can also mean “God, mighty, great, strong, Emmanuel, or idols,” depending upon the context it is used in.

From it we get the Jewish name for God, Elohim, which is controversial because some believe the name comes from a Hebrew word for fear, ‘elôah. Ella him as one of the oldest and most cherished names of God in Judaism (Genesis 1:1; 7:18-20, Deuteronomy 5:6-21):

Yahweh
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah Nissi
Jehovah Raah
Jehovah Rapha
Jehovah Sabaoth
Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah Schamah
Jehovah Tsidkenu
Jehovah Mekoddishkem
El Elyon
Qanna
El Olam
Elohim
El Shaddai
Adonai

Jesus reminded His followers to love God above everyone and everything else (Matthew 22:37-38). He taught His followers what no man can do, and what the all-powerful God can do (Matthew 19:26).

Image by Pixabay

Our Lord reminded His followers that God is more than able to take care of them (Matthew 6:25-34). He taught that only God can give you life (John 5:21-26). The Apostle John describes Jesus as an all-powerful God in his vision of heaven after the Earth is destroyed by fire (Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5).

Wildfires

In other big news this weekend, wildfires have broken out in Washington state, destroying thousands of acres. Unfortunately, wildfires and severe weather, along with national disasters, are becoming more and more common, just as the Bible foretold what would happen in the last days (Matthew 24:6-8, Luke 21:25-26, Revelation

Image by Pixabay

The Bible is clear God is Lord over all weather and creation (Job 37:2-13, Psalm 135:5-7, Jeremiah 10:12-13, Matthew 5:45). The Bible tells us God will use nature and fire to destroy the earth and heavens in the last days (Isaiah 34:4, 2 Peter 3:7-13):

Earthquakes
Fire
Severe weather

Whether we like it or not, these severe weather events and natural disasters are all works of an all-powerful God. As I write this, there are tornadoes wreaking havoc across New York state, just days after one tore through Wisconsin.

Mother Nature is out of control for man, but it is perfectly under the design control of an all-powerful God. God is Lord over all, or He isn’t Lord at all. That is why God’s people can only submit to Elohim!

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