Iran And Syria: A Closer Look At Isaiah 17

Iran and Syria.


Until now, I've sort of viewed them as an either-or pairing when it comes to thinking about the next likely ancient prophecy to be fulfilled before our very eyes.

What if that was wrong? What if I've completely missed the fact that the two are intricately connected according to the Lord's sovereign plan? What does God's Word have to say about any of that?

Well, for starters, it tells us all about the coming destruction of Damascus, Syria, which always becomes front-and-center whenever Syria makes international headlines. How can it not?

Yes, I realize that we've been here before. This is hardly 'uncharted territory' for most eschatologists. In fact, if I remember correctly, then I believe it was back in late 2007 when we last witnessed the plausibility of such a scenario becoming a reality when it was reported that an explosion at a military base in Syria (that led to the death of several Iranian Engineers) had occurred.

Even so, a few mainstream news stories converged over the past few days within the Middle East that suggest that we might very well see the soon fulfillment of this end times Bible prophecy.

Those ancient prophecies?

Jeremiah 49:23-27 (ESV) Concerning Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad are confounded, for they have heard bad news; they melt in fear, they are troubled like the sea that cannot be quiet. Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in labor. How is the famous city not forsaken, the city of my joy? Therefore her young men shall fall in her squares, and all her soldiers shall be destroyed in that day, declares the LORD of hosts. And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad." 

Isaiah 17:1 (ESV) An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. 

Psalm 83 (ESV) O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.” O my God, make them like whirling dust,a like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. 

Matthew 24:6 (ESV) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Those mainstream news stories?

Flame Virus Could Attack Other Nations 

US And 18 Other Nations Finish Eager Lion Military Exercise In Jordan‎ 

US, Arab Armies Drill Taking Over Syrian Chemical Weapons‎ 

Houla Massacre: UN Condemns Killings 'By Shooting At Close Range, Severe Physical Abuse' 

U.S., Britain, Others Tell Syrian Diplomats To Get Out‎

The most significant, IMHO, is the news about Syrian diplomats being expelled from a growing list of nations from around the world -- even from Turkey as first reported earlier this morning!

It's remarkable in the sense that it depicts an unusual, unexpected, and coordinated blow. It's surreal because it should remind us of all the evil spiritual powers attributed to the coming Antichrist who we know will make war marvelously and with ease.

Of course, that begs the question: Who is behind this global effort and able to pull off such solidarity on an international level?

Perhaps now you can start to see why so many of us truly believe that the horrific fulfillment of some of the Bible's end times prophecies seems imminent. I mean, how long before Assad, recognizing he is backed into a corner with absolutely nothing to lose, decides to up the ante a bit?

Will such a decision -- whatever form it eventually takes -- be the impetus that leads to the destruction of Damascus just as prophesied? Only the Lord knows the answer to that right now. Time will tell though. Something tells me we won't have to wait too long for the answer either.

My speculation at this point, however, is that it will be Israel who destroys Damascus. Maybe this 'barbaric' act (regardless of the circumstances), as it will surely be viewed by the rest of the world, will then lead to a fulfillment of the Psalm 83 War and/or the Attack and Attempted Invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 in a quick, lightning fast one-two-three punch, which would undeniably leave the rest of the surviving population feeling as though they had just lived through Armageddon, thus, paving the way for the rise of the Antichrist's reign.

How do I arrive at such a speculation (and let's be clear that that's all this is at this point -- my own speculation)? Well, by agreeing with what some other Bible scholars have already noted.

Isaiah 17:1 describes the future destruction of Damascus, right? Take a look at this, or what we find just 2 verses later.

Isaiah 17:3-6 (ESV) The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; and the remnant of Syria will be like the glory of the children of Israel, declares the LORD of hosts. And in that day the glory of Jacob will be brought low, and the fat of his flesh will grow lean. And it shall be as when the reaper gathers standing grain and his arm harvests the ears, and as when one gleans the ears of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. Gleanings will be left in it, as when an olive tree is beaten— two or three berries in the top of the highest bough, four or five on the branches of a fruit tree, declares the LORD God of Israel. 

[emphasis mine]

Now, I certainly can't take credit for noticing that myself, but when I did come across it in other forums, it was like the Holy Spirit had opened my eyes to something vital to this entire discussion, and it does seem to make sense, doesn't it? As one person put it...

"In this prophesied event, northern and central Israel are named as taking damage and casualties, although comparatively less than Damascus (Damascus loses the kingdom, but Israel only the fortress). War is never completely one-sided. If Israel is prompted to attack Damascus, they will certainly suffer casualties in the process."

True indeed. Plus, if we go further in the prophecy, or just a few verses later, we can see that Syria will not be acting alone against Israel.

Isaiah 17:12-14 (ESV) Ah, the thunder of many peoples; they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations; they roar like the roaring of mighty waters! The nations roar like the roaring of many waters, but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind and whirling dust before the storm. At evening time, behold, terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us, and the lot of those who plunder us. 

[emphasis mine]

The description seems to be of another Middle East war where Israel is attacked by her neighbors (Psalm 83?). Yet, like before, Israel will be victorious, and it will be over very quickly.

Notice in verse 14 how it takes only from one evening until the next morning to achieve a decisive victory. Isaiah is telling us that the situation shifts overnight from terror for Israel to tragedy for her enemies.

Folks, could that be the 'Samson Option' we've heard about? Will Israel find herself left with no choice but to use her nuclear weapons against MULTIPLE enemy nations and cities?

All that being said, my dear friends, please pray for all the lost souls in the Middle East right now. Pray for all the lost souls around the world who could wake up one morning in the near future to learn that the world has changed dramatically overnight, and that their day-to-day lives are about to as well.

Rest in Him and on His Word. Fight fear with faith.

Keep looking up!

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