Recently, we have watched
with horror as video footage came out of Syria linking the Assad regime with the
use of chemical weapons once again. On April 7, 2018 Assad attacked the rebel stronghold
of Douma, killing about 75 people, including children, and left another 500 in
need of treatment for symptoms consistent with chemical weapons exposure. In
response, The U.S. along with the U.K.
and France, launched airstrikes in the wee hours April 14, 2018. The Syrian plant
where the chemical weapons were developed was completely obliterated in the
strike.[1]
These headlines reminded
me of a prophecy in Isaiah 17 which foretells the destiny of Damascus, Syria’s
capital city. “1 An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to
be a city and will become a heap of ruins. 2 The cities of Aroer are deserted; they
will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. 3 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.” (Is. 17:1-3).
Considering the current
international conflict, this is obviously attention-grabbing. However, some
critics dismiss this prophecy, arguing that Damascus has been attacked numerous
times throughout its history. Thus, they believe this prophecy has already been
fulfilled, specifically in 732 BC when the Assyrians sacked Damascus and
eventually Samaria in 722 BC.
While this is true, we
should consider that Damascus is described by historians as one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities on the planet. Today, it boasts some 1.6 million
residents, and a greater metropolitan area of about five million people. The
fact that it’s still occupied today, shows that that Isaiah’s words of woe and
wrath have not been completely fulfilled.
Could the current events
in Syria be leading to the destruction of Damascus sooner than later? The long
and the short is that we can’t tell from the Bible, because Isaiah doesn’t give
any precise timeline as to when this word will be fulfilled. However, it will happen
because Jesus said in Matt. 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my
words will not pass away.”
Prophecy buff, Joel
Rosenberg adds this insight, “Because the text doesn’t give us precise timing,
we should be cautious in our interpretation. The destruction of Damascus could occur during the
Tribulation, or near the end of the Tribulation, close to the Second Coming of
Christ. But it is also possible that the destruction of Damascus occurs in the
“last days” leading up to the Tribulation. It could happen in our lifetime, even
soon. That’s not to say it will, but it could. Indeed, should the destruction
of Damascus happen in the not-too-distant future, it would be an ominous sign
that the destruction of much of Israel (which the Bible says will happen during
the Tribulation, the “times of Jacob’s trouble”) is rapidly approaching, too.”[2]
Perhaps, much of what is
going on in Syria today is merely, “the beginning of the birth pains” (Matt.
24:8). Indeed, these are exciting times we are living in. I believe that the
prophetic signs indicate that we are in the season of the Lord’s return.
Therefore, we ought to live with urgency, as if Christ died yesterday, rose
from the dead this morning and is coming back this evening. -DM
[1]
<https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/17/politics/us-syria-strategy-questions/index.html>
[2]
Joel C. Rosenberg, “NOTES ON THE FUTURE OF DAMASCUS ACCORDING TO BIBLE PROPHECY” <http://www.joelrosenberg.com/files/2013/09/STUDY-Damascus-prophecies-R.pdf>
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