Isaiah 17 & damascus

[johnc]

I have been aware of the role of Damascus in prophecy for a while, but I ran into the following on http://gracthrufaith.com and thought I'd share it.  It seems to me that we may be on the verge of seeing this fulfilled in the very near future as I doubt Israel will just sit idly by as Saddam's missles land in their back yard; any thoughts on this?

Isaiah 17, An Oracle Concerning Damascus. Part 2 ... Prophecy to Current Events

"In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made. In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation. (Isaiah 17:7-9)

Last week we explored the historical perspective of Isaiah 17.

(Read Part 1) The portion above is one of the key elements that indicate a future fulfillment as well. The focus of the passage is the City of Damascus as it declares that the time will come when the Syrians will turn to their Creator and proclaim their faith in Him. This revival will come after Damascus has been so destroyed on account of Israel as to become "a heap of ruins."

What's Your Problem?

Syria is a serious problem for the US and Israel. Lacking oil reserves they make their money supplying heroin to the world markets and helping Iraq smuggle oil for export in violation of UN sanctions, both obviously criminal activities. While Iraq was being punished for invading Kuwait, Syria quietly took over Lebanon, another criminal act. Nothing was done to stop this because the west was busy in Iraq and Syria was one of the nations "on our side." This month Syria is head of the UN Security Council, a body officially opposed to terrorism, all the while openly preparing through its state sponsored terror groups to attack Israel's north. Syria has also become a staging area for al-Qaeda fighters escaping Afghanistan through Iran and bound for the Palestinian territories. Syria has blatantly refused US requests for help in fighting the war on terrorism. Even the direct public accusations this week by the US Ambassador to the UN in a Security Council meeting were met with bland denials by the Syrian Foreign Minister, saying Syria had neither the financial nor other resources to support terrorists.

Oh, the raging of many nations- they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples- they roar like the roaring of great waters! Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale. In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us. (Isaiah 17:10-14) Here's another clue indicating a future fulfillment. History involves only Assyria and Aram. Who are the future participants described as "many nations?"

Who's Your Friend?

While Saudi Arabia gets a ton of favorable attention in the West for proposing a Middle East peace plan, the Saudi government quietly supplies Syria with the money to arm the Hizbollah, an anti-Israel terrorist group headquartered in Damascus. (It was also Saudi money that purchased the shipload of Palestinian arms Israel captured off its coast a few months back.) Thanks in part to the Saudis, Syria does have the financial resources to support terrorism

Iraq and Iran are also involved in arming these Syrian based terrorists, having delivered tons of weaponry and explosives including over 8000 short range missiles and launchers for positioning along Israel's northern borders. In the past 2 months a veritable wall of missiles has been built, capable of sending thousands of projectiles into central and northern Israel. A pre-emptive strike by Israel against this missile wall was scheduled for this past April but was called off at the last minute. US Sec'y of State Colin Powell visited Damascus about that time, warning of massive retaliation by Israel if Syria didn't do more to keep the Hizbollah in check, but the preparation continues unabated.

Syria, Iran, and Iraq are all linked together with mutual defense treaties and all are also linked with the Palestinians. The US has made no bones about its intention to topple Saddam Hussein, so if this alliance can keep the tension high enough in the Middle East, the US will have to continue to delay any action against Iraq. By the way, Iraq announced to the world last week that its intelligence sources have determined that the US is preparing to use nuclear weapons in its effort to unseat Hussein.

Meanwhile just a little to the East, Pakistan and India are still squared off to fight. Pakistan, a Moslem nation, has vowed to involve all its Moslem neighbors in any flare-up with India, which obviously includes all the aforementioned countries. Both India and Pakistan have nukes and are prepared to use them. Not since the spin-up to WW2 have so many nations openly talked about going to war. And never before has the use of nuclear weapons been taken so for granted in pursuit of victory.

So, What Should We Talk About?

But the focus of discussion between Israeli PM Sharon and US Pres. Bush last week wasn't Pakistan or Afafat or Hussein, but Syrian Pres. Assad and how to prevent the attacks he's planning for Israel. Sharon brought convincing evidence that Assad is "building a massive powder keg under Israel" that threatens the stability of the entire region. His willingness to act as the front man for Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq in escalating the number and severity of terrorist attacks in Israel will have to be addressed soon and in no uncertain terms. Intelligence sources I follow have pegged September as the next likely month when a pre-emptive attack by Israel could occur. It will have to be much bigger than the one planned for April to be effective and could very well finally complete the warning God had Isaiah bring against Damascus those many centuries ago, turning the world's oldest city into a heap of ruins.

The Rest Of The Story

What of the return to the Lord also prophesied for Damascus? Two chapters later Isaiah tells of Syria's ultimate destiny. Speaking of the Kingdom Age to come, Isaiah says, "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)

And so we catch another glimpse of the character of our Lord; slow to anger and quick to forgive. After centuries of being one of Israel's most determined and devious foes, at the end Syria comes into God's family of nations and is held up as an example of His handiwork.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36) 06-23-02