Prophetic Perspective on Syria, Israel, and the Middle East
We are living in exciting days because we see biblical prophecies being fulfilled. In my opinion, biblical prophecies are like a stone thrown into a pond, creating a rippling effect. The waves come and go until they finally hit the shores of eternity. While reading prophecies and looking at the daily news, it is important to recognise a prophetic pattern, that will one day be completely fulfilled.
Destruction of Damascus
Recently, the Syrian regime of Assad was overthrown and one immediately wonders: Is there a biblical prophecy referring to this? Isaiah 17:1 contains a prophecy about Damascus: “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.” In the history of the Syrian capital, this has never happened. The city has been conquered, but it has never been completely destroyed. Yet one day it will be, as Isaiah prophesies. Observing the events in Syria, one wonders whether they will ultimately lead to the climax of Damascus’s total destruction. I am not a fortune teller, so I cannot say if the destruction of Damascus will happen now. However, what I want to convey is that, in our time, these prophetic pieces of the puzzle are increasingly coming together to form a final picture with ultimate fulfilment.
Healing of Egypt
Isaiah 19:16,17 contains another unfulfilled prophecy. This prophecy is about Egypt: It tells us that the Lord will use the land of Judah to bring fear upon Egypt. We have already witnessed some ripple effects of this prophecy and its early fulfilment, when, in 1948, after Egypt launched an attack on the newly formed state of Israel, the Israelis pursued the Egyptians through the Sinai desert. The Egyptians were terrified. However, prophecy is not solely about terrible events that will occur; it also contains many promises. Isaiah 19:22 says that the Lord will heal Egypt and they will return to Him. This is what ultimately will happen to Egypt: God will lead them to the acknowledgement and worship of the one and only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In those days, there will also be a highway from Egypt to Assyria (v. 23). The Assyrians will travel to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria, crossing through Israel. Together, they will worship the same God.
A Defeated Turkey
In addition to Syria and Egypt, the Bible also prophesies about Turkey. For example, in Ezekiel 38, God reveals to Ezekiel that many nations, including Iran (Persia), will prepare for a battle against Israel under the leadership of Gog. I believe that Gog refers to Turkey. Turkey aspires to re-establish Jerusalem as the capital of a new Muslim empire under its leadership. However, these nations will be defeated. Ezekiel 38 and 39 contain great promises that Israel will not be wiped off the face of the earth. The Lord Himself will join the battle and fight for Israel.
Glorious Future
Even though these unfulfilled prophecies remind us of dark times ahead, we firmly believe that a glorious future awaits us in the end. This glorious future is only possible due to what Isaiah prophesies in chapter 9:6-7. In these well-known verses, the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace is foretold. This Prince of Peace, from the line of King David, will rule, establish and uphold His kingdom with justice and righteousness. On that day, when He returns, He will take away the blindness and deafness of the nations.
Blindness Destroyed
Isaiah 25:6-8 contains a wonderful passage that speaks directly about this issue. Sometimes one wonders: Why do the nations not see how special the land of Israel is? What a special people the Jewish people are! Why do the nations fail to understand what is happening? The United Nations passes one anti-Israel resolution after another, and whatever happens in the Middle East Israel always seems to bear the blame. However, one day, as Isaiah 25:7 declares: “He will destroy on this mountain, the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.” There is a veil covering the eyes of all nations; they simply cannot see. A blindness has overtaken them. Yet one day He, the Prince of Peace, will destroy the veil that enfolds all people. Today, Israel is ridiculed and blamed for everything, but He will also take away the disgrace of His people Israel.
In the end, glory, peace and righteousness will flow from Jerusalem to cover the whole world. There will be no end to His kingdom. Hallelujah!
