With all the events taking place in Syria right now, many people are asking, “What does the Bible have to say about Syria and the end times? Is this the beginning of World War III and Armageddon?” Those are legitimate questions, but let me assure you, this is not the end. How can I be so sure? Because the Bible says Armageddon takes place at the end of the seven-year Tribulation (Revelation 16:16), and the Tribulation has yet to begin.
That said, I believe recent events in Syria have great significance when it comes to the study of Bible prophecy. This doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to see the immediate fulfillment of any specific Bible prophecy. However, it does mean you should pay close attention. Why? Because, at the very least, these events are setting the table for the fulfillment of multiple bible prophecies.
Just look around you. The signs of the Second Coming are everywhere. The restoration of Israel (Isaiah 11:12)… The Jews back in Jerusalem (Luke 21:24-28)… The Gospel preached to the world (Matthew 24:14)… An increase in travel and knowledge (Daniel 12:4)… The rise of the European Union (Daniel 2:43)… And many more. Jesus says once you see all these signs come together, His return is near (Luke 21:28). This means the Tribulation is close, and you should expect to see the fulfillment of many end times prophecies in the near future.
Below are two prophetic events especially relevant to the ongoing events in Syria. While both could still be several years away, both events could be very close to fulfillment.
1) The Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17)
Chapter 17 in the book of Isaiah paints a sobering picture. In it, the city of Damascus is a pile of rubble. The Bible says it will disappear from the face of the earth and become a heap of ruins (Isaiah 17:1). At the same time, large parts of northern Israel will also lie in ruin (Isaiah 17:3). Now, before you say this prophecy was fulfilled during Old Testament times, keep this in mind… This passage says Damascus will cease to be a city (Isaiah 17:1). It will be utterly and completely destroyed. Yet, Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on record. Its history goes back more than 5,000 years. At 2,600 years old, the book of Isaiah itself is new compared to Damascus! This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.
So how do current events in Syria relate to Isaiah 17? Following the U.S. strike on the Syrian airfield Shayrat, Syria’s allies issued a joint statement saying, “What America waged in an aggression on Syria is a crossing of red lines. From now on we will respond with force to any aggressor or any breach of red lines from whoever it is and America knows our ability to respond well” (emphasis mine). While this statement was clearly in response to a U.S. bombing, these nations made it clear they will respond to any nation they view as an aggressor.
This includes Israel. While it hasn’t been a major news story, Israel has also been bombing Syria. They’re bombing Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists operating on the northern border of Israel. If Syria and its allies view their situation as desperate, they may decide to use these bombing raids as an excuse to launch a chemical attack on Israel. This is because drawing Israel into the war could rally the Muslim world to Syria’s side. Saddam Hussein tried this same tactic during the first Gulf War. In 1991, he fired Scud missiles at Israel in an effort to draw them into the war and break up the coalition aligned against him.
If Syria, Hezbollah, or any of their allies managed to strike Israel with a weapon of mass destruction, the response would be swift. Israel would most likely respond in kind. If their intelligence revealed the Assad regime was behind such an attack, nuclear retaliation on Damascus would not be out of the question.
While this is all speculation, and not necessary how Isaiah 17 will be fulfilled, it shows how realistic a near-term fulfillment of this prophecy could be. With current instability in the region, and so many warring factions in Syria, events could spiral out of control very quickly. At this point in time, it’s not difficult to imagine a scenario in which Damascus is completely destroyed.
2) The Gog of Magog War (Ezekiel 38-39)
Current events in Syria are also setting the stage for the Gog of Magog War. More than 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel warned of a future time when a vast coalition of nations will attack Israel. Ezekiel identifies these nations as “Magog, Rosh, Meschech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah” (Ezekiel 38:1-6).
These nations have since come to be known as the Gog of Magog alliance. Now, with the exception of Persia and Cush, I realize most people have never heard of these nations. But keep in mind Ezekiel used the names of these nations as they were known in his day. Each one is a clearly identifiable nation today. So who are these nations in our day and time?
Below is a list. The Old Testament name is listed first, followed by its modern day equivalent:
Rosh = Russia
Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan
Persia = Iran
Cush = Sudan
Put = Libya
Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey
Collectively, these nations have never attacked Israel. In fact, in the history of the world, such an alliance of nations has never existed. But today we see it coming together right in front of us. Since 1989, Russia and Iran have gradually strengthened their diplomatic, military, and economic ties. Yet, in the first 2,600 years after Ezekiel recorded his prophecies, the nations of Russia and Persia (Iran) had never been part of any alliance of any sort. Never. Cooperation between Russia and Iran, especially military cooperation, didn’t take place.
This led many people to claim Ezekiel’s prophecy was symbolic. Why? Because the idea of the Gog of Magog war seemed absurd. After all, at the dawn of the 20th Century, Russia was an orthodox Christian nation and Israel didn’t exist! But those who believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible knew otherwise. They knew all prophecy would come to pass. Because bible prophecy doesn’t come from mere humans. It’s God’s Word (2 Peter 1:19-21).
In the years since, the stage has been set for the literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39. A 1917 communist revolution transformed Russia from a Christian nation to an atheist nation. In 1948, Israel once again became a nation. And earlier this week, Russia and Iran issued a joint statement vowing to respond with force to any aggressor.
And Turkey? For decades, people have wondered how Turkey could be a part of this alliance. After all, Turkey is a member of NATO. And in late 2015, Turkey shot down a Russian jet when it strayed into Turkish airspace. Russia and Turkey seem to be at odds. So how could Turkey be a part of this alliance?
At first glance, it seems unlikely. But in the summer of 2016, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan jailed thousands of political opponents. And on Easter Sunday of 2017, Turkey voted to eliminate its parliamentary form of government and give expanded powers to Erdogan. Ultimately, this could be what pushes Turkey into the Russian sphere of influence. Erdogan is an anti-Western, pro-Islamist leader, and he’s worked hard to strengthen Turkey’s ties with Russia.
In light of these developments, we can see the Gog of Magog alliance coming together for the first time in history. For the first time since Israel re-emerged on the world scene in May 1948, the main players of the Ezekiel 38-39 alliance are all working together. Even more important, they all have military personnel on Israel’s northern border. The stage is set for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39.
What Will Ultimately Happen?
While terrible destruction awaits Damascus (Isaiah 17:1), northern Israel (Isaiah 17:3), and the entire Gog of Magog alliance (Ezekiel 38:19-22), we have reason to be hopeful. Because of these events, the Bible says people will soon look to and acknowledge their Creator – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Isaiah 17:7). When He strikes down Israel’s enemies, the whole world will know He is the God Israel (Ezekiel 38:23).
In the days and weeks ahead, we can’t be certain what will happen in Syria. But in the long run, we can be absolutely certain the events of Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38-39 will be fulfilled. Damascus will lie in ruin, and the Gog of Magog alliance will be destroyed. These events are certain. Because whatever He has declared, God will bring to pass (Isaiah 14:24).
And when these things happen, the world will no longer be able to deny Him. He will destroy the enemies of Israel in plain view of the entire world.
“In this way,” says the Lord. “I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:23 NLT)
Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus: One Man’s Search for Truth and Life Purpose as well as Signs of the Second Coming: 11 Reasons Jesus Will Return in Our Lifetime. Receive his book 7 Signs of the End Times for free when you sign up for his monthly newsletter.