Like so many signals of these being the last days of the fleeting Church Age, the destruction of Damascus, Syria, is a matter we see blazing across hourly headlines.
Again, Isaiah the prophet said the following:
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)
Every day, news of military action and diplomatic maneuverings comes from Syria, the oldest occupied city of recorded history. It is the city on the road to which Saul of Tarsus had his life-changing encounter with the ascended Jesus Christ. The location is steeped in biblically prophetic importance.
One recent news item demonstrates the significance of Damascus in the ongoing Middle East machinations that are leading to Armageddon and Christ’s Second Advent.
Israeli aircraft have reportedly attacked a location on the outskirts of the Syrian capital of Damascus late Thursday (local), a security source told Reuters.
Widely circulating images have emerged on social media showing plumes of smoke rising high over buildings which were struck. Syrian state media subsequently said that eight army soldiers were injured in the attack.
The fresh Israeli aggression could be another targeted assassination operation against Iranian generals or IRGC officers, and certainly would also be intended to signal Israel remains undeterred by Iran’s April 13th attack, which was in retaliation for the prior Israeli attack on Iran’s embassy in Damascus…
This new attack demonstrates also that Iran-Israel tensions which last month nearly led to a major regional war are not over. (“Israeli Warplanes Strike Damascus as Iran Tensions Still on Edge,” Tyler Durden, ZeroHedge, May 2, 2024)
To write that the tensions that nearly led to war are not over is a profound understatement when thinking in terms of Bible prophecy. Damascus has become central in those tensions as the stage is being set for the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
Bible prophecy watchers, including the great scholars, have most often thought the destruction of this ancient city in its modern form will be nuclear in nature. This makes sense to those who observe from the view of biblical prophecy, because it indicates the city will not be habitable again. I have held to this understanding that the destruction of Damascus will be due to a nuclear weapon of some sort being used.
This brings me to the “alternative thoughts” mentioned in the title of this commentary.
A long-time fellow watchman on the wall who is a frequent visitor to Raptureready.com emailed this past week his alternative view of the Isaiah 17:1 prophecy. I find it compelling, thus will share it with you here in its entirety.
Dear Terry James,
I do very much enjoy the rich bounty of articles you provide, yet I feel compelled to address a common error being touted by several scholars in regards to the destruction of Damascus.
Many scholars today have speculated that the destruction of Damascus as a ruinous heap will be the result of an Israeli nuclear weapon. For a city the size of Damascus that would make sense in committing such devastation in a short period of time. The problem with such speculation, however, is verse 2 of Isaiah 17: “The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” It is assured that flocks will not graze on soil contaminated with nuclear radiation.
When examining this prophecy in full, we can also identify that it is the hand of God that brings Damascus to a ruinous heap for His glory: “At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 17:7). In addition, we see within the context of this prophecy the presence of a confederation that is rebuked by the hand of God in verses 12–14 of Isaiah 17.
I often wondered, who is the “he” of Isaiah 17:14? “And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” It is, therefore, my personal opinion that this “he” is Gog of Ezekiel 38–39. We know from examining the prophecy of Gog/Magog that it is the hand of God that gathers this mighty confederation from the north against Israel for His glory.
It is clear as prophesied Gog/Magog comes from the north against the borders of Israel; there is little doubt that they will assemble in southern Syria along the Golan frontier. In Ezekiel 39:5, we are informed that this confederation will fall upon the open field or plain. In southern Syria, there is a vast plain known as the Plain of Hauran adjacent to Damascus and the Golan Heights. This fertile plain also happens to be a volcanic plateau with many dormant volcanic cones. Interesting, when we consider the fire and brimstone brought upon this confederation by the hand of God as detailed in Ezekiel 38:22.
One of the key elements scholars miss today is the great earthquake of Ezekiel 38:19, 20 that shakes the land of Israel. It is my belief that this great earthquake’s epicenter will be directed against the main contingent of the Gog/Magog confederation assembled in southern Syria. I further believe it is this great earthquake that brings Damascus and surrounding cities to a ruinous heap in fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1.
In conclusion, I will say that there is little doubt that the “he” of Isaiah 17:14 is none other than “Gog” of Ezekiel 38:2. And that day of Isaiah 17:7 is the same day of Ezekiel 39:8, 13. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to address these things.
In Christ alone,
Rodney Dezar
It is heartening to know others are observing these times so near our Lord’s call to us in the Rapture. Recognizing the stage-setting for the Damascus prophecy fulfillment, to those who obey Christ’s command to “watch” (Mark 13: 37), means they are looking for “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
Again, Jesus said:
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
THAT is a darn interesting perspective! I do know one thing: All the people who are on Youtube/social media telling others what is going to happen haven’t a clue because when God moves you won’t see it coming and it will be BREATHTAKING in it’s glory! We know the times in which we are living and there are moments I just wanna give up, sit down and cry BUT GOD…..He’s got this and I trust fully in His will and His timing. TO GOD BE THE GLORY amen? Thank you Brother Terry and Brother Rodney for sharing this. Praying, waiting and watching! MARANATHA
The Word of God is filled with treasure and all of us are so blessed to have it available to us as we continue to Watch and Pray.
Blessing to you and to Terry.
In Christ our Lord,
Rodney Dezarn
This makes so much sense. And I believe we won’t be here to witness it.
Thank you Mary for your reply. I suggest however that the Church will see the Gog/Magog battle of Ezekiel 38/39. In Ezekiel 38:8 the Lord God declares it will occur in the “Latter Years” and in Ezekiel 38:16 the designation of the “Latter Days” is provided. This terminology applies to events that take place prior to Daniel’s prophesied 70th week or what many call the Tribulation.
Your Brother In Christ,
Some prophecy teachers believe there will be a gap of unknown length separating the rapture from the beginning of the 70th week. The Gog Magog War could take place during that time.
Thank you Mary for your reply. I am not sure about a gap, I know many apply the initial start of the 70th week being Daniel 9:27. Initially it seems correct based on the confirmation of a “covenant with many” for one week or 7 years.
There is many problems I have with this theory however. Daniel 9:27 or the “covenant with many” does not identify Israel, identity of the many, nor the contents of this proposed covenant. If it is a confirmation of an existing covenant as some suggest, it is not a biblical covenant.
If it is recognized as an existing covenant pertaining to the current peace initiatives between Israel and her neighbors then obviously this is not a biblical covenant that is identified by Daniel in the 70 weeks Prophecy. This would exist as a covenant of their own vain imaginations and not ordained by God himself.
in addition, when we examine Ezekiel 38/39 or the Gog/Magog invasion in full and it’s subsequent aftermath, it is clear that God will be glorified in the sight of Israel and many nations. While Israel is burying their enemies for 7 months, and burning their weapons for fuel for 7 years, why then would Israel entrust their security to anyone other than God Almighty? Would you?
I realize many have authored books on this supposed peace treaty brokered by the AntiChrist yet clearly there are serious issues associated with these assumptions and speculation. They even go so far as saying the AntiChrist will grant Israel permission to build the Third Temple.
Ezekiel 39:21
And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
Seems pretty clear here who grants Israel permission. While it is true that the daily sacrifice will be stopped, we must understand that this will be a result of the AntiChrist and his armies, making seige against Jerusalem identified in Luke 21:20.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Jews in Jerusalem alive during this time are instructed by the Lord to flee to the mountains of Judeah where He will protect them. Perhaps many of the Levitical Priests also flee at this time bringing the daily sacrifices to a halt.
Now, with this understanding, if then there was a brokered peace and security agreement between Israel and her enemies, why then would the AntiChrist have to launch a military seige against Jerusalem? After all, many scholars suggest Israel will acknowledge the AntiChrist as their Messiah.
The facts associated with the seige of Jerusalem by the AntiChrist identifies, not only that Israel never recognized him as Messiah, it also identifies that the Temple and the sacrifices are in no way associated with permission from the AntiChrist.
Ezekiel 39:22
So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward.
Where does the AntiChrist fit in this equation? I suggest that the “covenant with many” is with the 10 Kings from which he rises to power in their midst.
In Christ our Lord,
Rodney Dezarn
there is plenty of times in the old testament that God steps in and does things, not by man, but by his hands. God always does things that bring Glory to his name. If Damascus get nuked, then mankind will get the Glory, but if God steps in and He destroys Damascus, then man can’t take credit and God will get the Glory.
Amen, BrotherinChrist1775!!
Ezekiel 38:17
Thus saith the Lord God; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?
And More importantly the complete destruction of Mystery Babylon The Great at ‘HER’ appointed time.
53 Biblical Descriptions that prove that Woman in Ch. 17 of Revelation is the UNITED STATES of AMERICA !
Thanks Terry for reporting on Damascus.
I often pondered the same characteristics myself as Iraq and the Vatican does not have the shipping capacity or goods being traded. Not to mention the fact that Ishtar or the Babylonian goddess copied by the Romans as Libertas welcomes all to our shores.
In Christ,
Rodney Dezarn
Actually, I think the woman in Revelation 17 is the false one-world religious system that is even now being set up by the globalists as they try to unify all religions into one. All this so-called “sustainable development goal” nonsense might even be a component wherein people are being led to worship the creation instead of the Creator (Romans 1:22-25) as a pretext to steal national sovereignty and have an un-elected global elite dictate how natural resources are to be used. We see the same mentality with the WEF wanting to control economics and the WHO proposals to override national health systems.
Make no mistake – these people want absolute power over everything.
I think the Mystery Babylon religion will demand worship of itself and it is the ultimate expression of denying Christ. John warned us clearly the spirit that is behind all such false beliefs (1 John 4:3). The coming 10-region world confederation will ultimately turn on Mystery Babylon, no doubt due to the Antichrist demanding worship for himself only (Revelation17:16-17)
By the time this all comes down, the United States will not only have ceased to be relevant, but might no longer exist at all. Unfortunately, this decline is already well under way and the Rapture of all its true Christian inhabitants will finish it off.
Now I freely admit that I am not an expert, but I did want to put these thoughts out there.
Brother Ed, I do agree with the bulk of your reply with only one exception. The AntiChrist will rise from the midst of these 10 regional kingdoms and establish his own from among them and will subdue 3 of these Kingdoms or regional spheres.
It is my belief that the AntiChrist will require a Super Power military force to go forth conquering and to conquer. America undoubtedly fits this bill whether it is part of a regional sphere including Mexico and Canada quite possibly. Remember the ill fated Amero project to rival the Euro?
This Kingdom that the AntiChrist will establish as the 11th horn, I have no doubt will seek to encompass the characteristics of ancient Babylon in all its pagan pageantry. I suggest that this nation (America) will be the headquarters of this vile kingdom.
It will be later that the AntiChrist having established his global dominance will move his headquarters to the Middle East and will no longer have any need for this Babylonian kingdom and will commit to its destruction. For it is the AntiChrist that will make seige against Jerusalem (Luke 21:20) and will committ the Abomination of Desolation. It is this Son of Perdition that seeks to be worshipped as God.
This is my take on the matter, yet humbly I must admit, I am no expert either.
Your Brother in Christ
As I said, I think America will be pretty much extinct for the reasons I gave. I certainly don’t have a clear understanding on how many things in Revelation unfold, so I sure can’t say that my view is the totally correct one.
I do think the Antichrist will arise from the territory ancient Rome once controlled, which extended even into the Middle East. I also think his initial H.Q. will be in Europe, possibly Rome, and he will later move it to a rebuilt city of Babylon.
However all the particulars work out, we know he will walk into a reconstructed temple in Jerusalem, hijack it, and demand worship for himself, aided and abetted by the false prophet, a type of Anti-Elijah.
Fortunately, we will not be here to have to live through this nightmare.
God bless!
Connecting the destruction of Damascus with God causing the Magog attack to fail is a possibility I never considered before, but it certainly makes a lot of sense for all the reasons Rodney mentioned.
It is great to have people getting involved, thinking these things out, and sharing them with the rest of us for our mutual benefit.
Thanks, Rodney, and you, too, Terry, for making this possible here in your website.
Thank you Ed Wood for the kind reply! I enjoy taking a deep dive in the scriptures and uncovering such possibilities!
You are welcome.
My pleasure!
I have a little different view on Damascus, which may or may not be what actually happens, only the Lord knows. But I’ve always thought that if Israel does bomb Damascus, they could possibly hit a nuclear weapon that Iran has hid there. Now that’s just my opinion.
I do not believe we will see the destruction of Damascus, because I believe the rapture will occur before that happens. My opinion. I could be very wrong.
Thank you Terry for your continued work to keep us informed.
Gayle Ingram