Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
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Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.
Jeremiah 49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.
Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?
Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.”
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet…
Historically, Iran has been called Persia until the name change in the 20th century. Iran is a key player in the Ezekiel 38-39 narrative. The Bible says Iran will be aligned with modern day Russia and Turkey for an invasion of the mountains of Israel.
August 28, 2017: Iran continues to fill the void of a defeated ISIS. Initially, Iran was building a single missile factory. Now, Israel is reporting multiple missile factories are being built in Syria and Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had the following comments.
“(Iran’s) base of military entrenchment as part of its declared goal to eradicate Israel. It is also building sites to produce precision-guided missiles towards that end, in both Syria and in Lebanon. This is something Israel cannot accept. This is something the U.N. should not accept.”
Israel is prepared to act independently to stop Iran’s military expansion in Syria.
Israel has also stated a defined objective. An Israeli official stated President Assad’s palace would be targeted. Assad’s palace is located in Damascus, Syria. Israel sees the situation inside of Syria changing rapidly with Iran asserting itself in the country.
Israel states they will not acknowledge cease fire agreements reached by the United States and Russia.
Trouble is building in Syria and throughout the Middle East. Iran is replacing ISIS. Shia Muslims are replacing Sunni.
Consider the Burden of Damascus (Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49:23-27) and Magog’s Invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39) happening at the same time. Iran moving into Syria may be the catalyst. It is starting to look like this is a possibility. God has options.
Thanks to the Watchmans Post on Twitter. This is a great resource for current events in the Middle East. Check him out https://twitter.com/rapturewatchers
July 13, 2017: Reports are emerging that Turkey and Russia have reached an arms deal regarding the S400 Missile Defense System. The deal is estimated to be at $2.5 to 3 billion. Four missile systems and missiles are part of the deal. Two batteries would be delivered to Turkey. The other two would be manufactured in Turkey. This would give Turkey the ability to initiate their own production of the S400 Missile System. The agreement is being called a “technology transfer”. Moscow is waiting on the check from Turkey.
Turkey is currently a member of NATO. The United States is utilizing the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey as a launching point for missions against ISIS. Turkey is also said to be in negotiations for F35A fighter jets and helicopter contracts. In addition, President Erdogan has personally expressed his dissatisfaction with President Trump and United States support of the Kurds in the region.
Recep Erdogan needs Russian support to rid himself of the Kurds. The S400 System has the ability to shoot down planes, missiles, and drones. Range of the system is up to 250 miles.
It would appear Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan is attempting to leverage both the United States and Russia.
This is being reported by Bloomberg and the Financial Times. The Financial Times requests no sharing of links per their copyright.
According to the prophet Ezekiel, Russia will be joined by several countries in their future invasion of Israel. Russian, Turkish economic and political ties continue to strengthen. Russia’s presence in Syria is reported to be for “peaceful purposes” and “stability” for the region.
President Erdogan of Turkey is a wild card in the geopolitical scenario. Erdogan does not care for Syrian President Assad. Erdogan wants Assad out. Problem, Assad is supported by Russia. Erdogan does not care for the Shia presence near ancient Nineveh or Mosul, Iraq. Problem, Iranian Shia are supported by Russia.
All that said…predominantly Iraqi Shia are supported by the United States near Mosul. The United States also supports predominantly Kurdish Sunni near Mosul.
July 14, 2017: It has been one year since the attempted coup in Turkey against the leadership of Recep Erdogan. To celebrate the occasion, 7,348 government workers were fired. These folks were suspected of supporting the ideals of Fethullah Gulen who lives in Pennsylvania.
From a year ago, 50,000 have been arrested. 150,000 have been fired.
Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.”
Isaiah 17:9 In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest, or like branches which they abandoned before the sons of Israel; and the land will be a desolation.
We are watching this happen. There is fighting in every nook and cranny of Syria.
June 18, 2017: A United States F 18 Super Hornet has shot down a pro Assad Syrian SU 22. This marks the first time an American jet has shot down a Syrian government jet in the recent conflict. Tensions in the area have escalated.
The event took place near Tabqa, Syria near the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River. The Pentagon reports the Syrian SU 22 bombed US supported forces near Tabqa. The US has stated it acted in “collective self-defense of coalition partnered forces”.
Before the Syrian plane was shot down, the coalition “contacted its Russian counterparts by telephone via an established ‘de-confliction line’ to de-escalate the situation and stop the firing.” Pentagon statement.
“The coalition’s mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend coalition or partner forces from any threat.” -Pentagon Spokesman
This area near Tabqa was recently held by ISIS. US backed Kurdish forces have removed ISIS from the area. Kurdish forces are primarily Sunni Muslims and backed by the United States.
To the west a few miles, Syrian government forces of the Assad regime have removed ISIS from their area. Syrian government forces are Shia Muslims and they are supported by the Russians.
As ISIS has been removed from the area in Syria, Kurdish Sunni forces and Assad’s Shia forces are clashing. The two Muslim forces are proxies for both the United States and Russia.
Clashes are emerging in areas across Syria due to the removal of ISIS. Struggle for power of the lands is occurring. Different groups of people want to rule the land where ISIS previously held control. Most of these fights are occurring across Shia and Sunni lines.
Ezekiel 38:2-3 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal…”
The Bible and ancient, secular historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See attached post for background information.
Ezekiel 39:2 And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.
Ezekiel instructs the invasion comes from the north against the mountains of Israel. The largest peaks and mountains in Israel are located in the Golan Heights.
June 9, 2017: The Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian TV and media sources, along with embedded journalists have confirmed Russia and Shia Muslim allies have reached the Jordanian Border in the southern tip of Syria. Multiple sources have also confirmed Russia and its allies have reached the Iraqi border in south, central Syria.
Russia is allied with forces from the Assad regime of Syria, the terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanon, and Iranian forces. Russia’s allies in Syria are Shia Muslims.
Russia and its Shia Muslim allies are filling the void left by defeated Sunni ISIS and defeated Sunni Al Qaeda/Al Nusra in Syria.
The staging for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39 appears to be drawing closer. Initially, Vladimir Putin had indicated there would be no boots on the ground in Syria. Russian armed forces initially came into northern Syria in late 2015. A year and a half later in June 2017, Russia continues its march south through the country of Syria. By reaching the southern tip of Syria, Russia is now about 75-100 miles east of the Golan Heights in Israel.
We are getting closer to crunch time. A point of consideration to Russia and their allies, just know the prophet Ezekiel had a few words for all to read. God spoke through Ezekiel and stated the following among many other items.
Ezekiel 38:19 For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath I declare, on that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.
Ezekiel 38:21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.
Ezekiel 38:22 “With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.”
Ezekiel 39:6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD. -Lord God
So…earthquake, war, civil war within troops, disease, more bloodshed, rain, flooding rains, severe thunderstorms with lightning and hail, fire, and sulfur, and more fire on the land of Magog…
Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.”
Sadly, chemical gas attacks on the Syrian population are nothing new in the Syrian civil war.
Ghouta, Syria: Sarin gas was used in 2013 that resulted in the death of over 1,000 citizens. Ghouta is a suburb east of Damascus.
Idlib, Syria: At least 100 people have died from the recent gas attack. Hundreds more have been injured and hospitalized. The attack occurred on April 4, 2017.
Hama, Syria: On March 30, 2017 chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon in Hama, Syria. The Assad regime of Syria was accused of using chlorine on civilians. Approximately 100 civilians were affected.
Damascus, Syria: Chlorine gas was dispersed in the Al-Qaboun district northeast of Damascus on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.
The Assad regime has continually denied the use of chemical weapons during the civil war.
April 6, 2017: The United States military has begun missile strikes near Homs, Syria. Multiple reports from NBC and CNN indicate 50-60 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired. President Trump has changed his mind on Syria’s President Assad after the chemical attacks on civilians.
The United States has indicated a coalition of countries is forming to overthrow President Assad of Syria. This past week, the presidents of Egypt and Jordan have visited the White House. It would appear the United States is forming an alliance with Sunni Arab nations south of Syria.
Battle lines are being drawn. Russia is supporting its Shia Muslim countries in the north of the theater with Iran, Syria, and Lebanon (Hezbollah).
Turkey is primarily a Sunni Muslim nation with President Recep Erdogan. He has a big election coming in a couple of weeks. Erdogan has ambitious plans for the region. Turkey is determined to be a player.
“All options are on the table” regarding a United States response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Vice President Mike Pence.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.
Hamath: The name means “fortress”. In the times of Jeremiah, Hamath was a city in valley of the Orontes River. Hamath was the capital of the northern kingdom of ancient Syria. Today, this is the city known as Hama, Syria.
Hama, Syria is prophetically significant. Roughly 2,600 years ago the prophet Jeremiah wrote about the eventual destruction of Damascus in Jeremiah 49. Before Damascus, trouble would start in northern Syria from Arpad. Arpad is essentially modern day Aleppo, Syria. The destruction would move south to Hamath or Hama, Syria. Finally, Damascus would see bloodshed and war before its destruction. In March 2017, all three of these cities in modern day Syria are hot spots of military conflict.
See Isaiah 17 as well for the Burden of Damascus.
March 30, 2017: The Anadolu Agency out of Turkey is reporting of chlorine gas used as a chemical weapon in Hama, Syria. The Assad regime of Syria is being accused of using chlorine on civilians. Approximately 100 civilians have been affected.
“Local residents are showing symptoms of chlorine gas exposure, including vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision and shortness of breath,” Mohamed Elwan, Hama doctor.
The Assad regime is suspected of using chlorine gas in Al-Qaboun district northeast of Damascus.
“The bombardment had a substance that caused intense irritation, heavy foaming from the mouth, and constricting pupils. A chemical attack hit the same area on Saturday, killing an orthopedic doctor,” Abdallah Darwish, Health Authority Hama Province.
The Assad regime in Syria has continually denied the use of chemical weapons and chlorine gas.
“The army has not, will not, and does not need to use these weapons,” unnamed Syrian spokesman.
Military airstrikes in the region are increasing. Russian bombing runs are nonstop per witnesses on the ground.
Escalation in violence is noted across the country including the Euphrates or Tabqa Dam. Fighting continues on the Tabqa Dam between ISIS and US backed Kurds. ISIS controls the southern part of the dam and the Kurds along with embedded US Marines holds the northern part of the dam.
Russia and ISIS are accusing the United States of trying to destroy the Euphrates Dam. The United States backed Kurds claim ISIS is bombing the dam. One thing is clear. The Tabqa Dam has taken some bombing. The control room of the dam has been destroyed. Maintenance work on the dam is required to repair failing flood gates.
“Because the dam has been out of service for three straight days, the technical equipment in the lower levels of the dam is under water. This rise in the level of the reservoir means that one of the spillways must be opened to drain the water so it doesn’t build up, which would pose a growing threat to the dam.” A nameless technician.
The United States says the dam has not been structurally damaged…
The United Nations estimates one half of Syria’s 22 million people have been displaced. The UN estimates 5 million refugees have left the country. The situation is not getting better in Syria.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.
Hamath: The name means “fortress”. In the times of Jeremiah, Hamath was a city in valley of the Orontes River. Hamath was considered the capital of the northern kingdom of Syria. In the early 21st century, this is the city known as Hama, Syria. It has a population of roughly 854,000 per 2009 census. It is the fourth largest city in Syria (Wikipedia).
March 24, 2017: Fighting between the Syrian Army of President Assad and the rebels continues. The majority of the hostilities are taking place north of the city of Hama. It appears the opposition rebels are gaining near Hama. The United Nations is holding peace talks in Geneva in an attempt to stop the clashes.
The Syrian rebels consist of the Free Syrian Army, the Fateh al-Sham front, the jihadists formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda in Syria. These groups are constantly changing names and alliances. This group is primarily Sunni Muslims.
The Syrian Army is supported by Russian forces as well as Iran and Hezbollah out of Lebanon. This group is primarily Shia Muslims.
Euphrates River
March 24, 2017: Fighting for control of the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River is currently taking place. The Tabqa Dam is located approximately 20 miles west of Raqqa, Syria the defacto capital for ISIS. The United States, France, and the Kurds are claiming to have taken control of the Tabqa Dam away from ISIS. This is critical. ISIS has previously threatened to blow the dam and flood the Euphrates River valley. ISIS claims the offensive to take the Tabqa Dam is failing…
Jeremiah 49:27 “I will set fire to the wall of Damascus, and it will devour the fortified towers of Ben-hadad.” –The Lord.
The conflict in Damascus has stopped the supply of food to 300,000 residents per the United Nations.
“They are totally dependent on our supplies. Starvation will be just around the corner unless we get there in the coming weeks,” Jan Egeland, UN humanitarian adviser on Syria.
Currently the old wall of Damascus is still standing. Fighting and warfare are taking place in the Jobar neighborhood. Jobar borders old Damascus on the east where the wall is located.
2,600 years ago the Lord God told Jeremiah the wall of Damascus would come down by fire. Currently, the wall is still standing. The prophecy has not happened, not yet…
Isaiah 17:12 Alas, the uproar of many peoples who roar like the roaring of the seas, and the rumbling of nations who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!
The context of this verse is regarding the Burden of Damascus. Parallel passages for the Burden of Damascus include Isaiah 17, Amos 1:3-5, and Jeremiah 49:23-27.
November 29, 2016: President Erdogan of Turkey has made news again with his comments. His words speak for themselves. Commentary is not necessary.
“In my estimation, nearly 1 million people have died in Syria. These deaths are still continuing without exception for children, women and men. Where is the United Nations? What is it doing? Is it in Iraq? No. We preached patience but could not endure in the end and had to enter Syria together with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Why did we enter? We do not have an eye on Syrian soil. The issue is to provide lands to their real owners. That is to say we are there for the establishment of justice. We entered there to end the rule of the tyrant al-Assad who terrorizes with state terror. (We didn’t enter) for any other reason.” Recep Erdoğan, First Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform Symposium in Istanbul.
Turkey has joined forces with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). This group is also known as Al-Nusra or Al-Qaeda in Syria. The Free Syrian Army is supported by the United States.
These comments were made during a discussion in the context of a symposium on Jerusalem.
Erdogan went on to elaborate further regarding the al Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
“It is the common duty of all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem. Safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children armed with nothing but stones.”
Remember, Russia supports President al-Assad of Syria. It will be interesting to see how Vladimir Putin responds to these comments. Turkey and Russia are in the process of normalizing relations and economic ties.
This is one hot mess.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.
This is the area in and around Aleppo, Syria.
For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.
It would appear Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan is attempting to leverage both the United States and Russia.
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