The Covenant: Syria - Golan Heights & Damascus
May 2017
May 2017
The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
As part of the covenant, Israel and Syria share a border and disputed territory in the Golan Heights. Over the years, the area has been a strategic military and water resource. However, Syria has other barriers to peace: civil war, terrorism, Damascus and the future Russian-Islamic War against Israel. Syria will be part of world events from now through the Tribulation.
Golan Heights
The Golan Heights is a plateau northeast of the Sea of Galilee. In ancient history, Israel captured the territory from the Amorites and the tribes of Dan and Manasseh settled the area. After the Ottoman Turks lost World War I, their territory was divided between Turkey, the British (Iraq, Jordan, Palestine) and French (Lebanon, Syria) mandates. In 1945, Syria became a nation with the Golan Heights but in the 1967 Six Day War, Israel captured the area. Currently, two-thirds is Israeli and one-third is Syrian divided by a UN peace keeping force. There have been various attempts of peace. Israel was willing to surrender the land but Syria has not accepted peace with Israel.
Syrian Civil WarGolan Heights
The Golan Heights is a plateau northeast of the Sea of Galilee. In ancient history, Israel captured the territory from the Amorites and the tribes of Dan and Manasseh settled the area. After the Ottoman Turks lost World War I, their territory was divided between Turkey, the British (Iraq, Jordan, Palestine) and French (Lebanon, Syria) mandates. In 1945, Syria became a nation with the Golan Heights but in the 1967 Six Day War, Israel captured the area. Currently, two-thirds is Israeli and one-third is Syrian divided by a UN peace keeping force. There have been various attempts of peace. Israel was willing to surrender the land but Syria has not accepted peace with Israel.
In 2011, the Arab Spring brought revolution to the Middle East, In Syria, people protested against President Bashar al-Assad but he retaliated and the Syrian Civil War began. The fight started with Assad's Shiite minority, Sunnis and Kurds. The Islamic State filled a void in Iraq and in 2013, expanded into Syria. Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Europe were flooded with refugees. Later in October 2015, Russian joined the fight allied with Assad.
In April 2012, US President Obama evoked chemical weapons as the "red line". Assad used chlorine and sarin gases from 2013 to 2015 but Obama's focus was on the Iran nuclear agreement. ISIS used mustard gas. In September 2013 with Russian help, Syria began destroying 1300 metric tons of chemical weapons. However, on April 4, 2017, Assad's army used chemical weapons against the city of Khan Shaykhun. On April 6, 2017, US President Trump authorized cruise missiles against the Shayrat Air Base. The civil war continues.
Terrorism
Iran and Syria are state sponsors of the Shiite sect of Islamic terrorism. Russia is allied with Iran and Syria. Iran is the leading power in the Middle East intervening in wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. In 1982, Hezbollah was formed by Muslim clerics, then trained and funded by Iran to fight the Lebanese Civil War. Iran and Syria used Hezbollah to destabilize Lebanon, Israel and for terrorist attacks in the Middle East along with Argentina, Kenya and Panama.
Middle East
DamascusThe burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap (Isaiah 17:1).
Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city but the Bible tells of its destruction. Some believe the prophecy was fulfilled in 732 BC when Assyria conquered Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel. Others believe a future war with Israel and the Arab cousins. Esau's refugees (Palestine, south Jordan and south Lebanon), Lot of Ammon and Moab (north and central Jordan) with Hagar (Egypt) and Ishmael (Saudi Arabia) unite to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Since 1948, all wars against Israel result in defeat. This war could happen in the next few years before or during the Tribulation.
[Your enemies] have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against you: the [tents] of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarites; Gebal [northern Lebanon], and Ammon, and Amalek [Esau]; the Philistines [Esau] with the inhabitants of Tyre [southern Lebanon]; Assyria [Syria, Iraq] also is joined with them: they have [strengthened] the children of Lot. Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord-that you alone are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:4-8, 18).
Russian-Islamic War
The Russian-Islamic War begins three and a half years into the Tribulation. Ezekiel 38-39 describes Gog-Magog where Russia with Islamic extremists (Iran, Libya, Sudan, Turkey) rebels against Antichrist and attacks Israel. Jesus told those in Judea (West Bank) to flee. These passages do not mention the fate of Syria, the ally of Russia and Iran.
At the time of the end shall the king of the south [Islamic nations] push at him [Antichrist]: and the king of the north [Russia] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over (Daniel 11:40).
Russia, Iran, Syria and Hezbollah protested America's attack on the Syrian air base. Years earlier, the Bible lumped these losers together in their failed wars against Israel. There are only questions of when and how.
References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars and End Wars Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 25 - Iraq War III, Israel-Palestine Peace Process, Golan Heights, Syrian Civil War, Iran and State-Sponsored Terrorism
21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End Wars
A current understanding of God's plan for our time
Copyright © 21st Century Revelation Ministry 2024
A current understanding of God's plan for our time
Copyright © 21st Century Revelation Ministry 2024
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