Isaiah 17: Pinpointing the Timing of Damascus’s Destruction

Isaiah 17 is a chapter that contains a prophecy about the total destruction of the city of Damascus and several other Mideast locations.

Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (if not the oldest). As a result, the prophecy remains unfulfilled as of the time of this writing.

Many believe the events of this chapter will be among the next prophetic events to occur. Some even think that Israel will nuke Damascus when the events of this chapter transpire.

Given the ongoing tension in the Mideast, I believe it’d be useful to examine when the events of Isaiah 17 might occur. I will pinpoint the general time frame when the events of this chapter will transpire in this article.

Isaiah 17 Overview

Verses 1-3

The chapter opens with the words “the burden of Damascus”, which indicates that Damascus is the subject of a troublesome prophecy:

  • Verse 1 reveals the troublesome nature of the prophecy. The verse describes the city of Damascus as “a ruinous heap”.
  • Verses 2-3 describe Aroer (a city in modern day Jordan) and Ephraim (northern Israel) as desolate and forsaken.
  • Other places in Syria will also face destruction as Isaiah mentions “the remnant of Syria”.

“(1) The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (2) The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (3) The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Before continuing, it should be noted that some believe the events of this chapter occurred in the 8th century B.C. when Assyria attacked Syria and northern Israel. However, verse 1 says that Damascus will be “taken away from being a city”. This level of desolation has not occurred yet.

Verses 1-3 do not specifically tell us the cause(s) of Damascus’s demise. However, Jeremiah 49:23-27, a passage that may have end time implications, suggests that the city may be target of an attack:

“(23) Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. (24) Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. (25) How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! (26) Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts. (27) And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

Verses 4-6

Verses 4-6 tell us what’s happening during the general time frame when Damascus will become a ruinous heap.

Verses 3-4 establishes the link between verses 1-3 and verse 4 onward.

  • Verse 3 compares the glory of Damascus and the glory of the remnant of Syria at that time to the glory of the children of Israel.
  • Verse 4 expands on the glory of Jacob/Israel at that time.

“(3) The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. (4) And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean”.

The phrase “in that day” appears in verse 4, which in an end time context refers to the Day of the Lord. The appearance of this phrase suggests the destruction of Damascus will likely occur around the time of the Day of the Lord.

Verses 4-6 add that the “glory of Jacob” will be greatly diminished to a small remnant. This indicates the events of this chapter will occur in the latter portion of the end times when Jacob’s population will indeed be greatly diminished:

“(4) And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. (5) And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. (6) Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.”

Isaiah 6:9-13

Isaiah 6:9-13 may reference the widespread desolation and large decline in the population of Israel at that future time.

  • The passage describes a time when the land of Israel will be greatly desolated and will only have a small population remaining.
  • This period will coincide with the end of the (spiritual) hardening impacting (a portion) of Israel.

“(9) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (11) Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, (12) And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. (13) But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.” (Isaiah 6:9-13)

The end of the hardening impacting (a portion of) Israel will coincide with the coming of the Lord and the arrival of the fullness of the Gentiles according to Romans 11:25-26, Isaiah 35:4-5, and Isaiah 42:13-16.

The following table shows the similarities between these passages and Isaiah 6:9-13.


The End of Israel’s Hardening

  • The hardening impacting (a portion of) Israel
  • Conditions surrounding the end of the hardening
  • The coming of the Lord at the time when the hardening will end

Isaiah 6:9-13: (9) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (11) Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, (12) And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. (13) But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

Romans 11:25-26: (25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Isaiah 35:4-5: (4) Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. (5) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Isaiah 42:13-16: (13) The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. (14) I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (15) I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. (16) And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.


Consequently, if Isaiah 6:9-13 indeed relates to Isaiah 17:4-6 it would mean that the events of Isaiah 17 may occur near the coming of the Lord and the end of the fullness of the Gentiles.

Each passage is displayed below and each passage’s reference to a small remnant remaining is highlighted:

“(11) Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, (12) And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. (13) But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.” (Isaiah 6:11-13)

“(4) And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. (5) And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. (6) Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.” (Isaiah 17:4-6)

Verses 7-8

Verses 7-8 may cover the result that the desolation has on the people of the region at that time. The punishment may bring people to look to the Lord instead of false idols:

“(7) At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. (8) And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.”

This change in people’s regard for the Lord is consistent with what will happen around the time when the hardening impacting (a portion of Israel) lifts (Isaiah 29:18-19). This again suggests that the events of this chapter will take place in the latter portion of the end times.

Isaiah 10:20-22, a passage which may have end times implications, describes the remnant of Israel (the survivors) as those who will depend on the Lord:

“(20) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. (21) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. (22) For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.” (Isaiah 10:20-22)

The term “remnant of Israel” again suggests that the conditions of verse 7 and Isaiah 17 in general will take place in the latter portion of the end times after a great decline in the population of Israel.

Verses 9-11

Verses 9-11 may cover much of why there will be so much desolation. The passage explains that the widespread desolation is part of the chastisement for the forsaking the Lord:

“(9) In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation. (10) Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: (11) In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.”

Does Verse 9 Say Israel Destroys Damascus?

As an aside, some cite verse 9 to claim that Israel will destroy Damascus. However, it’s not fully clear which forsaken, strong cities the verse refers to. For instance, Keil and Delitzsch believe verse 9 retells the downfall of Ephraim’s strong cities with more detail than verse 3:

The statement in Isaiah 17:3, “The fortress of Ephraim is abolished,” is repeated in Isaiah 17:9 in a more descriptive manner. The fate of the strongly fortified cities of Ephraim would be the same as that of the old Canaanitish castles, which were still to be discerned in their antiquated remains, either in the depths of forests or high up on the mountains.

Delitzsch, F. and Carl, F. Keil. Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes. Trans. James Martin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

The following is a comparison of verse 3 with verse 9:

The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.”

In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.”

Regardless of the location of the cities, some Bible commentators like John Gill believe that verse 9 only compares the forsakenness of the cities at the time of the prophecy’s fulfillment to the cities the Canaanites abandoned when the Israelites came to the land (and not saying that Israel is responsible for the forsakenness of the cities at that time).

In sum, the argument that verse 9 is evidence that Israel will cause the destruction of Damascus depends on:

  • The assumption that the strong cities in verse 9 belong to Syria being true.
  • The assumption that Israel desolates the cities at the time of the prophecy’s fulfillment being true.

We can dispute both assumptions.

Verses 12-14

Verses 12-14 shifts the focus to the demise of a group of nations who are likely the attackers that desolate Damascus, northern Israel, and other places.

Some believe the passage refers to Assyria back in the 8th century B.C. However, verses 12-14 warn several nations instead of just one.

The Lord will rebuke the attacking nations and will rout them according to Isaiah verse 13:

“(12) Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (13) The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (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.

The passage above is very similar to Isaiah 29:5-7, a passage that relates to the end time siege of Jerusalem. The table below shows how these passages relate to each other:


The Defeat of the Attackers

  • Multiple Nations Attacking
  • The Lord will intervene to deal with the nations
  • Nations depicted as chaff that is blown away by wind

Isaiah 17:12-14: (12) Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (13) The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (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.

Isaiah 29:5-7: (5) Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. (6) Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire. (7) And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.


Isaiah 17:13 also parallels Isaiah 33:10-13, a passage from a chapter that primarily deals with the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem but could be a chapter with multiple fulfillments:


The Lord Will Destroy His Enemies

  • God Acts
  • Enemies Destroyed

Isaiah 17:13: The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

Isaiah 33:10-13: (10) Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. (11) Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. (12) And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. (13) Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.


The repelling of the attacking nations by the Lord also compares to Joel 2:20. The Lord promises in Joel 2:20 that He will drive away and defeat the northern army that will attack places like Jerusalem:

“The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.” (Isaiah 17:13)

“(19) Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: (20) But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.” (Joel 2:19-20)

The parallels between Isaiah 17:12-14, Joel 2:20, Isaiah 29:5-7, and Isaiah 33:10-13 suggest:

Given all this, we can presume that the desolation of Damascus and northern Israel will come just prior to the end time siege of Jerusalem.

Nighttime Defeat?

Interestingly, verse 14 suggests that the attackers will be defeated during the night:

“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.”

The statement harkens to Isaiah 37:35-37, which records how the angel of the Lord slaughtered Sennacherib’s Assyrian army:

“(35) For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. (36) Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (37) So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.” (Isaiah 37:35-37)

Verse 14 may be a case where a future prophetic event occurs like a past event:

  • The first occurrence was the overnight defeat of the Assyrian army.
  • The end time occurrence may involve the overnight defeat of the nations that attack Jerusalem and other places like Damascus and northern Israel.

Interestingly, Isaiah 29:7 compares the sudden demise of the nations that attack Jerusalem (Ariel) to a dream. This analogy harkens back to verse 14’s hint that the demise of the attackers may come at night:

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.” (Isaiah 17:14)

“And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.” (Isaiah 29:7)

Conclusion on the Chapter’s Fulfillment

The events of Isaiah 17 will not occur before the start of the end times or even at the start of the end times. The fulfillment of this chapter, particularly the destruction of Damascus, will come during the latter portion of the end times near:

The attackers will likely travel through Syria and northern Israel and leave a wake of destruction as they advance to besiege Jerusalem.

Joel 2:2-3 may provide a fitting description of how the attackers will leave a wake of destruction behind as they approach Jerusalem:

“(2) A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (3) A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.” (Joel 2:2-3)

I hope you found this article insightful. I also have an article on Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39, which concerns the invasion of Israel by Gog of Magog, that I believe you will find insightful.

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Wayne Croley
Wayne Croley

Hi! I’ve studied and written about Bible prophecy since I was a teenager. My goal is to make Bible prophecy easy for you to understand while avoiding the sensationalism seen elsewhere. I am the author of several end time books, including Prophecy Proof Insights on the End Times, a comprehensive book about the end times. I hold an M.B.A. and degrees in Managerial Economics and Political Science.

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  1. Hello Wayne I like your article, it is well put together. However, I don’t see this as been related to the Day of the Lord (God’s wrath), for that is the Megiddo battle. I believe that this destruction of Damascus paves the way for the final parts of the peace agreement /covenant started by the Abrahamic Accords, ie Turkey and Russia will get nervous as more ‘peace agreements’ are made with muslim countries. Erdogan will invade and in the process Damascus will be destroyed. Quite possibly this is the ‘sudden destruction’ …’and they will not escape’ and the church may escape at this time.. This could coincide with Jesus coming in the clouds which is not the same as the ‘Day of the Lord’ when He pours out His wrath. Then the whole world will know that He is God…yet the peace process will continue to playout after this allowing the temple to be built on the temple mount and the antichrist to confirm the covenant and then occupy the temple. ie I see that Damascus could be the start or close to the start of Jacobs Trouble, the 7 year Tribulation. Either way it is clear that this prophecy has NOT been fulfilled regardless of what people contrive. It is still inhabited!

    • Hi Gus,

      To clarify, I do not see the destruction of Damascus taking place during the Day of the Lord. I believe the Day of the Lord does not encompass the tribulation. I believe it starts at the end of the tribulation. Therefore, the destruction of Damascus would be an event that takes place before the onset of the Day of the Lord.

      I suggested that its destruction takes place around the Day of the Lord because its destruction takes place really close to its start.

  2. Dear friend, I believe you are in error here. When Isaiah prophesied about Damascus, it was “during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isaiah 1:1. The fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Damascus occurred 734 BC when Assyria put the city under siege and destroyed it.

    Bible History.com has this information:

    The Assyrian response to king Ahaz’s request was devastating. In 734 B.C. Assyria attacked Syria’s chief city Damascus and put it under siege. King Rezin was slain, their nobles were impaled upon stakes and the city was burned and every city in the region was leveled. Over 800 citizens of nobility were led away as captives to Assyria.

    The Bible records this transaction:

    2 Kings 16:7-9 “So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me.” And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and sent it as a present to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria heeded him; for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it, carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.”

    The Assyrian Chronicles record that Damascus withstood a two year siege. Ahaz of Judah met with and paid tribute to Tiglath Pileser.
    “I received tribute from Jauhazi (Ahaz) of Judah.”

    So Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled shortly after he made it. Old Testament prophecies do not point to the end of the world.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    • Hi Jan. I respectfully disagree with your notion that Old Testament prophecies do not point to the end of the world. Many Old Testament prophecies point to events which have not occurred yet (like a new heaven and a new earth in Isaiah 65 and Isaiah 66). The reason why many are interested in Isaiah 17 is that Damascus is one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

  3. When you neglect to notice that OT prophecy is to be reinterpreted in the light of the cross, and that Jesus Christ is the “Israel of God” and all who are “in Christ” are therefore the true Israel of God, then you follow cunningly devised fables. I plead with you to reject the Jesuit inspired Futurism that makes much of the faux Israel in the Middle East, while completely missing the spiritual issues facing the Israel of God. Middle Eastern, secular Israel is NOT the focus of prophecy, but is being cunningly used by the great deceiver as a diversion. Don’t be suckered by him,…please!

    • So all gentile nations in the Bible are spiritual enemies? Please I need more information, I agree with you.

  4. COMMENTwell,what i do know for sure is that we are at the treshhold of time ,let all men repent and embrace jesus because any one that is of him has nothing to fear about the end time tantrums imminent in this age.

  5. That was really good how you highlighted the sections and meanings like that. This was great, i added it to my website. ithasbeenwritten.com thank you!!

  6. Now, consider the chemical weapon their country used on its own people of Damascus. Great sadness and grief (desolation) and horrific event that fell silent very quickly and from our sight.

    • Hi Wayne,

      It’s very good that the LORD has blessed you with a love for the study of Bible prophecies from a young age.
      I, too, love to study Bible prophecies from my teenage years and I’m still very much into it in my ripe old age of 70-plus.
      If we are earnestly seeking knowledge and understanding from the Word of the LORD, we do have the assurance that the Holy Spirit will “tell us things to come”.

      “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “ (John 16:13)

      My heart burns with a desire to tell people about things to come through very simple and short messages. Hence, I have designed my Interpretation posts as short and as simple as possible for people who are either non-believers or believers who don’t have the time or inclination to read very long articles. The blog address is:-

      https://truthdefender2.wordpress.com

      Blessings to all as we wait for our redemption,

      Kind regards,
      Lowly Bondservant

  7. I believe that current events in Syria have nothing to do with Isaiah 17 (or Isaiah 7-8 and Amos 1). Isaiah and Amos were contemporary prophets, and both predicted that Syria and Israel would soon be destroyed by the same opponent, Assyria. II Kings 16 shows in detail that their prophecies were fulfilled, and this is validated by historical records as outlined in this article:

    http://kloposmasm.com/2013/09/08/the-bible-does-not-teach-that-damascus-syria-is-about-to-be-destroyed-2/

    One of the biggest keys pointing to the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 in Isaiah’s own time period is the phrase “in that day” in verse 4. Isaiah clearly prophesied that Damascus and Syria would fall in the same “day” that Israel would fall. And we know that Israel (the northern kingdom) fell in 722 B.C.

  8. …and what I mean by saying that it’s a “very dangerous moment” is that we don’t really know yet what others (outside the Western world) will react to a U.S. agression in the Middle East. What will Russia, Iran, China, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and most importantly, Israel do? Actually we cannot even be sure what military answer Syria is capable of if attacked. I am only sure about my lukewarm Europe. We will speak like an ally but feel like an enemy. Soon we will hate the USA for whatever they do and blame them for the consequences of their actions, whatever they will be. And we will do nothing, as we always do.

  9. Wayne,
    now I wonder whether you think or not that the current situation in Syria may be an answer to your question “What will motivate a significant military force comprised of troops
    from many nations to attack a presumed ally of Antichrist (Syria) on
    their way to Israel?”
    Chemical weapons is a serious issue and I think the USA probably will not ignore this any more. It’s not hard to imagine that something may go wrong and soon it will escalate to a much larger conflict than the leaders of the USA now imagine.

    I think this conflict in Syria is a very dangerous moment and things may rapidly accelerate from now on…

  10. I used to try to define the Day of the Lord in terms of time, but I think it’s now better to define the Day of the Lord in terms of the events that are associated with it. There are references to the Day of the Lord as a time of judgment, but then there are references to “that day” as a time of tranquility (i.e. Zechariah 14). My current view on the Day of the Lord (which I haven’t put on this blog yet) is that it starts on the 1260th day after the abomination of desolation and extends into the Millennium. The start of the Day of the Lord would include the annihilation of the military forces that attacked Damascus and later besiege Jerusalem. The Armageddon portion of the Day of the Lord would come at 1290 days after the abomination of desolation. Then the Day of the Lord would extend beyond into the Millennium. I think the Millennium starts around 1335 days after the abomination of desolation.

  11. I have been wondering if Daniel 12:12 where it says blessed is he who waits until 1335 days if that time between 1290 and 1335 is the Day of the Lord. The fact that Damascus is demolished overnight and in other passages there is evidence that the whole coastlines are devastated as in Tyre and into Lebanon etc. Zechariah 9, Amos 1 etc… all the enemies will be humbled with only remnants remaining. Most all these judgments are by fire too.

  12. I am strongly considering the possibility that this military campaign in Isaiah 17 is different than the one that will take place in Megiddo even though the destruction of the forces of Isaiah 17 and the destruction of the forces that assemble in Meggido may take place in the Day of the Lord.

  13. it is also near the valley of Megiddo which is the west of Galilee. It all ends up in the final battle but it makes sense that as the nations rushing in like might waters and in so many references to the destruction coming from the north through the Mtns of Israel, that whole region is very mountainous and then you have the plain of Megiddo. Gets real interesting when thinking the day of the Lord and all this destruction of the enemy during the night … to wake the next morning and see your enemies in a huge heap over the plain will be astounding.

  14. I could see the Golan Heights as a place that could be desolated at that time. The trail of destruction will be probably very large as the troops advance southward to lay siege against Jerusalem.

  15. I just learned of your site and love it! I too have asking these same questions and came to the conclusion Damascus would be destroyed in the Day of the Lord. A thought, is it possible when you refer to the strongholds of Ephraim and of northern Israel being devastated could this also be a reference to modern day Golan Heights? Also Mt Hermon is there but i recalled Deuteronomy in what this land contained the cities etc. Deut. 4:44 And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:

    45 these are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt,

    46 beyond the Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, when they came forth out of Egypt.

    47 And they took his land in possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;

    48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even unto mount Sion (the same is Hermon),

    49 and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

  16. Prophecy Servant of God
    ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `
    word Atmak not necessarily means ‘whom I uphold’ but is infact a name

    the writing of Atmak is אתמך
    the writing of Ahmad is אחמד

    Isaiah 42:1

    God says

    “Behold, ‘My Servant’ (pronounced as Abd-ee), ‘whom I uphold’ (pronounced as Atmak);

    God mentioning about the coming of His servant

    Behold My Servant Ahmad (Isaiah 42:1) – so who is this Ahmad as in God’servant?

    He is none other than

    Abd-Allah Ahmad (Servant of God, Ahmad) – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

  17. I understand that some may see the forces as non-human but I think they’re human at this point. There’s a lot of ideas that I’ve been developing with regards to this army which I haven’t shared yet.

  18. Wayne very good analysis however you need to think outside the box. It is not nations of men as such that attack Israel and Syria God describes them as a supernatural army an army which he directs and also ultimately destroys. It is an army unlike anything we have ever seen they climb up walls with ease they are not easily killed. When God refers to the land of the north that does not refer to Russia or any other nation on the earth. God opens up the underworld which some might find hard to believe or grasp the reality of but nevertheless this is exactly what He says throughout Scripture. Keep up the good work excellent blog and great insights on prophecy.
    God Bless