CHAPTER 5
“DAMASCUS WILL CEASE FROM BEING A CITY”
….SYRIA, CATALYST FOR GOG-MAGOG
By Doug Krieger
Pergamos Ministries
The Tribulation Network
www.the-tribulation-network.com
ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
Syria has become a priority target of US/Israeli preemption in the War on Terrorism. The recent Mosul homicide bomber only validates the Syrian connection, as far as US military strategists are concerned. Our last blog highlighted how neocon policy makers and think tanks (both in America and in Israel) have sought to “deterrorize” the region.
The effort at Mideast reconfiguration on the part of these strategists has been to defang Saddam Hussein first, thereby encircling Syria; and from thence, to neutralize Iran. Although Israelis have brought the Hashemite monarchy into the equation (i.e., as a “tribal strategy” after Saddam’s demise for Iraq), that particular “gift to Jordan” may not be necessary, given the fact that a “working democracy” is all that matters in Iraq in any event—notwithstanding Osama’s calls for Iraqis to boycott the January 2005 elections.
How Syria’s overthrow can be justified by these policy makers was repeatedly demonstrated in the last article; so now, as promised, we will discuss the Biblical ramifications of the equation—and this is the part that the Left just loves to hate (whereas they most likely enjoyed our initial “secular analysis”); but, we’re not out to please either the Left nor the Right—we’ll settle for the ABSOLUTE TRUTH (don’t you just love that expression—it sounds so final and almost pompous; don’t mean it to be that way, but if you want to take it that way, be our guest).
DETOUR ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTED LIBERAL CONFUSION & BIBLICAL HEREMENEUTICS (i.e., “interpreting methods in Bible Study”)
While
taking our excursion down the Road to Damascus, we encountered a most troubling
and confusing theological phenomenon known as “Augustinian
Malaise”—a not so subtle immune deficiency disorder afflicting both the
Liberal wing of the Church (throughout the world), as well as Evangelical
Dominionists who are “theologically allied” with their Liberal foes. Both wish
to reform the current governmental social order—whether they wish to admit it or
not. At least the
Evangelical Dominionists (THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SITE) admit it; whilst their
erstwhile liberal allies, who abhor anything that bespeaks of inerrancy,
denounce their theologically allied Dominionist “compatriots.”
These Liberal foes have no theological idea to whom they are theologically united—instead they abhor the barbaric fundamentalists who ascribe to a more Biblical hermeneutical eschatology. These Scofield-Darbyites, along with their total distortions of the real Jesus, have been (in “liberalism’s progressive dialect”) a disaster to American Christianity, whereas PROGRESSIVE and, therefore, enlightened Christian Liberalism’s embrace of Augustinian spiritualization of the Revelation text, demonstrates the real intent of the “prophetic Scriptures” which is far and away the true spirit of Christianity and its gospel of love and social justice!
Christian liberalism (now that their brand of Christianity has been wholly given over to “higher biblical criticism” and the “historical Jesus” can only spiritualize their “prophetic voice” and speak in metaphors and symbolisms from the Revelation—hardly a tangible reflection of where most American Christians position themselves today!
Furthermore, what really irks the spiritualizing Liberals is the current Administration’s total embrace of evangelical literalism’s Armageddon scenario—man, does that one get their Liberal goat or what! Anyway, just as the liberals ignorantly and simplistically lump all evangelicals into one camp (i.e., the “Biblical inerrant/literalist camp”); they do so at their own peril by “throwing the baby out with the bath water.” In sum: Not all literalists are your enemies—in point of fact: Biblical literalism that does NOT subscribe to Tim LaHaye’s triumphal Christianity MAY be your ultimate anecdote within America’s current Southern brand of “resurgent evangelicalism.”
THE “BURDEN OF DAMASCUS”
The
passages found in Isaiah 17 and 18, Joel 2, Ezekiel 38-39 (including chapters
36-37), Daniel 11, as well as the temple passages in Ezekiel 40-43, Zechariah
9-14; and, finally, Amos 1:3-5, will be covered in our eschatological intrusion
along the Road to Damascus.
The Apostle Paul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus turned the fledgling Christian faith, and the world at large, upside down! The question abides: Amongst all the external manifestations of fulfilled prophecy in the Bible (e.g., Israel’s rebirth in 1948; along with Jerusalem’s recognition as the Capitol of the Jewish State and its 1967 take over by the Jews; and, the ever-advancing incursions of the West vs. Islamic fundamentalism) is there another “Syrian Connection” that will turn the world upside down? I believe so . . . . let us examine these passages and the immediate eschatological implications of what we now face (Liberal Christianity hang in there . . . ).
THE “SYRIAN ESCHATOLOGICAL SYNTHESIS”
Throughout these eschatological discoveries, we shall adhere to the following (and, just because it makes rational sense doesn’t mean that the Bible is happenstance in its “prophetical conjectures”):
(1) Syria/Damascus will be the NEXT major prophetical happening among the Gentile nations—she shall find herself in a major conflagration with both the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and, secondarily, USA-led coalition forces. This shall primarily be an Israeli orchestrated, but USA-approved, military endeavor. Its primary purpose will be to:
(a) Eliminate insurgent funding and general participation against USA-coalition led efforts to “democratize” Iraq.
(b) Destroy “at the head” organized terrorism against Israel—making her the West’s (a.k.a., USA’s) uncontested ally in the Middle East and poised to “democratize” the entire region, including Egypt and Iran—all this in fulfillment of American neocon/Christian Evangelical efforts to “subdue the region” (particularly Lebanon, although Syria as well).
(c) SIMULTANEOUSLY, the political equation in Lebanon will be transformed (i.e., Terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, Amal, Islamic Jihad, et al) will be made inoperable. Likewise, the Palestinian Authority will become utterly subservient to “Greater Israel” aspirations, i.e., anticipate Gaza’s “political irrelevance” and the West Bank’s “reallocation of Palestinian people” to commence in earnest (e.g., repositioned to other Arab lands now under Israeli-USA auspicious).
(2) THE GOG-MAGOG CONFEDERATIONS: Iran in the North (i.e., “King of the North”), along with a resurgent and radicalized Turkey and miscellaneous Moslem states north of Jerusalem/Israel (Ezekiel 38:2-3, 5-6; 39:1) will immediately coalesce (after Syria’s devastating demise) to form an “Islamic Resistance” to Western incursions into the sacred lands of Islam. This “Northern Alliance” will find affirmation for their purposes to overthrow “Western Incursions” (i.e., the USA-led Coalition forces THROUGHOUT the Islamic region, not just Iraq) with a “Southern Islamic Confederation” primarily led by Egypt, but including the Sudan (representing Islamic nations south of Egypt) and Libya (representing Islamic nations to the immediate west of Egypt). Biblically, this will be known as “The King of the South.”
(NOTE: Syria, Lebanon (i.e., “Tyre & Sidon”) Iraq, Jordan, nor nations within the Arabian Peninsula are mentioned as part of either the Northern or Southern Confederation of nations in the Bible.)
(3) THE GOG-MAGOG CONFLAGRATION: The Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39, and amplified in both Isaiah 17-18, and Daniel 11, will ensue after the “Syrian card falls.” The unfolding of this massive campaign of “Islamic annihilation” and resultant Western supremacy in the region will Biblically unfold as follows:
(a) Immediately after the Israeli-Syrian-USA War (a.k.a., “Syrian Regime Change”) AND as Islamic Jihad is “declared” by both nations north and south of Israel/Iraq (i.e., north of Israeli/USA “influence” and south of it) the USA will FORMALIZE her “safety net” over Israel: This is known in Scripture as “your covenant with death, and hell (Sheol) (Isaiah 28:15, 18) and orchestrated by the “prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:27: “He shall confirm an agreement (i.e., an “accord, treaty, defense pact” or “a covenant” –not “the covenant” but “a covenant”). This “defense pact” MAY necessitate a two-fold implementation: (1a) A “Memorandum of Understanding” primarily between the USA and Israel immediately following the Syrian War; and (2a) A FORMAL ACCORD which would be considered the actual DEFENSE PACT that will, after the Gog-Magog/USA-Israeli War result in an “International Agreement” wherein all parties of the Middle East and the “Coalition Forces” allied with the USA, concur with this Comprehensive Middle East Peace Settlement. This Accord will allow Israel to finalize implementation of her “Temple Aspirations” (which aspirations have already commenced upon the conclusion of the Israeli-Syrian-USA War). Whether this AGREEMENT is a two-fold or singular diplomatic effort by the West, is irrelevant to the equation/scenario.
(b) The radicalization of the Islamic World will commence in earnest after the defeat of Syria (let alone USA hegemony in Iraq/Jordan/Saudi Arabian Peninsula nations). Likewise, International-based Terrorism within the Levant, as well as “Palestinian Aspirations” will have been terminated by this war. Furthermore, a possible preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities may occur (this will be accomplished by USA-IDF cooperation, simultaneously with the Syrian defeat and/or immediately thereafter). This MAY (in addition to the Syrian/Lebanon/Palestinian defeat) lead to the immediate rise of Turkey Islamic radicalism and the forging of the “Northern Alliance” between the Iranian Islamic State and Turkey. (NOTE: The Syrian/Lebanon/Palestinian defeat is clearly spelled out in Isaiah 17:1-11: Damascus/Aroer/Valley of Rephaim are Syria/Lebanon (Tyre and Sidon); the “Fortress of Ephraim” and Gaza (the Palestinian Authority, cf. Zechariah 9:1-6)
(c) The initial THRUST of the “Southern Alliance” (a.k.a. “King of the South”) will be against USA-led coalition forces in the Levant (including Iraq/Kuwait, etc.) and Israel (primarily in Syria/Lebanon) (Daniel 11:40a).
(d) After the “King of the South” launches its attack, the “King of the North” (i.e., Gog-Magog) will sweep down in a collaborative PINCER MOVEMENT to encircle the Israeli/USA-led Coalition forces. The subject of the Gog-Magog attack in Daniel 11:40 are the forces of Antichrist (i.e., the leadership of Western Civilization); whereas, the focus of the conflagration in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is against Israel.
(e) Both the “King of the South” and the “King of the North” will suffer virtual annihilation by the combined forces of “the prince who is to come” (Ezekiel 38 & 39; Daniel 11:40-43).
(f) Jordan (i.e., Edom, Moab, and Ammon) will NOT endure the wrath of Antichrist’s forces (nor, for that matter, the IDF) (Daniel 11:41); however, the West will for the first time station its forces within “the Glorious Land” (i.e., Israel proper, Daniel 11:45) as a result of this horrific struggle among the nations of the region. Jordan’s “escape” will undoubtedly be due to her alignment with the West in these confrontations.
(g) Saudi Arabia (ancient “Dedan”) and other Arabian Peninsula nations (e.g., Sheba/Yemen, the “southwest part of the Arabian Peninsula, ref. P. 1100, The Spirit Life Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson) are aligned with “The Merchants of Tarshish” – i.e., the International Trading Empire of “Tyre and Sidon” which was incorporated into the Roman Empire (Alexander the Great defeated Tyre in 333 B.C. in the Eastern Mediterranean and Rome defeated Carthage in the Western Mediterranean in successive “Punic Wars” culminating in the devastation of Carthage itself in 146 B.C.). Ultimately, “The Merchants of Tarshish” became synonymous with the West’s economic hegemony. It is the contention of this author that behind “The Merchants of Tarshish” and its international trading empire (a.k.a., the ancient Canaanites of “Tyre and Sidon,” the Phoenicians (Greek name for these peoples) and/or the Punic people (Latin name for the same people)) is the King of Tyre (Ezekiel Chapters 26 through 28)). The “escapades” of the King of Tyre are wrought into merchandise, trade, and economic hegemony and bear remarkable parallels in his/its judgment in Revelation 18.
(h) Shortly after the “Victorious West” defeats the “King of the North” and the “King of the South” (i.e., Gog-Magog) a general uprising will prevail in both the “North” and in the “East” which will cause the triumphant West to pursue these “hot spots” and continue waging preemptive strikes (cf. Daniel 11:44). (Note: The absence of any “Western thrust” is noteworthy in that “The West” is unified in its victory.)
In summary:
(1) The “Syrian/Lebanon/Palestinian” War with Israel/USA-Coalition Led forces is imminent. (cf. Isaiah 17 and Zechariah 9:1-6)
(2) The West/Israel will be victorious in (1) above. (Isaiah 17 as well as Daniel 11 and Isaiah 17:12-14; 18:1-7)
(3) A “Memorandum of Understanding/Safety Net” by the USA will “officially umbrella” Israel. (Isaiah 28:15, 18 & Daniel 9:27)—Israel will emerge from the Syrian “episode” in “safety” and “unwalled” (Ezekiel 38:8a, 11) primarily as a result of the “Treaty with Death and Hell” (Daniel 9:27; Isaiah 28:15, 18).
(4) The Gog-Magog War will ensue shortly after the “Syrian Regime Change” (Ezekiel 38 & 39; Daniel 11:40-45; Isaiah 17:12-18:1-7)
(a) The “King of the South” will initiate the conflagration but immediately followed by . . .
(b) The “King of the North” in a massive “PINCER MOVEMENT” to destroy the pre-positioned forces of Antichrist (i.e., THE WEST) will sweep in against the USA/Israeli Coalition (Daniel 11:40-43)
(c) Gog-Magog/King of the South will be annihilated by the Western Alliance/Israel (Ezekiel 38:18-23 & 39:1-16)
(d) Jordan, as well as other Arab nations on the Arabian Peninsula will NOT be allied with radical Islamists (i.e., Gog-Magog/King of the South) but will have allied themselves with the “Merchants of Tarshish” (a.k.a., Western Civilization and, in particular, the “King of Babylon/the USA.” (Daniel 11:41; Ezekiel 38:13)
(e) Further “incursions” and “wars of liberation” will ensue after the aforementioned conflagrations and include areas beyond the Northern Alliance (i.e., “the North”), as well as “elements in the East” (cf. Daniel 11:44).
(f) Note: The above chronological sequence of eschatological events occur immediately prior to and immediately after the 70th Week of Daniel’s Prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27a) but do NOT include events which occur in the midst of the 70th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27b) on (cf. Revelation 11, 13-16).
The aforementioned verses can be found on these sites:
Isaiah 17-18 Ezekiel 36 through 43 Daniel 11:40-45 Isaiah 28: 15 & 18 Daniel 9:24-27 Amos 1:3-5 Revelation 11 Revelation 13-16