Can we anticipate an imminent destruction of Damascus, Syria and an invasion of Israel as many Bible prophecy lecturers are at the moment presenting? A rising variety of advocates for the quickly elimination of Damascus level to Isaiah 17 which begins with this proclamation: “Behold, Damascus will stop from being a metropolis, and it will likely be a ruinous heap.” For the proof that the Arab Spring will result in an imminent invasion of Israel, they level to Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38. So are these ever-popular views right? Allow us to consider How to survive nuclear attack.
Based mostly on the context of Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus will truly happen over the past half of the longer term, seven-year tribulation interval. (That is an period which can start with a seven-year treaty with the nation of Israel, co-signed by ten leaders of different nations.) This destruction of Damascus is linked with the identical time timeframe as Israel present process famine, which additionally suits the context of the tribulation interval.
However the clearest clue to when the destruction of Damascus will happen issues the results of this time period which is introduced on this manner in verse 7: “In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes can have respect for the Holy One in every of Israel.”. This presents a statement that can typically be true-not solely in Syria, on account of the judgment of Damascus, but additionally all through the earth. (The Bible makes use of this declaration of “a man” elsewhere to refer that which is usually true of all men-cf. Genesis 2:24; 19:31; Exodus 33:11; and many others.) Nonetheless, mankind doesn’t now view God with that sort of respect now-certainly not as “the Holy One in every of Israel”-and is not going to till the initiation of God’s kingdom upon the earth, following the return of Christ. Thus, primarily based on the context of Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus will happen close to the very finish of the tribulation interval and can lead to main folks to religion in Jesus Christ. (For with out believing in Jesus for everlasting life, adults will be unable to enter into God’s kingdom.) This can lead to what we see in verse 7-people glorifying the God of Israel.
So, we see that the destruction of Damascus is not going to happen till the top of the seven-year tribulation interval, however what in regards to the invasion of Israel, as indicated in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38? Whereas Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 check with the identical occasion, and whereas each painting an occasion sooner or later, they don’t image an imminent occasion.
Ezekiel 38 additionally refers back to the similar occasion described in Revelation 20:7-10, which instructs its timing. In spite of everything, Revelation 20:7-10 clearly reveals that it will likely be fulfilled after Christ guidelines on the earth for a thousand years.
How do we all know that Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 20:7-10 are linked? Revelation 20 mentions “Gog and Magog” in passing with none rationalization aside from a reference to “the 4 corners of the earth,” indicating that the multitude of individuals represented by “Gog and Magog” will come from all around the planet in an invasion of Israel. The rationale the apostle John (who wrote Revelation) didn’t clarify “Gog and Magog” is as a result of he knew his first-century readers would join this phrase to the one different place within the Bible the place these two names happen together-Ezekiel 38 and 39. This implies he’s referencing the identical occasion. Whereas Ezekiel 38 doesn’t inform us when that invasion of Israel will happen, Revelation 20:7-10 does.
The timing of that occurrence-at the very finish of the millennial (thousand years) kingdom is sensible in mild of Ezekiel 38’s description of Israel’s expertise on the time the invasion happens. Based on Ezekiel 38, on the time the invasion takes place, Israel shall be having fun with such peace and security that the nation is not going to have any security measures in place and particular person inhabitants of Israel is not going to even have partitions, bars, or gates at their premises.
Clearly, Israel just isn’t now dwelling within the sort of security described in Ezekiel 38; for missiles are being fired at Israel nearly every day and the nations round it are threatening battle in opposition to the Jewish nation. Israel just isn’t at some extent through which it’s dwelling with out partitions; for it has a 403-mile wall round it. Israel will solely dwell within the security described by Ezekiel 38 within the millennial kingdom.
Based on Ezekiel 38, an invasion of the land of Israel takes place when Israel is experiencing nice prosperity and is in a state of such peace and security that the Jewish nation doesn’t even possess partitions or gates (nothing for cover, as a result of the folks don’t want safety). Curiously, the Hebrew phrase for sheltered (NKJV) in verse 3 of Psalm 83 (“Your sheltered ones”) means “hidden” or “treasured.” Thus, on the time this invasion happens, Israel is protected by God as His treasure. The one time Israel shall be so protected sooner or later is through the millennial kingdom. “Treasured” means each protected and priceless, and the latter which means could also be a phrase play additionally indicating the wealth or “treasure” possessed by God’s valued folks. In that case, it suits with Ezekiel 38 completely since, primarily based on that chapter, the invasion shall be motivated by Israel’s prosperity.
Subsequently, don’t search for Damascus to be nuked anytime quickly. As well as, don’t maintain your breath, ready for an imminent invasion of Israel; for the invasion of Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, and Revelation 20:7-10 is not going to happen till the top of the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth. Moreover, the subsequent invasion of Israel introduced in Bible prophecy shall be on the finish of the seven-year tribulation interval (cf. Revelation 16 and 19).
The lesson for us in that is the significance of finding out the Bible in context. View intently the clues within the speedy context, in addition to within the bigger context-the Bible itself. Moreover, we have to keep away from the error of deciphering the Bible in mild of our cultural context. As we preserve these items in thoughts, we are going to perceive God’s phrase extra precisely.