Isaiah 17
Despite all the hype and anxiety over Iran's nuclear ambitions, several things have to happen before the Battle of Ezekiel 38. The US has to be taken out of Israel's defense equation. Which may be some of the motivation, behind Iran's current shenanigans.
The situation between Hezbollah and Israel is heating up, and nobody seems able, or even willing to stop it. The US and Russia have agreed that Israel has a right to defend itself from unprovoked aggression, and even the moderate Arab states have questioned Hezbollah's motives. At the recent emergency meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers sharp rifts erupted as moderate Arab states denounced Hezbollah for starting the conflict, according to Fox News.
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal called the group's actions "unexpected, inappropriate and irresponsible," telling his counterparts: "These acts will pull the whole region back to years ago, and we cannot simply accept them."
Supporting his stance were representatives of Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, the Palestinian Authority, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, delegates said.
The only ones openly supporting Hezbollah are Syria and Iran, both widely suspected of having engineered the confrontation in the first place. Unless somebody blinks soon, this crisis has the potential to escalate into the fulfillment of Isaiah 17.
The Israelis have all but announced plans to mount a pre-emptive attack against Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran and Syria supply the money, weaponry and supervisory manpower for the 15,000 or so missiles Hezbollah has arrayed against Israel. They're believed to have directed Hezbollah to provoke this attack to demonstrate their combined strength as a deterrent to Israel's plans. But I don't think anyone expected Israel's new government, thought by most to lack sufficient backbone for this kind of thing, to respond so forcefully. Now that they have, the West sees the possibility for a major victory in the War on Terror by knocking out a player or two. Israel has promised to destroy Hezbollah before they stop, and the West may see an opportunity here to punish Syria for killing former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri last spring.
As far as the destruction of Damascus is concerned, in Isaiah 17 where it's prophesied only Damascus and Israel are mentioned, so many think to see it as something between the two of them. But Syria's tied by treaty to Iran, and Iran is really calling the shots along Israel's northern border. Iran has warned that its response to any attack on its nuclear plants would be against Israel. Iran would most likely use Hezbollah to do this, having supplied most of the 15,000 missiles Hezbollah has arrayed against northern Israel.
Today many nations are stirred up by Israel's response to the Hezbollah rocket attack and kidnapping. They say it's extreme, not appropriate to the circumstances. Many believe that Syria will soon try to provoke a Jewish response. If that should cause a further escalation we can easily envision a scenario that includes the final fulfillment of Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus.
The phrase "rushing of many waters" is often used to describe a loud voice. Such an escalation would certainly cause an incredible uproar among the nations, and many loud voices.
So here's a possible scenario. The US and, or Israel go after Iran's nukes, but are less than 100% successful in de-stabilizing Iran. Through Syria, Iran has Hezbollah launch against Israel causing much damage in northern and central regions. Israel levels Damascus in return. Iran also retaliates against the US with massive terrorist attacks in America and Iraq and by causing financial upheaval in the oil markets. Another possible scenario is the death, of President Bush. The combination sidelines the US. Everybody goes to the negotiating table. The resulting treaty convinces Israel that they have no one to fear. But with Russia's help Iran quickly rebuilds and on a day when Israel least expects it Iran and it's Moslem coalition attacks fulfilling Ezekiel's prophecy.
Obviously this is pure speculation, but it is a scenario consistent with what we currently know about Biblical prophecy.
Please remember, that this is pure speculation on my part. So lets hear your ideas of Isaiah 17, y’all.
Resting in the hands, of the Lord.
Bob
Edited to add; This may drive a few of you nuts.......
