Watch Syria
(Signs of the Time - May 2003)
For many years, we have puzzled over a peculiarity in Ezekiel 38. Here is a prophecy which is clearly for the generation living at the return of Christ. It is from this chapter that we know with certainty the Jewish people will be partially regathered to the land of Israel before the kingdom is fully established.
The invasion described in the chapter is against, “The land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations” (Ezk. 38:8).
Against all odds, the 20th century saw the remarkable fulfillment of these words. Jews began to return to the land in a trickle and then in a great rush after World War II. As they did so, they learned how to make the desert blossom as the rose and how to produce crops that became the delight of European tables.
While we watched verse 8 being fulfilled before our eyes, we puzzled at the references in verses 12 and 13 to “silver and gold…cattle and goods…a great spoil.” Where was such wealth? In the 1980’s and 90’s it developed. The Mediterranean coast from Haifa to Tel Aviv became the “Silicon Coast” as many hi-tech companies developed there. The result has been that Israel is no longer a developing, third-world country. According to the World Fact Book, Israel’s Gross Domestic Product per capita is $19,000 which puts it in the category of South Korea ($19,400) not far behind France and the United Kingdom (approx. $25,500) and now in a wholly different class from Egypt ($3,700) and Syria ($3,200).
Other parts of this prophecy have also fallen into place as we have watched. In the chapter, nations hostile to Israel are identified as Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (Sudan) and Libya which today are bitterly opposed to the Jewish state. Magog, Meschech and Tubal are also indicated as hostile powers along with Gomer and Togarmah. In Bible times, these nations occupied territories now know as Turkey and southern Russia which have been hostile to Israel from its inception. Some feel Ezekiel’s reference may be to the more northern areas to which Gomer, etc. migrated. Even if this is the case, these European and northern powers are also against Israel.
Yet absent from the company which invades Israel are her immediately surrounding enemies: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and the Palestinians. We have puzzled, Why are these enemies of Israel not listed in Ezekiel 38?
There are only two options: they have been eliminated as effective fighting forces or they have made peace with Israel.
The answer is gradually falling into place. Many years ago, Egypt made peace with Israel and has ceased to be a threat. Jordan blows with the wind and tries to straddle the winner. Lebanon has been effectively absorbed by Syria. And, during recent weeks, we have watched in amazement as Iraq has been taken over by powers friendly to Israel.
Only Syria remains as a powerful, intransigent enemy of Israel.
Syria
Following the breakup of the
Ottoman Empire during World War I, Syria was administered by France until it
secured independence in 1946. Since independence, various Syrian leaders
have called for the reassertion of dominance over greater Syria, which
includes Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. With this goal in mind, Syria has
established influence over Lebanon, although ostensibly in a peacekeeping
capacity.
Syria’s goal also resulted in her rivalry versus Iraq for leadership in the Arab world. The irony of this conflict is underscored when both nations were controlled by the Ba’athist Party but were constantly at odds.
Syria a leading enemy
of Israel
Yet, while unable to agree on
Arab leadership, both nations were stubbornly aligned against Israel.
Because of geographic location, Syria has taken the lead in this regard.
Sheltered in the mountains of Lebanon and controlled by Syria, the Bekaa
Valley has been home for decades to the many terrorist organizations seeking
to destroy Israel. It is these terrorists which have managed to sabotage
every attempted peace agreement in the area.
During the early years of the Jewish state, Syrian forces tormented the residents of Galilee shooting down on them from the Golan Heights. Israel solved the problem in 1967 by seizing and occupying the heights, much to the continuing dismay and anger of Syria.
In spite of this Israeli success, Syria remains a dangerous and threatening neighbor. Citing from the World Reference Atlas: “With more than 400,000 troops and nearly 50% of government income spent on weapons, Syria is a formidable power. The military is mostly equipped with weapons obtained from the former Soviet Union. During the 1980’s, Syrian forces fought off a series of Israeli encroachments in the region, and also foiled Israeli attempts to control Lebanon. Syria remains the power Israel fears most.”
Something is going to happen to Syria.
Pressure on Syria
As a result of the war against
Iraq, intense pressure has come on Syria to cooperate in bringing peace to
the region. Syria sided against Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war and was a vital
component of the Arab states’ opposition to Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War.
Working from these positive moves, the United States and the United Kingdom
will give Syria full opportunity to willingly fall into line with their
effort to bring peace to the region.
Syria’s difficulty will be with her own people who have been stirred up against Israel for decades, and with the terrorists who have found shelter and encouragement from the Syrian government. But watch Syria. Some radical change will, no doubt, happen as the pressure increases.
In recent months, we have seen how quickly things can change. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. We live in the remarkable era of being able to watch how the Lord brings this about.
Don Styles