Dire future for Damascus.

Allegations that the Assad regime used biological weapons against its own people are prompting Western powers to consider military intervention in Syria in order to protect the lives of innocent civilians (The Telegraph, August 25, 2013). France and the U.K. are planning to assist a U.S.-led attack on Syria, with verbal support from Germany—although Germany will not be directly involved (ibid.; EU Observer, August 27, 2013).

While the Arab League has condemned Assad’s government for the chemical attack, it will not outwardly support a U.S.-led invasion of Syria (New York Times, August 27, 2013).  However, Iran has threatened that if the U.S.-led coalition attacks Syria, Israel will be targeted in return. This prompted Prime Minister Netanyahu to respond, “if we identify any attempt whatsoever to harm us, we will respond and we will respond in strength” (New York Times, August 28, 2013). 

Amid all these threats, it is worth noting that the Bible has long foretold the fate of Damascus, “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1), and “her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day… I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus” (Jeremiah 49:23-27). The potential attack on Syria by the U.S.-led allies could result in the prophesied destruction, but the fulfillment of these prophecies is imminent—the God who gave the prophecies cannot lie (Titus 1:2)!