Isaiah 17 gives a prophecy about the destruction of Damascus. In addition to the prophet Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos also write of the destruction coming to one of the world’s most ancient cities.
“The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria…’” (Isaiah 17:1-3)
“Against Damascus. ‘Hamath and Arpad are shamed, for they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; there is trouble on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus has grown feeble; she turns to flee, and fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.’” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)
“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment… I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven…’” (Amos 1:3, 5)
Damascus has seen the rise and fall of many empires; Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian and Medes to name just a few. Yet, the Bible says that this seemingly timeless city will one day be destroyed, as tricky as it is to understand.
The prophet Isaiah reminds us that…
“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)
Scripture also predicts that in the last days, a great coalition from the north—including Persia (modern-day Iran)—will rise up against Israel (see Ezekiel 38–39). That has not yet happened. Many scholars believe that Magog is a reference to modern-day Russia though no one can say with absolute certainty.
As events in our world become more intense and hostile, it can leave us fearful. However, the Bible says that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. We can have peace amid turmoil through the Prince of Peace Himself—Jesus Christ. Choosing to believe God’s Word and receiving Christ breaks the chains of fear and gives us hope that will last into eternity.
Therefore, Jesus said, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near” (Luke 21:28 NLT).
He did not say, “When you see these things begin to happen, wring your hands and run around in fear.” He said, “look up.” That's because the point of biblical prophecy isn’t meant to scare us—it’s meant to prepare us.
Are you prepared for future events?
