Syria today is in turmoil. The Assad regime has turned its military on its own people. Change is coming but it is hard to predict what it will be. Israel and Syria have shared a violent past during the period of their monarchies, each exploiting the others weaknesses.
As a neighbour to Israel, Syria comes into focus as a nation of interest because of Bible prophecy. The Bible not only covers the history of Israel but also its future. The future invariably involves the nations surrounding Israel because it cannot escape what will happen to this special people.
In prophecies concerning the end times Syria is not mentioned by name. The prophet Ezekiel sees a time that Israel will be revived as a nation in the latter days (Ezekiel 38:8 & 11). This nation is surrounded by peaceable countries:
8 “In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.
11 I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.” (italics added for emphasis)
The Bible describes for us a peaceful state enjoyed by this regathered people. By implication, the prophecy reveals Israel must be surrounded by a people living in peace with her. One way this could happen is that Israel might absolutely destroy Syria’s military strength and dominate them. Alternatively, Israel may seek compromise through a negotiated peace settlement. The latter appears most likely, for we have seen decades of Israel’s military dominance that have failed to bring about a living in “safety.” Instead, Israel today has become a fortress of walls, bars and gates.
The “Arab Spring” will ultimately bring us closer to the conditions described for us by Ezekiel. However there could be another war before peace can be achieved in the area. We are certain, regardless of the means, that there will be peace in Israel before the multi-nation invasion of Israel of end times (Ezekiel 38:1-7) that will incite divine response.
