As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, Christians are also paying attention to the skirmishes taking place between Israel and Iran-backed forces in Syria.
With the latest airstrikes hitting the outskirts of Damascus, the capital of Syria and one of the most ancient cities in the world, many are questioning whether the Isaiah 17 war is on the horizon.
Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 10 targeted locations near Damascus, as reported by the Syrian military. The attacks allegedly resulted in three casualties, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While the strikes caused some material losses, it remains unclear if there were additional casualties.
A Farm used by Members of Hezbollah and other Iranian-Backed Groups between the Towns of Al-Dimass and Al-Assad in Western Syria was reportedly the Target which was Struck several minutes ago by the Israeli Air Force. pic.twitter.com/Jv4Fxsg5d3
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 9, 2024
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacres, Israel has escalated its longstanding campaign of airstrikes against Iran’s presence in Syria. These attacks have targeted both Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, engaging in hostilities with Israel along the Lebanese-Israeli border since Oct. 8. Israel rarely acknowledges its operations in Syria and has not claimed responsibility for the recent strikes.
Previous presumed Israeli strikes in Syria have resulted in the deaths of high-ranking figures affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In December, a strike in a Damascus neighborhood claimed the life of Seyed Razi Mousavi, a prominent Iranian general and longtime advisor to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Syria.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah-led forces have consistently attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the Lebanese border. Hezbollah claims its actions are in support of Gaza amid the ongoing war. The border skirmishes have led to six civilian deaths on the Israeli side and the loss of nine IDF soldiers and reservists.
Additionally, Hezbollah reports that 186 of its members have been killed by Israel during the skirmishes, mostly in Lebanon and also in Syria.
As these military excursions continue, and tensions across the Middle East are strained further, those looking at these events through a biblical lens realize this ongoing season must happen. Amir Tsarfati, of Behold Israel, spoke with Abundant Life church in December and explained the Isaiah 17 conflict must take place before the Ezekiel 38 war with Gog of Magog.
“Isaiah 17 is the thing that will ignite the whole region to bring about the Ezekiel 38 war,” Tsarfati said. “Isaiah 17 speaks of the utter destruction of Damascus to the point that it can no longer be inhabitable. And as you know, Damascus has never been destroyed to that point. And so, it’s a future event, and it will happen.”
Even though media coverage of the war Israel is involved in has slowed down and taken a dramatic anti-Semitic turn, the prophetic clock continues to tick toward God’s eventual day of judgment, and for this event to take place, biblical prophecy must be fulfilled.
Using biblical discernment and analyzing the events taking place in the world today through the lens of biblical prophecy will give a firm grasp on what is taking place and cast out fear and anxiety of what the future holds. God gave us a handbook for navigating the end times, and we must pick up His Word if we are to gain the wisdom and strength He provides to us from within it’s pages.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
Talia Wise and CBN News 
Abby Trivett 
