Transcript Israel 2014 - Weekly World Watch

Syria 2014
Syria's chemical weapons removal delayed
Guardian, January 2, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
The dangerous and difficult task of moving Syria's chemical weapons stockpile from
government military bases to the Mediterranean port of Latakia has not yet begun,
suggesting a serious delay in the multinational disarmament plan that could
threaten a UN-backed timetable. According to sources involved in the disarmament
effort, the roughly 500 tonnes of highly toxic chemicals which Bashar al-Assad's regime
had stockpiled for the manufacture of Sarin and VX nerve agents are still in 12 bases
around the country, three days after they were due to arrive in Latakia for loading on to
Danish and Norwegian ships. Those freighters – the Ark Futura and the Taiko – have
returned to the Cypriot port of Limassol since it became clear how far the schedule laid
down by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had
slipped.
The situation in Syria is no way near to being resolved. Despite the agreement
between Russia and the West to remove Syria’s chemical weapons the terror
continues. The agreement itself has just hit its first problem. Two large ships turned up
to take away 500 tonnes of chemical weapons - but then had to turn around and head
back to Cyprus as nothing had been made ready. On top of this from December 15 th
517 people have been killed in the northern province of Aleppo. They were killed as
barrels packed with explosives were dropped from Syrian aircraft.
Isaiah 17 is one to the 10 tribulations that affect the world. It concerns Syria just as
Isaiah 19 concerns Egypt. Events in Syria are still to reach their climax – Damascus is
still to be destroyed and cease to be a city. Israel is yet to be drawn into a conflict with
Syria which will see her weakened. 2014 may well be the year we see this happen….
Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer are
deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. The fortress
will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus;
(Isaiah 17:1-3 ESV)
Syrian 'peace talks’ are all part of the war
Daily Telegraph comment, January 21, 2014
EVENT
So that’s it. There were, we now know, secret talks with the Iranians to bring them to the
Syrian peace table but they failed. The war is not over. Iranian troops, active across
Syria as “advisers”, will continue to fight; their proxies will continue to die. Without
Tehran, the only government that has power over the Assad regime, there is no hope of
peace, and the talks may as well not take place. These aren’t peace talks; they wouldn’t
have led to peace with or without the Iranians; when the two Syrian sides hold their first
face-to-face meeting, supposedly on Friday, they will not even come close to discussing
concessions that might end the conflict. In fact, the peace talks have every sign of being
a reversal of the Roman formula, is vis pacem, para bellum – if you seek peace,
prepare for war. Both sides and their sponsors are using the “peace” talks to declare
new war goals and seek fresh backing. They are a military advertising campaign.
COMMENT There are peace talks but no sign of peace. As the comment above in the Daily
Telegraph says - there is no chance of peace in Syria. It is leading to even greater
conflict and war. UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who held talks with both sides on Friday,
said they all understood that the conference was trying to "save Syria”. So will they
bring peace? Will they save Syria? The Bible says NO. There is cataclysmic and
unprecedented destruction coming on Syria. This week there was clear evidence
presented that Syria has systematically tortured and executed about 11,000 detainees
since the start of the uprising. It is horrific – but there is worse – much worse to come.
We do not know when it will come. But it will. It is while people are talking about peace
and safety we have to be even more watchful as it is when least expected that
destruction comes. Damascus - the oldest inhabited city on earth will cease to exist…
BIBLE
QUOTE
That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken! Her young men will fall in the streets and die. Her
soldiers will all be killed,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “And I will set fire to the walls of
Damascus that will burn up the palaces of Ben-hadad.
(Jeremiah 49:25-27)
Israeli jets suspected of attacking Syrian missile
store
Daily Telegraph, January 27, 2014
EVENT
Israel is suspected of being behind an attack on a Syrian military base that targeted a
stock of Russian-made missiles. Storerooms holding the missiles near the port city of
Latakia were hit by Israeli war planes late on Sunday, according to a Syrian opposition
source talking to Israel Radio. No confirmed details of the strike had emerged last night.
Official Israeli government and military sources declined to comment on the attack. But
former Israeli Defence Forces intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said any such airstrike
would be in keeping with Israeli policy to intercept the transfer of advanced weapons to
Hezbollah or to Syria. "Israel has declared four weapons system as a red line:
advanced air defences, advanced and accurate ballistic missiles, surface-to-sea
advanced missiles like Yakhont, and chemical weapons. Residents of Latakia reported
hearing loud explosions just around midnight and there were also reports of Israeli
planes heard breaking the sound barrier.
COMMENT If true this would be the fourth Israeli strike on Syria over the past 12 months. Israel is
trying to stop the movement of missiles around Syria. They are concerned they will fall
into Hezbollah’s hands. On Friday, Jan. 24, an Israeli intelligence officer disclosed that
Israel’s government was “rethinking” its neutrality policy in the Syrian war owing to the
massing of 30,000 al Qaeda fighters on its Syrian border. The Obama administration
announced Tuesday, Jan. 28, that selected Syrian rebel militias would receive
American light weapons including anti-tank rockets. As the Syrian “peace” conference
drew to a close on Friday it appears that America and Israel are shifting towards more
intervention in Syria. The Bible says that there will be conflict between Syria and Israel..
BIBLE
QUOTE
The fortified towns of Israel[a] will also be destroyed and the royal power of Damascus will end.
All that remains of Syria[b] will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,” declares the Lord of
Hosts. “In that day Israel’s[c] glory will grow dim; its robust body will waste away.” [a] = Ephraim
[b] = Aram [c] = Jacob….in the original Hebrew language
(Isaiah 17:3-4 NLT)
Syria talks end in recrimination
Daily Telegraph, January 31, 2014
EVENT
The Syrian peace talks at Geneva ended in recrimination last night as the government
and opposition blamed each other for the failure to come to any agreement.
The week-long conference, which foreign diplomats spent more than a year trying to
convene, achieved no tangible results, and the Syrian government has refused to
commit to continuing the talks. In the closing speeches, Walid Muallem, Syria’s
foreign minister accused the opposition of being childish, whilst the opposition said
Geneva II had felt like “drinking poison”, blaming the government’s “time wasting”.
Mr Brahimi proposed setting February 10 as a date for restarting the talks but the
disgruntled Syrian government delegation deferred to decision of whether to return to
President Bashar al-Assad. At least 1,870 people died across Syria during the first
nine days Geneva II, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.
COMMENT Nothing was achieved at the week long peace conference about Syria. It had been
hoped as a minimum that the two sides might come together on the subject of civilian
suffering. Surely they would find a way of securing aid corridors to areas, such as in the
Old City of Homs where thousands are starving to death. But by Friday there was still
no agreement, and the aid trucks remained parked outside the besieged area.
This week Human Rights Watch issued a new report showing how the Assad regime
had razed thousands of homes to the ground in Damascus as collective punishment of
communities that backed the opposition. The group accused Syria's government of
"wiping entire neighbourhoods off the map" by means of bulldozers and explosives.
And so the “burden of Damascus” continues. The word burden in Isaiah 17v1 means a
great tribulation. A national nightmare which cannot be resolved. It’s happening now…
BIBLE
QUOTE
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a
ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and
none shall make them afraid.
(Isaiah 17:1)
The burden of Damascus is one of 10 burdens in Isaiah all playing out NOW….
US presses Russia on Syria weapons
BBConline, February 1, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Russia to press its ally Syria into
speeding up the removal of chemical weapons. The US says only about 4% of
chemical weapons declared by the Syrian government have so far been removed.
Mr Kerry raised the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the
sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, officials said. Syria's chemical weapons
are due to be removed and destroyed by 30 June. Under the terms of the UN-backed
plan, Syrian authorities are responsible for packing and safely transporting the
chemical weapons to the Mediterranean port of Latakia. "Secretary Kerry pressed
Foreign Minister Lavrov to push the regime for more progress on moving the
remaining chemical weapons within Syria to the port in Latakia," the US State
Department official said. Washington considered progress so far to be "unacceptable",
the official added.
So peace talks have failed. The violence continues and will almost certainly escalate.
Only 4% of Syria’s chemical weapons have been removed. Earlier this week, the US
ambassador to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),
Robert Mikulak, said "the effort to remove chemical agent and key precursor chemicals
from Syria has seriously languished and stalled". Everything has stalled. The peace
agreement, the chemical weapons agreement and the cooperation between America
and Russia. America once more is starting to “push” Russia into pushing the Syrian
regime. Once more Russia will refuse to budge.
The burden of Damascus and Syria will NOT end peacefully and with resolution. The
Bible could not be clearer. It will end with the complete destruction of Damascus and
the ending of Syria as a nation. We don’t know when …but it will happen…
Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have
gripped her as they grip a woman in labor. That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken! Her
young men will fall in the streets and die. Her soldiers will all be killed,” says the Lord
(Jeremiah 49:24-26 NLT)
Syria misses deadline handing over chemical
arsenal
Daily Telegraph, February 5, 2014
EVENT
Syria has given up "less than five per cent" of its chemical weapons arsenal, missing
Wednesday's deadline for destroying stock and sparking accusations from Britain and
the US that it is deliberately spinning out the process. David Cameron, the Prime
Minister, warned Damascus against dragging its heels. He told parliament: "There do
seem to be now indications that the programme is slowing and that not all the
information necessary is forthcoming. Britain will continue to put pressure on all
parties to make sure the chemicals weapons are produced and destroyed.” According
to the agreement, Syria was on Wednesday required to turn over its "category two",
lower grade chemicals to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW), the international watchdog, for destruction. However, it has failed to do so
and is six to eight weeks behind schedule for the removal of its entire arsenal.
COMMENT Almost 1,200 tons of chemicals were scheduled to have been removed by ship by
Wednesday, with the entire stockpile of Syria’s chemical weapons (approximately 1,300
tons) removed by the end of June. Only a fraction of that has actually been removed.
According to the US state department only 4.1% of the total has been removed. A
report published in the Sunday Times stated that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad
transferred some of his chemical weapons to an Alawite area in Northern Syria in order
to prevent their dismantlement. “The whole area is fortified and isolated from the rest of
Syria,” an Israeli military source claimed.
And so despite the agreement Assad holds on to power and his chemical weapons.
Britain is once again warning Damascus. We know the final outcome. It is not Syria at
peace. It is Syria coming to an end as a nation and Damascus totally destroyed....
BIBLE
QUOTE
The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed and the royal power of Damascus will end. All
that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,”declares the Lord of Hosts. “In
(Isaiah 17:3-4 NLT)
that day Israel’s glory will grow dim; its robust body will waste away.
Note how Israel is greatly weakened when Syria comes to an end. This has not happened yet….
Russia Opposes a Humanitarian Resolution on Syria
Associated Press, February 5, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Russia said Wednesday it opposes a new U.N. Security Council resolution on the
humanitarian plight in Syria, an announcement that is likely to torpedo a Western and
Arab-backed draft that would pressure the government and opposition to allow
desperately needed aid into the country. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin
told a press briefing that "hard, pragmatic and purposeful work is necessary" to
resolve specific humanitarian issues — not a council resolution which will almost
certainly aim "to politicize the problem.” Council diplomats said they expect to
circulate a draft humanitarian resolution this week, following the failure of peace talks
between the Syrian government and opposition to achieve any concrete results,
especially on possible humanitarian aid convoys to besieged parts of the city of
Homs. "We are against moving to a resolution now in the Security Council," Churkin
told reporters.
Russia and China support the Syrian government. They have vetoed three previous
Western-backed resolutions that would have pressured President Bashar Assad to end
the violence. They cannot even approve immediate access to all areas of the country to
deliver aid to millions of civilians.
Russia’s support of Syria is interesting. As mentioned many times before Syria is home
to the ancient king of the north mentioned in Daniel 11. We read “at the time of the end”
the king of the north will invade Israel. If we didn't’ have Ezekiel 38 we would have
surely concluded that the latter day king of the north was Syria. However we find out in
Ezekiel 38 that the new king of the north is Gog – the Russian leader. So what has
happened to Syria? The answer is simple. Syria is removed from being a nation.
Russia becomes the greater and more powerful king of the north at the time of the end
Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the
north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and
sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel
(Daniel 11:40 – 41 NLT)
Iran boosts support to Syria
Daily Telegraph, February 21, 2014
EVENT
Iran is boosting its support for President Bashar al-Assad, sending top military advisers
to Damascus to gather intelligence and train Syrian troops, sources with knowledge of
the movements have said. The increase in assistance from Syria's long standing ally
reportedly coincided with the peace talks at Geneva II, allowing the government to
attend the negotiations with sufficient confidence in its military capability that it did not
feel the need to make concessions. Several "hundred" military specialists, including
senior commanders from the Quds Force, the elite foreign-operations wing of the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been to deployed to Syria in recent
months, Iranian sources and security experts have said. A recently retired senior IRGC
commander told Reuters there are now at least 60 to 70 Quds force commanders on
the ground in Syria at any given time.
COMMENT Iran sees the survival of the Syrian government as being crucial to it longevity of its
own regime. Iranian leaders have said that Syria is Iran's "35th province", with
President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority led regime being a crucial buffer against
the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Iran is part of the outer ring of nations that invade Israel in Ezekiel 38. Syria is part of
an inner ring of nations that fight Israel mentioned in Psalm 83. The outer ring war
comes after an initial inner ring war. In fact the two wars will probably just continue after
each other. Syria is destroyed in the first inner ring war. Iran survives and joins in the
second wave of the outer ring of nations. Iran’s support of Syria will lead to the initial
war and Syria’s demise. Then Russian (and Iran) will invade Israel – Armageddon…
BIBLE
QUOTE
“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its
existence.” Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites, Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites;
and people from Philistia and Tyre. Assyria has joined them, too,
(Psalm 83:4-8 NLT)
This describes the inner ring conflict – also detailed in Isaiah 17
Syria conflict anniversary: who controls what
Daily Telegraph, March 14, 2014
As many as 140,000 people have died and millions driven
from their homes. Syria is now divided – with large swathes of the country under the
control of an array of competing rebel groups.
The conflict first began three years ago, with opposition supporters taking up arms, first
to defend themselves and later to expel security forces from their local areas.
The country soon descended into civil war as armed rebel brigades battled government
forces for power. The strategic cities of Aleppo, Damascus and Homs have been most
intensely fought over, with a third of the total casualties in these three cities alone.
There are estimates that between December and the beginning of March more than
1,000 barrel bombs (each with half a ton of TNT) were dropped on Aleppo alone.
COMMENT It’s incredible that the Syrian revolution that began 3 years ago is still raging today.
The devastation that has come upon the country is almost behind comprehension.
Whole cities are derelict and bombed out. The three cities that have taken the brunt of
the pain are Damascus, Homs and Aleppo. It is amazing that these three cities are
mentioned in one verse that is in a passage describing the final calamity of Syria.
Damascus is still called Damascus. But Homs and Aleppo were called by slightly
different names in ancient times. Homs was Hamath and Aleppo was Arpad. The Bible
says that Homs and Aleppo would become “fainthearted”. The original word means to
“melt away”. A three-month bombardment of Aleppo that began in January,
unparalleled even in this war, has levelled large parts of Aleppo. It had a population of 3
million. It is now a ghost town. Aleppo was Syria’s largest city and its commercial
centre. No more.
But its notDamascus.
over yet. Damascus
will be removed
from the
– possibly
Concerning
Hamath is confounded,
and Arpad:
for map
they have
heard by
evilIsrael…
tidings: they
EVENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus is waxed feeble, and
turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a
woman in travail. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
(Jeremiah 49:23-25)
Syria civil war 'kills over 150,000 people' in
three years
Daily Telegraph, April 1, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Over 150,000 people have lost their lives since the March 2011
outbreak of the devastating civil war in Syria, according to new figures. The London
based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which closely monitors the
conflict using a network of activists and medical staff in Syria, has documented the
deaths of 150,344 people. More than a third of those killed in Syria – by shellfire, air
strikes and bullets – are civilians, the rights group said.
Now in its third year, the war, which continues, unabated, has ravaged entire cities,
leaving whole civilian neighbourhoods flattened by shell fire and air strikes.
These include home-made 'barrel bombs', which when dropped from the air carve out
craters several metres deep. The figures also show that at least 7,985 of the civilians
killed are children.
Syrians are now identified by the United Nations as the world's largest refugee
population. 4.4 million are displaced in Syria itself while a further 1.2 million have made
it to increasingly cramped refugee camps in neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon. The
March 2011 peaceful anti-government demonstrations that marked the beginning of
unrest in Syria soon spiralled into bloody civil war after fierce government suppression.
As one report put it this week “Three years on, the end does not appear in sight for a
country that is continuing to implode.”
The Bible talks of Syria imploding at the time of the end. It speaks of Damascus
becoming a ruinous heap. It speaks of the actual kingdom of Syria coming to an end.
I.e. no one ruling it. The implosion of Syria is not over. Greater destruction is to come.
Syria home of the ancient king of the north will be removed and be replaced by Russia.
And the king of the South (Egypt) shall be moved with anger and shall come forth and fight with the
king of the North (Syria); and he [the Syrian king] shall set forth a great multitude, but the multitude
(Daniel 11:11 Amplified)
shall be given into his [the Egyptian king’s] hand.
The Amplified Version adds additional detail. Notice it adds Syria next to the king of the north.
Assad using chemical weapons attacks with
chlorine
Daily Telegraph, April 20, 2014
Bashar al-Assad's regime has reverted to the use of a chemical gas first used at Ypres
in the First World War in a series of recent attacks, Western officials believe.
François Hollande, the French president, on Sunday declared the Syrian leader had
continued to use chemical weapons on the front line, though he added definite proof
had not yet been established. Officials are examining attacks on at least three towns in
the last week where credible reports point to the use of chlorine gas, leaving dozens of
people seeking treatment for the symptoms of poisoning.
While the Syrian regime has handed over 80 per cent of its declared chemical weapons
stockpile for destruction under UN supervision, the attacks appear to show Assad's
regime is continuing to use poison against its own civilians. Since the initial attack on
April 11, there have been at least two more chlorine related incidents in the rebel
region.
COMMENT Meanwhile in Syria events continue to deteriorate. Assad has resumed use of chemical
weapons. He is now using chlorine gas. While chlorine is not listed as a banned
chemical agent in recognition of its wide range of industrial uses, its use as a weapon
of war is prohibited under the 1925 Chemical Weapons Convention.
It was first used 100 years ago in the first world war where it killed 30,000 people.
We know that Isaiah 17 needs to be completely fulfilled at some point. Damascus
removed from being a city. Israel greatly weakened at that point. We are entering a
time of great conflict. Not only in Europe but beyond into Syria and Israel. We are even
seeing tensions rise in the east between China and Japan. There are fears of an
imminent nuclear test by North Korea as well…..The world is on the brink…
EVENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Say to the nations far and wide: “Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your
fighting men advance for the attack. Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning
hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. Come quickly, all you nations
everywhere. Gather together in the valley.
(Joel 3:9-11 NLT)
Obama to let American troops train Syrian rebels
Washington Times, May 27, 2014
EVENT
President Barak Obama is ready to sign a bill that approves training of Syrian armed
oppositionists by American forces, US newspaper The Wall Street Journal says. The
statement was made during Obama's speech at the United States Military Academy at
West Point (USMA) on Wednesday. However, he didn't give precise information about
the training program. "The president intends to extend the support of Syrian
opposition and its neighboring countries that face the terrorist threats," The Wall
Street Journal said, citing a representative of the White House. However, the plan is
still being discussed by the government, which should also settle a wide range of
issues in order to implement it. In particular, the government doesn't know what
countries of the region will station American troops on their territories and how it will
be able to distinguish the Syrian conservative opposition from the radical Islamists.
COMMENT As the war in Afghanistan winds down it appears that Obama is getting ready to
increase America’s involvement in Syria. According to reports the Arab world sees
Obama as moving to counteract Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah intervention in the
Syrian conflict. It is also seen in some quarters as payback for Russia’s annexation of
Crimea. Obama has not made totally clear in his announcement this week exactly what
he is planning in Syria. But will be a program to expand US involvement in the war
against the Assad regime and al Qaeda elements by providing moderate rebels with
military training and a regular supply of sophisticated weapons, instead of the dribs and
drabs they have supplied so far. It may even include anti-air systems which Washington
has withheld so far. We may still see the king of the south enter the fray in Syria (the
ancient territory of the king of the north). A military provocation of Russia is coming…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the
north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and
sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall
(Daniel 11:40-41)
Assad allies hail his election 'victory’
Daily Telegraph, June 5, 2014
EVENT
President Bashar al-Assad’s “victory” in Syria’s election was attacked in the capitals of
the West yesterday but welcomed in Moscow, Tehran and other centres of the
growing anti-Western alliance. Mr Assad was said to have won 88.7 per cent of the
vote on a turn-out of 73.4 per cent, according to the election commission, surprisingly
high since half the country is out of the regime’s control. In addition to the millions of
people living behind rebel lines and with no access to the polling stations, an
estimated three million people are refugees outside the country, many in places that
did not allow an expatriate vote. Britain said that following the vote it would increase
its support to the “moderate opposition”. William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said:
“Assad lacked legitimacy before this election, and he lacks it afterwards. This election
bore no relation to genuine democracy.” John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said
the election was a "great big zero”.
COMMENT It seems incredible that after over 3 years of civil war in Syria, Bashar al-Assad is still in
power. Over 160,000 have been killed and millions displaced. It is interesting to note
the nations that have welcomed Assad’s election “victory”. Russia, Iran and China have
all expressed support for Assad following the voting that took place this week. Russia
and Iran are mentioned as being allied in Ezekiel 38. Russia is Magog, Meshech and
Tubal. Iran is Persia. In Ezekiel 38 there is no mention at all of Syria. There is no
territory in the list of nations that includes Syria. Persia is modern day Iran. It may
include some of Iraq - but it doesn't’ include Syria. So why is Syria not mentioned in
Ezekiel 38? Surely Israel’s arch enemy would be included in the conflict? The answer is
that Syria is removed from being a nation BEFORE Gog invades Israel…
BIBLE
QUOTE
“Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The towns of Aroer will
be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them
away. The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed, and the royal power of Damascus will
(Isaiah 17:1-3 NLT)
end. All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,”
Obama asks Congress for $500m for Syrian rebels
BBConline, June 26, 2014
EVENT
President Barack Obama has asked the US Congress to approve $500m (£294m) to
train and equip what he described as "moderate" Syrian opposition forces. The funds
would help Syrians defend against forces aligned with President Bashar al-Assad, the
White House said. The aid would also counter Islamist militants such as the Islamic
State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis), it added. Isis's advance in neighbouring Iraq has
led some in Congress to press Mr Obama to take action. Tens of thousands of people
have died and millions more have been displaced in three years of civil war in Syria,
as rebels fight troops loyal to Mr Assad. "This funding request would build on the
administration's longstanding efforts to empower the moderate Syrian opposition, both
civilian and armed," the White House said. It will also "enable the Department of
Defense to increase our support to vetted elements of the armed opposition".
COMMENT Obama is blaming the Syrian regime for the meltdown in Iraq. It’s actually a highly
complex situation. The argument goes like this… The Syrian regime led by Assad (who
is Shia) have been mercilessly killing their own people to stay in power. The main
group of people being killed are Sunnis. This in turn has caused a new virulent stream
of Sunni’s to rise up (ISIS) who now threaten the stability of the government in Iraq
(which is Shia). But the Sunni’s who have risen up are almost certainly funded by Saudi
Arabia (who are Sunni). But the trouble there is that Saudi and America are allies. Iran
(who is Shia) has ended up being on the same side as America over ISIS! Complex?!
So America wants revenge on Assad. He (they believe) is the cause of the problems.
They also want to stop ISIS taking over any part of Syria. Isaiah 17 speaks of the
destruction of Damascus. But at the end of the chapter it says the following….
BIBLE
QUOTE
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the
rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush
like the rushing of many waters: We are seeing the multitudes of people rising up and crashing
(Isaiah 17:12-13)
together like the stormy seas…
Islamic State seizes key Syrian oil fields
Daily Telegraph, July 26, 2014
EVENT
The extremist Sunni jihadist group that declared a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq
has seized control of one of Syria’s most important oil fields after rebel fighters from
other factions switched their allegiance to support it. In a crucial strategic advance for
Islamic State, the organisation that is tearing Iraq apart, anti-government rebels in
Syria who had been loyal to the rival Jabhat al-Nusra switched sides - handing over
the Al-Omar oilfield, which has the potential to produce up to 75,000 barrels of oil per
day. The development represents a huge step up for the Islamic State in its struggle
against al-Nusra, which is backed by al-Qaeda but regards the new grouping as
dangerously extremist. It means that the caliphate proclaimed by the Islamic State
now controls a stretch of Syria from the town of Deir al-Zour in the middle of the
country to Abukamel on the Iraqi border. Within neighbouring Iraq, to the east, it holds
the cities of Mosul and Tikrit and is threatening to attack Baghdad.
COMMENT This extremist Sunni group called ISIS are ultra violent. They behead people, they
crucify people, they kill children. It is this group that have declared a new Islamic State
stretching from Syria right across Iraq. The interesting thing about this group and its
territory is that it corresponds to that of the ancient Assyrians. The Assyrians were
based in Nineveh. ISIS is based in the province of Nineveh. The ancient Assyrians
were noted for their brutality, and their kings were often depicted as gloating over the
gruesome punishments inflicted on conquered peoples. They conducted their wars with
shocking ferocity, uprooting whole populations. Northern Israel was brought to an end
by the Assyrians. ISIS also hate Israel. There is a possibility they get involved in “inner
ring” war against Israel – the war involving Syria, Palestinians, Hezbollah etc…
BIBLE
QUOTE
The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as
I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains
tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, And his burden removed from
(Isaiah 14:24-25)
their shoulders.
Islamic State kills 270 in Syrian gas field 'massacre'
Daily Telegraph, July 19, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Jihadists have killed 270 Syrian regime fighters, civilian security guards and
employees since seizing a gas field in Homs province, a monitoring group said Friday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described Thursday's takeover of the
Shaar field as "the biggest" anti-regime operation by the Islamic State (IS) since it
emerged in the Syrian conflict last year. The watchdog, updating an earlier toll of 115,
said it had documented "the death of 270 people killed in the fighting or executed"
since Thursday. "A large majority of the men killed were executed at gunpoint after
being taken prisoner following the takeover of the camp," said Observatory director
Rami Abdel Rahman. Gruesome footage apparently recorded by the jihadists at the
gas field and distributed via YouTube showed dozens of bodies, some of them
mutilated, strewn across a desert landscape. One video shows a jihadist posing with
the bodies.
The new Islamic State continues to wreak havoc and cause terror and slaughter.
The territory they now cover corresponds accurately with the ancient Assyrians who
were based in Nineveh. The Islamic State is based in the region of Nineveh in Iraq.
The ancient Assyrians brought to an end the northern kingdom of Israel. It is possible
that this new Islamic State will also help bring destruction to northern Israel. We read in
Psalm 83 how Assyria helps the people that surround Israel in their aim of destroying
Israel. We know that Israel will not be destroyed. But we also know that before the
Russian invasion there is an initial war that Israel will win - but will be left in a
weakened position. We know this because Isaiah 17 speaks of Ephraim (symbolic of
northern Israel) is left without a fortress and Jacob’s (Israel’s) flesh is made thin. Eg no
strength. Israel will be in no fit state to take on Russia when Russia descends.
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of
Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it
shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall
(Isaiah 17:3-4)
wax lean.
Hundreds die in Syria's 'deadliest week'
BBC online, July 23, 2014
EVENT
The territory in red is the Islamic State. It matches
exactly to ancient Assyria when Psalm 83 was written
As Israeli missiles lay waste to Gaza, Hamas rockets fly and innocents die in civilian
planes downed in eastern Ukraine, Syria has slipped even further under the radar.
But with international attention focused elsewhere, Syria has just recorded it's
bloodiest week since the country descended into violence three years ago.
More than 1,700 people have been killed in just seven days, with fighters for the
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) accused of killing hundreds of government
troops in a battle for a gas field, with hundreds of civilians killed as fighting intensified
across the nation. The three-year-long civil war in Syria has now killed over 170,000
and displaced nearly nine million . In the latest round of fighting, the London-based
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 270 government soldiers and gas field
employees were killed in the clashes on July 19, many of them shot through the head.
COMMENT Incredibly the violence in Syria is getting even worse. More 1700 people killed in one
week. Clashes have occurred around the country including in the capital Damascus
which was hit by its fiercest fighting in months, after President Bashar Al-Assad was
sworn in for a third term as president. The new Islamic State which controls much of
northern Iraq now is attacking Syrian government forces as well as moderate rebels.
But nothing appears to be happening to stop them. It is amazing how the territory of
ISIS corresponds exactly to ancient Assyria. Especially the Assyria that existed at the
time Psalm 83 was written in 1000 BC. Psalm 83 explains how a group of 9 tribes rise
up against Israel. They are helped by Assyria we are told. This new ultra violent breed
of Islamic fanatics could well assist in attacking Israel when the initial war against Israel
begins. Events in Gaza may lead to Psalm 83 being fulfilled…
BIBLE
QUOTE
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The
tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and
Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [Assyria] also is joined with them:
(Psalm 83:5-84)
Obama signs bill to train, arm Syrian rebels
Associated Press, September 18, 2014
EVENT
President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill authorizing the military to arm and
train Syrian rebels fighting the Islamic State group. Obama signed the bill Friday in the
Oval Office. The Senate gave its final approval Thursday, a day after the legislation
drew strong bipartisan support in the House. The White House says U.S. troops will
train Syrian rebels at camps in Saudi Arabia.
The Pentagon's top leadership has also approved an ambitious target list for U.S.
airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
said Thursday, but President Obama has not signed off on the plan, adding a level of
uncertainty to the military strategy. U.S. military forces carried out two more airstrikes
against ISIS militants in Iraq on Thursday and Friday, striking a boat and a small
ground unit, United States Central Command said. The strikes came the same day
that France participated in airstrikes against the terror group in Iraq for the first time.
COMMENT Last year we came VERY close to a military attack by America and Britain against
Syria. At the last moment a deal was done to persuade Assad to give up his chemical
weapons. This deal was brokered by Russia. Russia was adamant that the US and UK
should not attack Syria and warned of severe consequences if it did. 12 months later
we are close to the US attacking Syria. Obama has been given the green light to arm
Syrian rebels. Why? So that the US can attack (using these rebels) the Islamic State
that has appeared in Syria. But of course these rebels can then also attack the Assad
government! Obama is also on the brink of authorising airstrikes on Syria to attack
Islamic State. A Russian foreign ministry spokesman said any such action would be "an
act of aggression". The king of the south (US/UK) is pushing again at Russia….
BIBLE
QUOTE
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall
come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he
shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. The push is a military
(Daniel 11:40)
provocation by US/UK – it could involve Syria the ancient king of the north….
U.N. peacekeepers leave Syrian-controlled Golan
Heights
CNN, September 15, 2014
EVENT
U.N. forces withdrew Monday from the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights, the
world body confirmed. The U.N. statement cited the "exceptionally challenging
environment" posed by armed rebel groups advancing on peacekeeping positions its
observer force has held for close to four decades. The confirmation comes hours after a
journalist working for CNN saw dozens of peacekeeping vehicles crossing into territory
controlled by Israel. The withdrawal comes a little more than two weeks after Islamic
militant fighters took some peacekeepers hostage and besieged others.
Al-Nusra Front freed 45 U.N. peacekeepers from Fiji in good condition last week, while
forces from the Philippines escaped after exchanging fire with militant fighters,
according to media reports.
The incidents occurred after Syrian rebel fighters took control of the only border
crossing between Israel and Syria in the Syrian town of Quneitra in late August.
COMMENT Not sure if you have noticed this but it is very interesting how many times the word
“rebels” is used in news reports. In the report above we have “rebel groups” in Golan.
We have on the previous slide Obama signing a bill to arm the “rebels in Syria.’ The pro
Russian forces in Ukraine are called “rebels”. It seems like we have rebels in all the key
flashpoints. So why is this significant? Well perhaps because the Bible talks about
rebels at the time of the end…In Daniel 8 we read of a little horn that comes out of the
Greek empire. It is Antiochus Ephanese. But then we read “In the latter part of their
reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of
intrigue, will arise.” So rebels become completely wicked and then Gog finally arises…
BIBLE
QUOTE
“In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king,
a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will
cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does.
The Ukrainian rebels are accused of shooting down passenger jet MH17
(Daniel 8:23-24 NLT)
US, Arab allies hit IS strongholds in Syria, Iraq
Associated Press, September 23, 2014
EVENT
Combined U.S.-Arab airstrikes hit Islamic State military strongholds in Syria and Iraq,
and a simultaneous U.S. strike targeted an al-Qaida cell said to be plotting direct
assaults on American and other Western interests, the U.S. military said Tuesday.
President Barack Obama declared that Arab support for the airstrikes "makes it clear to
the world this is not America's fight alone. We're going to do what's necessary to take
the fight to this terrorist group, for the security of the country and the regime and for the
entire world.” Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the top American military official, said the
U.S. and its Arab allies achieved their aim of showing the extremists that their attacks
will not go unanswered. Obama said the U.S. was "proud to stand shoulder-toshoulder" with Arab partners, and he called the roll: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar.
COMMENT Despite his best endeavours Obama has been dragged back into a war in Iraq (and
Syria). The Islamic State or ISIS has shocked the world. Six months ago no one had
heard of ISIS - now there is a war against them. The shocking brutality of ISIS has
galvanised America into action. But what an amazing situation has occurred. As we
read the “roll call” of nations who have attacked Syria this week we see the EXACT
nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38. These nations correspond to Sheba, Dedan (ancient
names for the Arab nations listed) and the young lions (America). These nations are
also referred to as “the king of the south” in Daniel 11:40. What we have here is the
modern king of the south attacking the ancient king of the north (Syria). This is a
prelude to the modern king of the north (Russia) invading the middle east.
BIBLE
QUOTE
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say
unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry
away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Sheba
and Dedan are the same Arab nations in Obama’s roll call. America is a young lion.
(Ezekiel 38:13)
Israel downs Syrian fighter jet over Golan Heights
BBC News, September 23, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
A Syrian fighter jet which apparently strayed into Israeli-controlled airspace over the
occupied Golan Heights has been shot down by Israel. The plane, identified by Israeli
sources as a Russian-built Sukhoi, plunged to the ground in flames but the pilot
reportedly managed to eject. Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said Israel would respond
to threats whether or not "they stemmed from a mistake”. A Syrian activist group said
the jet had been bombing an area inside Syria.
It is the first time since the 1980s that the Israeli military is known to have shot
down a Syrian plane although Syria's civil war has threatened to spill over the border,
and Israel has carried out air strikes inside Syria in response to cross-border attacks.
Syria said the downing of the plane was an act of aggression, Reuters news agency
reported.
This incident reflects how the Golan — captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war
— is increasingly being drawn into the tensions in war-torn Syria amid the growing
reach of Islamist militants who now control more than 90 percent of the Syria-Israel
frontier. Ram Shmueli, a brigadier general in the Israeli reserves and a former head of
Israel’s air force intelligence, said Israel is facing threats all along its northern borders.
“We are very much on alert to all types of drones, jets and airplanes, even civilian
airliners like those used during 9/11,” said Shmueli, a fighter pilot for more than 35
years. “Although we are not part of this war, we have to keep the borders safe.”
There is conflict coming between Syria and Israel. Isaiah 17 says that when Damascus
is destroyed Israel is greatly weakened. That war is coming…
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of
Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it
shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall
wax lean. Ephraim = northern Israel
(Isaiah 17:3-4)
Moscow caught watching Israel from Syrian border
The Times, October 11, 2014
EVENT
A secret base overrun by Syrian rebel forces this week yielded more than a grandstand
view of the Israeli border. After seizing the 3,280ft peak at Tal al-Hara, the rebels found
a military eavesdropping base bristling with equipment.
Intriguingly, though, the walls were also covered in maps of Israel annotated in Russian
to show the layout of Israeli forces and signal stations. There were lists of Russian
soldiers who had apparently served with Syrians at the base, less than 10 miles from
the sensitive Golan Heights region of Israel. Wall-mounted displays showed Syrian
army emblems alongside insignia of the Osnaz GRU, the Russian special forces’
electronic intelligence unit. Video footage shot by the rebels showed a wall-mounted list
of six past commanders of the base, all Russian with the rank of colonel. One rebel, a
former soldier in the Syrian army, said that the site was the most important in a network
of Russian operated listening posts in Syria.
COMMENT Incredible - but with Bible in hand not surprising. Russia is watching Israel from Syria.
The American senator John McCain commenting on this said that the “base reflected
enduring Russian support for President Assad’s government”. He described it as a
“shocking revelation”. Russia’s true intentions are revealed clearly in God’s Word.
We are told that Gog (the Russian ruler) will plan in advance to invade Israel. The
reason that Gog wants to invade is because he sees a “spoil”. Wealth to be taken.
Israel has this wealth right now. It has not only the largest economy in the Middle East,
it also has the strategically valuable east coast of the Mediterranean. And if that wasn’t
enough it has, in the past few years, found huge gas fields worth billions.
Russia is watching Israel – it will invade…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into
thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of
unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without
(Ezekiel 38:10-11)
walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
Russian Arms Sales to Syria, Iran Add to Middle East
Instability
Washington FreeBeacon, October 30, 2014
EVENT
Putin’s Russia has revived its once flagging global arms sales business and is using
those sales to revive its defence industrial base. Second to only the United States with
about a 26 percent share of the global arms market—the United States has a 30
percent share—Russian arms sales in 2013 generated some 13 billion dollars for
government coffers according to the pro-government Russia Today. Other sources,
such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), claim that the
annual value of Russian arms sales, which the Russian government cloaks in secrecy,
often exceeds that of the United States. The obvious financial benefits tell but a small
part of the value Russia derives from its arms sales abroad. Unlike the United States
where large private corporations compete for arms contracts, since 2007 Russia has
relied on the state-controlled consortium Rosoboronexport to monopolize Russian arms
sales and to advance Russian foreign policy objectives.
COMMENT The countries into which Russia pours its arms and military equipment says it all.
Russia stands four square with Syria and Iran. Two nations America says are part of
the axis of evil! Russian sales to Syria of T-72 battle tanks, interceptor aircraft such as
the very fast Mig-31, training aircraft and attack helicopters are playing a pivotal role in
inflicting heavy casualties on insurgent forces. Over 200,000 civilians have died in this
war. Since at least the 1990s Russia has been providing technical assistance to Iran’s
development of a long-range missile program. These missiles are aimed in one
direction – Israel. The Bible says that Russia would act as a guard (protector) of Iran.
We see in the headline above Ezekiel 38 before our eyes…
BIBLE
QUOTE
I have put hooks in thy jaws, And have brought thee out, and all thy force, Horses and horsemen, ,
A numerous assembly, [with] buckler and shield, Handling swords . Persia, Cush, and Phut, with
them, All of them [with] shield and helmet. Be prepared, yea, prepare for thee, Thou and all thine
assemblies who are assembled unto thee, And thou hast been to them for a guard.
(Ezekiel 38:4-8 YLT)
Israeli jets 'strike near Damascus' - Syrian army
BBC, December 7, 2014
EVENT
The Syrian military has accused Israel of carrying out two air strikes on Syria, near the
capital Damascus. Israeli planes bombed the area near Damascus international airport
and the town of Dimas, the Syrian army said in a statement carried on state television.
No casualties were reported. There has been no confirmation of the air strikes from
Israel. Israel has conducted several air strikes on Syria since 2011. "This afternoon, the
Israeli enemy targeted two safe areas in Damascus province, namely the Dimas area
and the Damascus International Airport," the military statement said. It described the air
strikes as "direct aggression" carried out to help the Syrian government's opponents.
Some installations had been damaged, it added, without elaborating on what had been
hit.
COMMENT Israel has attacked Syria once again. But why now? Well some reports say that Israel’s
air strikes near Damascus wiped out newly-arrived Russian hardware including
missiles that were dispatched post haste to help Syria and Hezbollah frustrate a US
plan for a no-fly zone over northern Syria. The advanced weapons were sent over after
Russian President Vladimir Putin learned that the Obama administration and the
Turkish government were close to a final draft on a joint effort to activate a no-fly zone
that would bar Syrian air force traffic over northern Syria. The Syrian regime in the past
has not commented on Israeli airstrikes but this time spokesmen in Damascus warned
that their government’s response would be clandestine and cause Israel "unimaginable
harm.” We know from Isaiah 17 that there is conflict between Israel and Damascus at
the time of the end. The Bible says that when Damascus is finally destroyed Ephraim
(Northern Israel) will be greatly weakened. Events this week move us closer to this…
BIBLE
QUOTE
“Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The towns of Aroer will
be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them
away. The fortified towns of Ephraim will also be destroyed, and the royal power of Damascus will
end. All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,” (Isaiah 17:1-3 NLT)