Church of God News

US Tomahawk missile headed to Syria

COGwriter

US President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of a military installation in Syria:

April 7, 2017

The cruise missiles that crashed down before dawn on a Syrian airfield sent a clear message to President Bashar Assad: The use of chemical weapons will be met with U.S. force. …

President Donald Trump said the goal of the military action was deterrence. Officials said strikes targeted the Shayrat airfield to prevent it from being used to launch attacks like the one this week that killed about 100 people and provided sickening images of individuals suffering from exposure to a sarin-like nerve gas. The field’s airstrips, hangars, control tower and ammunition areas were struck.

Where is Syria policy going?

The United States is not at war with Syria — at least not yet. The intervention was extremely limited, giving Assad’s military the ability to end it there by changing its behavior and allowing for Washington to incrementally expand its military action if required.

But the surprise barrage of missiles raises questions about where U.S. Syria policy is headed after Trump’s rapid reversal of positions in recent days. Just last week, his administration stressed that removing Assad from power was no longer a priority and that America’s focus was entirely on defeating an Islamic State insurgency in the north of the country. But Thursday night Trump appeared to endorse a new, open-ended commitment to respond to any use by Assad of weapons of mass destruction. …

“It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons,” Trump said. …

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said the U.S. was still assessing the result of the 59 Tomahawks it fired, expressing hope that Assad’s government learned a lesson. He said it was ultimately “the regime’s choice” if more U.S. military action would be needed. …
Edward Djerejian, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria and professor at Rice University, said Trump’s message to the region’s potential foes was clear.

“Assad thought he had a green light to do what he needed to do in Syria to counter the opposition to his regime,” Djerejian said. “By proceeding with this attack, it’s a signal to Assad, to the Russians, it’s a signal to the Iranians, to Hezbollah and all those supporting Assad’s regime that this is not a free playing field. There are limits.” http://www.voanews.com/a/analysis-trump-sends-syria-message-one-with-risks/3800332.html

7 April 2017

Reactions poured in from across the globe both defending and defying the US’ unilateral missile strikes on a Syrian airbase, effectively solidifying those supporting and opposing President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Washington’s allies came out behind the attack on the airbase, which was allegedly used by Syrian regime warplanes to launch a suspected chemical attack earlier in the week. But the action has further entrenched opposing positions in the conflict. …

NATO allies, including the UK, Turkey and Italy, said they viewed the development positively. Throughout Syria’s civil war, the West has consistently called for a political solution to the conflict that would require Assad to relinquish power. The US missile strikes on a Syrian military facility effectively corner the White House into supporting that position, one that Trump has attempted to sideline since assuming office.

On the other side, Russia and Iran have insisted that Assad’s position in government is not negotiable. Moscow, which has politically and militarily supported Assad’s regime, said the missile strikes further strain relations between Russia and the US, and effectively hamper the international fight against terrorism.

“President Putin considers the US strikes against Syrian an aggression against a sovereign country violating the norms of international law, and under trumped-up pretext at that,” said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov in comments circulated by state-owned TASS news agency. …

Gains for regional allies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “fully supports” Trump’s decision, adding that it sent a “strong and clear message” that “the use and spread of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.” …

The US’ strategic ally Saudi Arabia described Trump’s order to launch the missile strikes against the airbase as a “courageous action.” http://www.dw.com/en/us-polarizes-world-with-attack-on-syrian-regime/a-38333447

Donald Trump surprised many, although he gave hints he a couple of days ago.

Donald Trump, in my view, decided to send a message to many around the world. In addition to his ‘stand’ against the use of chemical weapons, he sent a message to North Korea (Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness?) and Iran (Iran in Prophecy) that he may not take time to negotiate, before taking military action. To Russia and China, he seems to be sending a message that he will take military action against their allies (though in this case, his Administration did inform the Russian government that they were going to do this–and apparently he personally conveyed something to China’s President who he has been meeting with). To Israel and the Arab nations, he is signalling that his patience with certain players is limited and that he will take action when he feels it appropriate. He basically is sending the same message to the rest of the world. To the USA, he is basically following the strategy he laid out before–do not say what you will do to tip off the other side and then take action. And he did.

Now getting past that, are there prophetic ramifications of this strike?

Yes.

First, though, this is NOT the start of WWIII (see also World War III: Steps in Progress). Russia does not care for what happened, but considering that it restored relations with Turkey after Turkey intentionally shot down a Russian plane, I believe that US-Russian relations have not been irreparably damaged by this.

Second, it is possible that operatives of the Syrian government (and there are thousands of Syrian refugees in the USA and Canada, and more in Germany and parts of Europe) will take some type of terrorist actions consistent with the following:

8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 9 All the people will know — Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria — … 11 Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. (Isaiah 9:8-9, 11-12)

Syrian refugees are a potential problem. The Bible clearly is prophesying problems from Syrians and Palestinians. And this would be expected to include terrorism.

As far as other prophecies, Daniel 11:40-43 and Psalm 83:4-8 apply–which means that Syria will have to change. Notice something I posted about that back in 2012:

Syria will change, now or later. The King of the South will rise up (Daniel 11:40), it will not be Iran, and thus Syria (directly or indirectly) is likely to play a role in that occurrence.  Syria will end up being a supporter of that king–thus the situation in Syria must change.

Various former COG writers have tied Syria in with an end time confederation and/or the King of the South.

Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt), Libya, Edom, Moab and Ammon. Many descendants of the ancient peoples known as Edomites or Idumeans now live in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Yemen, the Persian Gulf states, etc. (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).

King David of ancient Israel in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations–a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned “king of the south”–a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world.

“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan], and the Hagarenes [anciently these peoples dwelt in the area known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot [Jordan and Western Iraq]” (Psalm 83:4-8)…(Stump K.  The Arab World in Prophecy.  The Plain Truth, December 1979) …

The Bible shows that Syria’s capital city Damascus will be destroyed:

7 thus says the Lord God: “It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus (Isaiah 7:7-8)

3 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. (Amos 1:3)

1 The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)

23 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. 24 Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 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. 27 “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.”  (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, we all should watch. There will be changes in Syria and Damascus will be destroyed. The continuing violence there is likely to play a role in that. (Thiel B. ‘Damascus Volcano’ and CP: ‘Damascus a Ruinous Heap?’ COGwriter, July 21, 2012)

Egypt will be part of an end-time confederation according to the Bible (Ezekiel 30:1-9).

A confederation that will include Syria.  Even though Syria’s current President Bashar Assad is a Shi’ite Muslim, he will not be able to stop this from happening. …

An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria and Egypt is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-9; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming.

A worsening situation in Syria and dictatorial situation in Egypt would seem to be factors in speeding up this occurrence. (Thiel B. Leaders issue warnings about Damascus, Israel, and Egypt. COGwriter, December 17, 2012)

And notice something from 2013:

Syria’s Assad can make claims, but making them happen is another matter. …

Since the Bible suggests that Syria will support the coming final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8) and a change in or from the Assad regime will be necessary for this to happen–and it will come to pass.

An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming. A worsening situation in Syria would seem to be a factor in speeding up this occurrence. (Thiel B. Syria’s Assad says his side is going to win, but the Bible indicates otherwise. COGwriter, January 6, 2013)

The bombing of Syria is a weakening blow against the Assad regime.

At some point in time, Syria will change and support the coming King of the South.

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 7th, 2017 at 6:00 am and is filed under Prophecy.

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