Damascus, Syria and Isaiah 17

Does the Bible Predict God’s End-Times Destruction of Syria —and Is Prophecy About to Unfold Before Our Eyes?

[1] The burden against Damascus. "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. [2] The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. [3] The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, The kingdom from Damascus, And the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel," Says the LORD of hosts. [4] "In that day it shall come to pass That the glory of Jacob will wane, And the fatness of his flesh grow lean. [5] It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, And reaps the heads with his arm; It shall be as he who gathers heads of grain In the Valley of Rephaim. [6] Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, Like the shaking of an olive tree, Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, Four or five in its most fruitful branches," Says the LORD God of Israel. - Isa 17:1-6 NKJV

Bible prophecy speculators will tell you this passage refers to the modern State of Israel and Syria.  This prophecy has been fulfilled.  Please read the following:

From the Geneva Bible Marginal Notes concerning Isaiah 17:1-6

Isaiah 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

The burden of Babylon is the great calamity which was prophesied to come on Babel, a grievous burden which they were not able to bear.  In these twelve chapters following he speaks of the plagues with which God would smite the strange nations (whom they knew) to declare that God chastised the Israelites as his children and these others as his enemies: and also that if God does not spare these who are ignorant, they must not think strange if he punishes them who have knowledge of his Law, and do not keep it.

The chief city of Syria.  It was a country of Syria by the river Arnon.  It seems that the prophet would comfort the Church in declaring the destruction of these two kings of Syria and Israel, when as they had conspired the overthrow of Judah.

The ten tribes gloried in their multitude and alliance with other nations: therefore he says that they will be brought down and the Syrians also.  Verse 4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of…Meaning of the ten tribes who boasted themselves of their nobility, prosperity, strength and multitude.

As the abundance of corn does not fear the harvest men that would cut it down: no more will the multitude of Israel make the enemies shrink, whom God will appoint to destroy them.

Verse 6 Yet gleaning grapes shall…Because God would have his covenant stable, he promises to reserve some of this people, and to bring them to repentance.