Biblical Prophecies of the Middle East
While Scripture does not explicitly state such, it does appear that these three separate prophecies are currently moving toward occurring
EGYPT: Civil War & Drying of Nile
ISAIAH 19:1-25
(1) The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall
come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence,
and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
(2) And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall
fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour;
city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
(3) And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy
the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers,
and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
(4) And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce
king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
(5) And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted
and dried up.
(6) And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be
emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.
(7) The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing
sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.
(8) The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks
shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
(9) Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks,
shall be confounded.
(10) And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices
and ponds for fish.
(11) Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsel-
lors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son
of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
(12) Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and
let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
(13) The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived;
they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
(14) The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they
have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in
his vomit.
(15) Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail,
branch or rush, may do.
(16) In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and
fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh
over it.
(17) And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that
maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of
the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.
(18) In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language
of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of
destruction.
(19) In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land
of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
(20) And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the
land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and
he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
(21) And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the
LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow
unto the LORD, and perform it.
(22) And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they
shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall
heal them.
(23) In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the
Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyp-
tians shall serve with the Assyrians.
(24) In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria,
even a blessing in the midst of the land:
(25) Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people,
and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
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The Lord's judgment on Egypt will be swift, and will not only affect the
political and physical aspects of the nation, but also the spiritual nature
of Egypt as well (it’s predominate idol the moon god worship, Islam).
Just as when God judged Egypt at the Red Sea crossing, He also used a
cloud (Exodus 14:20-21) - Egypt's judgment will likewise be very swift
and complete.
Civil warfare will erupt, likely political and sectarian division. This will
spiral out of control: first cities, then with spillover into regional conflicts.
The muslim in Egypt will call out to their moon god, but to no avail.
Apparently, they will also resort to other pagan means. Just as when God
demonstrated their god's powerlessness with the plagues back in
Exodus, so will He do again.
After a period of war, it appears that the Antichrist will eventually
subjugate Egypt (Daniel 11:40-45). This could also refer to an intermedi-
ate dictator that deals harshly during this time of civil war.
This appears to be the result of abnormal events disrupting the water
flows, not related to normal dam construction. Apparently, any industry
(fishing, agricultural, textile, industrial, etc.) and economic enterprises
related to the river (and perhaps the Suez Canal) will be ruined because
of the disruption. Complete economic and industrial collapse.
Egypt, which is already dependant on foreign aid, will self-destruct
economically when its water resources are gone. Egypt depends entirely
on the Nile for irrigation. The Aswan High Dam currently regulates the
Nile and created a fishing and factory industry in Lake Nasser. It also
provides around 15% of Egypt's electricity. Most of the water released by
the dam is diverted to irrigation canals.
Verse 10 indicates that perhaps the dam and irrigation works are
targeted and destroyed. This may be in regards to military retaliation.
This map shows the location of the two main Aswan dams controlling the
Nile River. One can easily see how easy the importance of this strategic
area, and its implications for the rest of the nation downriver. IF Egypt
attacks Israel in some form or fashion, Israel may find it easiest to just
knock these dams out of commission, effectively cutting Egypt's power
off at the knees and redirecting their armed forces focus toward civilian
and situation control.
God uses these events to demonstrate the foolishness of Egypt's wisdom
and strength. When God's judgment is turned against any nation, all the
wisdom, counsel, weaponry, power, etc. is to no avail.
Vast unemployment, economic collapse. In our modern vernacular, we
would say from the head to tail. The Nile River is the lifeblood of Egypt;
without it, Egypt will be a mere economic shadow of itself.
There is going to be much fear in Egypt as they watch their lifeblood (the
Nile) dry up, civil war erupt, and regional conflicts ignite. From a human
perspective, it will be the end of their world as they know it.
Apparently, part of the regional spillover results in conflicts with Israel -
to which Israel retaliates with crushing force. The Egyptians have already
witnessed in recent past history how Israel has defeated them, and they
know they are no match. This verse implies that a large part of the
terror upon Egypt is a result of Israel's retaliation. Perhaps part of
it involves the bombings of the Aswan Dams.
Apparently, the regional conflict will result in Israel capturing more
territory. One city appears to have been the site of particular devastating
attack during the conflicts.
The prophecy starts with the civil war, but God reveals that the results of
this turmoil will (over a period of time) result in the Egyptians turning to
the Lord - apparently during the time of the Millennial reign of Christ.
ISRAEL: Victory, Prosperity, Deception, & War
Psalm 83 describes a local confederacy of Israel’s immediate neighbors that moves against Israel some time after it has been re-established. According to
Psalm 83, the goal will be to completely erase Israel and create a new Palestine state. This prophecy, in light of others, seems to describe the large pic-
ture, with apparent concurrent or following prophetic events related. This may happen before or immediately after the Rapture.
PSALM 83:1-18
(1) A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou
silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not
still, O God.
(2) For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and
they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
(3) They have taken crafty counsel against thy
people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
(4) 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.
(5) For they have consulted together with one
consent: they are confederate against thee:
(6) The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmael-
ites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
(7) Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek;
the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
(8) Assur also is joined with them: they have
holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
(9) Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to
Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
(10) Which perished at Endor: they became as
dung for the earth.
(11) Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb:
yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as
Zalmunna:
(12) Who said, Let us take to ourselves the
houses of God in possession.
(13) O my God, make them like a wheel; as the
stubble before the wind.
(14) As the fire burneth a wood, and as the
flame setteth the mountains on fire;
(15) So persecute them with thy tempest, and
make them afraid with thy storm.
(16) Fill their faces with shame; that they may
seek thy name, O LORD.
(17) Let them be confounded and troubled for
ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
(18) That men may know that thou, whose
name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over
all the earth.
concurrently in a domino fashion. We don’t know what will trigger it, but an attack on Israel (whether by the Syrian government, or a
false flag by the rebels) will bring instant retaliation by Israel which may quickly escalate. Initially, the surrounding nations may try to
take advantage of the fog of war and simultaneously attack Israel. Once this happens, the proverbial kid gloves are going to come off.
SYRIA: Sudden Destruction
ISAIAH 17:1-14
Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world, and (1) The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is
the capital of Syria, will be made a pile of ruin. taken away from being a city, and it shall be a
Biblical Places / Nations Mentioned Potential Retaliation Targets ruinous heap.
(2) The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for
Syria may be the lynchpin, since it
flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make
Assyria
commands allies in Hezbollah, Hamas,
them afraid.
and Iran. If Syria launches an attack on
(3) The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and
Mostly know as a psalm writer, Asaph was also a prophet during the time Israel, others may join in. The neighbors
the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of
of King David (II Chron. 29:30; I Chron. 25:2). may attack in unison against their
Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of
common enemy.
Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
(4) And in that day it shall come to pass, that the
Israel's enemies form a confederacy against her, and what she represents glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of
(the people of God). The reference to "thy hidden ones" may imply those his flesh shall wax lean.
children of Israel that will be sealed during the time of Tribulation (Rev. Gebal (5) And it shall be as when the harvestman
7:4). Their goal is apparently to completely destroy Israel, and take their gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his
land (Psalm 83:12). This goes beyond just a military campaign, this is a Tyre arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the
war of ethnic and sectarian hatred. Even today it is no secret of this valley of Rephaim.
region's animosity toward Israel. Baghdad
(6) Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the
shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the
Ammon
The groups listed are very specific in their day - some referred to by the Philistia top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the
people, and some are referred to the geographic area. In our time, they outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD
The events surrounding Damascus’ destruction will cause
have very close majority equivalents, with a few others intermingled. Moab God of Israel.
them (and many more) to forsake their idols (Islam) and (7) At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his
Tents (tabernacles) of Edom: (Gen. 36:9), Descendants of Esau. Hagarenes Cairo
The Palestinians, and Southern Jordanians. The tents imply refugee recognize God. Apparently, the destruction will be so eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
severe, that it will be obvious their gods and idols are
status, or without a specific homeland. (8) And he shall not look to the altars, the work of
Ishmaelites: Ishmael was the father of the Arabs - Saudis. Amalek Edom powerless. This could also broadly imply that their holy his hands, neither shall respect that which his
sites in other areas (such as Mecca) were also cut down.
Moab: Palestinians & Central Jordanians fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
Hagarenes: referred to by Hagar's name, Egyptians (9) In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken
Damascus won’t be the only Syrian city destroyed, bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left
although Damascus might receive the brunt or worst of because of the children of Israel: and there shall be
Gebal: Hezbollah & Northern Lebanese
the damage. This verse also implies that the Israelites are desolation.
Ammon: Palestinians & Northern Jordanians Ishmaelites
involved, most likely as the ones inflicting the ruin. (10) Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy
Amalek: Arabs of the Sinai area
salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of
Philistines / Philistia: Gaza Strip area. Most likely Hamas.
Because this war is playing for keeps, there will be no thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant
Tyre: This area would encompass the Southern Lebanese and Hezbollah.
holds barred - there will be massive casualties, and the plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
war will be very decisive and over relatively quick. Because (11) In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow,
Assyria (Assur): Syrians and Northern Iraqis and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to
of the quick retaliations and the small theater of war, there
Children of Lot: Ammon and Moab, Jordan area. Jordan has a very flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of
will probably be very little outside involvement, beyond
weak army, and has to join up with another to be worth mentioning. grief and of desperate sorrow.
what is nearby in the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf, and Red
Aswan Sea. US involvement, if any, will likely be limited to missile (12) Woe to the multitude of many people, which
High Dam Medina make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the
holy sites shipments and resupply.
THESIS: Egyptian civil war spills over into war against Israel. rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the
Israel attacks dam, rediverting or stopping up Nile. Combina- Because of what is at stake, Israel will probably use its rushing of mighty waters!
tion of events fulfills Isaiah 19. nuclear cards right at the onset. The confusion and fog of (13) The nations shall rush like the rushing of many
war will probably mean that outsiders won't have a clear waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall
These imply that this confederacy will be completely destroyed and taken idea of what is going on till the decisive blows have already flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the
over for spoil. The armament, wealth, infrastructure, mineral and oil been meted out. mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing
resources, etc. will definitely make Israel a power to be reckoned with. THESIS: before the whirlwind.
It will also probably give Israel control over the Red Sea and partial The first stage may Muslim holy sites are hit for
The verse is very specific that there will be trouble (strife, (14) And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before
control over the Strait of Hormuz - through which a large portion of oil happen very quickly psychological impact, delivering
possibly escalation of a simmering conflict) at sunset, the morning he is not. This is the portion of them
trade flows. It also gives Israel control of the ‘Crossroad of the World.” once started. a massive demoralizing effect.
and that by the next morning Damascus will not exist that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
Israel might not take full possession of the attacking countries, and It might also stretch This would also include the
any more, implying nuclear strike.
perhaps new borders might be declared under a peace treaty brokered out several weeks. Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem.
by the recently emerged Antichrist (Daniel 9:27).
These events will disrupt the Suez Canal, seriously disrupting oil shipments, commerce, and the ability for navies to navigate through
there. It would possibly also shut down oil production in the region. The global domino effects will be incredible. Instant gas shortages
(by real or rumored causes). Some regions may implement scorched-earth policies when they see they are losing.
ARMAGEDDON
3.5 years after peace treaty signed, the Antichrist breaks the treaty
Jews return to Israel out of all the nations, filling the land, and defiles the Temple, setting himself up as God. Conquers the rest
and enabling them to hold and settle the vast new land.
GOG & MAGOG of the world and becomes world leader (Daniel 9:27).
During this time of safety and prosperity may be when
the Temple is rebuilt (Daniel 9:27). Esoteric influences,
under the false guise of being Jewish, coordinate Later, at the end of
RUSSIA
behind-the-scenes preparing the way for Antichrist's the Tribulation time
later actions (Rev. 2:9, 3:9). period, about 3
years later...
The kings of the east march
an army of 200 million toward
TURKEY
Israel. Rev. 9:16; Rev. 16:12.
Ezekiel 38-39 describes how a confederacy TUNISIA
(made of different nations than the first IRAN World armies meet in Megiddo
MOROCCO
confederacy) move to attack Israel. ISRAEL (Northern Israel) ( Rev. 16:16,
The prophet pleads that the Lord will confound their enemies - make ALGERIA 14:20). The Bible implies that
The prophecy mentions that at this time Israel
them run in circles, similar to a tumbleweed blown about in the desert. LIBYA horses (Rev. 19:18) will be promi-
is in the midst of the (promised) land (a much
Just a fire destroys wood, and a wildfire reeks havoc, so this war will turn nent; perhaps Earth has been so
larger portion than the present day state), that devastated (including bases,
on Israel's enemies to their utter and irreparable destruction.
they dwell safely (not closely surrounded by all factories, etc.) that non-mechanical
Using the imagery of the clouds spoken of in the first verse, the prophet
hostile nation states), and that they have SUDAN forces will be more reliable.
pleads for their enemies to be afraid when they see God's hand of
acquired incredible wealth. When Russia and
destruction loom over them.
her allies move to attack, other nations ask if Christ Returns to Earth
the move is to plunder and spoil this new Antichrist and False Prophet cast alive into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20).
It appears that this event will have multiple possible outcomes: the Armies destroyed with just the word out of Christ’s mouth (Rev. 19:21).
resource-rich nation. ETHIOPIA SOMALIA
shaming of Islam, and the refocusing of Israel on their God. These events The battlefield, filled with blood, is 1,600 furlongs (about 200 miles)
may also be the catalyst that leads to the conversion of "thy hidden ones" in size.
The reason Russia needs allies is because Israel now has much more armament
during the Tribulation. and resources to sustain much larger battles. Many of these surrounding nations Millenial Reign of Christ begins, with Jerusalem as capital.
have been negatively affected by the incredible regional power shift. The confederacy will be destroyed by It will take seven months
It appears Israel enjoys about 3.5 years of its God Himself (Ezekiel 38-39) through to bury the dead (39:12).
newfound relative ‘peace’ and prosperity. But then... fire, hailstones, pestilence, etc.
R E V 4 : 1 1 “ T H O U A R T W O R T H Y, O L O R D , T O R E C E I V E G L O R Y A N D H O N O U R A N D P O W E R : F O R T H O U H A S T C R E AT E D A L L T H I N G S , A N D F O R T H Y P L E A S U R E T H E Y A R E A N D W E R E C R E AT E D .”