Most skeptics like to scoff at Bible prophecy: claiming that it is written so vaguely that it makes it possible to interpret just about any event as a fulfillment of any given prophecy. Well, the truth is, a great many of the prophecies in the Bible are so exact that these same skeptics try to force a much later date onto the date of the writing of these prophecies. This is because, if they accept the given date of when the prophet wrote, they would also be forced to accept the rest of what the Bible claims and they simply refuse to dot hat. Then there is the dual nature of prophecy. In many cases — especially when dealing with the end times — a prophecy had an immediate and later meaning. It was intended to foretell an event close to the time of the prophet to whom the prophecy was given, but it applies equally to the end times. Such may well be the case with Isaiah’s prophecy against Damascus.
Now, I am not sure whether or not Isaiah was prophesying against Damascus for his time, the end times, or possibly both. A case could be made for all three interpretations. However, it is true that Damascus is among the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in existence. It is equally true that Damascus has never been abandoned, or laid waste in quite the manner Isaiah’s prophecy seems to suggest will happen. Also, it is the tendency of man to think such a prophecy must happen suddenly, as the result of a single, cataclysmic event. However, there is nothing in Isaiah’s prophecy that demands such an interpretation. It could just as easily be the result of a longer, more drawn-out event, such as this one:
Watch the video:
Then consider Isaiah’s prophecy:
Isaiah 17:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Prophecy about Damascus
17 The [a]oracle concerning Damascus.
“Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city
And will become a fallen ruin.
2 “The cities [b]of Aroer are forsaken;
They will be for flocks [c]to lie down in,
And there will be no one to frighten them.
In the end, you’ll have to decide for yourself. However, if you are among the skeptics, I caution you: there are many specific prophecies that have been coming to pass in recent years. In fact, outside of Christ, the most foretold prophecies in Scripture came to pass in 1948 and 1967. According tot he Bible, the events of those two years ushered in a new epoch in God’s timeline. Daniel defines this epoch as the ‘the time of the end,’ or ‘end times.’ Now, I do not propose to tell anyone what they must do, but I would suggest — if you are a skeptic — you might want to do some serious and sincere research into end times Bible prophecy. Much of it is unfolding right now, in the daily headlines — and the majority of the world is blind to it. God’s Word repeatedly tells us that He gave us prophecy so that, when it comes to pass, we will know that he is God. So, if you have doubted the existence of God, maybe you should trust His Word long enough to research His prophecy to see if maybe that will convince you…before it is too late for you!
The Oil for Your Lamp 