Looking Back (2023) & Ahead (2024) in the Mideast (Part 2)

on Friday, January 5, 2024 by Bill Salus

Part 2: Looking Ahead (2024)

This article is part two. Part one was entitled “Looking Back (2023).” Click HERE to read part one.

Epic Events that COULD HAPPEN in the Mideast in 2024

Going forward into the new year of 2024, the future for the Middle East could go from real bad to way worse! In fact, the prophetic precursors put in place in 2023 may evolve into the fulfillment of several ancient globally impacting biblical prophecies. These relevant foretellings will be presented throughout the remainder of this article.

Before peering into the future it’s important to consider this clever quote, “Those who live by the crystal ball learn to eat a lot of broken glass.” Although this article is not based upon crystal ball fortune telling, it’s important to note that discerning and disseminating the details of Bible prophecy can involve some speculation and conjecture. For this reason the operable words for the remainder of this article are, COULD HAPPEN.

What COULD HAPPEN is that one or more of the prophecies below might find fulfillment. Candidly speaking, at the start of 2023, I felt the same way but they didn’t happen last year. Thus, they may not happen this year either. However, if they do, I have sequenced them in the order I believe they could occur.

Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus. Jeremiah 49:34-39, the disaster in Iran in the territory of ancient Elam. Psalm 83, the final Arab – Israel war, which seems to connect with the siege of Jerusalem in Zechariah 12:2 by the Arab confederacy in Psalm 83:5-8. This siege is unsuccessful as the IDF, with the Lord’s divine intervention, will defeat these Arabs soundly as per Zechariah 12:4-6.

Then after all of the above the stage should be set for the granddaddy prophecy of Ezekiel 38 and 39. I personally don’t think Ezekiel 38 will happen in 2024, but it could.

I previously stated in part one of this article series, that Iran appears to be presently orchestrating a multi-faceted, multi-layered and multi-phased military campaign against Israel through its proxies. I think this COULD ratchet up significantly in 2024. Each phase will widen the conflict and further threaten Israel’s existence.

Phase one involved Hamas, but phase two will likely involve all of Hezbollah’s and Syria’s firepower. Phase three COULD see Iran engaging militarily.

Isaiah 17: The Destruction of Damascus:

This 2700-year-old prophecy is primed to happen. The prophecy says that overnight, (Isaiah 17:14), Damascus will be leveled into a heap of ruins, (Isaiah 17:1), by the Israeli Defense Forces, (Isaiah 17:9).

Damascus is the capital city of Syria. Israel conducted multiple air strikes in and around Damascus in 2023 and on December 29, 2023, Israel made a strategic strike on Damascus shutting down the airport and killing eleven high-ranking Iranian military leaders.

“Alleged Israeli airstrike on Damascus airport killed 11 IRGC chiefs” (i24 News – 12/29/23)

Syria is a dangerous proxy of Iran and this bullseye strike by Israel might draw Syria into a major war on Israel’s northeastern border. Isaiah 17:4-6 informs, “in that day,” alluding to when Damascus ceases to exist, that Israel suffers a severe hit from the war. It appears to describe something far worse than the 1200 killed in the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023.

Isaiah 17:12 explains at that time, a multitude will attack and make a noise like the roar of the seas and rush in like mighty waters. Fortunately for Israel, Isaiah 17:13 foretells these enemies are rebuked by God causing them to “flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind.”

Might this multitude include Hezbollah, Syria, and the full coalition of Iran’s proxies? It would be hard to imagine that Syria would fight solo in a war with Israel when their neighbor ally Hezbollah has about 150,000 missiles ready to launch at Israel.

Hezbollah in 2024:

As 2023 ended, Hezbollah and Israel were skirmishing tit for tat on Israel’s northern border. These clashes have forced tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese citizens to evacuate their homes. This small-scale war between northern Israel and southern Lebanon is likely to turn into a full-scale war in early 2024 that expands throughout the entirety of both countries.

Israel is aware that Hezbollah, in the first few days of a war, can shoot up to 6000 rockets a day into Israel. Then, they anticipate a tapering off of about 1500 to 2000 effective missiles in the next wave. Effective, meaning hitting their intended targets.

“Predicted scenario: 6,000 rockets at Israel during first days of war with Hezbollah”

“Israel’s defense establishment is preparing for the worst-case scenario during a war on the northern border, which would include days-long blackouts, hundreds dead, and thousands wounded… In such a scenario, over the course of one day of battle, Israel would have to contend with thousands of rockets fired, and within the first few days, about 6,000 rockets would be launched at the Jewish state. As time progresses, the number would decline to about only 1,500 to 2,000 rockets a day… Security experts estimate that every day, there will be approximately 1,500 effective strikes in Israeli territory, and that is after subtracting rockets that statistically land in open areas and interceptions by the Iron Dome system, which, with all due respect, would not manage to intercept the high percentage of missiles which we have gotten used to during confrontations in the south.” (Israel National News – 7/23/23)

If this above scenario happens then Israel will no longer be able to go blow for blow with Hezbollah, but will likely have to take out major cities in Lebanon and Syria, which is what Isaiah 17:9 predicts at least in Syria. Israel is already attacking major Syrian cities like Aleppo.

“Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syrian city of Aleppo” (The Telegraph – 12/30/23)

Iran in 2024:

If Iran commands Hezbollah and Syria to fully engage in the proxy war, then it COULD HAPPEN that Iran joins in the war. This trio of enemies with their modern-day missile arsenals would create an existential threat to Israel.

As part of this war, Iran could shut down the Strait of Hormuz, continue to use the Houthis to choke off the Red Sea and use Hezbollah to strike Israel’s Karish natural gas reservoir in the Mediterranean Sea. This scenario would create an economic hardship on Israel and world markets.

“Iranian Lawmaker Says Tehran Might Close Hormuz If US Intervenes” (Iran International – 10/21/23)

The headline above warns if the US intervenes that Tehran might close Hormuz. The US is already intervening in Iran’s proxy war by attacking the Houthis who are actively attempting to close off the Red Sea to merchant ships. The US has formed a coalition to thwart these Houthi aggressions.

“U.S. forms coalition to counter Houthi threat on international shipping; Houthis appear undeterred” (FDD – 12/19/23)

“US sinks 3 Houthi attack boats as gunmen try to board container ship in Red Sea” (Times of Israel – 12/31/23)

Jeremiah 49:34-39: The Disaster in Iran in Ancient Elam:

A prophecy written about 596 BC in Jeremiah 49:34-39, predicts that in the latter days the western part of Iran will undergo a disaster. The details seem to describe a nuclear scenario that leads to a humanitarian crisis. What’s interesting is that one of the details is that when this catastrophe happens, Iran will have multiple enemies. Perhaps these enemies are forming into this US led coalition presently.

The territory of ancient Elam is where Iran has many of its missile silos and portable rocket launchers hidden and protected underground. If Iran shuts Hormuz, the US coalition would likely have to strike this part of Iran in order to reopen the Strait. Could this scenario lead to the fulfillment of this prophecy? It COULD HAPPEN.

I have written a book about this prophecy entitled, “Nuclear Showdown in Iran: Revealing the Ancient Prophecy of Elam.” (Book & DVD are offered below).

Psalm 83, the Final Arab – Israel war:

Psalm 83:5-8 identifies a ten-member Arab confederacy that will form a military plan, (Psalm 83:3), that intends to wipe Israel off of the map, (Psalm 83:4). Their goal is to destroy the Jewish state and replace it with a Palestinian state, (Psalm 83:12). This Arab confederacy is defeated by the IDF, which finally concludes the Arab-Israeli conflict, (Psalm 83:9-18).

For more information on Psalm 83, you can read my book that is featured below entitled, “Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed, How Israel Becomes the Next Mideast Superpower.”

What COULD HAPPEN in the aftermath of the destruction of Damascus, is that this Arab confederacy could reform to fight Israel. These Arabs include the Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese, Jordanians, Saudis, Iraqis and perhaps Egyptians. All of the above fought unsuccessfully against Israel in 1948. Subsequently, Egypt, Syria and Jordan tried again to no avail. However, these wars failed to fulfill Psalm 83.

The potential scenario that COULD HAPPEN, sees Damascus destroyed by the IDF, Israel weakened by the war with Syria and the Psalm 83 Arabs reunite to wipe Israel off of the map. These Arabs COULD become concerned that Israel might destroy more Arab cities and realize that Israel has become vulnerable to defeat after its war with Syria and the multitudes.

Psalm 83 and the Zechariah 12:1-9 Arab Siege Against Jerusalem:    

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding, (Arab), peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:2, NKJV; emphasis added)

This above verse informs of a final Arab siege upon Israel and its capital city of Jerusalem. It appears to happen when the Arabs are furious at, and feel threatened by, a war-torn Israel that has become weakened and in need of God’s supernatural intervention, (Zechariah 12:4). The Lord does help and it emboldens the IDF to a decisive victory, (Zechariah 12:4-6).

“It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the, (Arab), nations that come against Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:9, NKJV; emphasis added)

This failed Arab attempt to destroy Israel and capture Jerusalem should conclude the Psalm 83 prophecy. Over time, Israel should be able to tear down all the walls in and around it,  dwell securely, (Ezekiel 38:8, 11), live tranquilly, (Ezekiel 38:11) and develop great prosperity, (Ezekiel 38:12-13).

Unfortunately for Israel, these benevolent conditions will be short lived because the prophecies in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will follow.

Summary of What COULD HAPPEN in 2024:

It’s my belief that in 2023 in the Middle East, Pandora’s Box was opened and the proverbial Genie came out of the Bottle. Too much is at stake for any party mentioned in this article to return to the status quo. In 2023, Israel was able to fight with the gloves on and somewhat dictate the direction of its war with Hamas.

However in 2024, things COULD HAPPEN that dramatically CHANGE the complexion of the Mideast. Especially, if Iran and its proxies pull out all of the stops and fully engage in a concerted effort against Israel. If this scenario occurs, Iran will try to dictate the terms of the Mideast war and Israel will have to take the gloves off for a prison rules fight.

I believe it’s within the realm of possibility that Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49:34-39 COULD HAPPEN. Perhaps, Psalm 83, Zechariah 12:1-9 and Ezekiel 38 / 39 may take place further down the end times line, but the Mideast stage is rapidly being set for the soon and sequential fulfillment of all the above.
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[i] Read Iran Watch article at https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/articles-reports/irans-nuclear-timetable-weapon-potential.
[ii] Hamas rocket totals come from this weblink – https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-772518
[iii] Salus/Koenig show link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQk2RZXEUYg&t=273s
[iv] Times of Israel taken on 12/21/23 from this weblink – https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-base-innorth-damaged-by-rocket-fire-military-hits-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon/

NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN IN IRAN: REVEALING THE ANCIENT PROPHECY OF ELAM 

CLICK HERE to buy the book for $15.95 + S & H

CLICK HERE to buy the DVD for $12.95 + S & H

CLICK HERE to buy the book & DVD for $19.95 + S & H

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PSALM 83: THE MISSING PROPHECY REVEALED