I've considered the idea that Psalm 83 is a possible prophecy -- and the position of some that it was fulfilled in the several wars of Israel for it's survival, as an ongoing fulfillment.
But
I think that several other passages may fit the current situation better than Psalm 83 as it was originally written by Bill Salus. I like his writing, I like his thinking, I like his take on things.
However Bill has ALSO written a book on Elam that got me going on that idea and it fits a bit better if you consider that there is a lot of overlap between 3 passages-- 2 of which mention Elam plus Damascus and Syria, and 1 which mentions Damascus. And it was Bill that got me over the hurdle with Jer 49:28-33 in which he explained that bit was a past fulfillment while the others are yet future.
I refer to
Isaiah 17
Jeremiah 49 with the exception of v 28-33 which refer to a past fulfillment with Babylon.
Ezekiel 32:17-32
Why I don't think this is Ps 83
I posted this on another thread:
I found this overview (from TCC on JDF):
Psalm 83 lists the following countries:
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Jordan
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
Isreali Friendly Nations Right Now Are the Following:
- Jordan
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
Therefore, in order for what we see happening today to be the Psalm 83 war, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi-Arabia will have to turn against Israel. This is highly unlikely.
Iran was not included in Psalm 83. Yet, Iran is THE MAJOR agressor today. Therefore, this does not look like the Psalm 83 war.
Edit to add:
@TCC, your lists. I borrowed them, like I told you.
Btw, so happy you joined. Love you dear brother!
Thanks to Erika and TCC for that nice tidy list.
So what about Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia? AND IRAN isn't mentioned in Psalm 83 but it is the current driving force behind this war Oct 7, 2023
We NEED TO LOOK AT IRAN
Jordan and Egypt actually fit really well in the current situation if you read Ezek 32:17-32 where Egypt makes its appearance along with Syria & Iraq(Assyria) plus southern Jordan (Edom) along with Lebanon, Turkey, Iran (Elam)and the "Princes of the North". The common theme is terrorism which is "spread among the land of the living"-- this is a broader scope of terror than just Israel being wiped out.
Never forget that Islam wants to eliminate Jews, first in Israel and around the world, then Christians. They are frequently quoted as saying they want to kill all the Saturday people first, then come after the Sunday people as they put it. Certainly Iran's focus isn't just Israel but it begins there and the attack on Israel using their proxy Hamas on October 7, 2023
In Jeremiah 49 Jordan appears as Ammon and Edom -the north and south of Jordan with Damascus and Elam (south west Iran) again. And here's where Damascus comes in. This is the parallel passage to Isaiah 17 which is all about Damascus. (Syria and parts of Iraq are in Ezek 32 as Assyria, and Damascus appears here and in Isaiah 17)
Bill makes an excellent case for "the Tents of Edom" being a possible likely reference to the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza. Gazans are also partly Egyption in origin. That applies whether he is teaching on Psalm 83 or on these 3 passages.
Obadiah is another important reference-- Day of the Lord AND Edom but I want to just concentrate on these big 3.
That leaves Saudi Arabia (Sheba and Dedan) who appear in
Ezek 38. They are the nearest that Israel has to an ally along with the merchants of Tarshish and cubs. IF (big IF there) IF Ezek 38 is in the somewhat near future (I see it as coming after the Damascus/Elam war and just after the Rapture at some point) then we shouldn't see too much from the Saudis although activity on the Abe Accords are on hold for now since the invasion of Israel.
The Saudis have been actively working with Israel on several projects including a rail line terminating on Israel's sea coast in the Med to bring oil to Euro markets without the fear of terrorism by Iran or problems with the Suez Canal. This is why China opposes Israel in this current conflict because Israel is in direct competition with China for a similar trade route-- the new Silk Road/Belt thing they are working on.
The fact that the Saudis, Egypt and Jordan are not active enemies of Israel is important even if they pay lip service to their Islamic populations by denouncing Israel.
So who is involved?
Well
everyone except Saudi Arabia from the Psalm 83 list
AND ALSO IRAN and Turkey plus "the princes of the North". -- And THOSE (Saudi Arabia, IRAN, Turkey and Russia) make different appearances in Ezek 38 which I think comes AFTER the war as outlined in Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 32:17-32
WHY?
Terrorism-- spread by Iran. Ez 32:17-32 In this passage Egypt is the key-- she and her allies die due to terrorism spread in the land of the living while Iran as Elam (south west Iran) is singled out for special mention as spreading terror. Jordan's capitol city Amman in the north is involved as "the children of Ammon" as well as Edom in the south. Turkey apparently doesn't have time to draw her weapons, and her army dies without landing a blow. Lebanon is here as Sidonians and then there is the odd mention of the "Princes of the North". Since we already have Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, who are all "north" of Israel in some fashion, Russia is really the best fit here.
All of these countries have been involved in some way or another-- with Egypt and Jordan playing a more minor role lately.
Jeremiah 49 -- Driving out Israel and stealing the land (Amman Jordan motive), Terrorism (Edom's motive) and Elam's motive in Ezek 32 is terrorism, while her method in Jer 49 seems to be using some type of missile launchers--their bows, the strength of their might aimed at Israel as the passage infers (Bill goes into this in depth).
Isaiah 17:14b Loot and plunder appear to be Damascus's motives but crossed with Jeremiah 49 a fuller picture appears. Jerusalem may have been the object of theft-- but Damascus disappears as a result (Is 17 v 9) of something that Damascus Syria starts --and the IDF finishes (children of Israel) I think considering Syria's past with Israel they will try to go in to try and take Israeli land again. The area of northern Israel (Golan Heights) above the sea of Galilee is particularly vulnerable. If Syria figures Russia will help, they may well attack. Russia has SAID the Golan is Syria's because Russia wants to exploit it.
How long does it take?
It may go in stages-- BUT Isaiah 17 says the Damascus part of it is overnight. Ezek 32:26 says that Turkey doesn't seem to have had time or ability to get their weapons on before death overtakes them. So it may be a very fast response.
There's an interesting reference in Jer 49:23 of the 2 northern provinces of Syria between Damascus and the border with Turkey. Hamath and Arpad are Hama and Aleppo. If there was a sudden small nuclear explosion or other such catastrophe in that area it would knock out some of southern Turkey.
So what are the differences between Ps 83 and this outline above? Why nit pick?
Because Ps 83 is just about removing Israel from being a nation, and it includes 3 nations that are more or less working with Israel most times in spite of rhetoric.
Psalm 83 DOESN'T include IRAN, or Turkey, or Russia for that matter and they play a role in the current conflict and are mentioned in at least one of the 3 passages I cite.
My scenario above using Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 32:17-32 includes Iran, Turkey and Russia and gives more nuanced reasons for why the different groups are doing what they do.
IT also lays the groundwork for why Russia, Turkey and Iran along with a few others invade Israel in Ezek 38 later on. To recoup their losses and settle their grievances. Ezek 38 specifies spoil as a main motive but not the only one.
christinprophecyblog.org
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