Aleppo in Bible prophecy
Hamah and Arpad will hear reports about a coming invasion.
By Craig C. White
The Syrian Army has just rid Aleppo of Al-Qaeda rebels. Syria has now regained control of its largest city but it won’t make any difference. When Damascus is conquered then Syria will fall into the hands of its enemies. The Bible tells us that the Turkish Army will enter Syria near Hamah and Aleppo and then along with the Free Syrian Army (Al-Qaeda) will march southward to destroy Damascus. Do you want to know about Aleppo in Bible prophecy? The Prophet Jeremiah tells us about some end time events that happen in and around Aleppo.
The Prophet Jeremiah gives us a prediction about the destruction of Damascus, Syria. Along with Damascus, Jeremiah also mentions two other Syrian cities. They are Hamath and Arpad (or modern day Tell Rifaat). Turkey is targeting both of these areas today! The Syrian Army has just taken control over more territory north of Hamah. The Kurds have recently taken control over Tell Rifaat north of Aleppo. Turkey is against both of them. Turkey has just cleared Kurdish forces from the Syrian border from Azaz eastward to Jarablus. Now Turkey has stated that they want to attack Hamah and Tell Rifaat. If Turkey enters Syria at Hamah and Tell Rifaat then they are on their way to Damascus!
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
In the verse above, Jeremiah mentions two cities; Hamath and Arpad. Both of these cities are located in northwestern Syria. Today Hamah is Syria’s fourth largest city with a population of around one million. Hamah is in the Hama Governorate of Syria. Hamah is south of Arpad but both cities are close to the Turkish border. Arpad is the modern day town of Tell Rifaat just to the north of Aleppo. The city of Tell Rifaat is in the Aleppo Governorate of Syria.
What Jeremiah is trying to tell us is that the two large Syrian cities of Hamah and Aleppo along with the towns north of Aleppo will hear reports of a gathering invasion from the nearby Turkish border! Hamah and Aleppo’s northern neighbors are fearful that they may be attacked.
Today Al-Qaeda rebels are assaulting Aleppo. Aleppo is Syria’s largest city. Turkey is moving more heavy arms and troops to the Syrian border near Aleppo.
Aleppo in Bible prophecy map: Notice the close proximity between two of Syria’s largest cities and the Turkish border. Base map credit: NordNordWest
Turkish President Erdogan wants to invade Syria. Erdogan has three goals. 1) To remove Assad from power. 2) To ensure that the Kurds don’t form a state in northern Syria. 3) To ensure that ISIS doesn’t gain too much control over a vanquished Syria. Erdogan’s ultimate goal is to install Muslim Brotherhood leadership in Syria and then to form a four nation confederacy with Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. These nations will together conquer most of the Middle East!
Since March 2015 Turkey has been amassing enormous stockpiles of heavy weapons. These weapons were meant to be given to the Free Syrian Army fighting against Syrian President Assad. It seems that some of these weapons were also meant for the Turkish Army to use as they invade Syria.
Reports were leaked that the Free Syrian Army intended to use the weapons to attack Syria’s larger cities like Hamah and Aleppo. As a matter of fact beginning in early July 2015 the Free Syrian Army launched their biggest attack yet on Aleppo.
Note: Don’t let the name “Free Syrian Army” fool you. The Free Syrian Army was born in Libya and consists of Al-Qaeda soldiers from Libya. You won’t find one single “Syrian” brigade among them.
The Free Syrian Army is fighting on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood and also on behalf of Turkish President Erdogan. If the Free Syrian Army is able to take over Aleppo then the Turkish Army won’t have to. But there is a problem. While Al-Qaeda from Libya (aka the Free Syrian Army) is attempting to overthrow Aleppo, ISIS and the Kurds have succeeded in gaining control of several towns just to the north of Aleppo. This is a problem for Turkish President Erdogan in two ways. First he doesn’t want ISIS or the Kurds to create their own State in Syria because Erdogan knows that whoever controls Syria also controls the new Islamic Caliphate. The other problem is that ISIS and the Kurds are taking control of the region between Turkey and Syria’s larger cities. They have cut off the supply route between Turkey and the Free Syrian Army fighting against Aleppo. They are also blocking the route for a Turkish attack on Hamah, Aleppo, and most importantly Damascus!
Jeremiah identifies the town of Arpad (or modern day Tell Rifaat) located just to the north of Aleppo. Now that the Kurds have taken control of Tell Rifaat and several other towns to the north of Aleppo, the Turkish Army will be forced to engage them there before they can support or supply the Free Syrian Army in their fight against Aleppo. The Turkish Army will also be forced to deal with ISIS camped north of Aleppo before they can continue southwards towards Damascus. The presence of ISIS and the Kurds in the region north of Aleppo practically guarantees that the Turkish Army will have to enter Syria.
Turkey now has a stockpile of weapons and Turkish President Erdogan wants to invade Syria. Erdogan said that when he invades Syria he won’t do it halfway. The ultimate goal is to remove Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. Hamah and Tell Rifaat will hear reports of an invasion. These cities are along the path of an invasion launched from Turkey headed towards Damascus.
Jeremiah 49:24-25 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
According to Jeremiah the two Syrian cities of Hamah and Tell Rifaat will hear reports about a coming invasion. The inhabitants of Damascus will flee the city, and then Damascus will be destroyed.
EXTRA EXTRA Sept 24, 2016: The Turkish Army along with Turkey supported Al-Qaeda rebels have already cleared Kurdish fighters from the area between Azaz and Jarablus in Syria. The town of Azaz is located just to the north of Tell Rifaat in northwestern Syria. A couple of months ago Kurdish forces gained control over Tell Rifaat. Turkey’s next stated targets are Hamah and Tell Rifaat. These are the same two cities that Jeremiah 49:23 identifies. The modern day town of Tell Rifaat is ancient Arpad.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Since the Kurds are also viewed as enemies of the Syrian state; Turkey has now gained Russia’s approval to enter Syria specifically at Hamah and Tell Rifaat. We are on the threshold of Jeremiah’s prophecy. According to Jeremiah shortly after the Turkish Army enters Syria in force at Hamah and Tell Rifaat the residents of Damascus will flee the city and Damascus will be destroyed.
High Time to Awake 
High Craig,
When Turkey moves into Syria, what do you think ISIS will do? They certainly would not be foolish enough to take on Turkey, or maybe they will retreat to Mosul for a rain dance. It’s raining in the Central Valley of California today. That’s a miracle in July!
David
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Hi David. I’m wondering the same thing.
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Obama shut off weapon supplies to the Kurds in Iraq today. Wouldn’t that be a show of support for Erdogan. I think the UN and Obama want Turkey to go into Syria.
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Obama has been supporting Erdogan and the Muslim Brotherhood first and foremost. Now Erdogan wants to invade Syria. So no weapons for the Kurds.
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Craig,
I have been trying research the Daesh Forces in Syria. It appears that they support Assad, and are Sunni. Am I on the right tack? Can you help me with a little more background on them?
David
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Daesh is ISIS. The term “Daesh”, based on Arabic acronym al-Dawla al-Islamiya fil Iraq wa’al Sham, which translates as Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (Syria),
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/10/09/words-matter-isis-war-use-daesh/V85GYEuasEEJgrUun0dMUP/story.html
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Thanks, that might answer my earlier question about ISIS and Turkey. It appears that Erdogan has chaired one of his most important cabinet meetings,according to the Anadolu Press Watch, and he has said that he will not allow the Kurds to control the region that the Daesh Forces have taken. So, Erdogan will have to push them back in order to fill the vacuume that the Kurds can create. Wow, when Jesus said “Wars and rumors of wars”, he was not kidding. Thanks for your help. When I am off from school during the summer, I have more time to study. How things have changed since last summer. Maybe next summer will be the ultimate trip with Jesus!
David
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The truth surfaces, Erdogan has only 45 days until a coalition Government has to be formed, so now he will invade Damascus for sure, he does not want to share power with anyone, only Michael the Arch Angel has stood in his way
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It looks like we will be seeing the term Daesh more in the media referring to ISIS. Cameron of the UK prefers not to use the politically incorrect ISIS or ISL. People have been denying that Satan exist from the time he first appeared. Why will there be any problem denying that the Sultan of the Muslim Caliphate is possessed by satan? I suddenly noticed how many s’s there are in po(satan)(satan)e(satan)(satan)ed.
David
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Now that Russia has missiled a bunker inside Aleppo which were all coalition forces—-US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Britain, Israel—working with ISIS and other rebel mercenary forces, where does this leave Turkey with respect to wanting to invade Syria and especially Damascus? Russia came into the fray about 2 months after this article here was posted, so looks like it has made a big difference in Turkey’s timing with all these forces to take down Syria and especially disenthrone Assad, to me. Slowed them down now and seems like this is a War now between a lot of nations, especially the US and Russia with the walk-out Russia did regarding Samantha Powers’ accusations (false) in the UN meeting. Russia and the US will not see eye to eye on Syria ever.
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Hi Nancy. Russia has certainly slowed things down in Syria. But Russia is now agreeing to allow Turkey to enter Syria specifically at Hamah and Tell Rifaat in order to fight Kurdish forces. It seems to me that God has given the Church a lot of time to see that Jeremiah 49:23-27 and the destruction of Damascus is about to happen.
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Craig,
I don’t think the average American Christian will recognize Jeremiah’s prophecy for two reasons. First,they don’t read the Old Testament and secondly, their diet of God’s word is filtered through their favorite feel good preachers. Just last Sunday during the Sunday School hour I challenged the class to read Jeremiah 49, Isaiah 17, and Ezekiel 38. The problem is that they probably don’t have enough biblical background and history to understand the prophecies. Oh, I better explain what Sunday School is to modern church goers. That is a classroom setting where you actually open the Bible and study it with the help of a biblical literate teacher.
Hey! here’s an idea. Log onto High Time To Awake on Sunday, let Professor Craig C. White be your guide, and have a real Sunday School. Maybe one book a week for thirteen weeks, or one of the over 200 commentaries everyday. There is also a colorful assortment of maps, timelines, and graphic organizers. If reading is not your thing, than you can get the gist of Craig’s lessons on audio and video. I have actually done this, and now I can articulate what is really happening among the nations with a better knowledge of the prophetic word than I had before. I think that’s what Sunday School should accomplish. Christians that can rightly divide the Word, pray and watch for Christ’s coming.
If I had enough money, I would run that add during the World Series,
Your student,
David
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Pretty awesome endorsement. Thanks David.
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Excellent work Craig. As you said in your last podcast your website is proof alone God is at work.
Russia, Iran and Turkey may at some point decide to give Assad the boot. Who knows. We may or may not see it all play out. Once again thank you for your work
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Thank you Ken. Watch Hamah and Tell Rifaat. I fully expect Turkey to invade them and then to destroy Damascus. Afterward I expect Turkey to invade northern Israel.
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Craig,
it is interesting to look at this thread of comments, going back to July, 2015 and seeing this particular prophecy concerning Hamah and Arpad. I think this red letter edition will become fulfilled prophecy very, very soon, or soon and very soon. Today, Turkey is sending air raids into these Kurdish held areas to prepare for the invasion. It is also interesting that while Turkey is moving into Northern Syria, Israel is losing support from UNESCO and asking the US to not go against her in the UN. Also it was reported yesterday that Russia is moving it’s Northern Fleet to Syria. Probably to secure it’s new warm water port before the conflict begins. This may be what Russia wanted all along, and may be part of the trade off to give up Assad. I really am starting to think Erdogan wants to move quickly now before Obama leaves office, and he will be declared President, or Sultan in February when Turkey changes their constitution to a presidential system.
Just my thoughts,
David
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Very good thoughts. The invasion of Hamah and Tell Rifaat, the destruction of Damascus, the Turkish led invasion into the Golan Heights of Israel are all end time events. Try telling that to a Christian.
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Craig, looking at the map and the biblical prophecies of Hama and Tell Rifat (Arpad), I think that Turkish troops will surround Aleppo in the north and west, so the city on the invasion route.
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I believe that once Damascus is finally a ruinous heap that the entire country of Syria will basically also be a country no more. It will be just a huge piece of real estate. We know that Erdogan now for years has wanted this land area of Syria for himself to rule as a potentate over it. Since Russia is basically the country now over Syria, wouldn’t Putin (who has gotten closer to Turkey recently after the apology for Turkey downing the Russian plane) have to agree to this, assuming that Erdogan is ready to assume this role? Erdogan has also wanted the UN to make Israel give up the “Syrian” Golan Heights, which he (in Erdogan’s greed) would want to be part of the real estate he just won (Syria). Erdogan has never considered the Golan Heights to be Israel’s, from what I’ve read. So he would also like to go into the Golan Heights with all these rebels from different armies (Al Qaeda from Libya or Sudan), Hezbollah from Iran (Persia), Ethiopia, etc. to win that piece of land too (perhaps with Russia if he could persuade Putin to do it). Wouldn’t this be Ezekiel 38?
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Hi Nancy. Ezekiel 38 definitely identifies Turkey as leading Iran, Libya, and Sudan into Israel. The Bible doesn’t say anything about getting permission from Russia.
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Hi Craig: The Bible doesn’t say that, does it? You’re right there, as usual! So Erdogan was just lead all these aforementioned countries into Israel whether Russia likes it or not? From the present relationship Putin has with Israel, it seems that Russia would care because of Israel’s resources in the Golan Heights area, but he may not care if Erdogan is thinking of sharing some of that found wealth with Russia. Of course, he doesn’t succeed, and everyone can see that only God could have halted their plans. So the next on their agenda after their failure probably would have to be to get the peace covenant going in order to get Jerusalem prepared with the Temple and the antichrist’s rule from there. I can just about see the end of the Tribulation from its so very near beginning, can’t you?
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Hi Nancy. Yes we both can see the end of the age and the beginning of the tribulation period. Today Turkey, Iran, and Russia met in Moscow to discuss the future of Aleppo and Syria. Just one day after the Russian ambassador to Turkey was assassinated.
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