ISIS LAST STAND IN MOSUL

Mapping out the book of Nahum

By Craig C. White

Let’s take a close look at the last remaining defense of ISIS in Mosul. Since the summer of 2014 ISIS has controlled the entire city of Mosul in northern Iraq. But beginning in October 2016 the Iraqi Army has been pushing ISIS towards the center of the Old City neighborhood of western Mosul. Today ISIS controls only one square mile of Mosul’s Old City neighborhood.

Here is where things get interesting. The Prophet Nahum predicted the flooding of ancient Nineveh. Nineveh flooded in 612 BC. Today Nineveh is called Mosul. Nahum may also predict the flooding of ISIS in Mosul.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

Nahum says that ISIS will be gathered closely together when their destruction comes upon them. Today ISIS has been gathered closely together along the Tigris River in the Old City neighborhood of western Mosul. The following verse describes ISIS as they are gathered together like brambles to be burned. Nahum says that they will be gathered closely together and that they will be drunk when they are quickly and utterly destroyed.

Nahum 1:10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

In the next verse I think that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is being referenced. At the time of ISIS’ last stand Al-Baghdadi will formally recognize the ISIS fighters and send them off to battle. Reports have been circulating that Al-Baghdadi has been killed. On June 25th ISIS distributed thousands of leaflets announcing that an important message about Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was coming.

Nahum 2:5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

Notice that a defense will be prepared. Take a look at the “ISIS LAST STAND IN MOSUL” map. ISIS has hung cloth sheets over the streets of Mosul in order to hide the view of their activity from above. These cloth sheets are marked in red on the map. You can be sure that ISIS has been very busy fortifying these areas in preparation for their final battle. Also notice that these cloth sheets cover a corridor that connects two mosques. It is almost certain that ISIS will make their last stand along the Tigris River in the Old City neighborhood of western Mosul.

ISIS LAST STAND IN MOSUL – MAP

Nahum says that when ISIS has prepared their defense and when the ISIS fighters are in place along the wall then the gates of the Tigris River will be opened.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.

In the verse above, Nahum identifies a palace that will be dissolved by the flood of water. The Hebrew word that is translated as palace means a building with a large capacity to hold people. Nahum is almost certainly identifying the palace of Assyrian King Sennacherib that was inundated by the flood of 612 BC. But Nahum could also be identifying the building where ISIS will fight its last battle. Look at the map again. The Collector Alogwat Mosque is located right on the Tigris River. Perhaps Nahum is identifying the Alogwat Mosque as being dissolved in the near future flood. Or perhaps Nahum is identifying the entire ISIS complex that they have constructed next to the Tigris River.

Here is something else to consider. The palace of Assyrian King Sennacherib was rediscovered earlier this year for the first time since it was flooded in 612 BC. This is an archeological discovery of biblical proportions. Archeologists from around the world are eager to excavate the site but they may never get the chance. It is a possibility that Sennacherib’s palace will be completely washed away by the Tigris River. If so God will be making a broad condemnation about ISIS’ attempt to reestablish the Assyrian Empire. In Nahum 1:9 God says that Assyria would not afflict Israel for a second time.

The next verse says that Nineveh (or Mosul) will look like a water reservoir for many days. The ISIS fighters that haven’t been drowned will be given orders to stay and fight but instead they will run for their lives.

Nahum 2:8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.

A couple of times Nahum mentions that ISIS will be drunk while fighting their last battle. In the next verse Nahum is saying that ISIS will seek a fortified position because the Iraqi Army is closing in.

Nahum 3:11 Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.

In the following verse Nahum says that the strongholds that ISIS has built will be readily defeated. This may refer to the ability of the Iraqi Army to break down ISIS defenses. Or it could also describe the dissolving of ISIS fortifications by the flood. Or as my good friend Sergio points out; the shaking in this verse good refer to an earthquake. An earthquake is also mentioned in Nahum 1:5 that occurs at the presence of the Lord.

Nahum 3:12 All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

In the next verse God is instructing ISIS to prepare their position for battle. Gather water and build brick walls for defense. Just for your information: Brick manufacturing is one of Mosul’s biggest industries. It could be that ISIS has literally been building brick walls underneath those cloth sheets that cover the streets of Mosul (see map).

Nahum 3:14 Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

Nahum predicted the flooding, pillaging, and burning of ancient Nineveh. All of that happened in 612 BC. Conditions in Mosul today mirror the events of 612 BC. The Assyrian Empire has lifted its head. The same nations that overthrew Nineveh are fighting against ISIS today. The Prophet Nahum may also predict the flooding of ISIS in Mosul. Now ISIS has been gathered closely together. They have fortified their position. If Nahum’s prophecy also applies today than Mosul will flood very soon.