Recently there has been several news reports of Isaiah 17 & Syria. It is claimed that Isaiah is referring to the current situation in Damascus, and that it will be destroyed. But is it referring to modern day Damascus & its current situation it finds itself in? I don't think so---here is why....
Let us look for a moment at the core verses involved which get the most attention----
The burden of Damascus.
Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 17:1,3
It may be a dual prophecy-something for literal Damascus for that time and a future interpretation
-if so-
I believe there are only 2 cities in prophecy which represent the 2 sides on earth (like 2 women in prophecy-Jerusalem & Babylon). In Isaiah sometimes Assyria to the north was used to represent the same thing as Babylon in prophecy. (In Isaiah's day Assyria ruled Babylon still). I believe Damascus northward in Syria represents the same thing as the city of Babylon.
So what we have here is as follows:
A: Damascus=spiritual Babylon
B: Ephraim=God's people patiently awaiting His return
C: A "remnant" from out of Syria. Remember in Revelation where He calls out of Babylon those to join His remnant in spiritual Israel? Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4
D: What other "city" is left in a ruinous heap? Spiritual Babylon.......
Finally, to make the point, this prophecy is also referring to the "harvest", which of course takes place in the end times.... And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; Isaiah 17:5
SUMMARY:
Is this prophecy of Isaiah 17 dealing with the current, literal, situation in Damascus here in the year 2013 as reported in some press accounts? NO.........