Lebanon in Bible Prophecy
by Peter Salemi
Trouble in now brewing in Lebanon! Protests have begun, and the leader of Lebanon is threatening to resign if the government cannot find a way to solve the crisis. Many are now comparing it to Tunisia and the beginning of the Arab Spring back in 2010. What is prophesied for Lebanon?
The tiny nation of Lebanon is mentioned in the prophecies of your Bible! This tiny land was once home too mainly the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:24-31). This once Israelite land was the launching pad for all the Israelite explorations and commerce of what the world called the Phoenician Empire. Great Phoenician city states of Tyre, Zidon and Byblos were exporting their goods to other parts of the Mediterranean, and their advanced culture. (For more details Read our booklet the USA and British in Bible Prophecy).
After many waves of invasions by other armies, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and the Arabs, the Lebanese nation is comprised of different peoples today. The peoples of Lebanon today are the Maronites (from the Byzantine Empire), the Druze, and Arabs of the Ottoman Empire.
A Little History of Lebanon
Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire from 1516-1918. After World War I France was given a League of Nations mandate over Lebanon and Syria. In 1920, the State of Greater Lebanon was created out of the provinces of Mount Lebanon, north and south Lebanon, and the Bekaa.
Lebanon proclaimed independence on November 26, 1941, but full independence came in stages. Under an agreement between representatives of Lebanon and the French National Committee of Liberation, most of the powers exercised by France were transferred to the Lebanese government on January 1, 1944. The evacuation of French troops was completed in 1946.
Civil war broke out in 1958, with Muslim factions led by Kamal Jumblat and Saeb Salam rising in insurrection against the Lebanese government headed by President Camille Chamoun. At Chamoun’s request, President Dwight Eisenhower, sent U.S. troops to re-establish the government's authority.
A Lebanese civil war broke out in 1975. In the fighting, 40,000 Lebanese were estimated to have been killed and 100,000 wounded between March 1975 and November 1976. Syrian troops intervened at the request of the Lebanese and brought large-scale fighting to a halt. In 1977, the civil war flared again.
Palestinian guerrillas staging raids on Israel from Lebanon led to two Israeli invasions in 1978 and 1982. In the first invasion, Israelis entered Lebanon in March 1978 and withdrew in June after the UN Security Council created a peacekeeping force called United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The second Israeli invasion came on June 6, 1982, after an assassination attempt by Palestinian terrorists on the Israeli ambassador in London. On September 14, president-elect Bashir Gemayel, was killed by a bomb that destroyed the headquarters of his Christian Phalangist Party.
In 1985, the majority of Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon, but Israel left some troops along a buffer zone on the southern Lebanese border. The Palestinian terrorist group Hezbollah, or “Party of God,” was formed in the 1980s during Israel’s second invasion of Lebanon.
In July 1986, Syrian observers took up a position in Beirut to monitor a peacekeeping agreement. The agreement broke down and fighting between Shiite and Druze militia in West Beirut became so intense that Syrian troops mobilized in February 1987, suppressing resistance. In 1991, a treaty of friendship was signed with Syria, and the Lebanese government regained control over the south and disbanded various militias, ending the civil war.
In June 1999, Israel bombed southern Lebanon. In May 2000, Israel’s Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, withdrew Israeli troops.
In the summer of 2001, Syria withdrew nearly all of its troops from Beirut and surrounding areas. In 2002, Hezbollah began building up forces again along the Lebanese-Israeli border. In August 2004, Syria insisted that Lebanon’s pro-Syrian president, Émile Lahoud, remain in office beyond the constitutional limit of one six-year term. Despite outrage, the Lebanese parliament permitted Lahoud to serve for three additional years.
In September 2004, a UN Security Council resolution asked Syria to withdraw its remaining troops from Lebanon. Syria moved about 1,000 troops from the vicinity of Beirut to eastern Lebanon. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri resigned.
On February 14, 2005, Rafik Hariri was killed by a car bomb. Many implicated Syria in his death. Hariri opposed Syrian involvement in Lebanon. Lebanese protests called for Syria’s withdrawal, a demand backed by the U.S., European Union (EU), and the United Nations(UN).
After protests by Sunni Muslim, Christian, and Druze parties, pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami resigned. Hezbollah sponsored a pro-Syrian rally on March 8, 2005. The demonstrations led to the reappointment of Karami as prime minister on March 9. An anti-Syrian protest followed. In April, Omar Karami resigned for the second time. Lebanon’s new Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, announced that elections would be held. On April 26, Syria withdrew all of its troops from Lebanon.
In May and June 2005, Syria held four rounds of parliamentary elections. An anti-Syrian alliance led by Saad Hariri, the son of assassinated former prime minister leader Rafik Hariri, won 72 out of 128 seats. Former finance minister Fouad Siniora, became prime minister.
Four men were charged in the murder of Rafik Hariri on September 1, 2005. The commander of Lebanon’s Republican Guard, the former head of general security, the former chief of Lebanon’s police, and the former military intelligence officer were indicted for the assassination.
On October 20, 2005, the UN released a report on Hariri’s slaying, concluding that the assassination was organized by Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officials, including Asef Shawkat, Syria’s military intelligence chief.
On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah fighters entered Israel and captured two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded by launching a military attack, bombing the Lebanese airport and other major infrastructures. Hezbollah, led by Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, retaliated by launching hundreds of rockets and missiles into Israel. Although much of the international community demanded a cease-fire, the United States supported Israel’s plan to continue the fighting until Hezbollah was drained of its military power. An UN-negotiated cease-fire went into effect on August 14.
Now today Iran and Saudi Arabia are planning a proxy war in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia wants to halt the rising influence of Iran in the Middle East, and of course Iran wants to control the Middle East and kick Israel out of the Promised Land.
Events for Our Time
The Lebanese today are now beginning to see civil unrest in their country. The Bible reveals that just before the second coming of Jesus, there will be war in Lebanon.
Zechariah says, “Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
“Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
“There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.” (11:1-3).
Now, “Some commentators, following an old Jewish interpretation, take Lebanon to mean the temple or Jerusalem; but, ‘we are constrained to adhere primarily to the literal signification by the difficulty of carrying on the metaphorical allusions in the following clauses… The prophet graphically portrays the punishment that is to fall upon the people [of Lebanon & Bashan]…’” (Pulpit Commentary, emphasis added).
God says to “open thy doors,” and what is to be let in? “Fire.” This is a symbol of war and destruction (see Ezekiel 5:2, 4). “This type of ‘call of lament is often used in prophetic passages of judgment as a graphic way of describing a coming disaster (Isa 13:6; 14:31; Jer 25:34; Zeph 1:11).” (The New Bible Commentary, p.878, emphasis theirs and mine).
The Bible prophesied that war is coming to Lebanon. Why? “The section [Zech 11:1] ends with a taunt-song against Israel’s enemies, Lebanon and Bashan in particular. The pride of these two, the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan, is to be destroyed, and possibly the mention of their trees by name symbolizes the respective strengths of these two alien powers (note especially the dense forest of Bashan). The two means of destruction of trees, fire and axe, are irresistible as God prepares the way for the return of his people. The imagery of the song is expanded as shepherds mourn for their flocks ravaged by lions. Even the lush thicket of the Jordan-the rich and thick undergrowth alongside the river-does not escape the terrifying arrival of the Lord in delivering judgment.” (The International Bible Commentary by F.F. Bruce, p.982, emphasis added). Lebanon has been Israel’s enemy for a very long time, especially the Muslim groups, the political and military organizations that govern the country. God’s judgment is coming to them for persecuting the people of God-Israel. By persecuting Israel they are persecuting God (see below).
Notice, war is brought into the country because Lebanon opens its doors. Outsiders want to bring war to Lebanon. And Lebanon is letting them in; the Bible then is accurate showing that for Lebanon to let them in, these outside military powers already have influence in the country. Many groups and people in Lebanon want this to happen so they can take over the country and seize power. Interesting that Iran and Saudi Arabia are fighting by proxy using groups in the country already, like Hezbollah, and the Sunni Muslims. This is how war could be brought into the country by Lebanon opening its doors to these outside influences that could trigger civil war. “The Saudis appear to have decided that the best way to confront Iran is to start in Lebanon,” a European diplomat said (Haaretz Article; Why Saudi Arabia Opened Another Proxy War Against Iran - in Lebanon).
Now verse two describes the “howling” of the trees, obviously these are symbols.
Gill’s Commentary explains: “Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen,.... By which are designed the princes, nobles, and magistrates of the land: so the Targum interprets them of kings and princes; see Nah 2:3,
'because all the mighty are spoiled;' which is an explanation of the figurative expressions in the former clause, and in the following; and designs rich men, as the Targum paraphrases it, who at this time would be spoiled of their wealth and substance. 'Howl, O ye oaks of Bashan;' which the Targum interprets of governors of provinces; and men of power and authority are doubtless intended; see Isa 2:13,” (emphasis theirs).
The “forest of the vintage is come down” means “the fortified” or “inaccessible forest” (Maurer). The fortifications, the military installations etc.…will come down and be destroyed as well.
The rich and powerful men of Lebanon will howl and cry greatly at the destruction that will happen due to this war.
The “howling of the shepherds” in verse 3 can also be found in Jeremiah 25:30-38. The shepherds of course means the government (see Ezekiel 37:24); and they mourn and howl “for their glory is spoiled.” The glory of Lebanon, its beauty, its cities etc.…spoiled, taken away by war.
Now the latter end of that verse says, “…voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.” K& D Commentary explains, “The shepherds howl, because ‘addartâm, their glory, is laid waste. We are not to understand by this their flock, but their pasture, as the parallel member גְּאוןֹ הַיַּרְדֵּן and the parallel passage Jer 25:26 shows, where the shepherds howl, because their pasture is destroyed. What the pasture, i.e., the good pasture ground of the land of Bashan, is to the shepherds, that is the pride of Jordan to the young lions, - namely, the thicket and reeds which grew so luxuriantly on the banks of the Jordan, and afforded so safe and convenient a lair for lions (cf. Jer 12:5; Jer 49:9; Jer 50:44). Zech 11:3 announces in distinct terms a devastation of the soil or land.” (emphasis added). The gist of the passage is saying, as the pride of the shepherds is spoiled, it would be like, if the pride of the young lions (symbol of Princes and rulers (see Clarke)-the pride of the Jordan would be spoiled.
Does the Bible give us a clue of the time setting of this prophecy and to who are these outside influences? The New Bible Commentary, p.878 makes an interesting statement, “The passage [Zech 11:1] has several links with the preceding verses, (especially 9:4 consumed by fire…” (Emphasis theirs and ours).
The Prophecy of Zechariah chapter 9 clearly states the time setting of this prophecy, “when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.” (v.10). fulfilled in type by Alexander the Great, many have recognized the end time language of these verses.
Of Lebanon it says, “…Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
“And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
“Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.” (vv.2-4). This will be the time when Damascus will fall (v.1).
When Damascus falls as Isaiah 17:3 says, “The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim [modern day Britain], 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.” (v.3).
The military power of Ephraim “the fortress” shall “cease” and come to an end. The Hebrew word is, “mibtsâr mibtsârâh” (Strong’s #4013). It means, “a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively a defender: - (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).” Isn’t that the very spirit of NATO TO DEFEND EUROPE! This prophecy is specifically talking about the fall of NATO. The defender of Europe led by the USA will cease and come to its end! Gill says, “this may be understood, not of that particular city and fortress only, but of all their strongholds, the singular being, put for the plural.” (Emphasis added). All of NATO is to fall! This of course we can find in Daniel 11:45, when the King of the North comes to his end!
So this prophecy of Lebanon will be during the time of the existence of NATO and its eventual fall, between Daniel 11:44 which is the war on terror-our time right now; and the fall of NATO Daniel 11:45!
During this time, Daniel says that “tidings” out of the east and the north shall “trouble” the king of the north (Dan 11:44). We have identified the east and north as old Persia and Media (Read our booklet Middle East in prophecy for details).
In the prophecy of Damascus in Jeremiah 49 it speaks of “evil tidings” (v.23) and a consuming fire (v.27) that will destroy the city. Ezekiel 25:8-10 we see the “men of the east” destroying Ammon and Moab (Modern day Jordan and Syria). Clearly these outsiders are from Iran and ISIS who reside in old Media.
Here is another prophecy concerning Lebanon, Ezekiel says, “Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
“Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
“And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.
“For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
“And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.” (28:20-24). This is clearly in the end time. The “house of Israel” was already taken out of the Promised Land, and into captivity; yet God speaks of them as being pricked by Zidon; clearly this is in the future. These verses (Ez 28:24-26) really furnish us with the key to the whole section Ezekiel 28:25-26 the return of Israel to the Promised Land; and also the Lebanese don’t know the true God but they will when Jesus returns.
Lebanon is no friend of America and Britain and has always been a thorn in the side of Britain and America; its constant battles with the Israelis of course effects the USA and Britain. Iran is constantly involved in Lebanese politics backing Hezbollah and it has troubled the West. No President has ever visited the country due to its hostile environment and hatred towards the west and its alliance with the state of Israel.
God says that there will be a “sword upon her on every side” of Zidon which is of course in Lebanon. War is coming to Lebanon! And two of the three great scourges of war “pestilence and blood” will ravage Lebanon. The “wounded” it says “shall be judged” but it should read, “that is, punished; or ‘shall fall’ (w), die and perish:” (Gill’s Commentary), by the “sword” the scourge of war.
Although Iran is allied with Damascus at the moment, it has its eyes set on Lebanon. Saudi Arabia also has its sights on Lebanon. These two powers could send Lebanon into civil war.
God says in his judgment of the nations, and Tyrus and Zidon are mention in that prophecy, (Jer 25:22), that God will send a “sword” “among them.” The Hebrew word is “bane” and Strong’s #996 states, “a distinction; but used only as a preposition, between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjugation, either... or: - among, asunder, at, between (-twixt . . . and), + from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be... or), within.” (emphasis theirs and ours)
Brown Driver and Briggs says the same thing, “1) between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between” (emphasis added). Powers from without if Lebanon “opens” its doors, will ignite war from within. And Lebanon is culturally diverse. It is 54% Muslim, 40% Christian, 5% Druze. If militant groups such as Hezbollah and ISIS start conflict, people are going to have to choose sides and civil conflict will happen. Some could side with the government and its military, others with Hezbollah; others with ISIS, the whole country could be thrown into a state of chaos.
God says they shall “… drink, and be moved, and be mad,” (Jer 25:16) The war and judgments foretold shall come upon them; which will have such effects upon them, as intoxicating liquor has on drunken persons; make them shake and tremble, and reel to and fro, and toss and tumble about, and behave like madmen.
The Bible seems to indicate from Daniel 11:45 and Zechariah 9 that the ones who will start this war will come from the “east” and the “north” old Persia and Media, Iran and North Iraq where ISIS dwells. Saudi Arabia is also getting involved, and these nations could spark a war in Lebanon by proxy, and civil war could ensue.
Lebanon and the Beast Power
The NATO Alliance [The Potter’s Clay phase of Daniel chapter 2] will “come to his end” as Daniel 11:45 predicts, and then the “miry clay” and the “Iron” will form the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire as it is prophesied in Revelation 17& Daniel 2.
During this time, the great tribulation will happen, the time of “Jacobs Trouble” (Jer 30:7), the time when the USA, Britain and her Commonwealth, North Western Europe and the Jews will go into slavery and captivity. It is in this time setting in Joel the third chapter that God is angry with the Palestinians and the Lebanese. God says to them, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” (v.2). Clearly Israel and Judah [the Jews] are scattered among the nations and are in slavery and captivity (see Joel 3:3 & Ezekiel 39:25-29 for confirmation). The land also is divided among the heathen that have overrun the lands that God gave Israel; clearly this is Jacob’s trouble God is referring to.
At this time God says to Lebanon and Palestine, “Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, [Lebanon] and all the coasts [Gaza strip] of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;” (Joel 3:4).
God says “and what have ye to do with me?” Muslims claim Islam, Christianity and Judaism all worship the same God, but God says “and what have ye to do with me”? The Jamieson Fausset and Brown commentary says of this verse, “Ye have no connection with Me (that is, with My people: God identifying Himself with Israel);”
Gill’s Commentary writes, “to be called by my name, or accounted my people? I know you not, nor will I have any fellowship with you:” They claim they are God’s people via Islam, and some false connection with Ishmael, which is a total myth. God says there is no connection between him and them. God says that his only connection is with Israel as a nation (see Amos 3:2)
The latter end of that scripture says, “will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head.”
How do the Palestinians and the Lebanese take revenge on God? Gill’s commentary states, “and if ye recompense me; by doing an injury to my people:” (Emphasis his). They want to seek vengeance on the Jews for taking over their lands as they claim; and attacking God’s people is like attacking God himself.
God says that by injuring Israel you are injuring me and your revenge is against me. If your revenge is against me, he will bring swift and immediate destruction on them!
Clearly the political scene has changed during this time of the tribulation in Lebanon. They have become more militant attacking the Israelis. The result of the civil war clearly reveals a more dramatic hardline stance in politics and policy in Lebanon; the militant groups and a hard line government have taken over the country.
The prophecy continues, “Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:” (Joel 3:5). The gold and silver of God is the gold and silver of the coming temple that will be built in Jerusalem (see Haggai 2:7-9). It will be destroyed and the gold and silver will be put into their temples [mosques & Dome of the rock]. This is another reason why God will take vengeance on them due to their hatred towards him and his people.
Joel continues, “The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.” (v.6). is this not what is taught in the schools in the Gaza strip? To drive Israel into the sea? To take over their lands & Jerusalem? They will eventually succeed. Notice that the Jews are “sold” as slaves to the “Grecians.” Obviously this is Europe. The coming Beast power will put them into slavery and captivity and the Palestinians will help the Beast to do so because they are part of that “Miry clay” alliance (Read our booklet the “Middle East in Prophecy for details). Lebanon due to the fact that half the country is Muslim and many Palestinians reside there; many terrorist organizations dwell there and the wars they have had with the Jews-they will take part in selling the Jews into slavery to the Beast power as well.
Then God says, “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:” (v.7). In Isaiah the eleventh chapter the prophecy says that Judah and Israel will return to the Promised Land from all parts of the world including the European nations like Assyria which is modern day Germany/Austria.
When Israel returns, the Palestinians and the Lebanese will have God’s vengeance upon them due to the innocent blood spilled (Joel 3:19) and the ones who are left that don’t repent as it is described in the next verse, “And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” (v.8). what they did to the Jews is exactly what is going to happen to them. God says “and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.” (Ezekiel 7:8). The Lebanese will be taken out of their land and sold to nations all over the globe and not return. It is the end of Lebanon as a nation and it will not be rebuilt! It will all go to Israel and Judah. (see also Jer 47:4-5). The Palestinians that do repent God will have them remain in the Land (Read our Booklet Palestinians in Prophecy for details).
Why are these judgments coming upon Lebanon? As noted above, they are the enemies of Israel-Judah, and will continue to do so in the tribulation when they sell the Jews to the Beast as slaves.
Lebanon being prepared
Almighty God is preparing to bring his people Israel back to the Promised Land at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
In Chapter 10 it speaks of the second Exodus of the Israelites back to the Promised Land, “And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” (v.6).
God says in verse 8, “I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.” God will increase “Ephraim” (v.7), as Ephraim increased in the past, meaning the colonies of Ephraim, the British Empire and its expansion will happen once again with colonies of Ephraimites all over the world and preach and teach the Gospel to heathen once again. God says, “And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.” (v.9).
God then says, “I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead [Jordan/Ammon possess it, see Jer 49:1; Gilead is in Gad’s land] and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.” (v.10). Lebanon will be re-colonized by the Israelites, by the tribe of Asher, since that land was allotted to him and his seed. Notice however it says, “and place shall not be found for them.” They will increase to the point where they will begin to colonized once again around the world as they did before (see Joshua 17:14-18; Isaiah 49:19-20).
Then, “…I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.” (v.12). The Israelites will become missionaries for Jesus Christ, preaching and teaching in his name.
What we are witnessing today is the preparation of Lebanon for the return of the Israelites to their land, and the judgment upon the current peoples for their sin and wickedness towards God’s people Israel-Judah. Jesus is coming soon!
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