Virtually overnight, Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s government has been toppled. Russia and Iran are shocked. The whole world has been astonished! Rebels were able to do in 13 days what they had not been able to do in more than 13 years.

Nobody expected this. Assad looked weak some years ago, but in recent years it looked like he had weathered the storm and was quite strong. Listen to the commentators and you see that they were blindsided by his sudden fall.

But Trumpet readers were not blindsided! The Bible prophesied this drastic change in Syria, and we have been saying for years that this would happen!

The commentators are also in the dark as to what will happen next. Many nations wanted to see Assad gone, but nobody knows what kind of government will replace him. Geopolitics commentator Ian Bremmer said, “Your guess is as good as anyone else’s.”

The Arab Spring of 14 years ago destabilized much of the Middle East and resulted in a range of outcomes and a dangerous level of volatility. Most of the countries involved have lurched toward radicalism.

World leaders and news commentators cannot tell you in advance where this crisis will lead. But the Bible also reveals that! But you can know Syria’s future if you read what we have been writing, based on the Bible, for the past 80 years.

Bible Reveals the Outcome

Back in 2011, during the Arab Spring uprisings, the Syrian public began mass protests against Bashar Assad. By mid-2012, the unrest in Syria had escalated into a full-blown civil war.

In my September 2012 Trumpet cover story, I wrote, “The eyes of the world are fixed on this explosive hot spot. Bashar Assad will be ousted shortly—but then what? You can actually know the outcome!” (“How the Syrian Crisis Will End”). “Keep your eye on Germany,” I wrote. “Right now, Syria is Iran’s most important regional ally. But that is about to change. … Biblical prophecy reveals that, very soon, Syria will no longer align with Iran. It also shows that Germany will help cause this split.”

I will explain to you the prophecies that informed that forecast later in this article. What is interesting in this case is that, as time went on, Assad regained control over his nation and the pressure on him to leave office subsided. Iran’s support for Syria increased. It looked like what I had said was a false prophecy.

But it wasn’t. We don’t always know the exact timing of these prophecies or how exactly they will unfold, but they do give us clear guidance on what to watch for. Sometimes events seem to go in the opposite direction of what we might expect. But that doesn’t mean the prophecy is wrong.

My view of how the Syrian crisis will end has not changed. I began thinking about this again last year. In May 2024, I said this in a Key of David program: “[W]hat will happen whenever Bashar Assad is no longer ruling Syria? At this time they have Russia there, propping him up. They’re making slaves of the people, and [the people] don’t want to be living under Assad. Millions of them have already immigrated, and many of them [are] in Germany itself. This alliance gives Russia a naval and air force base, just like it does the Iranians, where they can be right on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and in one of the most strategic places in the world …. But when Germany is allied with Syria, of course that’s going to be taken away—and Germany and Iran will no longer have the Russians there … to allow Bashar Assad to continue to rule. But Iran is losing Syria to Germany. It’s happening even right now!”

I felt this subject was so important that I gave another Key of David program on it the same month and wrote a website article and a lengthy feature article (“Iran Is Losing Syria to Germany,” August 2024). In that article I wrote, “Bible prophecy is clear: With or without Assad, Syria will break with Iran and ally with Germany!”

Virtually no one else was expecting anything dramatic to happen there. The only reason I was putting so much emphasis on Syria was because of Bible prophecy. That really shows you just how valuable prophecy is in understanding world events! In hindsight, it is clear God was directing this. He inspired those prophecies, and He was beginning to orchestrate events that would bring them to pass—though no analysts could recognize it at the time.

Syria is one of the most complex hot spots on the planet. However, what I wrote in 2012, I can write again today: “What we are seeing right now in Syria is a major biblical prophecy in the process of being fulfilled! What happens in Syria will lead to mighty nations changing course and the foundations of this world being shaken!”

That 2012 article pointed our readers to a prophecy in Psalm 83 that forecasts the future of Syria and other nations in the region. “This nation is an important part of the balance of power in the Middle East, and Psalm 83 prophesies that there is about to be a dramatic, violent shift in Syria’s alliances,” I wrote. “This will affect many nations and ultimately lead to an all-out war breaking out all over the Earth!

“This prophecy reveals the outcome of the uprising in Syria. It also exposes the key involvement of a major outside nation—something we can already see developing.”

This has become clearer after what happened in December. Assad’s ouster has shocked the world—but what follows will be even more stunning. However, it is all prophesied!

How Germany Backed Turkey

According to Psalm 83, Syria and several other Arab states will be allied with Turkey and Germany. This is very different from the Iran-led alliance described in Bible prophecy. These two confederations are opposed to one another. (Read Chapter 4 of my free booklet The King of the South for a detailed explanation.)

In Psalm 83, Edom represents modern-day Turkey, which has been allied with both Iran and Germany. Based on this prophecy, I noted back in 2012 that Turkish-Iranian ties would break over Syria. “Turkey has also been allied with Iran, but it too is going to side with Germany in the future! Why? Because it disagrees with what Iran is doing in Syria! While Iran supports the Assad regime, Turkey supports the rebels,” I wrote.

Turkey was actually the main driving factor behind the recent rebel uprising. This is certain to have angered Iran greatly. Clearly Turkey broke with Iran over Syria, which was a crucial ally of Iran’s. In losing that ally, Iran has lost much of its ability to supply Hezbollah in Lebanon. Combined with Israel’s decimation of Hezbollah, this loosens Iran’s already weakening grip over Hezbollah. This is devastating for Iran.

Turkey isn’t the only one that wanted Iran out of Syria—Germany did too. This is a point of agreement between these two countries. (And remember, besides the two being nato allies, Turkey is a favored trading partner of Germany. And Germany’s president calls it a “valuable friend.”)

In 2012, I also wrote that Syria would split with Iran and that Germany would help cause this split. I want to add something to that: I believe today that Germany’s backing is the main cause of Syria’s fall. It did more than just “help cause the split”: It is the main reason the Assad government collapsed!

Turkey’s support for the Syrian rebellion was strongly assisted by German armaments.

Just before Turkey sparked this uprising, Germany resumed major arms exports to Turkey. “Germany and Turkey want to cooperate more closely again after years of restraint in the arms sector,” reported German public broadcaster zdf (Oct. 19, 2024). On December 12, it was revealed just how big this deal is. A report by the Federal Ministry of Economics says Germany approved arms exports worth $242 million to Turkey in 2024, the highest amount since 2006. This included $83.7 million for weapons of war and $158.7 million for other military equipment. Handelsblatt wrote, “The figures now published reflect a change of course in recent months. At the end of September, Green politician Robert Habeck’s Ministry of Economics announced that torpedoes, guided missiles and components for submarines were once again being approved for Turkey on a larger scale” (Dec. 12, 2024).

This massive influx of arms from Germany surely encouraged Turkey to spark this rebellion in Syria! Receiving arms from Germany is a game changer—and Germany has plenty of them! It is one of the greatest exporters of armaments in the world. That is a stunning reality, especially when you consider that, after World War ii, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt said they were determined to never allow Germany to rise up militarily again!

Keep in mind that Germany’s agreement to send major weapon systems to Turkey may just be an overt sign of much more going on behind the scenes.

It could very well be that events in Syria would not have been possible without Germany’s backing. We could say that Germany initiated this uprising! Based on Bible prophecy, I believe we can say this with certainty!

Germany and Turkey are very different countries, with different ideas in a lot of areas—but they are working together, and they are aligned in their thinking on Syria. Turkey is certainly taking advantage of Germany’s aid in helping these Syrian rebels. Both of them are looking for an advantage there—but it was all initiated by Germany.

“I have emphasized that we will continue to support Turkey, in dealing with the consequences of the Syrian civil war, and its highest numbers of refugees, both nationally and within the framework of the European Union,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Oct. 19, 2024. Scholz is looking after the interests of the European Union.

Germany’s arms exports have been controversial since Turkey used German Leopard tanks for military missions in Syria in 2018. German defense electronics manufacturer Hensoldt has offices and staff in Turkey. It told Reuters that it has been equipping Bayraktar tb2 drones with its optical sensors since 2020. Hensoldt said it had also supplied two other Turkish drone manufacturers, Turkish Aerospace Industries and Lentatek. “Without these types of sensors, drones as we know them wouldn’t work,” said Kelsey Gallagher, a researcher with Project Ploughshares, a Canadian peace research institute.

Because Hensoldt develops and manufactures argos ii by its subsidiary in South Africa, it claims to be free of any components governed by German export law or the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations. That means Germany is empowering Turkey secretively!

Turkish Presidency / Murat Cetinmuhurdar / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

These Turkish drones have become world famous. “The whole world is a customer,” the drone’s designer told Reuters in May 2022. Before drones helped drive Russia out of Syria, they were used in Ukraine to fight against Russia!

In Syria, these drones gave the rebels the key advantage over Assad’s troops. This was a decisive factor. The rebels also learned from Ukraine’s drone warfare, which Germany has heavily supported through various drone manufacturers.

In a statement published on Dec. 16, 2024, Assad himself named drone strikes as a key factor in the overthrow of his government: “I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, 8 December 2024. As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations. Upon arrival at the Khmeimim Air Base that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen. As the field situation in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself came under intensified attack by drone strikes. With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday, 8 December.”

Due to German secrecy, we can’t know for sure what role Germany played in enabling those drone strikes, but it is one of few countries with the capability—and a history of surprises. Certainly Germany was hoping and waiting for Bashar Assad to leave Syria. It appears that in the end it decided to hasten the process. It wanted that power, and it saw a way to make it happen. It was Germany’s backing most of all that caused Syria’s collapse!

Watch Germany

In my 2012 article on Syria, I wrote, “America has been too weak to tame Iran and neutralize its allies, but Germany is moving in and filling that power vacuum. The whole world ought to be watching what Germany is doing in the Middle East” (emphasis added).

The world is truly ignorant of this truth about the situation in Syria: This is giving Germany real power in the Middle East!

And prophecy reveals what will happen next. Germany is prophesied to gain far more power in the whole region!

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on December 8, right after Assad’s fall, “Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.”

Chancellor Scholz stated, “Today we stand with all Syrians who are full of hope for a free, just and safe Syria. A political solution to the conflict in Syria is possible. With international partners and on the basis of the resolutions of the [United Nations] Security Council, Germany will make its contribution.” In truth, it is going to make more than just a “contribution”: It will be taking over the Middle East!

We can expect Germany to get far more involved—but probably not under Scholz, who is on his way out.

While all eyes are on Syria as Iran and Russia lose their stronghold, watch Germany closely.

There is a lot of talk right now about Germany returning hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees to Syria. The other important factor is that Syria needs other countries to help in its reconstruction. Neither Iran nor Russia is in a position to help rebuild the devastated country. Donald Trump has indicated that he doesn’t want America to get involved.

But for years, Germany has prepared to intervene. Germany enjoys great favor in Syria. It also has the economic means to rebuild Syria’s cities. The million-plus Syrians who live in Germany would support that rebuilding process.

In 2018, Volker Treier, then head of foreign trade at the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, told n-TV.de that German industry was just waiting for the political “starting signal.” “We have repeatedly received cautious inquiries from our member companies about Syria. Once the war is over, the German economy is generally prepared to help with the reconstruction of the country.”

That was over six years ago. German corporations have just been waiting for the opportunity to move into Syria and help rebuild the country. Now that opportunity is here.

Germany has been working with Syria for years. And Syria is now providing Germany a significant step toward gaining control of the Middle East.

After Assad fled the country, Spiegel wrote: “In the short-winded discussion about the possible return of refugees to their home country of Syria, an interesting strategic aspect is often overlooked these days: The new Syria could become a key partner for Germany in the Middle East region in the future. Taking in a good million Syrians during the civil war has automatically led to close ties between the two countries. Germany is now being shaped by Syrians, but this can also work in the opposite direction. In the long term, German influence in a new, modern Syria could be expanded, politically, culturally, but also economically. In the business world, this is called ‘return on investment.’

“This or a similar view is probably shared by those responsible in Berlin.”

Germany wants more than just economic success—a lot more.

Among all the nations that would like to get involved in Syria, Germany has several key advantages. The more than 1 million Syrians currently living in Germany is about 5 percent of Syria’s entire population! Many of these refugees, who do want to return home, want an alliance with Germany, not Iran. This is an important factor to consider.

The German Bundeswehr website states about these Syrians: “Many have educational qualifications that are well above the Syrian average. They have often gone on to obtain even higher qualifications in Germany. It is right to speak of Syria’s ‘future generation.’ In Berlin and Damascus, there is likely to be great interest in being able to use their strength, skills and contacts for Syria on Reconstruction Day. …

“For the German economy, the personal contacts and close ties of many Syrians with their home country could become important door openers for new business relationships. This would give them a clear advantage over their international competitors when it comes to awarding contracts for reconstruction aid.”

Expect Germany and Syria to form an alliance shortly.

Watch Iran

Events are moving quickly, and we need to watch this region closely. Iran is drawing down, and Germany is ready to move in! A key domino in triggering end-time events is about to fall.

Read the prophecy of Daniel 11:40 carefully: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” This is about a clash between radical Islam led by Iran and a European power led by Germany. (This is fully explained in The King of the South.)

“He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (verses 42-43). These verses show that Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia will ally with Iran. When Germany attacks, they will already be allied with Iran.

Regarding these verses, I wrote in August, “But a key nation currently allied with Iran is not mentioned here: Syria. Why? Because of Psalm 83, we know that Syria will be allied with Germany after the attack on Iran. But I believe this momentous shift will almost certainly take place before Daniel 11:40 is fulfilled. This means we could see it happen very soon.”

This prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. And we can know what will happen next!

Psalm 83 also lists Gebal (modern-day Lebanon) and the Philistines (the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank). This prophecy specifically reveals that the Palestinians are joined with the “inhabitants of Tyre,” which is in southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the Hezbollah terrorists.

Many Arab nations oppose Iran, but Syria was its ally. Through it, Iran gained critical access to the Mediterranean Sea and a base to supply its terrorist proxies and to attack Israel. For years, Syria played a crucial role in Iran’s dominant presence in the Middle East. Through Syria, Iran had considerable control over Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza. It appears that the breaking of Iran’s ties to these people will open the door for the Psalm 83 alliance to fully form.

Imagine what a geopolitical quake this will be!

Prophecy is clear that Germany and Iran will clash spectacularly in the near future. Germany is now actively working to oppose Iran in the region. In so doing, it is building the Psalm 83 alliance that includes Syria.

This alliance is about to clash militarily with Iran! After Germany conquers Iran, it will, together with the moderate Arabs, have control over all of these nations that were allied with Iran. This will stagger the world. People will suddenly recognize what a superpower Germany has become!

Now, here is a crucial point: Prophecy does not indicate that this will be good news for the modern-day Jews in Israel. In fact, the opposite is the case. Though the Israelis are currently strengthening their ties with Germany, they really need to understand the warning in prophecy about what Germany is about to do. This is explained in detail in my free booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy.

Prophecy warns of terrible developments arising from these events. However, it is truly inspiring to realize that the omnipotent God foretold these events and is orchestrating them to bring His prophecies to pass! God is in ultimate control and is ensuring everything fulfills His purposes. Seeing His hand in fulfilled prophecy—and knowing where it will ultimately lead—is truly a blessing! As the late Herbert W. Armstrong often stated, prophecy is the greatest proof of God’s existence! (Request a free copy of his booklet The Proof of the Bible.)

And prophecy is very clear that all these events are a signal of the end of the age of man, the return of Jesus Christ and the beginning of a spectacular new age. If you understand prophecy, you can also understand God’s majestic plan. This is the only hope for mankind!