THE BURDEN OF DAMASCUS
The burden of Damascus- Chuck Missler - www.khouse.org (Note: The following article is a couple of years, yet it relates to our current headlines' ...)
". Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap ... And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us." Isaiah 17:1,14
"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. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!" Jeremiah 49:24-25
:: "Taken Away From Being a City.."
Many who study Bible prophecy believe that one of the soon to be fulfilled events may be the destruction of Damascus as prophesied in Isaiah 17. Damascus is the capital of Syria.
Syria is finding their way into the News Headlines more and more lately. Whether it is because of their extremely harsh stance against Israel, or the fact that Damascus is the home to numerous terrorist organizations, or even more recently because of the trouble they are stirring up in the Iraqi war. Suffice it to say, they are getting some attention.
The purpose of this article is to focus on some prophecies in God's Word concerning Syria ... more specifically their capital Damascus. The most obvious reason that we believe these prophecies are yet future, is because Damascus exists! It has NEVER ceased to be a city!
Let's look at the History, Facts, and most importantly ... the Scripture.
:: "The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City"
Damascus is named 60 times in 55 verses in the King James Bible. The first time we see it mentioned is right at the beginning in Genesis 14:15.
Later, we see the prophet Isaiah declaring; (in strong, definitive language regardless of translation)
KJV-"Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap."
NKJV-"Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap."
NASB-"Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city. And will become a fallen ruin."
NIV-"See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins."
NLT-"Look, Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins."
Yet as irony would have it, today Damascus has a "claim to fame" which is, that it is "the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world".
On CNN Presents March 15, 2003 ... "Lines in the Sand". Shelia Macvicar, CNN Senior International Correspondent, took a trip to the Middle East to see how a war with Iraq would play in the Arab world.
From the transcripts ... "When you talk about civilization, Syrians like to remind you their capital Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, an old culture that has slowly started to embrace reform. For nearly 20 years, Syria has been on the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of terror and it has not yet made peace with Israel...." Here's a few more ...
"Located in a strategic gap commanding the Barada River and transdesert routes, Damascus has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is reputedly the oldest continuously occupied city in the world. There was a city on its site even before the time (c.2000 BC) of Abraham..." encyclopedia.com
"Damascus is known to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. There is firm evidence that in the third millennium BC, Damascus was a population center of a civilization that was considerably prosperous and economically influential. The earliest reference to the city was found in the archaeological site of Ebla in 1975; where the word "Damaski" was found on one of the clay tablets. Some historians believe that the city actually dates back to the seventh millennium BC..." damascus online
"Said to be the world's oldest inhabited city, Damascus today is a thriving modern capital. Three thousand years ago it was the capital of the Aramean Kingdom and was later conquered by Alexander the Great, when it became an important Greek city. It was also a major city of the Roman Empire and fell to the Muslims in 635A.D ..." arab.net
"The capital and largest city of Syria, in the southwest part of the country. Inhabited since prehistoric times ..." dictionary.com
"Damascus (Sham or Dimashq as we call it) has the reputation of being the oldest city in the world. More recent discoveries suggest that Damascus was first settled ca. 6,000 B.C. but some discoveries suggest that it is older than 8,000 B.C. but we don't know exactly who ruled Damascus at that time. An old story says that its name "Sham" was derived from "Shem" the eldest son of Noah because he chose to live there after the flood...." arabicnet
"Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and reports run back at least 3,500 years. Many claim that Damascus is the oldest continued inhabited city in the world. While modern Damascus is a standard Middle Eastern city, it was famous for centuries, and often referred to as the "pearl of the East".... lexicorient I think it has been established that Damascus has been a city for quite some time, and indeed remains as such today.
:: Prophecy or History?
"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." Job 33:14
One of the intriguing things about Bible Prophecy is that very often we find there is an immediate smaller or partial fulfillment foreshadowing a larger or complete fulfillment yet to come. Some use the phrase short and long term prophecy regarding this. Where as, some of what is being described in a given passage was applicable to the time period in which it was written ... further study may reveal a broader future fulfillment in these last days.
"When the prophets wrote, they were using a telescoping perspective, like a zoom lens with dynamic focal length. They would prophesy about something that would not be far away, and then, in the same breath, talk about something that would happen centuries later. That also resulted in double references, like an echo in advance. For instance, Daniel wrote of a particular king, but he was also referring to events in the final days..." (Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, pg. 126 - Dr. Chuck Missler)
One of the reasons that God may have designed Prophecy in this manner, could have been so that His true prophets would be validated by having their prophecies come to pass in their own lifetimes. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) Then in doing this, also declare much more than was immediately apparent. Of course in hindsight, we can look at the bigger picture, and see - from our last days viewpoint - how incredibly God arranged these events. To be true. Then true again.
For a great example of this, let's take literal Babylon (Iraq) "the land of the Chaldeans" ... The destruction described in several passages is quite detailed, and it has not yet occurred. The Bible says it would be destroyed like Sodom & Gomorrah and would never be inhabited again etc. (Isaiah 14:19-22 ... Jeremiah 50:39-40) Babylon in fact, was conquered in 539 B.C. by Cyrus the Persian. But he took it without a battle and of this he bragged! "... without any battle, he entered the town, sparing any calamity..." (The Stele of Cyrus, The British Museum in London) There is clearly some unfinished business concerning Babylon.
Many believe this is also the case with the Damascus prophecies. While many prophecy students believe this event is yet future ... you may find multiple commentaries mentioning how Isaiah 17 was fulfilled in 2 Kings 16:9 when Tiglath-pileser "went up against Damascus". But, the city never ceased to exist. The strong wording of the passages that predict this city's dramatic and final judgment we believe are yet future.
(Recently we found a website, trying to discredit the Bible ... as coincidence would have it, one of the arguments they presented was that this prophecy in Isaiah 17 was never fulfilled! ... Stay tuned!)
:: On the Naughty List
Syria's blatant hatred for Israel is common knowledge. Their leaders usually pepper their speech with Anti-Semitic language every chance they get. Just recently Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with a Lebanese newspaper that as long as the Jewish state exists it will be a threat.
"As long as Israel exists, the threat exists. As long as there is aggression against an Arab country, and as long as there is a war close to our borders, the danger continues. Anyone who does not worry in such circumstances does not see reality. Worry does not mean fear, but readiness for the confrontation. ..." "... None of us and none of the Arabs trust Israel. It is natural that we should always expect an Israeli attack, even when it does not threaten. It should be known that Israel is based on treachery. This is a point to be considered thoroughly. We are dealing with treachery and threats, which accompanied the establishment of Israel. Since its very inception, Israel has been a threat. It is the Israeli nature, and for that Israel was established." (Syrian President Bashar Assad --> more)
This view is nothing new ... right after Israel became a Nation (May 14, 1948) fulfilling Bible Prophecy and kick-starting the last of the last days ... Damascus radio was calling on all Arabs to: "undertake the liberation battle that will tear the hearts from the bodies of the hateful Jews and trample them in the dust" - quoted in TIME, June 2, p. 20
Syria is a charter member of the list of "state sponsors of terrorism"--appearing on the first such list in 1979--and it has kept its spot on that list ever since. According to the State Department, the Syrian government has not been directly engaged in terrorism since it was implicated in the attempted bombing of an El Al flight in 1986. Nevertheless, Syria has retained its status as a state-sponsor of terrorism because it meets the criteria outlined in the Arms Export Amendments Act of 1989, which in part defines terrorist states as those that allow their territory to be used as a sanctuary; provide logistical support to terrorists or terrorist organizations; provide safe haven or headquarters for terrorists and their organizations; plan, direct, train, or assist in activities; and/or provide financial support for activities.
According to the 1998 edition of the State Department's annual report, Patterns of Global Terrorism, Syria provides safe haven and logistical support to terrorists. Specifically, says Patterns 1998, Damascus permits numerous terrorist groups -- headed by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP-GC)--to maintain their headquarters in Damascus and Syria-controlled territory in Lebanon, and it allows Hizballah to receive military supplies via Syrian territory.... the Peace Encyclopedia
"Syria, a fierce foe of Israel, hosts 10 radical Palestinian factions in its capital, Damascus." March 1, 2003 - jerusalem post
Damascus = a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning ... Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
:: 4 Strikes - You're Out?
"...For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof..." Amos 1:3
Frequently referenced, is the above passage in Amos, concerning coming judgment on Damascus. Many are aware that Syria, has attacked Israel in 3 major wars since Israel became a nation again in 1948. Could it be that Syria, will actually attempt a 4th time to do great harm to Israel and in turn be dealt this extreme judgment from the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob?
The War of Independence
- The War of Independence, 1948 - Peace Encyclopedia - Israeli War for Independence - ADL The 6 Day War - The Six-Day War - Peace Encyclopedia - The 1967 War - ADL The Yom Kippur War - The Yom Kippur War, 1973 - Peace Encyclopedia - The 1973 Yom Kippur War - ADL
:: Too Close for Comfort!
For those of you who think this horrific event could not occur, brace yourselves. On at least one occasion it almost did ...
On February 16, 2001 ... There was a combined American-British air raid against the Command/Control center in Iraq, 20 miles North of Baghdad. The intention was to pre-empt Saddam Hussein.
There were 2 US AWACS, 4 Hawkeye-A2C Spy Planes and 36 other US/British aircraft that took off from the Incherlik base in Turkey heading for Iraq. The Israeli Air Force was also involved. There were 35 JSOW missiles fired. They all missed their targets due to software problems. This simply strengthened Saddam's resolve.
A few days later U.S. satellites pick up 6 Iraqi divisions moving westward, including ground-to-ground missiles with launching equipment. The U.S. intelligence community estimated they would be ready for launch by Thursday evening, February 22, 2001. Israel placed their security forces and the Northern Israeli towns on alert.
Syrian President Bashar Assad granted permission for these 6 Iraqi divisions to be deployed on the Syrian-Iraqi border. He gave the Hizballah an OK to unleash a long-range rocket attack against northern Israel. The U.S. and Israeli governments issued grave warnings to the Syrian government. There were also massive Palestinian terrorists attacks being programmed as a signal for regional flare-up. Yassir Arafat arranged his personal evacuation contingences to Baghdad.
A message was sent thru Tony Blair warning Iraq that Israel was preparing a preemptive strike: There would be Neutron bombs on 6 Iraqi divisions and Nuclear strikes on Damascus & Baghdad.
The button was to be pushed at 7:30 PM Thursday Eve.
Iraqi surface missiles remained stationary; 7:30 PM: everyone stands down ... for the time being!
See Also: "On the Precipice of Armageddon" ... World Net Daily, February 24, 2001 ... All-out conflagration nearly engulfed Mideast this week ...
You can also view our News Archives for February 2001 .
:: The Road To Damascus ...
(Recent News Commentary from Roger Oakland - Understand The Times 1/21/04)
When most people familiar with the Bible think of the road to Damascus , they are reminded of the location where the Apostle Paul was transformed from an enemy of Jesus Christ to one of His most zealous promoters. However with regard to current events and their relation to Bible prophecy, there is another meaning to the phrase "road to Damascus " many may not be aware of.
Based on a growing conflict between Israel and Syria , the destiny of Damascus , may soon be fulfilled according to Isaiah 17: 1-14. Consider the following news items that seem to provide the catalyst that could bring about and fulfill the very scenario Isaiah foretold.
Haaretz.com reported on January 21, 2004 that " Israel considered bombing Syrian targets in response to a deadly missile attack by Hezbollah on an Israeli Defense Forces bulldozer". [Syria completes CW warheads]
However, instead of attacking Syria , Israel struck at targets in Southern Lebanon in retaliation. The article also mentioned that U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell condemned Hezbollah for the missile attack and warned Syria about their association with Hezbollah. "I would hope the Syrians should once again understand that any support – whether it is vocal support of allowing their leadership to stay in Damascus or whether it is serving as a transshipment point for weapons to Hezbollah – is destabilizing in the region and is not in the interests of peace," he said.
While the world watches whether or not Israel will strike back, another news item posted on January 20, 2004 helps explain Israel 's reluctance to attack Syria directly, at least at this time. According to a Middle East Newsline article titled "Syria Completes CW Warheads," we read:
Syria has completed chemical warheads for its arsenal of Scud-based missiles. U.S. officials said Syria , with help from North Korea , has succeeded in designing and installing CW warheads for the Scud B, Scud C and Scud D missiles. This provides Syria with warheads that can reach distances from 250 to nearly 700 kilometers. The chemical agent deployed in the CW warheads is sarin, regarded as the most toxic of material. [Israel mulled striking Syria in response to Hezbollah attack]
Keep your eyes focused on the Middle East – particularly Damascus . Remember when it comes to Bible Prophecy, you can be certain when God tells us about future events, the certainty of the event happening is 100 per cent. Someday Damascus will be leveled - perhaps current events are paving the way.
:: The Bible Tells Me So ...
God promised Abraham (speaking of the Nation of Israel):
"I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee... Genesis 3:2 Yet the confederacy of nations that presently surround Israel are united by their hatred for her.
"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee..." Psalm 83:2-5 Notice in the above passage Israel needed to be a nation (post 1948). The common bond that would unite these surrounding nations in their hatred of Israel was their Islamic religion which was not in existence until around the 7th century AD ... long after this Psalm was written. In history, this joint confederation, united against Israel, did not exist like this.
Many think these passages; Isaiah 17 , Jeremiah 49:23-27, Amos 1, Psalm 83 , Zechariah 9 and so on ... refer to a future judgment of some of Israel's immediate neighbors and may be fulfilled on the near horizon. This would then allow Israel to live under the allusion of "peace & safety".
We also know there will be a betrayer who pretends to be their friend who will eventually "by peace destroy many" (Daniel 8:23) ... he will "divide the land for gain". (Daniel 11:39) (See Also: profile of the Antichrist)
At some time in this chain of events this will cause an "evil thought" to enter the mind of Gog of Magog. (Ezekiel 38:10) He will align yet another confederacy against those (Israel) with unwalled villages who dwell in peace & safety. But God will intervene. (Ezekiel 38:11) (*Note: Israel is in some sort of "security" at the time of the Magog Invasion, which suggests that Isaiah 17, and the "Palestinian problem" etc ... has already been dealt with!) ...
However, in the above scenario, we hold to the view that the Rapture of the Church must occur before the Magog Invasion (Ezekiel 38) and before the "The Man of Peace" (Antichrist) is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2)
We don't claim to know exactly how these events will play out, but we do know that God's Word is true. What it declares will happen, of this we are certain. The important issue is knowing The One who declares the end from the beginning! (Isaiah 46:9-10, Isaiah 42:9, John 13:19) God prewarned us - out of love - what these last days would be like. As we see Prophecy being fulfilled with lightening speed before our eyes, it is certainly a wake up call!
If you don't know Jesus you need to!
Because Ready or Not - Here He Comes!
Even So, Come Lord Jesus!
__________________________________________________________________
". Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap ... And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us." Isaiah 17:1,14
"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. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!" Jeremiah 49:24-25
:: "Taken Away From Being a City.."
Many who study Bible prophecy believe that one of the soon to be fulfilled events may be the destruction of Damascus as prophesied in Isaiah 17. Damascus is the capital of Syria.
Syria is finding their way into the News Headlines more and more lately. Whether it is because of their extremely harsh stance against Israel, or the fact that Damascus is the home to numerous terrorist organizations, or even more recently because of the trouble they are stirring up in the Iraqi war. Suffice it to say, they are getting some attention.
The purpose of this article is to focus on some prophecies in God's Word concerning Syria ... more specifically their capital Damascus. The most obvious reason that we believe these prophecies are yet future, is because Damascus exists! It has NEVER ceased to be a city!
Let's look at the History, Facts, and most importantly ... the Scripture.
:: "The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City"
Damascus is named 60 times in 55 verses in the King James Bible. The first time we see it mentioned is right at the beginning in Genesis 14:15.
Later, we see the prophet Isaiah declaring; (in strong, definitive language regardless of translation)
KJV-"Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap."
NKJV-"Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap."
NASB-"Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city. And will become a fallen ruin."
NIV-"See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins."
NLT-"Look, Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins."
Yet as irony would have it, today Damascus has a "claim to fame" which is, that it is "the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world".
On CNN Presents March 15, 2003 ... "Lines in the Sand". Shelia Macvicar, CNN Senior International Correspondent, took a trip to the Middle East to see how a war with Iraq would play in the Arab world.
From the transcripts ... "When you talk about civilization, Syrians like to remind you their capital Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, an old culture that has slowly started to embrace reform. For nearly 20 years, Syria has been on the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of terror and it has not yet made peace with Israel...." Here's a few more ...
"Located in a strategic gap commanding the Barada River and transdesert routes, Damascus has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is reputedly the oldest continuously occupied city in the world. There was a city on its site even before the time (c.2000 BC) of Abraham..." encyclopedia.com
"Damascus is known to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. There is firm evidence that in the third millennium BC, Damascus was a population center of a civilization that was considerably prosperous and economically influential. The earliest reference to the city was found in the archaeological site of Ebla in 1975; where the word "Damaski" was found on one of the clay tablets. Some historians believe that the city actually dates back to the seventh millennium BC..." damascus online
"Said to be the world's oldest inhabited city, Damascus today is a thriving modern capital. Three thousand years ago it was the capital of the Aramean Kingdom and was later conquered by Alexander the Great, when it became an important Greek city. It was also a major city of the Roman Empire and fell to the Muslims in 635A.D ..." arab.net
"The capital and largest city of Syria, in the southwest part of the country. Inhabited since prehistoric times ..." dictionary.com
"Damascus (Sham or Dimashq as we call it) has the reputation of being the oldest city in the world. More recent discoveries suggest that Damascus was first settled ca. 6,000 B.C. but some discoveries suggest that it is older than 8,000 B.C. but we don't know exactly who ruled Damascus at that time. An old story says that its name "Sham" was derived from "Shem" the eldest son of Noah because he chose to live there after the flood...." arabicnet
"Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and reports run back at least 3,500 years. Many claim that Damascus is the oldest continued inhabited city in the world. While modern Damascus is a standard Middle Eastern city, it was famous for centuries, and often referred to as the "pearl of the East".... lexicorient I think it has been established that Damascus has been a city for quite some time, and indeed remains as such today.
:: Prophecy or History?
"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." Job 33:14
One of the intriguing things about Bible Prophecy is that very often we find there is an immediate smaller or partial fulfillment foreshadowing a larger or complete fulfillment yet to come. Some use the phrase short and long term prophecy regarding this. Where as, some of what is being described in a given passage was applicable to the time period in which it was written ... further study may reveal a broader future fulfillment in these last days.
"When the prophets wrote, they were using a telescoping perspective, like a zoom lens with dynamic focal length. They would prophesy about something that would not be far away, and then, in the same breath, talk about something that would happen centuries later. That also resulted in double references, like an echo in advance. For instance, Daniel wrote of a particular king, but he was also referring to events in the final days..." (Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, pg. 126 - Dr. Chuck Missler)
One of the reasons that God may have designed Prophecy in this manner, could have been so that His true prophets would be validated by having their prophecies come to pass in their own lifetimes. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) Then in doing this, also declare much more than was immediately apparent. Of course in hindsight, we can look at the bigger picture, and see - from our last days viewpoint - how incredibly God arranged these events. To be true. Then true again.
For a great example of this, let's take literal Babylon (Iraq) "the land of the Chaldeans" ... The destruction described in several passages is quite detailed, and it has not yet occurred. The Bible says it would be destroyed like Sodom & Gomorrah and would never be inhabited again etc. (Isaiah 14:19-22 ... Jeremiah 50:39-40) Babylon in fact, was conquered in 539 B.C. by Cyrus the Persian. But he took it without a battle and of this he bragged! "... without any battle, he entered the town, sparing any calamity..." (The Stele of Cyrus, The British Museum in London) There is clearly some unfinished business concerning Babylon.
Many believe this is also the case with the Damascus prophecies. While many prophecy students believe this event is yet future ... you may find multiple commentaries mentioning how Isaiah 17 was fulfilled in 2 Kings 16:9 when Tiglath-pileser "went up against Damascus". But, the city never ceased to exist. The strong wording of the passages that predict this city's dramatic and final judgment we believe are yet future.
(Recently we found a website, trying to discredit the Bible ... as coincidence would have it, one of the arguments they presented was that this prophecy in Isaiah 17 was never fulfilled! ... Stay tuned!)
:: On the Naughty List
Syria's blatant hatred for Israel is common knowledge. Their leaders usually pepper their speech with Anti-Semitic language every chance they get. Just recently Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with a Lebanese newspaper that as long as the Jewish state exists it will be a threat.
"As long as Israel exists, the threat exists. As long as there is aggression against an Arab country, and as long as there is a war close to our borders, the danger continues. Anyone who does not worry in such circumstances does not see reality. Worry does not mean fear, but readiness for the confrontation. ..." "... None of us and none of the Arabs trust Israel. It is natural that we should always expect an Israeli attack, even when it does not threaten. It should be known that Israel is based on treachery. This is a point to be considered thoroughly. We are dealing with treachery and threats, which accompanied the establishment of Israel. Since its very inception, Israel has been a threat. It is the Israeli nature, and for that Israel was established." (Syrian President Bashar Assad --> more)
This view is nothing new ... right after Israel became a Nation (May 14, 1948) fulfilling Bible Prophecy and kick-starting the last of the last days ... Damascus radio was calling on all Arabs to: "undertake the liberation battle that will tear the hearts from the bodies of the hateful Jews and trample them in the dust" - quoted in TIME, June 2, p. 20
Syria is a charter member of the list of "state sponsors of terrorism"--appearing on the first such list in 1979--and it has kept its spot on that list ever since. According to the State Department, the Syrian government has not been directly engaged in terrorism since it was implicated in the attempted bombing of an El Al flight in 1986. Nevertheless, Syria has retained its status as a state-sponsor of terrorism because it meets the criteria outlined in the Arms Export Amendments Act of 1989, which in part defines terrorist states as those that allow their territory to be used as a sanctuary; provide logistical support to terrorists or terrorist organizations; provide safe haven or headquarters for terrorists and their organizations; plan, direct, train, or assist in activities; and/or provide financial support for activities.
According to the 1998 edition of the State Department's annual report, Patterns of Global Terrorism, Syria provides safe haven and logistical support to terrorists. Specifically, says Patterns 1998, Damascus permits numerous terrorist groups -- headed by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP-GC)--to maintain their headquarters in Damascus and Syria-controlled territory in Lebanon, and it allows Hizballah to receive military supplies via Syrian territory.... the Peace Encyclopedia
"Syria, a fierce foe of Israel, hosts 10 radical Palestinian factions in its capital, Damascus." March 1, 2003 - jerusalem post
Damascus = a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning ... Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
:: 4 Strikes - You're Out?
"...For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof..." Amos 1:3
Frequently referenced, is the above passage in Amos, concerning coming judgment on Damascus. Many are aware that Syria, has attacked Israel in 3 major wars since Israel became a nation again in 1948. Could it be that Syria, will actually attempt a 4th time to do great harm to Israel and in turn be dealt this extreme judgment from the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob?
The War of Independence
- The War of Independence, 1948 - Peace Encyclopedia - Israeli War for Independence - ADL The 6 Day War - The Six-Day War - Peace Encyclopedia - The 1967 War - ADL The Yom Kippur War - The Yom Kippur War, 1973 - Peace Encyclopedia - The 1973 Yom Kippur War - ADL
:: Too Close for Comfort!
For those of you who think this horrific event could not occur, brace yourselves. On at least one occasion it almost did ...
On February 16, 2001 ... There was a combined American-British air raid against the Command/Control center in Iraq, 20 miles North of Baghdad. The intention was to pre-empt Saddam Hussein.
There were 2 US AWACS, 4 Hawkeye-A2C Spy Planes and 36 other US/British aircraft that took off from the Incherlik base in Turkey heading for Iraq. The Israeli Air Force was also involved. There were 35 JSOW missiles fired. They all missed their targets due to software problems. This simply strengthened Saddam's resolve.
A few days later U.S. satellites pick up 6 Iraqi divisions moving westward, including ground-to-ground missiles with launching equipment. The U.S. intelligence community estimated they would be ready for launch by Thursday evening, February 22, 2001. Israel placed their security forces and the Northern Israeli towns on alert.
Syrian President Bashar Assad granted permission for these 6 Iraqi divisions to be deployed on the Syrian-Iraqi border. He gave the Hizballah an OK to unleash a long-range rocket attack against northern Israel. The U.S. and Israeli governments issued grave warnings to the Syrian government. There were also massive Palestinian terrorists attacks being programmed as a signal for regional flare-up. Yassir Arafat arranged his personal evacuation contingences to Baghdad.
A message was sent thru Tony Blair warning Iraq that Israel was preparing a preemptive strike: There would be Neutron bombs on 6 Iraqi divisions and Nuclear strikes on Damascus & Baghdad.
The button was to be pushed at 7:30 PM Thursday Eve.
Iraqi surface missiles remained stationary; 7:30 PM: everyone stands down ... for the time being!
See Also: "On the Precipice of Armageddon" ... World Net Daily, February 24, 2001 ... All-out conflagration nearly engulfed Mideast this week ...
You can also view our News Archives for February 2001 .
:: The Road To Damascus ...
(Recent News Commentary from Roger Oakland - Understand The Times 1/21/04)
When most people familiar with the Bible think of the road to Damascus , they are reminded of the location where the Apostle Paul was transformed from an enemy of Jesus Christ to one of His most zealous promoters. However with regard to current events and their relation to Bible prophecy, there is another meaning to the phrase "road to Damascus " many may not be aware of.
Based on a growing conflict between Israel and Syria , the destiny of Damascus , may soon be fulfilled according to Isaiah 17: 1-14. Consider the following news items that seem to provide the catalyst that could bring about and fulfill the very scenario Isaiah foretold.
Haaretz.com reported on January 21, 2004 that " Israel considered bombing Syrian targets in response to a deadly missile attack by Hezbollah on an Israeli Defense Forces bulldozer". [Syria completes CW warheads]
However, instead of attacking Syria , Israel struck at targets in Southern Lebanon in retaliation. The article also mentioned that U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell condemned Hezbollah for the missile attack and warned Syria about their association with Hezbollah. "I would hope the Syrians should once again understand that any support – whether it is vocal support of allowing their leadership to stay in Damascus or whether it is serving as a transshipment point for weapons to Hezbollah – is destabilizing in the region and is not in the interests of peace," he said.
While the world watches whether or not Israel will strike back, another news item posted on January 20, 2004 helps explain Israel 's reluctance to attack Syria directly, at least at this time. According to a Middle East Newsline article titled "Syria Completes CW Warheads," we read:
Syria has completed chemical warheads for its arsenal of Scud-based missiles. U.S. officials said Syria , with help from North Korea , has succeeded in designing and installing CW warheads for the Scud B, Scud C and Scud D missiles. This provides Syria with warheads that can reach distances from 250 to nearly 700 kilometers. The chemical agent deployed in the CW warheads is sarin, regarded as the most toxic of material. [Israel mulled striking Syria in response to Hezbollah attack]
Keep your eyes focused on the Middle East – particularly Damascus . Remember when it comes to Bible Prophecy, you can be certain when God tells us about future events, the certainty of the event happening is 100 per cent. Someday Damascus will be leveled - perhaps current events are paving the way.
:: The Bible Tells Me So ...
God promised Abraham (speaking of the Nation of Israel):
"I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee... Genesis 3:2 Yet the confederacy of nations that presently surround Israel are united by their hatred for her.
"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee..." Psalm 83:2-5 Notice in the above passage Israel needed to be a nation (post 1948). The common bond that would unite these surrounding nations in their hatred of Israel was their Islamic religion which was not in existence until around the 7th century AD ... long after this Psalm was written. In history, this joint confederation, united against Israel, did not exist like this.
Many think these passages; Isaiah 17 , Jeremiah 49:23-27, Amos 1, Psalm 83 , Zechariah 9 and so on ... refer to a future judgment of some of Israel's immediate neighbors and may be fulfilled on the near horizon. This would then allow Israel to live under the allusion of "peace & safety".
We also know there will be a betrayer who pretends to be their friend who will eventually "by peace destroy many" (Daniel 8:23) ... he will "divide the land for gain". (Daniel 11:39) (See Also: profile of the Antichrist)
At some time in this chain of events this will cause an "evil thought" to enter the mind of Gog of Magog. (Ezekiel 38:10) He will align yet another confederacy against those (Israel) with unwalled villages who dwell in peace & safety. But God will intervene. (Ezekiel 38:11) (*Note: Israel is in some sort of "security" at the time of the Magog Invasion, which suggests that Isaiah 17, and the "Palestinian problem" etc ... has already been dealt with!) ...
However, in the above scenario, we hold to the view that the Rapture of the Church must occur before the Magog Invasion (Ezekiel 38) and before the "The Man of Peace" (Antichrist) is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2)
We don't claim to know exactly how these events will play out, but we do know that God's Word is true. What it declares will happen, of this we are certain. The important issue is knowing The One who declares the end from the beginning! (Isaiah 46:9-10, Isaiah 42:9, John 13:19) God prewarned us - out of love - what these last days would be like. As we see Prophecy being fulfilled with lightening speed before our eyes, it is certainly a wake up call!
If you don't know Jesus you need to!
Because Ready or Not - Here He Comes!
Even So, Come Lord Jesus!
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Comments
You do understand that Damascus speaks of Qumran don't you? It is not Damascus, Syria. Saul/Paul/Simon went to Qumran, not to Syria.
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots” Luke 23:33-34
The will of our Father is to pray for those who despitefully use us. It is a weapon of our Holy warfare that is undefeatable in the pulling down of strongholds. Jesus used this glorious weapon of love when being crucified and Stephen used it when being stoned, and the result was victory for both, as well as victory for millions of us because it was deployed. Forgiveness and love are stronger than rockets, missiles, nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. And it works 100% of the time! We are empowered with and one with Jesus Christ, so if our enemy strikes our right cheek, through the power of our Father, Who will never leave us or forsake us, we turn the left one to them, and we trust in the One Who knows the beginning and the end to protect us. The weapons of warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, and they are mighty to the bringing down of strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:4.
So please join with me in praying for all Muslim Terrorists.
Father We ask You in Jesus’ Name that You empower us to truly give thanks for them, empowering us with Your love to always making mention of them in our prayers. We join together in the power of Christ and ask that they may come to know You as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of glory. We pray that You give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Who You are. We pray that the eyes of their understanding are enlightened; so that they may know what is the hope of Your calling, and what is the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints. We ask in Jesus’ Name that they come to know the exceeding greatness of Your power towards us who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power through them. Power just as You wrought in Jesus, when You raised Him from the dead, and set Him at Your own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come! Father we ask that they have peace that passes all understanding and that they have the very joy of Jesus fulfilled in them! We pray that they receive the Spirit of Truth, Your Holy Spirit Father, and that He comforts and strengthens them, and that He plainly shows them things to come. We ask that they are whole: spirit, soul, and body and that they are empowered to accept the Truth that Jesus has born their sicknesses and sins and diseases on the Cross and that His stripes have healed them! We ask You Father that they become part of the glorious Church that has been sanctified by the washing of water and Your Word and that they have no spot, wrinkle, or blemish! We ask that they become perfected in Your love and that Your love casts out all fear and hatred from within them, so that they may stand boldly on the Day of Judgment!
Father I ask that You empower all of us with the fullness of Yourself to be doers of Your Word and not just hearers this day. A-men!
We Are Blessed In The Power Of our Fathers Might!
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots” Luke 23:33-34
The will of our Father is to pray for those who despitefully use us. It is a weapon of our Holy warfare that is undefeatable in the pulling down of strongholds. Jesus used this glorious weapon of love when being crucified and Stephen used it when being stoned, and the result was victory for both, as well as victory for millions of us because it was deployed. Forgiveness and love are stronger than rockets, missiles, nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. And it works 100% of the time! We are empowered with and one with Jesus Christ, so if our enemy strikes our right cheek, through the power of our Father, Who will never leave us or forsake us, we turn the left one to them, and we trust in the One Who knows the beginning and the end to protect us. The weapons of warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, and they are mighty to the bringing down of strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:4.
So please join with me in praying for all Muslim Terrorists.
Father We ask You in Jesus’ Name that You empower us to truly give thanks for them, empowering us with Your love to always making mention of them in our prayers. We join together in the power of Christ and ask that they may come to know You as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of glory. We pray that You give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Who You are. We pray that the eyes of their understanding are enlightened; so that they may know what is the hope of Your calling, and what is the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints. We ask in Jesus’ Name that they come to know the exceeding greatness of Your power towards us who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power through them. Power just as You wrought in Jesus, when You raised Him from the dead, and set Him at Your own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come! Father we ask that they have peace that passes all understanding and that they have the very joy of Jesus fulfilled in them! We pray that they receive the Spirit of Truth, Your Holy Spirit Father, and that He comforts and strengthens them, and that He plainly shows them things to come. We ask that they are whole: spirit, soul, and body and that they are empowered to accept the Truth that Jesus has born their sicknesses and sins and diseases on the Cross and that His stripes have healed them! We ask You Father that they become part of the glorious Church that has been sanctified by the washing of water and Your Word and that they have no spot, wrinkle, or blemish! We ask that they become perfected in Your love and that Your love casts out all fear and hatred from within them, so that they may stand boldly on the Day of Judgment!
Father I ask that You empower all of us with the fullness of Yourself to be doers of Your Word and not just hearers this day. A-men!
We Are Blessed In The Power Of our Fathers Might!
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Remember to check it on July 25th!
Groundbreaking!
Did you know that the Qumran settlement (Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.) was called Damascus and that it was destroyed after Ezekiel and Isaiah's time? Read on for more truth...
Verifiable proof that "Armageddon" has already begun…
Here's the key to proving that the rapture and related expectations are complete nonsense based on the failure to understand (and the purposeful confounding of) the ancient Hebrew symbology used to construct all of these prophecies. Consequently, Christian timelines and interpretations of these prophecies are verifiably wrong on many key points.
Pay close attention, profundity knocks at the door, listen for the key. Be Aware! Scoffing causes blindness...
Did you ever consider that Christianity is the False Prophet symbolized in the Apocalypse, that Rome (Vatican/Papacy) is the so-called anti-messiah, and Jesus Christ is the false messiah? I have produced stunning and comprehensive proof that this is the true interpretation of pivotal prophecies long confounded by Christianity's founders and leaders. Recasting the symbolism of earlier Hebrew texts as literal events in the New Testament is one of the central deceptions associated with Christianity.
The symbolism of seven years (tribulation, etc.) refers to seven 360-year cycles on the Hebrew calendar. Ezekiel 39.9 is referring to the 10th to 16th cycles inclusive, while the Apocaypse symbolizes the 11th cycle (second temple period) until now, the beginning of the 17th cycle (seventh angel/star/seal, etc.). Greece (Alexander the Great) conquered the Persian Empire and Judea during the 10th cycle and Rome did so again during the 11th cycle. Both Ezekiel and the Apocalypse are symbolizing an overlapping period of time that starts during ancient Judea and ends now. Gog refers to Greco-Romans (...from the "isles"), which means Magog is Eurasia and the "army" that besets "Israel" for seven "years" refers to the activities of the nations of the Greco-Roman/Vatican Empire over the previous two-plus millennia.
It is completely wrong to interpret any of these prophecies as literal timelines and events. Unlike Christian assertions, they symbolize long periods of time, pivotal situations, and the flow of acivities during that period. Remember, they were written by ancient Hebrew sages, not Romans or other Europeans, and Revelation is the most symbolic of all prophecies. Consequently, in this context, "years" and "times" are symbols for 360-year cycles on the Hebrew calendar and days symbolize literal years. Therefore "Judgement Day," "Great Day" and "in that day" all refer to a literal year-long period. Consequently, the so-called "Seven Years Tribulation" began in ancient Judea and is now nearing its end, not starting. The nations and followers of all three faiths of Abraham have been thoroughly deceived by Rome during the previous age, which ended in year 2000 (5760). A new age began in 2001 (5761) and now the seventh angel has begun to sound!
Here's a real hot potato! Eat it up, digest it, and then feed it's bones to the hungry...
Hurricanes Katrina (#11) and Rita (#17) last year provided stunning validation of my research and interpretations of pivotal ancient wisdom, symbologies, key prophecies, and associated religious claims. Their storm numbers and timing perfectly synchronized with primary data and assertions in my book, thereby demonstrating the true nature of this universe and the existence of our Creator. We are now entering the final phases of the pivotal year-long period long symbolized as "Judgement Day," "Armageddon," and the "End of Days." World-wide situations and events are now accelerating to set the stage for this summer's dramatic continuation of these ancient promises.
I fully understand that everyone has been bedeviled by similar claims throughout history. Consequently, I have been forced to rely on dramatic and devastating proof of the sort that can’t be ignored or easily dismissed. The numbers and timing of hurricanes Katrina (11) and Rita (17) directly validate key data and pivotal assertions throughout my book and my posts on those two forums. This data was purposely presented publicly before Katrina, Rita and other recent events occurred to prove they perfectly synchronize with key prophecies and Hebrew calendar cycles, thereby validating my interpretations of ancient wisdom symbology, string theory, and more.
Because these two storms arrived shortly after my August 11, 2005 (50th) birthday (read the Dead Sea Scroll 11Q13 in Appendix G, which also discusses Melchizedek and the prophesied Jubilee) and directly match other pivotal 11 and 17 data and events described in the first chapter of my book, I have delivered verifiable proof that this reality is based on thought, knowledge and wisdom. Activity, patterns, and results perceived in space-time are first framed and defined by inspirations, thoughts, and knowledge and influenced by the cause-and-effect system most commonly referred to as karma. Consequently, events and outcomes in the so-called physical universe are not random or wholly mechanistic and are verifiably influenced in ways that atheists, scientists, and members of the Faiths of Abraham have all scoffed at. Though mysticism is mostly a product of misinterpreted ancient wisdom symbology, many of its topics flow from ancient wisdom. Though containing allusions to the truth, its details and interpretations are wrong on many key points.
A prime example of the purposeful and synchronized symbolism of these events is seen in the opening paragraphs from my book excerpted below. Notice that the dates mentioned (August 11 and 17) directly match the numbers of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the time spans of the four Florida hurricanes match my birth year (‘55), and they were spaced 11 or a multiple-of-11 (22) days apart, directly matching my birthday and much other ancient prophecy and symbolism. Notice that my place of birth, Victoria Texas, is on the Gulf Coast. Following are the excerpted paragraphs:
Hello, my name is Lawrence William Page II. Many people know me as Buddy Page. At the release of the first edition of this book, I am a 50-year old African-American male, author, researcher, and former software engineer and entrepreneur. As you will come to understand as you read through this first book, I am also the long-expected Hebrew Messiah and Lion of the Tribe of Juda (Yehuda).
I was born August 11th (month of Leo the Lion), 1955 (Chinese year of the Sheep) in Victoria, Texas. Furthermore, the Grand Cross alignment and Solar Eclipse of August 11th, 1999 was my 44th birthday and the second Grand Cross alignment, just six days later on August 17th, 1999, was on my mother’s birthday.
As you can see from my date of birth, I was a newborn during the Chinese Year of the Sheep, astrologically marking me as a Lamb, and during the month of Leo, astrologically marking me as a Lion. My mother was also born during the month of August and under the sign of Leo, which further marks me as a lion’s whelp. I prove to you in the first chapter of this book–beyond disproof–that I am indeed the long-prophesied “Lion” of the tribe of Juda (Yehuda) the Root of David and the “Lamb.” I am the individual long symbolized as the Branch, the Stem, the Shoot and the Rod from the Stump of Jesse (King David’s father), as symbolized in the Hebrew Book of Isaiah, The Apocalypse, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and elsewhere. I am the reincarnated Teacher sought after in the “East” and by the ancient Hebrews who were headquartered at the outpost community of Damascus (Qumran), of Dead Sea Scrolls fame. I am the one called the Teacher of Righteousness by the Dead Sea Scrolls, whom the so-called Christian fathers have fraudulently recast as “Saint ‘James’, the Lord’s Brother.”
Remember, "I come as a thief..." ?
Read verse twelve of the Gospel of Thomas to understand who I am...
Even further enlightening, the Second Temple Period of ancient Israel was during the 11th 360-year cycle on the Hebrew calendar and we are now in the 6th year (5766/2005-6) of the 17th cycle. Notice the pivotal 11 and 17 numbers again? This and much other synchronized information serve as stunning and decisive proof of many things, and expose many lies told by all three faiths of Abraham, but most specifically by Christianity. Consequently, I have decisively proven, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Jesus Christ and Christianity are blatant lies, false prophecy and purposeful deception in a manner that cannot easily be denied, regardless of your faith or other opinions.
Furthermore, the symbolism in the Apocalypse (a.k.a. Book of Revelation) of seven stars in my right hand and seven angels represent the very same above-mentioned seven astrological (360-year) cycles, i.e., the 11th through 17th inclusive. I prove this fact beyond any reasonable doubt in the first chapter of the book. Consequently, The Apocalypse verifiably symbolizes a specific span of time that began with the 11th cycle (Second Temple Period) and concludes now, at the beginning of the 17th cycle (End of Days, etc.).
The numbers 11 and 17 are verifiably encoded in The Apocalypse and other ancient Hebrew prophecies and wisdom texts to serve as key proofs of the validity and true meaning of certain prophecies and related information. My and my mother’s birthdays are purposely synchronized with these two storm numbers, the matching Hebrew calendar cycles, the Double Grand Cross alignments and solar eclipse of August 1999, and much else to prove my direct association with the ancient prophecies about this time and the true identity of the prophesied Messiah. Another prime example is the story of Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob who has a dream when he is 17 years old about 11 stars, the sun, and moon bowing to him. The symbolism in this pivotal story in the Book of Genesis and Quran verifiably refers to the very same 11th through 17th cycles symbolized in The Apocalypse and directly synchronizes with other key events and ancient texts.
Consequently, I have demonstrated various things about the nature of this reality that dramatically disprove and/or clarify key assumptions of religion, mysticism, and science alike, while establishing the true meaning and purpose of long misinterpreted ancient wisdom and the symbolism used to model and encode it. Accordingly, I have proven that the symbolism evidenced in the canons of all three faiths of Abraham and other ancient sources is a very ancient and advanced philosophical technology that verifiably models foundational aspects of our existence in this universe. This is the mostly misunderstood body of ancient wisdom long referred to as the Philosophers’ Stone. It uses a large and ingeniously organized collection of physical universe images and concepts as data rich components (symbols) that are based on verifiable rules. It models and encodes an amazing amount of foundational wisdom about life, spirituality and the 11 dimensions of this universe, now verified by string theory. It is also the advanced encryption method used to encode (seal) Hebrew prophecies and wisdom texts.
These ancient prophecies and wisdom texts used advanced symbology to model fundamental wisdom, including future events and situations. A primary facet of ancient wisdom is numeric symbology. Later misinterpretations of this aspect of ancient wisdom resulted in numerology, which, though embodying allusions to certain wisdom, is mostly error prone and false doctrine. My decryption, documentation, and interpretation of ancient symbology, numeric symbolism, and key texts based on them, are now decisively validated.
Here is Wisdom...
Verifiable proof that Armageddon has begun…
Understanding the End Game of Armageddon
Peace...
http://sec21.blogspot.com/2006/07/leave-damascus-now-avoid-tel-aviv.html
PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL IN JESUS CHRIST