I am pre-trib, but my original denomination didn't even accept the Book Of Revelation because of especially the prophesy that the whole world could simultaneously see the two witnesses bodies laying in the street for 3 1/2 days. We now have satellite and it is possible;e. They have changed their position greatly through the years.

I came to that conclusion from Scriptures and reading all of Hal Lindsey's books. I always wondered though if I had to run to survive, who in the world would I run with.

One thing that could not have more signified that the end is closer was when Israel became a state in 1948. During my formative Christian years the first bar code convinced me I would surely be the last generation. More time past and I thought it would be my generation or my children's I say we are close with many signs unfolding, but we simply do not know.

Back in Paul's time they already feared the end was near. Paul said, 2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

I believe we are seeing a great falling away. And the showing himself simply means that the anti-Christ will sit down in the Temple and declare himself to be God. There are actual Temple plans made and all are awaiting the building of the Temple. Also for the Temple a red heifer must be sacrificed and in 2002 a red heifer was born! Prophecy watchers, (and I am one) looked excitedly toward all the things that are occurring in our generation. What I don't like is some well known ministers have begun date setting. That alarms me and does not comfort me. They have gone astray in their desire to be on the prophetic edge.

EOG, I did a very excellent study on End Times. If you have any interest is seeing some of the day's I will post them. One friend would not come because she was too afraid of the subject. Another said she did not even believe in it. I presented it and we had a few that joined in.

As you can see this is a subject I am very enthused about. So long answer, but we are near and the signs are clear. As far praying for the end, yes every time I pray, Come, Lord Jesus.

In conclusion, pre, mid or post, we are deficiently seeing signs of Christ's imminent return.

I would love to see some of your information on the end times. I studied a lot of theology in college and eschatology was a point of interest . . . to some extent. Of course, at that age I just couldn't believe that Christ would actually come in my lifetime. I expected 95+ years of relatively peaceful, uneventful living. Such is obviously not the case. Anyway, I was 'interested', but I retained VERY little of the information. I feel an urgent need to become more familiar with it. I don't think it will comfort me any more. I still have great fear (silly, isn't it). But I'd rather be prepared, and make sure that my children are prepared (although, I think I'll skip the scarey stuff with them for now). So any information that you have to share will be VERY welcomed!

On a secular site like TBD we open ourselves to much scoffing and scorn. Yet the author of Discover the Book series, I believe his name was Barnett, has an excellent 30 week series. It was actually longer than that but for unknown reasons he discontinued the lessons. I will post one every Monday, weekly, in hopes that others from our group might want to read along and discuss. This is not theology and it is non-dom basics which is why I was willing to present it to others.

1) Jesus Explains The End of the World Tribulation Survival Guide

Luke 21:7-36

In Luke 21 Jesus preaches a sermon about the End of the World. The end of the world is easier to comprehend when we can compare it to the world around us. That is what Jesus does. He points to things they knew and said amplify that, multiply that—exponentially, then you will understand what is coming. Basically Jesus describes a Global Final Holocaust—not merely of Jews and Christians—but of humans!

Within that message is what amounts to a survival guide to believers who have to exist during the Final Holocaust.

Although the believers He is addressing are Tribulation saints, Jewish believers, and those saved through the ministry of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the Two Witnesses—the lessons have deep implications for us living in the days just prior to those events.

For us this morning, Christ's words are a call for us to be ready for the onset of the worst time in history. It will begin after the Church is raptured, but the climate of the Tribulation is already here. Are you prepared to survive the storms before the final storm?

This week across the world, dignitaries marked the 60 th Anniversary of the liberation of the grisly death camp complex called Auschwitz.

Hitler’s Holocaust, horrible as it was murdering over six million Jews alone—pales when compared to the Final Holocaust. If you watched the news this week you saw images of what we most often use to remind us of the Final Solution—Hitler’s genocide. Briefly, here are the facts:

About 1.5 million people died at Auschwitz, of whom about 1.2 million were Jewish. That means that 1/5 th of the six million Jews exterminated by Hitler died in this complex

Other groups of people who died included Polish political prisoners, Soviet prisoners of war, Gypsies, people with disabilities and prisoners of conscience or religious faith.

The complex contained three camps and at least 36 sub-camps which were built outside the town of Oswiecim, on an isolated 40 sq km site, between 1940 and 1942.

If you listened this week there is an incredible comparison that can be drawn from Auschwitz and the Great Tribulation.

Most scholars see the first half of the seven year final period of the earth’s history to be relatively normal. It is the second half that seems to have the incredible destruction, demon armies and death. So in Bible terms, the Great Tribulation lasts 3 ½ years or 42 months.

Auschwitz opened its doors to death by gas chamber on September 3rd 1941. The advance of the Soviet Army closed down the camp on January 27th 1945. The death camp of the Holocaust was operating for 3 ½ years or 42 months.

So the death camp at Auschwitz and the Great Tribulation last almost exactly the same length of time. That is where the comparison stops. The Final Holocaust is so terrifying, so deadly, so inescapable that God personally steps in to stop it lest not one human be left alive!

Tribulation Time

Auschwitz

6,400,000,000

World population

09.03.1941

15,222

1st gassed victim

3,200,000,000

Half die

01.27.1945

16,464

Liberation

76,190,476

Divided by 42 months

1,242

Days

2,539,683

Daily

1,260

42 months in days

1,200,000

Died

2,539,683

Daily

966

Daily average

In the Great Tribulation 2 ½ million die every day for 42 months. In Auschwitz less than a thousand died each day. That means 2500x as many people die every day. Or to put it in Auschwitz terms—the number of people that died every day at Auschwitz will die every 30 seconds in the Great Tribulation! Or in other terms living on earth will be like living in an Auschwitz death camp—and in death toll there will be the equivalent of an Auschwitz Holocaust twice a day for 42 months!

A brief look through the pages of Revelation chapters six, eight, nine, and sixteen--describe the living hell you can avoid if you are saved this morning. Here are only a few of the dreadful disasters that take place during the Tribulation:

One out of every two people will die (see Rev. 6:8 and onward), some through the ravages of war, others by starvation, and amazingly many others by the ‘beasts of the earth’. So, whether by death that comes instantly and thus less dreaded or a slow and painful death that is lingering and agonizing-50 percent of all people will die. The world's population was 6,415,574,176 yesterday, so that means at least 3,207,500,000 will die. That amounts to just about eleven times the current population of the United States-can you imagine that? And remember that the population of the world is doubling every 39.5 years. So every day the number of people who will die becomes larger and larger.

One third of all vegetation will be burned up. All grass, every tree, everything green will be destroyed (see Rev. 8:7).

The sun and the moon will be darkened as nature goes into revolt (see Rev. 8:12).

The gates of hell will open and hordes of locusts, the size of horses, will come upon the earth. Those locusts will be allowed to sting men like scorpions and the pain will last for five months. The Bible says men will beg God to let them die but they will not die (see Rev. 9:3-6).

There will be worldwide famine unlike anything the world has ever seen (see Rev. 18:8).

There will be a world war so bloody that the blood of those killed in battle will flow for two hundred miles up to the bridle of a horse in the valley of Jezreel. This will be the Battle of Armageddon (see Rev. 14:20).

All told, during the Great Tribulation, as many as half of all the people on the earth will be killed. Now do you see why God refers to the Rapture as a ‘blessed hope’? Because the Tribulation to come is so horrible!

But that means we are gone and will escape everything, right? Yes, exactly, we will miss every part of the TRIBULATION, but we will probably go through some of the worst days we have ever seen before it starts. And that is what Jesus is pointing out to us in Luke 21 where we open in God’s Word today.

In Luke 21 we see the end of everyone’s life as it was. Time stops. Life ends. Nothing is the same again. Christ's Coming simply reveals what people have been all the time. Paul tells us later that "each man's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it" (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Remember what we have already learned from Luke 21:36.

36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

We can learn from Christ's description of the Age (Luke 21:8–19)

The dangers Jesus warned of are what His church has faced from the beginning. There have always been deceiving teachers, persecution, and disasters. But what He says is that each of these areas will increase and intensify as Christ's Coming draws near.

There will be religious deception (Luke 21:8). “Be not deceived!” is Christ's admonition to us, and we must take it to heart.

Luke 21: 8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.

1. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Know God's Word so I won’t be deceived.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

There will also be global distress (Luke 21:9–11). “Be not anxious!” is Christ's admonition to us, and we must take it to heart.

Luke 21: 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

2. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Trust God’s Promises so I won’t live a fearful life.

2 Timothy 1:12-14 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

There will be religious persecution, public (Luke 21:12–15) and personal (Luke 21:16–19). “Be not afraid!” is Christ's admonition to us, and we must take it to heart.

Luke 21: 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

3. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Speak for Jesus in any circumstance.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

Luke 21: 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

4. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Purpose to never quit even when those closest to me fail me.

Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

“ True believers are “are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation” (1 Pet. 1:5). The guarantee of our perseverance is built into the New Covenant promise. God says: “I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me” (Jer. 32:40). Those who do fall away from Christ give conclusive proof that they were never truly believers to begin with (1 John 2:19).”

Luke 21: 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.

5. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Expect that life will be hard and full of trials.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Luke 21: 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

6. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will--Trust Jesus with my fears about physical death .

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Luke 21: 19 By your patience possess your souls.

7. SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Give my emotions into Christ's care and live in the peace He gave to me.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

To obey Jesus we must “watch and pray”. That is how we can resist the temptations that lure us. Then we will be ready when our Lord returns.

John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, ( Dallas: Word Publishing) 1997.

For more from Discover the Book Ministries, please visit discoverthebook.org.

You will find this study will continue to astonish us with amazing statistics and current events. From lesson #1 I leave only this comment.

We need to know the Word, inside and out and stored safely within us.

When I became a Christian 39 years ago, one of the first books I read was from Voice of the Martyrs, "Tortured For Christ". It left such a deep impression on me and paved the way for me to digest the Word of God daily. If our Bibles are taken away, what will we lean on if we do not have the written Word? How can we watch and pray without being founded in the Word? How valuable is the time we invest now while we are waiting for our redemption. The Word is THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE!

Father God, in the name of Jesus, I pray that you tarry. So all will be drawn by The Holy Spirit, and accept your saving grace.

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

Encouraged and urged by the Lord, I am going to post a lesson on not only Monday's but Friday's as well. On this topic, which EOG brought to our attention, I am very interested and concerned that others must know what I take for granted. And when these topic lessons end, I am sure we will have a continuing thread.

2) Is Damascus Destined for Destruction?

Luke 21:7-36

For centuries, skeptics who deny God's Word is reliable and inspired—have pointed to one entire chapter of the Bible that describes an event that has never happened. That event is the prophesied end of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

As you open with me to Luke 21 we are continuing our Tribulation Survival Guide. Christ's words to those during the deadliest hours earth has known. Note just one part of His message, verse 28.

Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

What things would we look for if we could see things that "begin” to happen?

May I suggest one very powerful prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled? There is an amazing chapter in God's Word that declares the complete destruction of a certain city, an unmistakable city, a clearly identified city named Damascus—that is a reminder of what is coming.

This morning turn your attention with me to Damascus. Start with me in Acts 9:2. Where was Paul headed the day God intercepted him? Damascus. He was on the Damascus Road that heads out from Jerusalem through a gate called even to this day--the Damascus Gate. Now turn back in your Bibles to Isaiah 17.

What is the best known fact about the capital of the Middle Eastern land of Syria? This designation shows up in nearly every encyclopedia, magazine, and tour brochure:

"The Oldest ContinuouslyInhabited City in the World!”

Damascus was founded and settled by the ancient Arameans. Their language is still known to us as the language that Jesus spoke called "aramaic”.

The Arameans are descended from Aram: the son of Shem. Listen to Genesis 10:22: “The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

Throughout history this city has been known as— DAMASCUS, DIMASHQ, and SHAM. That name of the city as “Sham” in ancient times actually refers to the fact that as far as we know this is where "Shem" the eldest son of Noah because he chose to live there after the flood.

Damascus is an emerald green oasis set in the sands of the nearby semi-desert, of modern Syria. This morning over two million people awoke and began their day at work and play in this thriving, bustling city.

Yet God says that Damascus is going to be destroyed so completely, so severely, so violently—that it is going to become a ruinous heap and uninhabited!

Damascus is named 60 times in 55 verses in the King James Bible. The first time we see it mentioned is in Genesis 14:15 when Abraham was rescuing his nephew Lot. Genesis 14:15 "He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus."

But as we just saw, the founders go all the way back to the Flood of Noah. Now turn with me to Isaiah 17. Isaiah wrote from 739-686 BC, and has an entire chapter about the destruction of this city called Damascus. When did he write? In the 8th and 7th century BC.

"The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap ... And behold at evening tide 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 )

But if you look closely in our text, we see the prophet Isaiah declaring in chapter 17 the destruction of Damascus in “very strong, definitive language--regardless of translation.

KJV-" Damascus is taken awayfrom being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap."

NKJV-"Behold, Damascuswill ceasefrom being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap."

NASB-"Behold, Damascus is about to be removedfrom being a city. And will become a fallen ruin."

NIV-"See, Damascuswill no longer bea city but will become a heap of ruins."

NLT-"Look, Damascuswill disappear! It will become a heap of ruins."

But what do travel brochures, books and news correspondents always say about Damascus? Damascus has a "claim to fame" which is, that it is "the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world".

A while back on CNN Presents (March 15, 2003) a program aired that was called "Lines in the Sand". The narrator was Shelia Macvicar, a CNN Senior International Correspondent, who took a trip to the Middle East to see how a war with Iraq would play in the Arab world. From the transcripts listen to the opinion of the world about this city:

"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, Damascushas 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”

Jeremiah also writes about this city called Damascus in his inspired revelation from God between 627-567 BC. When was that? 7 th and 6 th century BC. This is what he says in chapter 49.

“ Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the Lord of hosts. 27 “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consumethe palaces of Ben-Hadad.” (Jeremiah 49:24-27)

Why all the details? Because secular writers, historians, fact finders are all in agreement—since ancient times (that is code for what we in the Bible would call “since the Flood of Noah”) Damascus has been continuously inhabited and has a record of it's history.

Then God steps in and says, “Damascus is going to be burned, melted, destroyed, vacated, and completely destroyed into a heap of uninhabited ruins”. When did He say that? From the 8th century BC continuously until the 6th century BC. In all those centuries Damascus remained, thrived, sat as the caravan oasis at the convergence of the great trade routes of the ancient world. So when God warned of looming annihilation Damascus was there inhabited and prosperous.

Okay, so what has happened since? Here is the record from any encyclopedia or history book you can find. Continuous and even magnificent “history” of habitation and accomplishment every since God said it was going to be completely destroyed.

The Persians and the Seleucids ruled over a great city there: King Nebuchadnezzar 572BC; Cyrus 538BC; Alexander 333BC

The Romans and the Byzantines ruled over a great city there from 64 BC when Pompey conquered the region, through 395 AD when it joined the Eastern Empire and all the way to the Moslem conquest of 635 AD.

The Omayyads ruled over a great city there from 635-750 AD as Khaled Ibn al-Walid annexed to Muslim empire where Damascus remained a great Moslem commercial and religious center until 1516 AD. ( The Abbasids ruled over a great city there from 750-975 AD. The Fatimids ruled over a great city there from 975-1076 AD. The Seljuks and the Atabegs : 1076-1174 AD. The Ayyubids : 1174-1260 AD. The Memluks : 1260-1516 AD.)

Finally the Ottoman Turks ruled over a great city of Damascus from 1516 -1918. And on we go to the present day nation of Syria .

But Isaiah says that Damascus is going to be "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 because of their extremely harsh stance against Israel, and the fact that Damascus is the home to numerous terrorist organizations, and because of the trouble they are stirring up in the Iraqi war. Suffice it to say, they are getting some attention. There are prophecies in God's Word concerning Damascus. The most obvious reason that we believe these prophecies are yet future, is because Damascusexists! It has NEVER ceased to be a city!”

"The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City"

So with very little effort you can establish conclusively that Damascus has been a city for quite some time, and indeed remains as such today. And what a strategic city for today in history. Located just 30 miles from the Israeli border in the Golan Heights— Damascus is a tinderbox in a volatile region .

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.

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 Hezbollah 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 Evening. Iraqi surface missiles remained stationary; 7:30 PM: everyone stands down ... for the time being!”

But this time maybe Syria won’t back down. Russia is their ally, Russian troops are installing the most advanced air defense system in the world around Damascus, the new missiles can strike within 40 feet of any spot in Israel—and probably all of Saddam's WMD’s are in the area we call Syria. Some of Israel’s 400 atomic weapons may be used and Damascus may be melted in a whirlwind. That is an 8th century BC description of a thermonuclear destruction if I ever heard one!

Because of Israel's nuclear attack on Damascus, it will become a pariah among the nations. Isaiah uses the imagery that its national status will become like an emaciated man. (Isaiah 17:4) He also describes the outbreak of intense criticism of Israel: "Oh, the raging of many nations-- they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples-- they roar like the roaring of great waters!" (Isaiah 17:12 NIV).

SYRIARENEWS SOVIET-ERA ALLIANCE

“Just last month, after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar Assad returned from Moscow with more than even he had dreamed of . . . Assad was able to bring his people the glad tidings that Syria and Russia were resuming the relationship Syria once had with the Soviet Union. The Russians agreed to joint energy exploration , developing oil and gas resources in Syria, and construction of several pipelines including the Syrian portion of the Pan-Arab pipeline project. (So now Russian military and commercial interests will be stationed in Syria.)

Syria's biological and chemical weapons capability are among the most advanced in the Middle East, and the acquisition of the Russian Iskander missile would give Damascus the ability to strike within 40 feet of a target anywhere in Israel.

Iskander's guidance system is significantly better than in previous Scud designs, and it is much better at avoiding Israeli air defenses than previous models. And there is no effective defense against the new SAM anti-aircraft missile that could protect Israeli warplanes over flying Syrian airspace. Leaving Israel with only the Sampson Option in the event of war.

The Sampson Option is drawn from the story of Sampson, who pulled down a temple on himself in order to kill his captors. And in any case, if the United States doesn't take action, the odds that Israel WILL are at least even. Although Israel refuses to confirm or deny it, the Dimona facility is believed to house at least four hundred nuclear warheads and Israel's declared 'Sampson Option' says that they will use them. Briefly stated, if Israel's existence is threatened, it will use whatever means necessary to retaliate, even if that retaliation means the destruction of Israel in the process.

The Bible says that Israel will survive, but Isaiah says that Damascus won't.

"The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." (Isaiah 17:1)

Damascus is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world. To this point in history, it has never been 'taken away from being a city' and has never become the 'ruinous heap' foretold by Isaiah - so his prophecy remains, to this point, unfulfilled.

In addition, Ezekiel warns that Russia will, in the last days, ally itself to Persia [ Iran] -- together with a grouping of other Islamic states, in an all-out invasion effort against Israel.

When Isaiah's vision of Damascus comes to pass, it is unlikely that Russia will sit idly by, particularly in light of the fact the only country more threatening to Israel's continued existence than Syria would be a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran.

The alliance is in the process of being constructed before our eyes. The scenario that brings it all together is in the process of development. Bible prophecy has never been more relevant to current events than it is right now.”

So when God steps into our lives through His Word and says, “Damascus is going to be burned, melted, destroyed, vacated, and completely destroyed into a heap of uninhabited ruins”. That is one of those things that when you see it coming—you know that end is near!

Back to Luke 21 where Jesus preaches a sermon about the End of the World.

Luke 21: 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

SURVIVAL GUIDE: I will—Believe God's Word about the future!

Two powerful lessons:

Things are temporary—build for eternity.

Years ago someone put a poem on the wall of the McAuley Rescue Mission in New York City that captured the disjuncture between profession and practice:

Angels from their realms on high

Look down on us with wondering eye,

That where we are but passing guests,

We build such strong and solid nests;

But where we hope to dwell for aye [ever],

We scarce take heed one stone to lay. 4

Life is fragile—live for your true home.

St. John of the Cross was right. “God is at home. We are in the far country.” And if we are at home in this world we need to be confronted once again with the truth about the world. 5

All of the magnificent buildings of Solomon, including the Temple are gone.

All of the wonderful buildings of Herod are rubble.

The Pyramids are crumbling, the Tower of Pisa is leaning . . . nothing on earth ever lasts.

Jesus came to His disciples with an offer of something they could become a part of that never ends. And that is what you and are doing this morning—worshipping God, offering our lives in service to His Son, and loving one another. Make this service your offering anew of your life to Christ's control.

For more from Discover the Book Ministries, please visit discoverthebook.org.