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Answer
As a civil war rages in Syria and other nations consider potential involvement, some Bible teachers believe we can witness biblical end-times prophecy unfolding right before our eyes. The Middle East is a religious-political powder keg and has been for years, but the Syrian Crisis appears to be intensifying the situation. Due to Syria’s proximity to Israel, Egypt’s troubles, Iran’s threats, and the United States’ ultimatums, there is discussion about the end times, Armageddon, and World War III.
It is true that, with each passing day, we are getting closer to the Second Coming of Christ “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”, (James 5:8). Additionally, the prophecy of Isaiah 17:1 is yet to be fulfilled: “A prophecy against Damascus: ‘See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.’” Damascus, the capital of Syria, has a longstanding reputation as the oldest continuously occupied city globally. It has never been without citizens or completely destroyed. However, Isaiah’s prophecy remains; a day will come when Damascus will be nothing but a “heap of ruins.” The ongoing war in Syria could potentially be one of the events leading up to the city’s destruction.
There are other verses in the Bible linked to Isaiah 17:1, but the concept of a ruinous heap implies that not a single building will be left standing in Damascus. The city will cease to be a city. Some prophecy scholars suggest that a nuclear bomb could fulfill this prophecy, while others propose the possibility of an earthquake. Regardless of the exact method or timing, two things are certain: God is sovereign, and His Word will endure “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”, (Revelation 16:12-16). The war in Syria, if it is indeed part of end-times prophecy, is more likely part of the “birth pains” described in Mark 13:7–8.
In 700 BC, Isaiah wrote of the demise of Damascus. Today, 2,700 years later, many believe that we are close to seeing that long-standing prophecy fulfilled. However chaotic the events on the world stage appear, we know that all things are working toward the fulfillment of God’s Word.
“The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)—are you ready for His coming?
