What is Going to Happen Next    The Destruction of Damascus

In a prior teaching I said that the Bible teaches three things must occur before the return of Jesus Christ.

Based upon 2 Thessalonians 2:1

2Th 2:1 ¶ Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,  2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 ¶ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

1. Apostasy – Falling away of the church
2. Anti-Christ is revealed (we will see this)
3. Temple is rebuilt through confirming cov
I. There is an obscure prophecy that has been getting some attention lately because of what is happening around
    the world.

It is the predicted destruction of the city of Damascus in Syria.

The prophecy:

Isa 17:1 An oracle concerning Damascus: "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.  2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.  3 The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites," declares the LORD Almighty.

A. What do we know about Damascus?
- It is the capital of Syria, deadly enemy of Israel
- It is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world.
-  This 2700 year old prophecy has never been fulfilled.
- Currently 7 foreign terrorist organizations on
  the Sate Departments terrorism list are headquarted in Damascus.
- Israel has been suffering a constant daily short range rocket bombardment from Syria
- An explosion took place a few years ago that revealed that they have VX and Sarin nerve gas.

Israel responded with this statement:

"We will not attack them first. But if they ever use these weapons against Israel, then we must be clear — it will be the end of this evil and brutal dictatorship,"

II. Recent World Events Make This Prophecy Very Troubling.

A. Israel is watching these events happen around them

1. Iran threatening to wipe them off the face of the earth.
2. Constant negative press in the world.
3. A few years ago Iranian president met with Syrian President and other terrorist leaders to form what they called Anti
    American/Israeli Axis.

Quote from website Iran Press Service
 A new high command is taking shape, formed by the Hezbollah, HAMAS, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

THIS MEETING WAS HELD IN DAMASCUS

4. Iran is pushing forward with it's nuclear plans.  They want to build a nuclear weapon.

    - Russia is in the process of selling them an air defense system that can defend against an air attack form Israel or the United
       States.

- Russia says they have held off on this.
- Former Ambassador Jon Boltons says he doesn't think so.
- Israel is motivated to strike before that defense system is up.
- Syria is about to take delivery of Russian built SS-26 Surface missiles that can deliver a 1000 lbs warhead 250 miles with
   great  accuracy.

- Israel sees the US less supported since the new administration has taken power.

- Israel is a tiny nation  263 mile long 71 miles wide         

- surrounded by enemies that would love for them to cease to exist.

B. Israel is getting nervous (By Three Major Point Above)

1. Syria is getting armed

2. Iran pursuing nuclear bomb - has threatened to annihilate Israel and is in process of getting air defense system that can stop
    Israel.

IRAN'S PRSIDENT HAS RADICAL VIEW ABOUT ISLAMIC MESSIAH

- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls for the appearance of the Islamic Messiah at his UN speech last month: (Did the same in 2006)

These will all come true under the rule of the Perfect Man, the last Divine Source on earth, Hazrat Mahdi (Peace be upon him); an offspring of the Prophet of Islam, who will re-emerge, and Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) and other noble men will accompany him in the accomplishment of this, grand universal mission. And this is the belief in Entezar (Awaiting patiently for the Imam to return). Waiting with patience for the rule of goodness and the governance of the Best which is a universal human notion and which is a source of nations’ hope for the betterment of the world. 1 They will come, and with the help of righteous people and true believers will materialize the man’s long-standing desires for freedom, perfectness, maturity, security and tranquility, peace and beauty. They will come to put an end to war and aggression and present the entire knowledge as well as spirituality and friendship to the whole world

- He believes that the Muadi will appear out of chaos to lead a new islamic revolution across the world. Marked by blood, just as Mohamed did to establish Islam.  Conversion by the sword.

3. Again, Israel also sees US less supportive
 
III. Why is This Important for us in America Today?

A.  Speaks of the end times events escalating
-  Major things may begin to happen very shortly

1. There is a call for a combined currency.

2. Aligning of nations against Israel

3. Coming peace treaty
- Possibly following the destruction of Damascus
- Clinton tried, Bush tried, Obama is trying - The one who gets it done is the antichrist.

Da 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
(NIV)

Compare this with 2 Thess 2:3

3 ¶ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

B.  Reminds us of the importance of  supporting Israel. (Abrahamic Covenant)

- God established a covenant with Abraham

Ge 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

- America has been blessed because we have blessed Israel.
- We have stood with them over the years
-  US has more Jews than Israel (1 million more Jews live here)
-  If we turn our back on them, - God may turn  His back on us.

C.  Nations are lining up for the last show Ezekiel 38

D.  Individuals will have to make a choice

CLOSING:

The story of waiting for a wedding

Mt 25:1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'  7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'   9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'  10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'  13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Simple message is some were ready - Some where not

Are you ready?