"Damascus will be destroyed"

End time Prophecy has been aiming toward fulfillment at a fast clip these last few months. However, aside from Israel being brought back to the land in 1948, there has not been a major, observable and undeniable fulfillment yet, (with one possible exception). The Gog-Magog nations are jockeying into their prophesied alliance. The One World Economy is that much closer to reality because of the global depression. The one world currency is a technical possibility with the introduction of small under-the skin-chips.

One prophecy that may be said has come to fruition is the Roman Empire has been revived. Daniel prophesied that in the last days the Antichrist would come from the empire that was the same empire as the one that destroyed the Temple: Rome (Daniel 2 and 7, explained here). The old Roman empire was never vanquished, it collapsed.  So when the27-nation European Union voted this month to accept a Constitution, creating a President of Europe along with a Foreign Minister, army, and supra-national government, it can be safely said that the Roman Empire has officially revived. I wrote about this in October and November.

However, I'm always thinking how to demonstrate God's Word to the unsaved. What would be an observable and undeniable sign that the last days are among us? What could I use to show to someone that this, definitely, is a prophetic fulfillment? My opinion has always been that the prophecy from Isaiah 17:1-3 is a perfect witness.

Prophecy about Damascus
1. The oracle concerning Damascus
"Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city
And will become a fallen ruin.
2. "The cities of Aroer are forsaken;
They will be for flocks to lie down in,
And there will be no one to frighten them.
3. "The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
And sovereignty from Damascus
And the remnant of Aram;
They will be like the glory of the sons of Israel,"
Declares the LORD of hosts.

Damascus in Syria is the oldest continuously lived-in city in the world. It  is a city that is both a city and its own sovereignty, being a governate by itself. It has never been destroyed. So when it IS destroyed, we can point and say, 'Look, the LORD has spoken. His words are true. The end is near.'

Because this is one prophecy that is simply stated, clear, and unequivocal, secular news of Damascus always perks up my ears. Today I read the following:

'IAEA inspects site outside Damascus'
"Following Monday's report that the IAEA had discovered processed uranium at three separate Syrian sites, UN inspectors on Tuesday conducted an emergency visit to a smaller site outside Damascus...According to Monday's report, IAEA inspectors had discovered enriched uranium in three sites besides Dir Azur, where IAF jets destroyed an alleged reactor in September 2007. These findings have led the UN nuclear watchdog to suspect that Syria has uranium stockpiles. The main cause for suspicion was the discovery of nuclear material traces near a small research nuclear reactor outside Damascus. When the evidence was presented to the Syrians, they failed to provide convincing explanations, senior IAEA officials were quoted as saying."

Enriched uranium is used to make nuclear weapons. These weapons, in the hands of the terrorists trained in Syrian nests, who have vowed to strike Israel, is something Israel will not stand for. It has long been my opinion that a likely chronology of the last few end time events prior to the rapture would be-

-Israel strikes Damascus.
-This would be catalyst to push Iran, Russia, and the rest of the Gog-Magog nations who hate Israel to formally ally and then attack. This is a prophesied battle that Ezekiel 38-39 describes. God Himself protects Israel, supernaturally. There is debate whether Christians would be raptured just prior to, simultaneously with, or just after the Gog war. But all agree that by the time the Gog-Magog War happens, the rapture is imminent because Christians are not around to witness the events immediately to follow.

-The Gog-Magog war also results in the 7-year peace treaty that the Antichrist confirms.
-And you know the rest. The Tribulation begins and culminates in the Battle of Armageddon.

 My chronology is speculative, though grounded in biblical study. However, the facts are these,  Damascus will be destroyed. When you see that happen, Brother and Sister, look UP! For your Redemption draweth nigh!