Next, Damascus somehow has to be destroyed. It has to happen. Damascus has never been destroyed to the point that is uninhabitable. The Bible says, “The burden against Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.”
But it’s not just that. Other countries that the Bible mentions that are going to come up against Israel are already surfacing in the news. Libya – we start seeing in Libya action that is resulting from the shenanigans of Russia, Iran, and Turkey in that country. Sudan – we see that both Russia and Iran and even Turkey are doing stuff there. Of course, the Abraham Accords that Trump started in 2020, they will continue, and we will have even the Saudis very, very soon added to this very thing. And we’re talking about it right now. You can see that.
And why am I saying that? Because the Bible says that while Iran is going to join Russia and Turkey, Sheba and Dedan, which is Saudi Arabia of today, will protest against it because they’re on the side of Israel. For that war to start, Israel must be safe, secure, and prosperous, and we know that it happens.
And that’s what Ezekiel 38 says, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you.”’” God is for Israel, and God is against those who come against Israel. And He says that Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is going to come, and Persia and Ethiopia, which is Sudan of today, and Libya will join them. Gomer and Togarmah, which is Turkey of today, many people will come with them.
So you can see all the countries. And I bet you will see that happening either during Trump’s administration or right after that. These are the countries that are going to rise up against Israel. These are the countries that comprise the Ezekiel 38 war that will come.
And right after that war, following the supernatural victory of God in that war, Messianic aspirations will continue to increase, which will unfortunately lead to the acceptance of a false Messiah based on the false understanding of who and what Messiah is all about. And when you don’t think the Messiah is God and that He didn’t come to die for your sins, it’s very easy to choose a man promising prosperity, peace, and, above all, the temple in Jerusalem.
And that is exactly what Daniel, in chapter nine, said that the last seven years will bring upon Israel. “He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week,” seven years, “but in the middle of that one week he shall bring an end to the sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined.”
It’s determined. You cannot change it. There is going to be an invasion of Israel. There’s going to be an antichrist. There is going to be a Great Tribulation. We are not part of it. The entire description in the Book of Revelation, the church is not even mentioned once during the Tribulation. We will be out of here while Israel will be the focus of God’s dealing with the world. There will be a Great Tribulation, and Israel is going to seek the Lord during that time. “Alas! For that day is great,” Jeremiah 30 says, “so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.”
Daniel 12 says, “At that time, Michael…” There is a specific angel in heaven whose job is to protect the nation of Israel. Did you know that? That’s his job – Michael. “The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.”
Basically, Daniel was given news by Gabriel that the Tribulation would be far greater than the Holocaust. And then he said, “And at that time, your people shall be delivered.” Who? The Jewish people that will see and acknowledge Messiah, believing in Him, because everyone does who is found written in the Book.
Zechariah said, “‘It shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the Lord, ‘that two-thirds [of Israel] shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is my people”; and each one will say, “The Lord is my God.”’”
Remember, Israel of the present is Israel of the past, and it’s the same Israel of the future. It’s the same promise.
Zechariah 2:8-9
For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.”
Zechariah lived and prophesied in the post-exilic era, meaning after the Babylonian captivity. Remember, Israel had forsaken the Sabbatical year for 490 years, which equated to 70 Sabbatical years during which they had been ordered to allow the land to rest. God had promised that the sixth year would yield a bumper crop for them that would sustain them until the ninth year of the cycle when the eighth year’s plantings would be ripe for harvesting.
They did not do as the Lord commanded and God said to them, “You didn’t let the land rest so I am taking you out of the land to let it rest for 70 consecutive years.” Yet even after nearly half a millennium of disobedience, God said to them, “He who touches you touches the apple of My eye.”
What a tragedy it is to overlook such a great and deep love that God has for His chosen people even after great failures. This should be an encouragement to us as we learn of His mercy and grace through the Jews. Why would we choose to see Israel as forsaken when current events clearly show they are not? We miss such beautiful pictures of God’s faithfulness when we do such a thing.
God has brought them back into their land, they are prospering in it, nations prophesied by Ezekiel are in coalition together, Damascus is constantly in the news, and Israel is the focus of world attention. That means we can expect the destruction of Damascus, the invasion and defeat of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan, and that the 70th week of Daniel are all on the near horizon.
All these things tell us that “soon and very soon we are are going to see the King!” And seven years or so later, all Israel will be saved when we return with Jesus at His second coming. Don’t let anyone tell you that modern Israel is not biblical Israel, because their existence today is not about their faithfulness to God but His faithfulness to His word!
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus,