The Road from Damascus
The Road from Damascus
By J.L. Robb
There are not many ancient cities still standing, though there are remnants of several. When it comes to the oldest cities remaining that have been continuously populated since birth, 7 of the top 10 remain in biblical territories. Damascus remains against all odds.
Jerusalem, estimated to be about 5,000 years old, is generally ranked #10 or #11 among the oldest, by those in-the-know, and has a place predicted in the future history of the world, a burdensome place for all mankind. In the last days, the world’s armies are to surround Jerusalem in a final apocalyptic war among mankind but will suffer disaster and defeat. God is speaking:
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” Zechariah 12:3 KJV
Jerusalem is known in the Bible as the City of David. Islamic centers of education (madrassas) usually teach that Jerusalem was never a part of Israel, Solomon’s Temple never existed, that Israel is basically a lost and defiled mistake and should not exist. In essence, the Muslims are really God’s chosen; not the Jews.
None the less, there is plenty of archaeology that tells the truth, though facts often seem to be unimportant. Jerusalem during ancient times was the capital city of Israel, the location of Solomon’s Temple and Holiest of Holies, the City of David the King of Israel.
So it is interesting that just this week the United Nations met on whether Jews should even be allowed to be in Jerusalem or the mount where Solomon’s Temple is believed to have existed. That would be the place that Muslim conquerors of Jerusalem built al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock. Right on top of the temple they say never existed.
The banishment of Jews from Jerusalem was delayed in the United Nations vote, but the lobbying goes on. Jerusalem was recaptured in 1967 when Muslim nations once again attacked the reborn nation of Israel. Prophets proclaimed that God would one day restore Israel to all her ancient land. That would include Jerusalem.
According to sixdaywar.org:
On June 7, 1967, IDF paratroopers advanced through the Old City toward the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, bringing Jerusalem’s holiest site under Jewish control for the first time in 2000 years. There are sound recordings of the scene, as the commander of the brigade, Lt. General Mordechai (Motta) Gur, approaches the Old City and announces to his company commanders, “We’re sitting right now on the ridge and we’re seeing the Old City. Shortly we’re going to go in to the Old City of Jerusalem, that all generations have dreamed about. We will be the first to enter the Old City…” and shortly afterwards, “The Temple Mount is in our hands! I repeat, the Temple Mount is in our hands!” General Rabbi Shlomo Goren, chief chaplain of the IDF, sounded the Shofar at the Western Wall to signify its liberation. To Israelis and Jews all over the world, this was a joyous and momentous occasion. Many considered it a gift from God.
After the recapture of Jerusalem, the Israeli military and rabbis knew that prophecy was being fulfilled and they were the witnesses.
“For some two thousand years the Temple Mount was forbidden to the Jews. Until you came- you, the paratroopers- and returned it to the bosom of the nation. The Western Wall, for which every heart beats, is ours once again. Many Jews have taken their lives into their hands throughout our long history, in order to reach Jerusalem and live here. Endless words of longing have expressed the deep yearning for Jerusalem that beats within the Jewish heart. You have been given the great privilege of completing the circle, of returning to the nation its capital and its holy center…Jerusalem is yours forever.” Commander Motta Gur
Now the world is in a tizzy, all because of Jerusalem. It has become a burdensome stone.
President elect Trump claims he will recognize Jerusalem and move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv (the capital of Israel according to the world) to Jerusalem (the capital according to God), a first. Never has there been a U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or recognition that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
October 23, 1995, the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 was passed overwhelmingly by the United States Congress. By 1999, the embassy was to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; and Jerusalem would be recognized as the proper capital of Israel. Never happened. Too burdensome.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, because of the war the move and recognition may cause, ignored the public law. National security interests at risk. Enabling the devil’s work is a better description.
If God said Israel would be restored to its ancient borders in the end times, the world cannot prevent it. That does not mean the world will not go to war because of it. Jerusalem is burdensome, indeed; and has become more so since 1967.
The prophecy about Jerusalem becoming a burden for the entire world has come to fruition right in front of many of our own eyes. A small, walled city, a city where Jesus was tortured and killed and the prophets were stoned to death for telling truth is still turning the gears of civilization, like it or not.
There is another prophecy concerning Damascus, Syria and the last days. This has not come to fruition.
Damascus is arguably the #1 oldest, continuously-occupied city in the world. Archaeological discoveries indicate the city has been populated for more than 11,000 years, continuously. It also awaits destiny, a prophecy that Damascus would be utterly destroyed, never to be rebuilt again. Though this prediction has not been fulfilled, as Syria’s war grows more brutal, the possibilities of destruction are increasing. Look at Aleppo. Look at Palmyra.
“See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. 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. Isaiah 17:1-2 NIV
A heap of ruins is what has become of two other Syrian cities with very long histories: Aleppo, Syria’s largest city before the war, and Palmyra. Both cities are in ruins and are less than 200 miles from Damascus.
Saul, who became Paul, was blinded on the road to Damascus nearly 2,000 years ago while on his way to persecute and kill the followers of Jesus. It is ironic that Damascus, because of the road to Damascus and Paul’s blindness, became the largest Christian city of its time.
If President elect Trump moves the embassy, which he should, to Jerusalem, it may well be the catalyst that leads to the fulfillment of the many prophecies pertaining to this era. The story is getting pretty difficult to deny.
With the departure, in essence, of the United States from the arena of the Middle East, the void has been filled by Russia. This has evolved in less than 8 years. The possible scenarios of Damascus’ destruction are many, but my guess is that Israel will carry out the prophecy’s fulfillment. The prophecy was given to Israel as a warning.
When the troops of Israel’s enemies congregate in Damascus, preparing for war; they will get it.
I do not believe Donald Trump has any idea the role he is getting to play in the history of the world and the change of things.