The current events of Damascus and Syria are a sign to us in these end times. The prophets had important prophetic words and warnings regarding Damascus. Damascus is a sign from which we not only learn the lateness of the hour pertaining to the return of Christ, but it is also a sign to us for our own spiritual self-examination, correction, and growth.
Some of the importance of the meaning of Damascus to us, can be found in a warning that Jesus gave to His disciples.
The Pharisees and Sadducees had come to Jesus and demanded that He show them a sign from heaven (Mt. 16:1). He scolded them for their demand. He told them that they knew how to look at the sky and tell the coming weather, but they did not perceive the spiritual signs in their very midst:
The Pharisees and Sadducees had come to Jesus and demanded that He show them a sign from heaven (Mt. 16:1). He scolded them for their demand. He told them that they knew how to look at the sky and tell the coming weather, but they did not perceive the spiritual signs in their very midst:
"O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas..." Mt. 16:3-4
Later, as His disciples came after Him, they realized that they had no bread with them. Jesus began to warn them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." They thought Jesus was talking about them not having bread with them to eat. However, Jesus was not concerned that they had no physical bread. He had, after all, just fed thousands miraculously from seven loaves and a few fishes (Mt. 15:33-34). Didn't His disciples remember the miracle Jesus had shown them? This was the problem and the warning that Jesus was bringing to them: do not just look at things in the natural, and refuse to discern the true meaning in the spiritual realm. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to see a physical sign, while missing the greatest spiritual sign of all time-the visitation in their midst of their Messiah, their Salvation, the Son of God, who raised the dead, made blind eyes see, and made the lame walk. In the same way, the disciples were concerned about how little bread they had with them, when Jesus was speaking about spiritual "leaven", including seeking meaningless natural occurrences and understandings that obscured the spiritual signs happening all around them.
We often look at events the same way. We see the headlines regarding the political and military turmoil of the nations and leaders, including Syria and its ancient capital, Damascus, while failing to see the "signs of the times", that they represent. Damascus and Syria are not just geo-political problems in the headlines, but a prophetic trumpet blast warning that the time grows short.
Also included in the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees about which Jesus warned His disciples, is something we see today, even in the Church. There is a mixing of pop psychology, new age philosophies, social trends and worldly attitudes and understandings that are infiltrating the Church, and are being used to fill the current emptiness of the soul. Paul warned believers that our minds should not be corrupted from "the simplicity that is Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3). It is Christ and His gospel that fills the empty soul, and nothing else will suffice.
We see this "leaven" impact all Israel as we read the history that involved a king of Israel, a priest, and Damascus in 2 Kings 16, and 2 Chron. 28. King Ahaz of Judah formed a bond with the king of Assyria, even sending him silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD. Ahaz encouraged the Assyrian king to take Damascus, and that was successful. Ahaz then visited the Assyrian king in Damascus, and saw the king making offerings to his gods on an altar there. Ahaz decided that since the Assyrian king had found favor in his conquests, Ahaz wanted an exact copy of this Damascan altar built and installed in the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, and instructed the priest, Urijah, to build it. Azah had the other worship furnishings of the temple dismantled or displaced for this false altar. Sacrifices were offered to the gods of Assyria upon this altar by the king of Judah, and the priests. Second Chronicles concludes the historic account with this comment:
"For he (Ahaz) sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him and all of Israel." 2 Chron. 28:23
All Judah, and Israel paid the price for the actions of this king and priest. The scripture says that this king's actions "made Judah naked".
Beware the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees. While looking at, and depending upon the natural understandings that seem good to our eyes, we fail to discern the spiritual signs. A Bible commentary by F. B. Meyer said, in part, that this incident, involving King Ahaz, was a remarkable showing of the folly of the human heart. He also noted that there was too much of the same in the present church.
King Ahaz lived during the life of Isaiah the prophet, and Isaiah had the prophetic word regarding Damascus. He prophesied:
"The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." Isa. 17:1
This sign of Damascus would take place, according to Isaiah, during the time of harvest. The desolation of this event would cause a man "to look to his maker, and his eyes shall have respect for the Holy One of Israel". The events surrounding Syria and Damascus today are not just the headlines in the news, but they are a prophetic sign for us to discern. God demands of all nations that they should discern the prophetic sign of Damascus in the next chapter (18) of Isaiah, including a nation that might well be a prophetic picture of America. As the spiritual harvest time approaches, and this prophetic sign of Damascus is being seen by all the earth, His Word to us says:
"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." Isa. 18:3
To Contact/To Submit a Prayer Request/To Support the Ministry/To order "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To See/Hear this complete message by Dr. Stevenson:
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/videos/10211504152541265/
To View "NAZAH" Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WRQeedvvH4
"For he (Ahaz) sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him and all of Israel." 2 Chron. 28:23
All Judah, and Israel paid the price for the actions of this king and priest. The scripture says that this king's actions "made Judah naked".
Beware the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees. While looking at, and depending upon the natural understandings that seem good to our eyes, we fail to discern the spiritual signs. A Bible commentary by F. B. Meyer said, in part, that this incident, involving King Ahaz, was a remarkable showing of the folly of the human heart. He also noted that there was too much of the same in the present church.
King Ahaz lived during the life of Isaiah the prophet, and Isaiah had the prophetic word regarding Damascus. He prophesied:
"The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." Isa. 17:1
This sign of Damascus would take place, according to Isaiah, during the time of harvest. The desolation of this event would cause a man "to look to his maker, and his eyes shall have respect for the Holy One of Israel". The events surrounding Syria and Damascus today are not just the headlines in the news, but they are a prophetic sign for us to discern. God demands of all nations that they should discern the prophetic sign of Damascus in the next chapter (18) of Isaiah, including a nation that might well be a prophetic picture of America. As the spiritual harvest time approaches, and this prophetic sign of Damascus is being seen by all the earth, His Word to us says:
"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." Isa. 18:3
To Contact/To Submit a Prayer Request/To Support the Ministry/To order "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To See/Hear this complete message by Dr. Stevenson:
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/videos/10211504152541265/
To View "NAZAH" Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WRQeedvvH4
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
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