The Middle East has literally exploded in turmoil. Over a half dozen nations are experiencing protests and riots due to their dictatorial leadership which has produced terrible economic conditions such as high unemployment, low wages and high costs of living...or rather, this is what the radical followers of Islam would have you believe. Granted, the above reasons are what started the uprisings, but then extremist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood rallied to spur on the revolutions which have encompassed every nation surrounding Israel, and several more. They include Egypt, Algeria, Mauritania, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon. Every one of these nations is very probable to establish radical Islamic control of their Governments thereby posing the most direct threat to the Jewish nation since the Holocaust. We already know that several of these nations mentioned above, along with Iran and Russia will come against Israel in the Gog/Magog conflict of Ezekiel 38-39 which will occur during the Tribulation. Does this mean the Tribulation is here, and if not, what's to stop the Gog/Magog coalition from attacking Israel now? First, the Tribulation doesn't occur until after the Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:5-8), and second, I believe what will cause the Muslim's agenda of Israel's demise to come to a screeching halt momentarily is the destruction of Damascus, Syria.

Lebanon has already established a Hezbollah backed Government. Even though almost two weeks ago they were one of the first nations to experience problems there has been almost no information coming from there. You see, Hezbollah has thousands of troops stationed along Lebanon's southern border with Israel, and they are armed with 40,000 rockets ready to launch at the Jewish state. Their primary target would be Tel Aviv, since Jerusalem is the location of Islam's Dome of the Rock and the city is considered holy to the Muslims, even though it's not mentioned once in the Koran.

When this attack happens Israel will retaliate against Damascus, as Hezbollah is based there and their leadership has been supplying the arms from there. Israel has already told Hezbollah that if they are attacked they (Israel) will hold Damascus accountable. We have verification of this from our news sources at the Forum, so all this information can be verified. With these developments in consideration, what I see occuring very soon is a scenario such as this:

1. Lebanon's Hezbollah-backed Government initiates a preemptive strike on Tel Aviv with thousands of rockets launched from Lebanon's Southern border;

2. Israel retaliates against Damascus, just as they've warned, annihilating the city and fulfilling Isaiah 17:1;

3. The Muslim world withdraws to collect itself, their rage growing until regrouping with the Gog/Magog coalition nations during the Tribulation.

I believe the destruction of Damascus will take the Muslim world by such surprise that it will withdraw and rethink its strategy, which will cause it to coalesce into the confederation of nations we see described in Ezekiel's prophecy. They will surmise that if they couldn't wipe Israel off the map with a preemptive strike from one nation, they'll do it as a cohesive unit.

At some point within this timeline but before the Tribulation the Rapture will occur. But until then we must remain ever watchful for the Lord's appearing (Mark 13:37), and always prayerful for God's land and chosen people (Psalms 122:6).

"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (Matthew 24:33)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: What an exciting time to be alive and serving the Lord!

Keith

02-08-2011