Because Jesus hadn’t come, many Christians began to openly doubt whether He ever would. Why? I believe there are at least two reasons. First, we live in a culture that demands instant gratification. We don’t like to wait as little as two minutes for a microwave to cook a meal it took our grandparents half a day to prepare. We’re impatient, and we’re used to getting what we want when we want.
Those who say the clock is ticking are often calling attention to the fact that time is short or time is running out.
Recently, I was listening to a nationally syndicated radio program, and the host made an astonishing observation. She described a recent trip she took to Israel. She talked about looking over the border into Syria. Then she dropped a line that grabbed my attention. She said, “When you look over the border today, you’re not looking at Syria anymore. You’re looking at Russia, Iran, and Turkey.”
Jesus said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:32-34).
More than 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel warned of a future time when a vast coalition of nations will attack Israel. The leader of this coalition is a man known as Gog, the ruler of Magog (Ezekiel 38:1). This is why the invading force is known as the Gog of Magog coalition.
If you start reading Ezekiel and understand that all the people around Israel are being prophesied to being slain with the sword. In the above verses, God speaks through Ezekiel about a country called “Elam”.. Where is the land called Elam? This was the name of the land east of Mesopotamia and southwest, which is modern day Iran. Continue reading and as you come to chapter 31 and beyond, it appears to be a chronological order of disaster for all the people who surround Israel. These chapters lead up to the well-known prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39.
That’s ancient history in an abbreviated fashion, but what about today of the city in Syria known as Damascus? What can be the reason for her eventual demise and the city not be inhabited again? Note that in this age the only thing that could make any city uninhabitable is either nuclear or chemical warfare that causes the area to be too dangerous for anyone to be in the same area.
Since the previous Administration placed Iran on the fast track to have nuclear weapons, a curious, possibly prophetic, development has occurred between Turkey and Iran-two nations that figure prominently in the end of days, and one must come into submission to the other for prophecy to be fulfilled.
Possibility of war is much more than mere “rumors” these days. We have the historical experience, prophesied by Christ many centuries ago, to confirm that in this present hour upon planet earth there is reason to “be troubled.”