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Jesus celebrated Hanukkah!
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah!
2300 days
Hanukkah Menorah photo courtesy of Shoshana
Hanukkah 2024: Dec 25, 2024 – Thu, Jan 2, 2025
By Craig C. White
The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication”. Hanukkah is the Jewish celebration of the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. While Hanukkah is not one of the appointed Jewish holy days (Leviticus 23, Numbers 29); it is mentioned in the Bible. It was prophesied in Daniel 8:14, also Jesus attended a Hanukkah celebration in John 10: 22-23.
In 175 B.C. Israel was under the rule of a wicked Grecian king named Antiochus Epiphanes. He was king over one quarter of the Grecian empire known as the Seleucid dynasty, headquartered in Syria. Antiochus Epiphanes robbed the temple in Jerusalem of its gold and holy vessels. He ended the daily sacrifice, and sacrificed pigs on the Jewish alter. Then he declared that he should be worshiped as God instead of the God of Israel. In 171 B.C. the high priest of Israel (Onias III) was murdered and false Priests were installed in temple worship.
In 167 B.C. a group of Hebrew rebels from Judea (which is the region around Jerusalem), known as the Maccabees began to fight the Syrian authorities in Jerusalem. The Maccabees regained control of the temple, and in 165 B.C. on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev the Jewish people resumed the daily sacrifice (1 Maccabees 4:52). This is the day that Israel celebrates Hanukkah (the dedication of the temple).
Hanukkah, or the day that the temple sacrifice would continue was prophesied in Daniel 8:14. God told Daniel about Hanukkah in 551 B.C. (Daniel 8: 1).
Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Daniel 8:14 says that the temple will be defiled for 2300 days; or that sacrifices will be interrupted for 2300 days. If you count 2300 days from the day that the high priest Onias III was murdered in 171 B.C. you come to Kislev 25, 165 B.C. That is the day of Hanukkah!
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah! In verse 22 below, the “feast of the dedication” is the same as Hanukkah.
John 10:22-30 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
Happy Hanukkah from High Time to Awake!
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The Holy Spirit in us is our assurance of salvation
The Holy Spirit in us is our assurance of salvation
and also of resurrection and new life!
By Craig C. White
When we believe and submit ourselves to God then he gives each heart the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in us is our promise (engagement ring) that we will be raised to everlasting life. The Holy Spirit in us is our assurance that we are saved. The Holy Spirit does a few things while it is in our hearts. It convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Bible when we read it or hear it. The Holy Spirit also communicates God’s prayers to us so that we can pray in agreement. I have the Holy Spirit in my heart so I am certain that I am saved!
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The Bible says that when we are saved God places his seal on us in order to identify us as belonging to him, and also to preserve us so that we are guaranteed to receive future promises.
Here is the definition of the word “sealed” in Ephesians 1:13.
sfrag-id’-zo
From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.God’s promise is a pledge to give life more abundantly. When we receive God’s Holy Spirit we do also receive part of God’s gift. But a promise is a promise because God will completely fulfill his promise in the future.
Here is the definition of the word “promise” in Ephesians 1:13.
ep-ang-el-ee’-ah
From G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good): – message, promise.Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Here is the definition of the word “earnest” in Ephesians 1:14.
ar-hrab-ohn’
Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: – earnest.The word that is translated as “earnest” means down payment or security deposit. So the Holy Spirit inside of our hearts is our individual assurance that God will keep his promise to us. In modern Greek the word arrabona means an engagement ring. Remember that each believer receives an engagement ring when they receive the Holy Spirit. If the marriage is called off then you still get to keep the ring! But don’t worry; this engagement ring was purchased at great cost. God has assured us that the Holy Spirit will not be given in vain. The wedding will take place as planned.
God calls you and I “the purchased possession”. Here is the definition of the term “purchased possession” in Ephesians 1:14.
per-ee-poy’-ay-sis
From G4046; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation: – obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.We are purchased possessions because we have been bought with a price (1Corinthians 6:20). Jesus payed the penalty of sin which is death for us by his own death on the cross.
I am certain that I will live forever with Jesus because I have the Holy Spirit in my heart. I know that the Holy Spirit is there because I am ashamed when I sin. I also know that that the Holy Spirit is in my heart because I can understand the Bible when I read it. Believe it or not, sometimes I can even sense what the Holy Spirit is communicating with my spirit. Believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for your sins and be saved. Open your heart to God’s Holy Spirit and receive assurance of everlasting life.
Read more about our intimate relationship with God in my book God’s Great Expectations
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Second Coming Wrath Path
© 2011 Craig C. White
Second Coming Wrath Path
Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2:15
By Craig C. White
While dispensing God’s wrath at the second coming, Jesus will take a prescribed route. Many bible students think that Jesus will descend out of heaven and touch down on the Mount of Olives.
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
At the second coming Jesus will in fact stand on the Mount of Olives but not at first. I think Jesus will take a more circuitous route during his Revelation. His route will be one that we have seen before. The route of Jesus Christ’s Second coming will be very similar to the route that Israel followed out of Egypt as God led them. Come with me as I follow the Revelation Wrath Path.
This commentary chronicles Jesus’ path of Revelation and vengeance during his second coming at the end of the tribulation. Surprisingly this journey does not begin in Jerusalem. As a matter of fact it doesn’t end in Jerusalem either. Instead God begins the Revelation of Jesus out of Egypt!
Num 24:8-9 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
When Jesus was a boy God called him out of Egypt. Like many prophecies this one has two distinct applications separated by time. At Jesus’ second coming God will again call his son out of Egypt! That will be a day of wrath and revelation of righteous judgment.
Mat 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Jesus will ride out of heaven into Egypt on a cloud. Trust me this is a scary cloud. The following verse was written long after God delivered the nation of Israel from Egypt; so it cannot pertain to Israel’s exodus out of Egypt. It is about Jesus’ second coming!
Isa 19:1-2 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. 2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
Verse 2 (above) sounds like what is happening in Egypt today, however when Jesus passes through Egypt; the people will be completely confounded. The Revelation of Jesus Christ will be terrifying.
Jer 4:13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
Christ’s second coming is a whirlwind tour! Habakkuk prophesies about Jesus next location. Check out the Revelation Wrath Path map bellow for these bible locations. Remember that the route of the Revelation of Jesus is very similar to the route that Israel took out of Egypt.
Revelation Wrath Path: Map of Jesus Christ’s return trip at the end of the 7 year tribulation period. Called “the day of the LORD”, or “the day of the LORD’S wrath”. Jesus will destroy all the armies that have come against Israel! It is a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Rom 2:5).
Very interesting to read and hard to stop. – Alexandria
Read my full commentary Revelation Wrath Path in my book Israel’s Beacon of Hopefacebook YouTube
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But of that day and hour knoweth no man
But of that day and hour knoweth no man
What day is this referring to?
By Craig C. White
A lot of Christians point to this verse and conclude that nobody can know the day that Jesus Christ returns for his Church at the Rapture.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But which “day” is Jesus referring to? Jesus is not referring to the day of the Rapture. Jesus is not referring to his second coming. Jesus is telling the Jews living around Jerusalem to watch for the Antichrist approaching. The Antichrist along with his armies will enter Jerusalem and capture or kill the Jews living there. This day begins Jerusalem’s great tribulation.
Jesus warned of great danger in Jerusalem and Judea at a time when its citizens were living their daily lives as usual. He said that it would be like the days of Noah just before the flood. He said that life would be going on normally just like in Sodom before God rained fire upon the city. The following verses do not pertain to Church age believers. They are not describing an abundance of sin on earth. They are not describing the days before the Rapture. They do not refer to Jesus Christ’s second coming. They apply to the region around Jerusalem. It will be life as usual just before the Antichrist invades Jerusalem and Judea during the middle of the seven year tribulation period. This begins Jerusalem’s great tribulation (Mat 24:21).
Luke 17:26-29 And as it was in the days of Noe (Noah), so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Mat 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
In the verse above, the “Son of man” isn’t referring to Jesus Christ. The Son of man is the Antichrist! One minute things will be happening as usual. Then suddenly Israel’s enemies will attack!
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Read my commentary titled One shall be taken and the other left
If you really want to understand Matthew 24 then read my book Judea Flee! Jerusalem Wait! It was written to the Jews just like Matthew 24.
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Ottoman Creep
Ottoman Creep
By Craig C. White
In 1918 the last Ottoman soldiers marched out of Damascus. Today in 2018 Turkish soldiers are back inside of Syria. Turkish President Erdogan is the widely recognized rightful Sultan of a revived Islamic Caliphate. Erdogan has freely shared his ambitions of reconstituting the lands of the Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire beginning with Syria.
The Bible tells us that the last world empire would be reestablished and that it would sorely oppress Israel. We are witnessing the birth-pangs of a revived Ottoman Empire.
Revelation 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
There were five past world empires when the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. Rome was the current world empire making six. The Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire was the next and only world empire to follow making seven. The eighth world empire will be a revived Ottoman Empire. That means that we should expect a Turkish ruler to be the Antichrist.
Yes the Turkish Army is in northwestern Syria but that isn’t all. Turkey is building roads and mosques in northwestern Syria and teaching the Turkish language in public schools. Turkey is providing electric power to some areas and revamping local governments. Northwestern Syria is becoming Turkish. The “Turkifcation” of northern Syria is also referred to as “Ottoman creep”
The Ottoman Empire is also creeping elsewhere. Turkish President Erdogan has vowed to take control over even more territory in northeastern Syria all the way into northern Iraq. This is generally Kurdish and ISIS territory. The Turks are dead set against allowing Kurdish forces to occupy territory along the Turkish border. Turkey has a somewhat willing accomplice in the Sunni Al-Qaeda ISIS rebels. I would expect Turkey to once again support ISIS against the Kurds in places like Kobani located to the east of the Euphrates River.
Let’s not forget Damascus. Turkish President Erdogan admitted that the “sole reason” why the Turkish Army has entered Syria is to remove Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. This week Turkish President Erdoğan said it was impossible for Syrian peace efforts to continue with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power.
You can stop wondering who will destroy Damascus. The destruction of Damascus is chronicled in Jeremiah 49:23-27. Turkey will attack Hamah and Tell Rifaat in northwestern Syria and then destroy Damascus.
Damascus is only thirty miles from the Israel border. This week Erdogan vowed to defend Jerusalem from Israeli ‘invaders’. This statement is not to be taken lightly. Turkey intends to creep all the way to Jerusalem.
Turkish President Erdogan has also demanded that land be returned to the Ottomans from eastern Greece and from Cypress. Erdogan has real plans to reinstate ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi was the Muslim Brotherhood Presidential candidate in Egypt. Turkey has already received an old Mediterranean Ottoman naval port from Sudan. Lately Turkey has made agreements with Libya to supply security forces in exchange for Libya’s submission.
Turkish President Erdogan is reestablishing the Ottoman Empire beginning in Syria. This is the reestablished world empire that the Bible predicts. Turkey is planting their flag in northern Syria. Turkish President Erdogan is the recognized Sultan of a revived Turkish ruled Islamic Caliphate. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist.
Read this article on Gulf News: The ‘Ottoman’ return to Syria, 100 years on
Read this article on Newsweek: Erdogan wants to recreate the Ottoman World
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria
Read my Book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible prophecy
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Will Turkey give Kobani to ISIS?
Will Turkey give Kobani to ISIS?
Turks cry for Kurdish blood in Kobani
By Craig C. White
DATELINE DEC 2024: I saw a video where ISIS fighters changed their black clothes and became Free Syrian Army fighters. These groups consist of the same Sunni Muslim Al-Qaeda jihadis.
Speaking of which; the Turkish supported Free Syrian Army is attacking Kobani right now. Kobani is a Kurdish town located in northeast Syria. ISIS took Kobani from the Kurds twice and the Kurds were able to take it back.
I am sure that there are many ISIS fighters in the Free Syrian Army that are attacking Kobani. I think that the Bible indicates that ISIS will be in Mosul celebrating their conquest of Kobani when Jesus returns (at the Rapture) to destroy them with a flood.
DATELINE DEC 2016: Turkish citizens are blaming several recent terror attacks on Kurdish PKK fighters that train in Kobani, Syria. Kobani is a Kurdish town of about fifty thousand people that suffered near complete destruction by an ISIS takeover in October 2014. The Kurds were able to retake Kobani in January 2015.
Now the Turkish people are protesting to wipe out the Kurdish PKK in Kobani. The Turkish Army is already in Syria just west of Kobani. The Turks entered Syria under the guise of fighting ISIS but at nearly every turn they have avoided doing so. In fact it has been reported that ISIS fighters have joined the Turkish led Al-Qaeda rebels to fight against the Kurds in Syria. ISIS is Sunni Muslim Al-Qaeda from northern Iraq and is sympathetic to the Turkish led Al-Qaeda forces. The population of Turkey is predominately Sunni Muslim and is sympathetic to the Sunni ISIS.
The Turkish Army along with Al-Qaeda rebels have cleared a corridor between Azaz (north of Aleppo) and the Euphrates River in northern Syria; in every instance allowing ISIS to retreat from harm. The Turkish led forces are now closing in on Kobani. Perhaps Turkey will assist ISIS as they attack Kobani yet again.
Here is my two cents. The Prophet Nahum describes the Ancient Assyrians as they remember their conquest of the city of Thebes in northern Egypt. God tells the Assyrians that Thebes was a great city yet it fell. If Thebes fell then the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh could fall just as well. In 612 BC God destroyed Nineveh with a flood along with three plundering armies.
Today Nineveh is called Mosul. Mosul is the hometown and headquarters of ISIS. I think that the book of Nahum may also pertain to ISIS in Mosul. I wonder if ISIS will be celebrating their conquest of Kobani when the Mosul dam breaks?
While I don’t agree with the sentiment of the attached article it does illustrate the public sentiment in Turkey against the Kurds and against the northeastern Syrian town of Kobani in particular.
Read this article on the Daily Sabah Turkey should wipe out PKK nests in Kobani and Afrin
Read my commentary titled Will Mosul fall after Kobani?
Read my book The End of ISIS is near!
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Old Damascus neighborhood must be destroyed
DEC 8, 2024: Al-Qaeda rebels take Damascus without a fight.
The Prophet Jeremiah predicts the destruction of Damascus. Jeremiah says that the residents of Damascus will flee, and that the Syrian soldiers will die in the streets. Jeremiah also predicts that Syria’s capital will be reduced to ruble. None of these things have happened yet. Perhaps they are yet to come.
Old Damascus neighborhood must be destroyed
The city of my praise
By Craig C. White
Most Christians are familiar with the Bible verse that says that Damascus will become a ruinous heap. But the Bible defines a specific Damascus neighborhood that must be destroyed.
Isaiah 17:1-2 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Has Damascus already become a ruinous heap? Some outlying neighborhoods have. But the central core of Damascus remains relatively intact. Does this satisfy Bible prophecy? Not yet. Jeremiah chapter 49 identifies the neighborhood of Old Damascus with its Old buildings and ancient renown.
Jeremiah 49:25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Two different Hebrew words for city are used in the verse above. The city of praise is a fortified city that has been celebrated in song. When God says “how is the city not left” he could be communicating his astonishment that even after a terrible assault on Damascus, the city has still not surrendered. When God calls Damascus “the city of my joy!” he is specifically saying that he delights in the cities old buildings. So we are looking for the destruction of the old part of the city. The neighborhood of Old Damascus is the seat of Syria’s government as well as its center of ancient history. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city on earth. It was founded by the Aramaeans over four thousand years ago, and was inhabited two thousand years before that. Damascus is a living depiction of human history.
Map of Damascus with the neighborhood of old Damascus outlined in red. This is the area of Damascus that the Bible pinpoints!
The Bible does not require Damascus to be destroyed by a nuclear bomb as so many Bible prophecy buffs teach.
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria
For the entire story read my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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High Alert, Kurds driven from Tell Rifaat
High Alert, Kurds driven from Tell Rifaat
By Craig C. White
DEC 7, 2024: Every Christian should be alerted when they hear about Tell Rifaat, Syria in the news. Tell Rifaat is located in the northern part of Aleppo province. Tell Rifaat is the last remaining Kurdish held town west of the Euphrates River. Turkey has been driving the Kurds eastward for the past several years.
This week the Kurds have been driven out of Tell Rifaat by Turkish supported Al-Qaeda forces.
Jeremiah 49:23-27 says that when Hamah and Tell Rifaat (Arpad) hear evil reports then the residents of Damascus will flee and Damascus will be destroyed.
Jer 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Aleppo and Hamah have been conquered by Turkish supported Al-Qaeda forces this week. End time Bible prophecy is moving forward.
Read this article on Middle East Eye: Syria: Aleppo’s Kurds fear displacement as thousands flee rebels in Tel Rifaat
According to Jeremiah the Turkish forces will attack Hamah and Tell Rifaat and will then march southward to destroy Damascus. Afterwards Turkey will lead the forces that are now fighting in Syria into northern Israel. Damascus is located only thirty miles away from the Golan Heights.
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria
Read my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible prophecy
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Jeremiah tells us about Hamah
Jeremiah tells us about Hamah
click to enlarge map
Turkish backed rebels capture Hama, Syria.
By Craig C. White
DEC 5, 2024: Turkish backed rebels capture Hama, Syria.
Jer 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
This is the beginning of the destruction of Damascus. We should probably expect to hear more about Tell Rifaat which is identified as Arpad in Jeremiah. Tell Rifaat is the last remaining Kurdish held town in northwestern Syria. Expect the residents of Damascus to flee soon.
Al-Qaeda rebels that used to be fighting all over Syria have all fled to the Idlib province. Please note that most of these rebels are not from Syria. The Syrian war is not a civil war. It is a multinational foreign invasion of Syria.
The Turkish Army has joined these Al-Qaeda rebels in Idlib and have provided them with weapons and have even provided soldiers from the Turkish led Free Syrian Army. The Free Syrian Army isn’t Syrian at all but consists mostly of Al-Qaeda rebels from Libya. I am certain that these are the same Libyans that Turkey will lead into Israel according to Ezekiel 38:5.
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
The Bible tells us about Hamah. Just before Damascus is destroyed the northwestern Syria city of Hamah will hear evil reports.
Turkey is the sole supporter of the Al-Qaeda rebels in Idlib. Turkey is the only nation that is keeping the Syrian war going.
It isn’t difficult to see that Jeremiah’s prophecy is about to happen. The residents of Damascus will flee and Damascus will be destroyed. I think that the Turkish Army will lead the Al-Qaeda rebels along with the Free Syrian Army against Damascus.
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria
Read this article on Voice of America: Turkey’s FM Urges Russia to Halt Syrian Government Attacks
Read my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible prophecy
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The nations are disquieted over Syria
The nations are disquieted over Syria
verse by verse through Jeremiah 49:23-27
By Craig C. White
DEC 1, 2024: This verse is beginning to happen now!
Jer 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings:
Turkish backed Al-Qaeda jihadis attacked parts of Aleppo and Hamah in northwestern Syria. Jeremiah says that when Hamah and Tell Rifaat (Arpad) hear evil reports then the residents of Damascus will flee and Damascus will be destroyed.
The Prophet Jeremiah asks the question “How is Damascus not there?”. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. One day it will no longer exist.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
What is Jeremiah telling us? Obviously this prophecy is concerning Damascus, Syria. In the verse above, Jeremiah mentions two cities. Hamath and Arpad (or modern day Tell Rifaat) are both located in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border. Today Hamah is Syria’s fifth largest city.. Hamah is further south but still close to the Turkish border. Arpad is modern day Tell Rifaat located about 25 miles north of Aleppo and about 20 miles south of the Turkish border. These cities are located along the path of an invasion launched from Turkey headed towards Damascus.
According to Jeremiah 49:23 the people of northwestern Syria will hear intelligence reports that the Turkish army is about to invade Syria. The army’s target is Damascus and they are coming through their cities! The people of northwestern Syria are terrified. Their hearts faint with fear
There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. The sea in Bible prophecy can refer to the Mediterranean Sea when it is accompanied with the definite article “the”. The sea can also refer to the nations. There is no article used here in the original Hebrew. I think that Jeremiah is saying that the nations will have great anxiety over the coming Turkish invasion into Syria. The Hebrew word translated sorrow means anxiety, fearfulness, carefulness, or heaviness.
So the nations will be very nervous concerning the coming Turkish invasion into Syria. The Turkish army’s goal is the destruction of Damascus. The English says it well here. The nations will not be able to be still. The Hebrew word translated quiet is defined below. The nations of the world will not be able to be at rest. They are already feeling uneasy concerning Syria.
quiet – shâqat, shaw-kat’
A primitive root; to repose (usually figuratively): – appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet (-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.
Jeremiah 49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
Damascus is waxed feeble. This is the idea of failing in your old age. Damascus is about to die. Damascus turneth herself to flee. This could refer to the city preparing to relinquish its life and it could also refer to the cities inhabitants as they attempt to escape.
The Hebrew word translated fear means to tremble with terror. Anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail; literally Damascus is feeling a localized tightness like a woman about to give birth.
Jeremiah 49:25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Two different Hebrew words for city are used in the verse above. The city of praise is a fortified city that has been celebrated in song. When God says “how is the city not left” he could be communicating his astonishment that even after a terrible assault on Damascus, the city has still not surrendered. When God calls Damascus “the city of my joy!” he is specifically saying that he delights in the cities old buildings. So we are looking for the destruction of the old part of the city. The neighborhood of “Old Damascus” is the capital of Syria. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city on earth. It was founded by the Aramaeans over four thousand years ago, and was inhabited two thousand years before that. Damascus is a living depiction of human history.
Jeremiah 49:26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
In this verse the young men are contrasted to the men of war. The men of war obviously represent the Syrian Army. Lately Syrian citizens have joined Assad and the Syrian Army to help defend their country. The Syrian National Defense Force is a newly formed civilian guard. I think that the Syrian National Defense Force could be represented by the young men in this verse.
It sounds like the young men of Damascus will stay behind to defend the city. Perhaps they will be the first line of defense. The young men of Damascus will die in its streets. The Syrian Army will be bunkered in Damascus. When God says that all the men of war shall be cut off he means that every Syrian soldier will die defending Damascus.. Jeremiah isn’t necessarily saying that this assault on Damascus will last only one day. That day refers to the entire duration be it one day or longer.
Jeremiah 49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.
The phrase “kindle a fire” leads many to imagine a nuclear explosion but that is not what is pictured here. The terminology “kindle a fire” is used in several other Bible passages. The terminology “kindle a fire” mean that God will send an army against a city or a nation. I think that God will send the Turkish army against Damascus.
Many so called Bible scholars claim that the destruction of Damascus has already taken place. They say that the Assyrian conquest of Damascus in 734 BC fulfills the Damascus prophecy. Well Damascus was conquered by Assyria in 734 BC and several cities around Damascus were burned with fire but Damascus has never been completely destroyed.
Jeremiah was a prophet around 600 BC. Jeremiah gave his prophecy one hundred years after Assyria conquered Damascus. So the Assyrian conquest of Damascus can not possibly fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy. The Assyrians conquered Damascus in 734 BC. I think that Jeremiah is prophesying about an invasion of Damascus that is forming now.
In Jeremiah 49:27, The palaces of Benhadad refer to the ancient thrones of Syrian Kings in Damascus. Like the ancient invasion, this future invasion will also destroy Syria’s seat of government in the neighborhood of Old Damascus.
So the Turkish army will march down from Syria’s northwestern border terrorizing cities along the way. Their goal is the destruction of Damascus. The nations of the world will be in a tumult. They will not be able to calm down. Damascus will prepare to die. The people will flee and the young men and army will fight to the death never surrendering. The oldest city on earth will be destroyed along with its historical buildings. Jeremiah describes a city under siege not a city obliterated by a single bomb.
Listen to “The nations are disquieted over Syria” on Spreaker.https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js
For a verse by verse study read Isaiah 17 predicts the destruction of Damascus
Read my new book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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High Time to Awake 