The Burden of Damascus :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

The prophet Isaiah wrote:

  • “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap” (Isa. 17:1).
  • “And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.”

It is not hard to find commentators that say this prophecy has been fulfilled, but because Damascus has been destroyed so many times, there is much doubt about who fulfilled it and when it happened.

There are others who believe it has never been fulfilled because Damascus has always been rebuilt, and it has never ceased to exist as a city.

There may have been an initial partial fulfillment, but a greater, more complete fulfillment is yet to come.

Put another way, Damascus must be permanently destroyed at some point in the future.

This brings us to Dec. 4, 2025.

It was reported that Israeli security sources said terrorist elements are gathering in southern Syria, and they are plotting attacks against Israel.

Israeli officials said the consolidation of terrorist elements in southern Syria undermines the prospects of a security agreement between Israel and Syria and highlights the fact that al-Sharaa does not have effective control over all parts of the country.

Israel asked the U.S. to convey a stern message to the Syrian regime under Ahmad al-Sharaa that said Israel will not tolerate the establishment of terrorist organizations in southern Syria and that it is Damascus’s responsibility to stop such groups, or else Israel will act.

So, some prophecy teachers believe the Bible says Damascus will be permanently destroyed in one night, and Israel has warned Damascus to stop the terrorists in southern Syria from attacking Israel, or Israel will act.

(Update: Video of a Dec. 9, 2025 Syrian military parade shows Syrian soldiers marching and shouting, “We rise against you, [Israeli] enemy, we rise, from mountains of fire we make our way. From my blood I forge my ammunition, from your blood, rivers will flow.” Other video shows them marching and shouting, “Gaza, Gaza, we’re with you to the death. I’m marching towards you, my enemy.” An Israeli official responded by saying, “War with Syria is inevitable.” He added, “In Islam, there is no room for other religions. The faith divides the world into two spheres, Dar al-Islam (“Abode of Islam”) and Dar al-Harb (“Abode of War.”)

(Update: On Dec. 10, 2025, it was reported that Churches have had crosses knocked down, icons destroyed, and Christian cemeteries violated. Many Christian families now say they don’t feel safe.”)

Here are some more reasons to believe that the end of the age is close:

One, concerning the UN and Syria: on Dec. 5, 2025, William Koenig, White House Correspondent, said Trump’s 20-Point Plan (Gaza Stabilization Plan) has effectively re-elevated the United Nations into a central role in the administration of Gaza, and the consequences were immediate: This week, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

Koenig continued:

  • For decades, the Golan Heights has been Israel’s northern shield — the high ground preventing Syrian and Iranian forces from threatening Galilee. A UN-backed withdrawal demand signals that international campaigns to erode Israel’s territorial legitimacy are escalating again.
  • Israel is entering a moment where the greatest threat may not be military — but diplomatic isolation combined with strategic ambiguity from its closest ally.

(My comment: Pres. Trump is trying to establish peace in the Middle East by restricting Israel – telling Israel not to wipe out Hamas, not to attack Hezbollah, not to attack Syria, not to annex Judea and Samaria, etc. and by trying to get all the Arab nations to sign the Abraham Accords – but the Bible teaches that we will have wars and rumors of wars – not real peace – until the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period. It teaches that there will be a false peace that will be confirmed – strengthened – by the Antichrist and begin the Tribulation Period, but not real peace.

Trump’s efforts to tie Israel’s hands and cater to the Arabs may lead to that false peace, and they will probably get America in trouble with God, but they will not stop Islam’s efforts to destroy Israel and establish an Islamic world government and religion. Islam will not abandon its radical religious beliefs because Trump wants peace in the Middle East.)

Two, on Dec. 2, 2025, allisraelnews posted an excellent opinion piece titled “The War is Over – or Not?”

The writer said:

  • The Peace Plan, brokered by the President of the U.S. Donald Trump, is predicated on the surrender of Hamas in Gaza, its disarmament and its displacement as a governing power. Hamas agreed only to the first phase of this plan, the return of the 20 remaining hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Hamas prisoners held by Israel.
  • Hamas has not signed on to the second or following phases of the Plan, which require it to disarm. Hamas has neither surrendered nor disarmed and has made it clear that it has no intention of doing so. And why would it? Its whole raison d’etreis the destruction of Israel. Without its weapons, Hamas is nothing.

Here is a link to the entire article:

https://allisraelnews.com/blog/the-war-is-over-or-not

Three, concerning Trump’s peace plan: on Dec. 7, 2025, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said:

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a direct contradiction of the core terms of Trump’s peace plan.

(Reminder: Israel has said, “It’s either they agree to disarm, or we will disarm them. We will not leave any threat to the State of Israel in Gaza.”)

(More: On Dec. 7, 2025, the U.S. State Dept. responded to Mashaal’s comments: “Hamas has agreed to all 20 points of President Trump’s 20-Point Plan. That means Gaza will be fully demilitarized for the sake of Gazans.”)

Four, concerning the tracking of people: following Israel’s recent assassination of a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon, Hamas decided to tighten its security measures.

A Hamas official said:

  • Turning off phones does not prevent tracking, as any device operating through WiFi can be hacked.
  • Smart watches and similar devices can be used to count the number of people in any room.
  • Leaders must keep cell phones at least 70 meters away from meeting sites, as well as medical and electronic devices, including watches.

Five, on Dec. 5, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump expects to announce the move to Phase II (appointment of a Board of Peace, Israel out of Gaza, Hamas out of power, and more) of his 20-Point Peace Plan before Christmas, but Phase I (the release of all hostages, dead or alive) is not complete yet.

Hamas still has the body of one hostage, and they seem to be deliberately slow walking its release to delay Phase II.

(Update: On Dec. 6, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump will announce the composition of his new Board of Peace – BoP – on Dec. 15, 2025.)

Six, on Dec. 4, 2025, Pres. Trump lit the U.S. National Christmas Tree and shared the gospel on live TV.

Trump said:

  • During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem, more than 2,000 years ago, when the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to be with us.
  • Full of grace and truth, He brought the gift of God’s love into the world and the promise of salvation for every person and every nation.
  • Tonight, this beautiful evergreen tree glows bright on the dark and cold winter night and reminds us of the words of the Gospel of John: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
  • With the birth of Jesus, human history turned from night to day. His Word and His example call us to love one another, to serve one another, and to honor the sacred truth that every child is specially made in the image of God.
  • America has stood tall, in part, because millions of our citizens have heeded that call in their faith—and the service of Christians has been an essential part of America’s strength from the very, very beginning.

(My opinion: I assume someone wrote this for Trump, but I give him credit for sharing the gospel with our nation.)

Seven, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters: on Dec. 4-5, 2025, at least 40 record-breaking low temperatures were set in the Midwestern U.S.

According to the forecast, more records will be set in early December.

Eight, concerning the False Prophet building a robot that can speak (Rev. 13:15): on Dec. 6, 2025, I read that Elon Musk said robots will soon be working on assembly lines, and they will be building other robots (in 2026).

Nine, concerning the growing influence of Islam in America: on Dec. 6, 2025, RAIR Foundation U.S.A. reported that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has started appointing members to key committees in the city, and “It would appear that most of them are Muslim, and religion evidently tops morality and criminal behavior in his selection process.”

Ten, concerning illegal immigration: Pres. Trump announced that the U.S. is going to start charging every illegal immigrant 14 years or older a $5,000 apprehension fee for entering the U.S. illegally.

The fee will apply to all illegal aliens—regardless of where they entered, how long they’ve been in the U.S., their current location, or any ongoing immigration proceeding.

Eleven, concerning the controversy over Jerusalem and peace and safety in the Middle East: on Dec. 6, 2025, Pres. Trump said:

  • His 2017 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy there was a transformative step forward in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.
  • Today, eight years later, my administration renews its commitment to ushering in a new era of peace, prosperity and stability in the region and all around the world.
  • Now we stand on the doorstep of one of the greatest diplomatic achievements in history, as a strong, durable and everlasting peace is emerging across the Middle East.
  • The significant peace agreement that he has led between Israel and Hamas is a monumental agreement, which is a massive leap toward an enduring peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people—one that ensures security, brings stability, and offers hope for generations to come.

(My comment: Notice that Pres. Trump said that his 20-Point Peace Plan is a massive leap toward peace and security – peace and safety – in the Middle East. Many prophecy teachers believe Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan may lead to the covenant that is confirmed – strengthened – by the Antichrist.)

Twelve, concerning the expansion of Israel’s borders at the end of the age and Pres. Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan: as of now, Israel controls about 53% of Gaza.

On Dec. 7, 2025, Israel’s Chief of Staff said:

  • The Gaza ceasefire line known as the “Yellow Line,” demarcating the Israeli military withdrawal, is “a new border line.”
  • We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip, and we will remain on those defense lines.

Thirteen, concerning slaves at the end of the age (Rev. 18:13): on Dec. 7, 2025, White House border czar Tom Homan said more than 60,000 children who were illegally smuggled into the U.S. have been located by the Trump administration and that some were rescued from dire situations, including sex trafficking and forced labor.

Fourteen, concerning Islam and wars and rumors of wars: Muslim terrorists are threatening to overrun the West African nation of Mali.

The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave or not travel there.

Fifteen, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. seized a large crude tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from both Venezuela and Iran.

Venezuela accused the U.S. of blatant theft.

Sixteen, concerning Pres. Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) to supervise a new Gaza government and the reconstruction of Gaza: on Dec. 10, 2025, Trump changed his announcement date from before Christmas to early in 2026.

Trump also said his BoP will be one of the most legendary councils ever – kings, heads of state, presidents, instead of seasoned diplomats and specialists as originally announced.

(My question: Will this transition into the Ten Kings? Who knows?)

Seventeen, concerning globalism’s attempt to create a borderless world: on Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security signed a $140M contract to purchase six Boeing 737 planes to use for the deportation of illegal immigrants.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

Can We Know for Sure? :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles

When it comes to the matter of the Rapture, differing ideas abound. The most popular viewpoints deny there is such a thing in Scripture. Another widespread belief combines it with the Second Coming.

There’s also a wide variety of opinions regarding the timing of the Rapture among those who believe in a literal seven-year Tribulation and Jesus’ thousand-year rule over all the nations. Most who hold to these premillennial beliefs place our homegoing before the Tribulation period, while others place it at various points during this time of “Jacob’s trouble,” or at its end.

There’s also another category that I refer to as the “Rapture agnostics.” When we think of an agnostic, the first thing that comes to our minds is someone who does not know if God exists or not. According to Dictionary.com, however, there’s a secondary meaning that describes this perspective as that of “a person who denies or doubts the possibility of ultimate knowledge in some area of study.”

Rapture agnostics deny “the possibility of ultimate knowledge” regarding the placement of the Rapture either before or during the Tribulation.

Many in this camp say that all the beliefs in regard to the positioning of the Rapture are just the “best guesses.” Several others remain uncommitted to any position by repeating the popular phrase, “It will all pan out in the end.”

But is it possible to know for sure that the Rapture will happen before the start of the seven-year Tribulation? Yes, and as I explain below, the viewpoint that says we cannot know whether or not we will experience the Day of the Lord wrath confirms my belief.

Why Would the Lord Allow His Bride to Experience His wrath?

Let’s start with something upon which all premillennialists agree: the Tribulation period will be a time of widespread death and devastation upon planet Earth. The horrific depictions of the Day of the Lord wrath in the Old Testament track closely with the judgment we read about in the book of Revelation.

The Lord described this future time in Matthew 24:21-22:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

The event that cuts this time short is Jesus’ Second Coming, which He describes in glorious detail in verses 29-31. According to Jesus, a very small percentage of people alive at the start of this time will remain breathing at its end, which aligns with God’s warning in Isaiah 13:6-13 and what we read about the Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl judgments in Revelation.

Premillennialists agree that this will be a horrific time of death, near total destruction. But why would the Lord allow His Redeemed to experience His judgments, i.e., the Day of the Lord wrath? And this begs another question.

Why Would the Lord Leave Us Without a Definitive Word?

The extreme nature of the Day of the Lord leads me to another question: “Is it reasonable to assume that the Lord would not give His Church, His Bride, any clear direction as to whether or not they will experience this horrific time on the earth?” The answer must be a definitive NO!

If we believe the Tribulation will be as bad as the Bible says it will be, are we really to believe that the matter of whether or not we will experience this horrific time is just our best guess? What does that say about our Savior if He indeed has left us with no clear indication of whether or not to expect deliverance or a need to prepare for this time of devastation?

If the Church is destined to go through this deadly time on the earth, we would expect to read something about our preparation for it. Of course, two millennia of prepping for it would be out of the question. Yet, we would expect to find something written among all the prophetic passages of the New Testament about preparing for it once the signs of the end appear, but there is nothing about this matter. Nothing!

If we are indeed destined for this dreadful time or even half of it, things will most assuredly NOT “pan out in the end.” NO! The vast majority of us will experience much pain followed by martyrdom.

Yes, the Lord told His disciples to expect tribulation (John 16:33), and the Apostle Paul warned that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). However, the Day of the Lord wrath targets those who reject Jesus and refuse to turn to Him even in the midst of severe judgments. It’s also a last call to repentance for those who reject the Savior, as well as a time of suffering for the Jewish people, so they will turn to their Messiah at its end. Where exactly do the redeemed fit into these purposes?

Is it realistic to assume that the Lord would leave us with no definitive word as to whether or not we would go through this horrific time of judgment on the nations? No, absolutely not. Jesus has provided us with a certain hope that we will miss this horrific time on the earth.

Is There a Clear Biblical Path to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture?

Yes, a decisive biblical path exists to our belief in the pre-Tribulation Rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul talks about the Day of the Lord wrath, warning that it will begin with “sudden destruction” during the time when “people are saying, ‘There is peace and security’” (verse 3). In verse 9-10, we have the promise of deliverance from this time:

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”

For us as believers, the Rapture signifies our deliverance from this time. If we were destined to endure this time, why would the apostle conclude with these words, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing”? Would this really apply if most believers were to suffer and die because of the Lord’s wrath against the wicked and ungodly? Where’s the comfort in certain suffering and death?

In my book, Invitation to a Lavish Feast, I include a lengthy section describing step by step how the words of the New Testament lead us to a definitive belief in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Such a path exists. It’s beyond the scope of this article to lay out all the biblical evidence for this conclusion.

Yes, many Christians disagree with my conclusion. But is this not the case with the other beliefs we hold dear? Differing opinions exist on almost every doctrine listed in any church statement of faith, which is why we depend exclusively on the words of Scripture for the basis of all that we believe.

The matter of settling most of our cherished beliefs often rests upon more than just one verse or single passage from Scripture. It happens by comparing Scripture with Scripture, allowing clear passages to interpret those that are not so clear on the topic, and accepting God’s Word as the only authority over human wisdom and experience.

The Rapture agnostics tell us we cannot determine whether or not we will go through all of the Tribulation or perhaps a part of it. This is not true.

The Bible provides us with a clear path leading to the certainty that Jesus is coming to take us home before the start of the Tribulation period, or what the Old Testament describes as the Day of the Lord. The absence of nary a hint that we must prepare for this time adds confirmation to this trek through Scripture.

Maranatha! Come soon, Lord Jesus!

***

My book, Invitation to a Lavish Feast – Wisdom’s Path to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is available on Amazon or on SkyWatchTV. In this book, I demonstrate how the words of Scripture not only verify our beliefs in not only the restoration of Israel, but also our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing to take us home to glory. In each section, I show how our beliefs regarding Bible prophecy intersect with our lives on a daily basis.

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