Over the weekend, Israel conducted an airstrike on a 3-car convoy in Syria that killed 6 Iranian and 6 Hezbollah soldiers, including an Iranian general and a very high-level Hezbollah commander.  That was in response to Israeli intelligence that identified operatives in that convoy who were part of a plot to attack civilians along Israel’s northern border.  For years, Iran has armed Hezbollah and has set up bases of operation from which to conduct attacks.  Hezbollah operates primarily in Lebanon, but it is a known fact that arms have been transferred through Syria to Hezbollah.  Lebanon and Syria are both situated on Israel’s northern border.

Iranian presence along the Golan Heights (between Syria and Israel) has increased significantly in recent months, which accounts for the presence of the 6 Iranian soldiers in that convoy.

If that is not enough of a threat, Russia and Iran entered into an agreement on Tuesday to expand military ties.  Russia has been very instrumental in providing funds and knowledge to help Iran build and operate nuclear facilities all over the Persian state.  Thus, these three evil regimes have tightened their alliance, and all have aspirations of destroying Israel.  In response to the airstrike on Saturday, they vow to deliver a “crushing response…in due time and place.”

In response, Israel has positioned Iron Dome batteries on the northern border in anticipation of potential attacks from Hezbollah (and perhaps Iranian) soldiers from Lebanon and Syria.  Should attacks occur, terrorist groups to the north have at least 170,000 missiles aimed at the Jewish homeland.  Historically, most of those missiles were Kassam rockets, homemade, with no guidance systems to pinpoint targets.  That is changing, however, as Iran routinely furnishes newer weapons, ammunition and technology to Hezbollah.

Furthermore, Syria is still in possession of chemical weapons, and is believed to have a nuclear facility.  Imagine chemical or nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah or ISIS…or in possession of the Iranian regime who has promised to wipe Israel off the map.  The number of potential methods of destruction is too many to count!

So, I remind you of two prophecies with very real potential of fulfillment in the near future:

• Isaiah 17:1 and Jeremiah 49:23-27 tell us that Damascus will cease to exist in the last days. With civil war raging, ISIS eating up territory, and terrorist groups poised to take control of stockpiles of chemical or nuclear weapons in Syria, never in the history of the world has Damascus been in such jeopardy of destruction.
• Ezekiel 38-39 describes a coalition that will invade Israel in the last days…probably soon after the rapture of the church. Russia and Iran are clearly identified as the key players in that coalition (which also includes Turkey and several North African nations).  Yesterday’s agreement between Russia and Iran is only one of several they have put in place over the past few years.  That coalition is growing more solid every day.

It is too early to be dogmatic about the exact timing of the Northern Invasion.  However, the players are aligning themselves even as I write this, and once the dominoes begin to fall, they will all fall quickly.  Indeed, the season is at hand and time is short.  Not only must we be ready for our Savior’s return, but we must also exhort one another to be ready as well.  The rapture could take place at any time.  Are you ready?