God’s man (or woman) living in the center of God’s will, is immortal until God is done with him (or her)!
~ Dr David Jeremiah

By now you are aware of the nuclear deal made between world leaders and Iran, making the world a much more dangerous place in the years to come.  Many have expressed anxiety, and some have asked whether or not we should be fearful.  To that, I think we need to consider two things:  Bible prophecy, and God’s sovereign faithfulness.

First, to Bible prophecy.  What we see happening today is dead on with what we might expect, based on prophecy.  Ezekiel 38 is clear that Russia and Iran will one day join forces to lead a coalition to invade and attack Israel.  (See Who’s Who Among Northern Invaders)  Russia has already spoken out in support of Iran and their position in the negotiations, and is rushing to strengthen relations with Iran.  (See Russia Quickly Maneuvers to Capitalize on Iran Nuclear Deal)  Never in the history of the world has there been such cooperation and aggressive alliance between Moscow and Tehran.

But I believe there is another world capital that may be even more critical at this point than any other: Damascus Syria.  Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 both describe the total destruction of Damascus that will happen in the last days.  Today, the Syrian regime, rebels groups, and ISIS are all vying for control of Damascus, where there are known stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  Imagine chemical and biological weapons in the hands of ISIS…or Iranian-backed Hezbollah…or other rebel groups.  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime will almost certainly fall, and all indications are that it will be sooner than later.

Why is that significant?  Make no mistake…the Assad regime is an evil regime.  But once it falls and ISIS and al Qaeda move into the vacuum, WMD’s will fall into the hands of terrorists and it is difficult to imagine anything other than the total destruction of Damascus.  Put the two prophecies together, and I don’t believe it is too far-fetched to believe the destruction of Damascus will be the fuse that ignites the Northern Invasion!

Dear friends, we are not simply living in the last days, we are living in the last hours of the last days!  So, back to the question of whether or not we should be fearful.  My answer is “yes” and “no,” so let me explain.

No, we should not be fearful!  God is faithful!  After all, what we see happening today is happening right on time and right on target with Bible prophecy.  We may vehemently disagree (as many of us do!) with decisions being made by world leaders, including our own.  However, God is not surprised and He is not taken aback by the evil being perpetuated by both evil regimes and world governments who are opening doors to immorality and lack of security.  The Bible calls this the mystery of lawlessness.  Look at what 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 says:

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

So, though the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, the Holy Spirit has been at work to this day restraining the “lawless one” (Satan).   The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), therefore, when Jesus comes to snatch us away (rapture), the Holy Spirit will no longer restrain the evil one, and all hell will break loose on earth.  That is the tribulation.

But remember…when Jesus comes to snatch us (Christ followers) away, we are safe with Him!  (Be Encouraged…Jesus is Coming!)  So, should we be fearful?  If you are a Christ follower, no…absolutely not!  We have no reason to fear.

However, I do fear for friends and family who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior, Lord and Messiah.  The earth will be a very horrible place once believers are raptured and the Holy Spirit no longer restrains Satan and his demons.  They will wreck havoc, and brutality as we know it will be a drop in the bucket.  So be fearful, my friends, of what awaits those without Christ!  (If you are “without Christ,” you can be saved!  Go to How to Know God.)

There is a whole wide world of people needing the mercy, grace and love of our Savior.  In these last hours of the last days, what are we doing to live a life worthy of our calling?  (Ephesians 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)  As Christians, our calling is to be like Christ…to show His love, to do what He would do, to give our very lives for the sake of His kingdom, and to point the way to salvation for those without Jesus.  We have NOTHING to fear if we are about His business!  Let’s live our immortal lives to the fullest!

God’s man (or woman) living in the center of God’s will, is immortal until God is done with him (or her)!
~ Dr David Jeremiah