Syrian Saga Continues

As Syria’s President Assad clings to power, rebel forces tighten their grip on Damascus. Rebels have captured military bases and are now closing in on Damascus, as Assad’s regime bombs more of the city’s suburbs.

The international community and the Arab league have decried Assad’s selfish clinging to power. A recent visit from a UN peace envoy showed little hope of improvement in the situation (Telegraph, December 24, 2012). Russia has apparently sent military ships to evacuate Russian citizens from Syria should it be needed (Reuters, December 18, 2012). Even Pope Benedict XVI has spoken against the “senseless slaughter of innocent Syrians” by the Assad regime (Associated Press, December 25, 2012).

But what is ahead for Syria?  End-time Bible prophecies indicate that Damascus will become a “ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1) and the men of war will perish in her streets as fear seizes the city and fire consumes the dwellings (Jeremiah 49:23-27). Ultimately, peace will come to Damascus—and the entire Middle East—when Jesus Christ returns to this earth (Revelation 11:15-18) and the whole world will finally be filled with “the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Only then will true and lasting peace be established. For more information on the future of the Middle East, see our eye-opening booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy.