LCG: Syria and the latest Middle East uprising

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (Source: Agência Brasil, Wikipedia)
بشار الأسد

In today’s TW News & Prophecy, the Living Church of God (LCG) reported:

Syria is now the latest nation experiencing a bloody interchange between a ruling family–the Assads, in power for 40 years–and citizens desirous of democracy. The Assad government has attempted to put down the rebellion through the use of force–an action which appears to be solidifying the people’s resolve.The regime in Syria has banned foreign journalists. In response, EU nations–led by Germany–have issued several powerful statements condemning the government-backed violence against their own people. EU nations as well as the UN Security Council are considering sanctions against Syria (Associated Press, April 22, 2011). In an attempt to violently end protests and hang on to his power, President al-Assad appears to be dividing his own government (Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2011).

The current unrest throughout the region is creating a power-vacuum that will need to be filled one way or another. God prophesied through the prophet Amos that He would bring His wrath against many different Middle Eastern nations, including Syria (Amos 1:3-15; 2:1-16). God is bringing to pass His plan throughout the Middle East and elsewhere. God is the one who raises up kings and puts them down (Daniel 2:21). We can rest assured that, even in these sobering times of great turmoil, God is working out His plan here below, in Syria and beyond! If you received this E-Zine from a friend and would like to begin receiving your own copy click here to sign up for free.

There were other developments in Syria today:

At Least 32 Dead In Syria As UN, Washington Take Action Against Damascus

29 April 2011

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertyThe United Nation’s top human rights body has passed a resolution that “unequivocally condemns the use of lethal violence against peaceful protestors by the Syrian authorities” and “urges the Syrian government to immediately put an end to all human rights violations.”The vote in the Geneva-based body was 26 countries in favor of the resolution and nine against, including traditional Syria allies Russia and China. Seven abstained and five delegations — including Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain — were not present for the vote…Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order imposing financial sanctions against three top Syrian officials…

US slaps sanctions on top Syrian officials

CNN International – Elise Labott, Adam Levine – ‎29 April 2011…

“I have determined that the Government of Syria’s human rights abuses, including those related to the repression of the people in Syria … constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” President Barack Obama said in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

The situation in the Middle East is changing and the US President is encouraging it. It will likely be chaotic until a strong leader rises up in that region that will transcend current national boundaries. The ituation in Syria seems to be a step towards that.

Those of us in the Living Church of God believe that Bible prophecy tells of a time when the Arab nations will unite under a leader shown as the final King of the South in the Book of Daniel (e.g. Daniel 11:40). Many Muslims seem to be looking for such a leader, though they tend to use the title Caliph or Mahdi.

Mosque in Damascus

Interestingly, at least two Islamic sources that I have found state that the Mahdi will end up being based in Damascus (the capital of Syria):

“Having done this his next step would be to proceed on to Damascus, where the bulk of the Nasara (Christian) forces along with the tribe of Kalb would be deployed, as was previously mentioned. In Damascus, the Imam will set up his headquarters. From here, he will conduct military operations against the enemies of Islam and defeats them (such as the ones in Jerusalem), and from here, he will rule.”

“The Mehdi will be very just and his capital will be Damascus. The Mehdi is NOT a prophet but he is the final Rightly Guided Khalifah. The Mehdi will lead Muslims to a great victory against the Sufyaani and the Romans. This great war or Armageddon…”

If the final King of the South ends up being based in Damascus, this may be part of the reason that it gets destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). Other the other hand, it is also possible that as an act of desperation, Syria will support Iran in a battle against Israel that probably will not turn out well for Syria.

What is happening in Syria seems to aligning with the idea of a pan-Arabic confederation that all should watch for.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?