CHAPTER 6
Isaiah 17 and 18, and the “Mystery Nation”
By Doug Krieger
Pergamos Ministries
The Tribulation Network
www.the-tribulation-network.com
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places . . . all of these are the beginning of sorrow” (Matthew 24:7).
News trickling in from the nations affected by the monster earthquake (9.0) and subsequent Tsunami Waves depicts a latter-day apocalyptic occurrence beyond belief and rifles our attention onto the words of Jesus in the introduction of His Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24 prior to his crucifixion.
In the same breath He declared the incessant wars among the nations and then simultaneously announced that famines, pestilences, and EARTHQUAKES would take place in various places around the globe—as if there were a direct link between and among them! Without warning (some estimate) 150,000 lives were snuffed out . . . how could this be? Another 150,000 lives (for a total of 300,000) will die from disease caused by what the nations declared will be the "world's greatest relief effort in history" as well as the greatest financial disaster of all times! The devastation is UNPRECEDENTED IN THE ANNALS OF HUMAN HISTORY! Meanwhile, the intensity of the struggle for “Middle East” PEACE continues unabated!
DOWN THAT ROAD TO DAMASCUS
The last two blogs, along with a minor detour, introduced the “Damascus Synthesis” (both “secular” and “Biblical”). We also discussed why “hermeneutics” (i.e., “Bible interpretation”) was absolutely mandatory in the unfolding of eschatology. Christian liberalism, along with Dominionism, embrace a “traditional” (especially since Constantine embraced Christianity which was eventually made the State Religion of the Roman Empire) interpretation of eschatology (the study of “last things”); whereas, “Biblical literalism” is embraced by the majority of American Evangelicals. However, not all “Biblical Literalists” concur . . . and that’s what Christian Liberalism simply cannot endure! It would be much easier to “lump” the whole lot of those inerrant types into the same lot—aberrant Christianity.
DAMASCUS WILL NO LONGER BE A CITY
We now expand upon the “Damascus Synthesis” on a verse by verse exposition.
Firstly, the most potent prophetic diatribe against Damascus (i.e., Syria) takes place in Isaiah 17.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Among ancient cities of the world, Damascus is perhaps the oldest continuously inhabited. Its name, Dimashq in Arabic . . . derives from Dimashka, a word of pre-Semitic etymology, suggesting that the beginnings of Damascus go back to a time before recorded history.”
The prophecies of Isaiah 17 have NOT been completely fulfilled. Shelia Macvicar, CNN Senior International Correspondent, on CNN Presents, March 15, 2003 (“Lines in the Sand”) traveled to the Middle East with the intent to see how a war would play itself out in the Arab world; to wit:
“When you talk about civilization, Syrians like to remind you their capital Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, an old culture that has slowly started to embrace reform. For nearly 20 years Syria has been on the U.S. State Department’s list of state sponsors of terror and it has not yet made peace with Israel . . . .”
“Damascus is known to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. There is firm evidence that in the third millennium BC, Damascus was a population center of a civilization that was considerably prosperous and economically influential. The earliest reference to the city was found in the archaeological site of Ebla in 1975; where the word “Damaski” was found on one of the clay tablets. Some historians believe that the city actually dates back to the seventh millennium BC…” (damascus online)
ASSYRIAN DEFEAT OF DAMASCUS DID NOT FULFILL PROPHECY
The late Dr. John Walvoord appears uncertain in the fulfillment of the “Damascus Oracle” when he says:
“The coming destruction of Damascus, one of the ancient cities of the Middle East, the capital city of Aram, was predicted (vv. 1-2). Damascus was allied with Israel in fighting the Assyrians, but it would all be to no avail because the Assyrians would triumph. Jacob would be like a person with a fat body that wasted away (v. 4). The destruction of Damascus was fulfilled in history and prophecy.” (P. 101, Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, Victor Books, cir. 1990).
This somewhat ambiguous announcement simply defines the description of the text and does not seek to go much further; although, perchance there’s an opening within the context of his “fulfilled in history and prophecy” remark? However, be it duly noted, the good theologian sees, I believe, little, if any relevance to a future prophetical fulfillment regarding Syria.
The finality and intensity of the Damascus destruction is so horrific, that to surmise an initial fulfillment was the “conclusive prophecy” would do great disservice to Isaiah’s forecast. One of the truly mysterious elements of the Hebraic prophets is to find an “immediate smaller or partial fulfillment foreshadowing a larger or complete fulfillment yet to come” (http://www.harpazo.net/Damascus.html).
In sum: Damascus awaits destruction (sorry to say):
“The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid’” (Isaiah 17:1-2).
Again, the “burden against Damascus” will be fulfilled by a joint military assault against her by the IDF/USA (i.e., the Israeli Defense Forces and the current leadership of the Western World: The United States of America, who has pre-positioned her forces in the region (Iraq and elsewhere)). This overwhelming military display will knock out the current insurgency in Iraq by elimination of Syrian/Lebanese complicity with these International Terrorist organizations which are “officially sponsored” by Syrian compliance (directly and indirectly supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, Amal, Islamic Jihad, et al, and, overall, the insurgents in Iraq).
THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY WILL BE DISSOLVED
In order to achieve a Middle East free from terrorism, the United States and her ally, Israel, will once and for all, during the upheaval with Syria and Lebanon (as well as ultimate “democratization” of Iraq—all prior to taking on the “Iranian Problem”) SIMULTANEOUSLY destroy the terrorist network of the Palestinian Authority, and ipso facto, the Palestinian Authority will be reduced to a mere symbol of conquest—scheduled for “transference” from the West Bank to either Gaza and/or throughout the Arab world, along with a complete take over of the Temple Mount area.
This will take place SIMULTANEOUSLY with Syria’s demise; to wit:
“The fortress also will cease from Ephraim (the tribe of Ephraim was/is virtually the “Command Center of the PLO” today), the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; they will be as the glory of the children of Israel, says the Lord of hosts” (Note: The “remnant” referred to here has to do with the tiny remnant of Jews still living in Syria.)
Likewise, the “Messianic Scenario” given in Zechariah Chapters 9 through 14 clearly initiates judgment against Israel’s enemies in the immediate area of Syria, and lands now occupied by Lebanon, and the PLO; to wit:
Against Syria proper:
1
The burden[a]
of the word of the LORD
Against the land of Hadrach,
And Damascus its resting place
(For the eyes of men
And all the tribes of Israel
Are on the LORD);
2Also against Hamath, which borders on it,
Against Lebanon proper:
And against Tyre and Sidon,
though they are very wise.
3For
Tyre built herself a tower,
Heaped up silver like the dust,
And gold like the mire of the streets.
4Behold, the LORD will cast her out;
He will destroy her power in the sea,
And she will be devoured by fire.
Against the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Area:
5Ashkelon shall see it and fear;
Gaza also shall be very sorrowful;
And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation.
The king shall perish from Gaza,
And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
6"A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod,
And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7I will take away the blood from his mouth,
And the abominations from between his teeth.
ISRAEL’S
POPULARITY AND MILITARY STRENTH WILL BE DIMINISHED AS A RESULT OF THE SYRIAN
ENGAGEMENT
Clearly, Israel’s pivotal role in the “Syrian Regime Change” is noteworthy, as well as her “exhaustion” in the conflict; however, there will still be some strength remaining in her forces AND a revival amongst the Israelis will commence, as well as (quite possibly) the “initial stirrings” of the TESTIMONY OF THE TWO WITNESSES (Revelation 11) wherein the “final ingathering of the harvest of the earth” shall take place (Revelation 14:14-16).
“In that day their strong cities, which they (the Syrians) left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth” (Isaiah 17:9).
“In that day the glory of Jacob will fade . . . the fat of his body will waste away. It will be as when a reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the grain with his arm—as when a man gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is beaten, leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches, four or five on the fruitful boughs (Note: The “olive tree” is the SYMBOL of Israel), declares the Lord, the God of Israel. In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made” (Isaiah 17:4-8).
Though victorious, the “victory” will leave Israel exceedingly vulnerable, while at the same time diminishing her “earthly popularity,” she and the nations of the world will look upon this victory as a demonstration of the Lord their Maker INTERVENING in the affairs of man and “turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.”
Syria’s distrust toward Israel exceeds in intensity virtually the combined anger of the Islamic World; to wit:
“As long as Israel exists, the threat exists. As long as there is aggression against an Arab country, and as long as there is a war close to our borders, the danger continues. Anyone who does not worry in such circumstances does not see reality. Worry does not mean fear, but readiness for the confrontation . . . .”
“ . . . None of us and none of the Arabs trust Israel. It is natural that we should always expect an Israeli attack, even when it does not threaten. It should be known that Israel is based on treachery. This is a point to be considered thoroughly. We are dealing with treachery and threats, which accompanied the establishment of Israel. Since its very inception, Israel has been a threat. It is the Israeli nature, and for that Israel was established.” (Syrian President Bashar Assad)
The above link emphasizes Syria’s current military buildup of some 600,000 troops since mid-2003.
THE RAGING OF THE NATIONS—GOG-MAGOG ARISING
The multinational Attack known as the Gog-Magog War found in Ezekiel 38 and 39 immediately follows the destruction seen in the initial verses of Isaiah 17; to wit:
12 Oh, the raging of many nations—they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples— they roar like the roaring of great waters!
13 Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumble-weed before a gale.
14 In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us.
And, compare this with Ezekiel 38:1-6:
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him
3 and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army— your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.
5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets,
6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops— the many nations with you.
Gog is clearly a Principality—a cosmic figure of ghastly proportions whose usurpation identifies so closely with Satan himself that his similarity is altogether feasible, if not actual; for why do we hear of Gog’s final revival at the close of the 1,000-year millennial Reign on the earth where the final forces of evil converge against Jerusalem? (cf. Revelation 20:7-10)
Without controversy, for Israel to be attacked by the forces of the “King of the North” and the “King of the South” she must be in the land. Well, today she most assuredly is in the land! Now let us take careful note that Israel’s state prior to the onset of the Gog-Magog conflagration shows her in relative SAFETY. Yet, today, she is threatened by invasion by her hostile neighbors (though they are now very much on the defensive) but most assuredly she is faced with daily threats from numerous terrorist organizations bent on her destruction.
“Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety” (Ezekiel 38:7-8 NIV)
Everything
seems in place; however,
Israel’s current “safety” and her “unwalled” defenses seem totally contrary to
the initial text in Ezekiel 38. Most definitely there is no safety and there is
a huge wall separating the Palestinians from the Israelis, 
drawing
the consternation of the whole world!
Gog, who heads the multinational force, will find that the wall separating Israel proper from “Greater Israel” will have been either removed or rendered useless for she now dwells in SAFETY.
GOG DEVISES A PLAN OF ATTACK
Gog has amassed his confederation (Magog) and has devised a plan of attack against both Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39) and against the allied forces of the West headed up by the “HIM” of Daniel 11:40-45.
“I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land” (Ezekiel 38:12 NIV).
Yes, at the time of Gog’s premeditated attack, Israel will be recovering from her immediate conflict with Syria. After the Isaiah 17 description of the destruction of Damascus, the multinational force, under Gog’s leadership, will arise to loot and plunder. By observing the “transition” in Isaiah 17 from the Damascus conflagration to the multinational emphasis found in Isaiah 17:12 onward, we can see Jewish commentators clearly see Isaiah 18 transitions into the Gog-Magog war:
“Isaiah . . . speaks to the nations involved in the wars of ‘Gog and Magog.’” (The Stone Edition Tanach. Brooklyn, NY: Mesorah Publications Ltd. 1996, p. 984 (a footnote on Isaiah 18:1).
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY NATION OF ISAIAH 18
One of the most significant portions of Scripture to erupt upon the contemporary prophetical scene of the 21st Century is found in Isaiah 18 . . . the entire portion is read:
1 Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush,
2 which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats over the water.
Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers.
3 All you people of the world, you who live on the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it, and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it.
4 This is what the LORD says to me: I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling-place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For, before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives, and cut down and take away the spreading branches.
6 They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey and to the wild animals; the birds will feed on them all summer, the wild animals all winter.
7At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty
from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers—
the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty.
With eschatological affirmation that mystery nation is none other than that nation which shall contest the forces of Gog-Magog already mentioned in Isaiah 17!
And who might that nation be? Let us carefully discern and examine the claims of Isaiah in his description of the people who constitute this “aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers”—for most definitely, it is NOT Cush (i.e., ancient Sudan, parts of Egypt and Ethiopia).
After Isaiah briefs us on the Gog-Magog War (which is also discussed in Daniel 11:40-45 and, of course, Ezekiel 38 and 39), he goes into much greater detail discussing TWO nations involved in the confrontation mentioned in Isaiah 17.
Clearly, one of them is ancient Cush:
“Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush [Cush is the upper Nile region, south of Egypt. The Sudan and Ethiopia are located there. As an ally of Gog-Magog, Cush (which is in the vicinity of both Sudan and Ethiopia) along with Persia (Iran), and Put (Libya) will be with them . . . .” (Ezekiel 38:5 NIV)] which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats over the waters.” (Isaiah 18:1-2) (Note: my [ ])
After Isaiah elucidates Cush’s involvement, he describes an UNNAMED PEOPLE or NATION . . . almost like a riddle, designed to help one discover who that nation might be:
“Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers” (Isaiah 18:2 NIV)
or . . . let us consider the NKJV:
“Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.”
Here we discover that Cush is prepared to settle, as one of the members of the Southern Confederated nations aligned with Gog, directly with this mystery nation—no doubt some form of peace.
The Masoretic Text gives even a more detailed analysis of this mystery nation/people; to wit:
“. . . a nation led along according to someone else’s will, smooth (or hairless), a people feared from himself and beyond, a nation that stretched measuring lines and subjugated, whose land the rivers plundered.” (Isaiah 18:2) (Hebrew Masoretic Text accessed via: Bushell, Michael S., Bible Works for Windows. Big Fork, Montana: Hermeneutica Software, 1996.) (Also, special appreciation for the wonderful work of Paul Robertson of Portland, Oregon)
Thusly, this unnamed, mystery nation is known and described as follows:
1. A nation whose will has been usurped.
This strange and unusual description goes beyond normal bounds of human description. First, they are a nation . . . clearly a nation that has caused Cush to be concerned for its own sovereignty.
She is a nation, who by the time of this description, has lost her freedoms and are somehow “led along according to someone else’s will” –we affirm that “will” to be none other than that of Antichrist; to wit:
“23When these rulers have become as evil as possible, their power will end, and then a king who is dangerous and cannot be trusted will appear. 24He will gain strength, but not on his own, and he will cause terrible destruction. He will wipe out powerful leaders and God's people as well.” (Daniel 8:23-24)
The sheer force of his will will lead many astray: “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes” (Daniel 8:25a).
How readily are we reminded of the WILLFUL ONE found in Isaiah 14:12-14:
12"How
you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer,[a]
son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13For you have said in your heart:
"I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.
Surely, the WILL of this nation has been usurped by this despicable one whose frame we are well aware! Finally, we confer this verse to his charge;
“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done” (Daniel 11:36).
2. A “smooth-skinned” (or clean shaven) people.
This phrase/word (i.e., “smooth-skinned”) is derived from the Hebrew word “morat” and connotes “smooth” or “hairless.” Therefore, we conclude that they have purposefully removed their facial hair and/or body hair. The history of a people who has done this is most fascinating. The art of barbering dates way back; however, in the modern era, it is the USA that laid claim to the earth’s first schools of Barbering (1893) and to this day prides itself as a nation of the clean shaven! How odd to describe this mystery nation as CLEAN SHAVEN! Of course, this custom is highly prized by the US military and is, almost across the board, REQUIRED BY THE MILITARY.
3. The third “clue” as to this nation’s identity lies in the phrase: “feared from himself and beyond.”
Although it appears from the Hebrew that this nation’s people could be “afraid of its own government,” it is far more likely that she is a nation feared throughout the world and obviously, therefore, she is a WORLD POWER of the foremost order! No doubt, those “within her” are fearful, on the one hand, but on the other hand, everyone “outside her” is also full of terror at this nation’s leadership and people.
These verses of Antichrist’s power come to mind:
“A king shall arise, having fierce features . . . he (i.e., Antichrist) shall destroy fearfully . . . so they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Daniel 8:23, 24; Revelation 13:4).
4. “A nation that stretched measuring lines and subjugated”
Rarely has there ever in the history of humankind been an emerging nation state who measured its conquered lands and then, subjugated its native peoples like that of this nation! In point of fact, the very art of surveying on a massive scale was literally founded by this nation! And, what of its subjugated peoples . . . the tragic history is unparalleled in the annals of human history!
5. “Whose land the rivers have plundered”
This phrase comes from the Hebrew word “bazu” and is singularly found only in this passage of the Bible. However, the word is similar to that of its noun form: “baz” (to “loot” or “plunder”). Therefore, the verb “bazu” means “looted” or “plundered.” Apparently, this land which is divided by rivers is literally FLOODED by these same rivers and that flooding is extensive!
The legendary dividing of the USA by its formidable currents is known throughout the world. Furthermore, the incessant flooding of those same streams is without precedence; especially, because of the many cities which line their banks and are exposed to the ravages of their floods!
DO WE HAVE A VERDICT!
It is the conglomeration of evidence that convinces this author, and many others, that Isaiah’s description of this end-times’ nation and people, can be none other than these United States of America. To conclude otherwise, is sheer nonsense and literally preposterous. No, purposefully it is UNNAMED! Why? Because it wasn’t even in existence at the time of Isaiah’s writings—so its peculiar and convincing description is given.
One nation, and one nation alone, can command the fear of all the other nations of the globe! This people’s will is being usurped as we speak. Blindly do they follow their leadership until all will is subservient to their commander. They are a militant people whose clean-shaven character fits their military motif. They are today’s SOLE SUPER POWER. Their land was surveyed and their native populations were subjugated. Indeed, their rivers may have wrought massive flooding but by dent of their imaginative will have they overcome their adversities.
Listen now, listen and see who is this nation:
“All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: When HE (this nation) lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when HE blows a trumpet you hear it” (Isaiah 18:3).
Now, do you see and hear who HE is?
The transition in Isaiah 17 is now completed. Damascus is destroyed. Gog and Magog gather together against “him” at the close of Isaiah 17. But this fearful and terrible nation, and its awesome and fearsome leader, shall defeat mighty Gog and his allies, Magog.
And, how shall HE defeat his foes who have mounted such a massive assault against HIM? Daniel 11:40-45 spells out his tactics and strategies. At this stage, Israel’s foes are vanquished AND “In that time a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide—to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to Mount Zion” (Isaiah 18:7).
This finale, this conclusion of Isaiah 17 through 18 is beyond comprehension . . . or is it? Imbedded within these mysterious and strange descriptions is a final depiction which amplifies the Almighty’s sovereignty over all things earthly and heavenly. Could we be witnessing the Lord’s USE OF HIS FOE FOR HIS OWN ENDS? Absolutely!
This “nation powerful and treading down,” this one “which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, treading it down and breaking it in pieces” (Daniel 7:23) shall yet be used by the Almighty for His Own designs!
The one who treads down shall one day face the following:
“But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:26-27).
There is reason and evidence to affirm that the PRESENT given by this “treading down nation” shall be given to Israel and that it would be connected to the rebuilding of their THIRD TEMPLE. The “sequence” of events followed in Ezekiel indicate that this very well could be the case—for immediately concluding the demise of Gog-Magog is the elaborate account of the building of the Temple found in Ezekiel Chapters 40 through 43.
Yes, some have concluded, due to its unusual measurements, that it must be that of the Millennial Temple; however, there is nothing in the Scripture which would negate the “possibility” that the description borne in Ezekiel is not the PRESENT given by this mystery nation; and yet, is not this dreadful one who allows such rebuilding the same one who BREAKS THE AGREEMENT with Israel in the midst of the 70th Week of Daniel? Indeed, he is “prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:27).
Much more can be said of this frightful figure to arrive shortly upon humanity’s scene.
This concludes this FOUR PART series on the immediacy of future events facing the nations of the world and, in particular, the nation of Israel.
HOW ABOUT YOUR ROAD TO DAMASCUS?
Friend, this has been a journey on the “Road to Damascus.” There was another one, by name of Saul, whose sole habit was his addiction to silence the early faith of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Thus, did he seek them out to torture and martyr the followers of the Lamb, until divine intervention met him on that Road to Damascus where he had intended to slay more of those who followed in “The Way.”
1“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 5And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 6So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:1-9).
Saul’s name was eventually changed to “Paul.” Paul had no idea that traveling down that Road to Damascus from Jerusalem his entire life would be turned upside down—forever changed by the Lord Jesus. The question abides: Have you met this One down your Damascus Road? If you haven’t you can do so right now . . . surrender your life to Him now . . . no, you can’t see Him (neither could Saul), but He’s there, He’s talking, do you hear His voice? Once you encounter Him, you’ll never be the same; your whole life will be turned upside down and around . . . eventually you’ll see again, but this time everything will look differently; strangely the world will lose its allure and what once motivated you to “earthly success” will grow strangely dim “in the light of his glory and grace.” Your only retort shall be: “What shall this man do?”
May the Lord come to you now along your Damascus Road . . . bless.