Friday, June 13, 2025

The Destruction of Damascus Prophecy

Note: I thought that based on the events that are happening today, (Israel attacking Iran on June 13th in an attempt to cripple their nuclear capability), it might be a good time to revisit one of the few prophecies left unfilled in the Old Testament. 

Isaiah 17 gives a prophecy about the destruction of Damascus. In addition to the prophet Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos also write of the destruction coming to one of the world’s most ancient cities.

“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. The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria…’” (Isaiah 17:1-3)

“Against Damascus. ‘Hamath and Arpad are shamed, for they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; there is trouble on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus has grown feeble; she turns to flee, and fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.’” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment… I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven…’” (Amos 1:3, 5)

Damascus has seen the rise and fall of many empires; Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian and Medes to name just a few. Yet, the Bible says that this seemingly timeless city will one day be destroyed, as tricky as it is to understand. 

Friday, June 06, 2025

Dance On A Volcano (An Analysis by Rick Beato)


The brilliance of the band Genesis, making the album, "Trick Of The Tail", especially when you realize they had just lost what many considered the creative genius of the group, Peter Gabriel. 

Friday, May 30, 2025

Expectation VS Anticipation

After three days God resurrected Jesus’ body and his spirit returned to it. For the next forty days Jesus appeared to many (1 Cor. 15:3-8). After which, in the presence of the disciples, he ascended to heaven to await his second coming (Acts 1:6-12).

Based on this historical fact and the promises of God, it is the believers’ great hope that when we die our spirit will also go to heaven to be with Jesus. There we will wait for the end of this age and Jesus’ second coming, when God will raise up our physical resurrection bodies to be united with our spirits (1 Cor. 15:51-52). There we will live in a physical new heaven and new earth with Jesus forever.

"The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish." - Proverbs 10:28

Friday, May 23, 2025

Genesis - The Duke Suite (1980)


This live performance, in my opinion, is musical brilliance! The concert, by the band Genesis, was captured at the height of their powers in 1980. And I apologize if I'm repeating myself, but each time I listen to this album, I'm transported to the Red Food Store parking lot on Lee Hwy, thunder and rain pounding down, listening on my buddy Steve's custom Pioneer audio system in his 81' Chevy Camaro.

It truly just seems like yesterday . . . 

Genesis | Duke | 1980