The prophet Isaiah wrote:

• “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap” (Isa. 17:1).
• “And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.”

It is not hard to find commentators that say this prophecy has been fulfilled, but because Damascus has been destroyed so many times, there is much doubt about who fulfilled it and when it happened.

There are others who believe it has never been fulfilled because Damascus has always been rebuilt, and it has never ceased to exist as a city.

There may have been an initial partial fulfillment, but a greater, more complete fulfillment is yet to come.

Put another way, Damascus must be permanently destroyed at some point in the future.

This brings us to Dec. 4, 2025.

It was reported that Israeli security sources said terrorist elements are gathering in southern Syria, and they are plotting attacks against Israel.

Israeli officials said the consolidation of terrorist elements in southern Syria undermines the prospects of a security agreement between Israel and Syria and highlights the fact that al-Sharaa does not have effective control over all parts of the country.

Israel asked the U.S. to convey a stern message to the Syrian regime under Ahmad al-Sharaa that said Israel will not tolerate the establishment of terrorist organizations in southern Syria and that it is Damascus’s responsibility to stop such groups, or else Israel will act.

So, some prophecy teachers believe the Bible says Damascus will be permanently destroyed in one night, and Israel has warned Damascus to stop the terrorists in southern Syria from attacking Israel, or Israel will act.

(Update: Video of a Dec. 9, 2025 Syrian military parade shows Syrian soldiers marching and shouting, “We rise against you, [Israeli] enemy, we rise, from mountains of fire we make our way. From my blood I forge my ammunition, from your blood, rivers will flow.” Other video shows them marching and shouting, “Gaza, Gaza, we’re with you to the death. I’m marching towards you, my enemy.” An Israeli official responded by saying, “War with Syria is inevitable.” He added, “In Islam, there is no room for other religions. The faith divides the world into two spheres, Dar al-Islam (“Abode of Islam”) and Dar al-Harb (“Abode of War.”)

(Update: On Dec. 10, 2025, it was reported that Churches have had crosses knocked down, icons destroyed, and Christian cemeteries violated. Many Christian families now say they don’t feel safe.”)

Here are some more reasons to believe that the end of the age is close:

One, concerning the UN and Syria: on Dec. 5, 2025, William Koenig, White House Correspondent, said Trump’s 20-Point Plan (Gaza Stabilization Plan) has effectively re-elevated the United Nations into a central role in the administration of Gaza, and the consequences were immediate: This week, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

Koenig continued:

• For decades, the Golan Heights has been Israel’s northern shield — the high ground preventing Syrian and Iranian forces from threatening Galilee. A UN-backed withdrawal demand signals that international campaigns to erode Israel’s territorial legitimacy are escalating again.
• Israel is entering a moment where the greatest threat may not be military — but diplomatic isolation combined with strategic ambiguity from its closest ally.

(My comment: Pres. Trump is trying to establish peace in the Middle East by restricting Israel – telling Israel not to wipe out Hamas, not to attack Hezbollah, not to attack Syria, not to annex Judea and Samaria, etc. and by trying to get all the Arab nations to sign the Abraham Accords – but the Bible teaches that we will have wars and rumors of wars – not real peace – until the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period. It teaches that there will be a false peace that will be confirmed – strengthened – by the Antichrist and begin the Tribulation Period, but not real peace.

Trump’s efforts to tie Israel’s hands and cater to the Arabs may lead to that false peace, and they will probably get America in trouble with God, but they will not stop Islam’s efforts to destroy Israel and establish an Islamic world government and religion. Islam will not abandon its radical religious beliefs because Trump wants peace in the Middle East.)

Two, on Dec. 2, 2025, allisraelnews posted an excellent opinion piece titled “The War is Over – or Not?”

The writer said:

• The Peace Plan, brokered by the President of the U.S. Donald Trump, is predicated on the surrender of Hamas in Gaza, its disarmament and its displacement as a governing power. Hamas agreed only to the first phase of this plan, the return of the 20 remaining hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Hamas prisoners held by Israel.
• Hamas has not signed on to the second or following phases of the Plan, which require it to disarm. Hamas has neither surrendered nor disarmed and has made it clear that it has no intention of doing so. And why would it? Its whole raison d’etreis the destruction of Israel. Without its weapons, Hamas is nothing.

Here is a link to the entire article:

https://allisraelnews.com/blog/the-war-is-over-or-not

Three, concerning Trump’s peace plan: on Dec. 7, 2025, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said:

• Hamas will not disarm, give up its weapons, rule of the Gaza Strip, or permit external oversight in Gaza, including the International Stabilization Force (ISF).

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a direct contradiction of the core terms of Trump’s peace plan.

(Reminder: Israel has said, “It’s either they agree to disarm, or we will disarm them. We will not leave any threat to the State of Israel in Gaza.”)

(More: On Dec. 7, 2025, the U.S. State Dept. responded to Mashaal’s comments: “Hamas has agreed to all 20 points of President Trump’s 20-Point Plan. That means Gaza will be fully demilitarized for the sake of Gazans.”)

Four, concerning the tracking of people: following Israel’s recent assassination of a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon, Hamas decided to tighten its security measures.

A Hamas official said:

• Turning off phones does not prevent tracking, as any device operating through WiFi can be hacked.
• Smart watches and similar devices can be used to count the number of people in any room.
• Leaders must keep cell phones at least 70 meters away from meeting sites, as well as medical and electronic devices, including watches.

Five, on Dec. 5, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump expects to announce the move to Phase II (appointment of a Board of Peace, Israel out of Gaza, Hamas out of power, and more) of his 20-Point Peace Plan before Christmas, but Phase I (the release of all hostages, dead or alive) is not complete yet.

Hamas still has the body of one hostage, and they seem to be deliberately slow walking its release to delay Phase II.

(Update: On Dec. 6, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump will announce the composition of his new Board of Peace – BoP – on Dec. 15, 2025.)

Six, on Dec. 4, 2025, Pres. Trump lit the U.S. National Christmas Tree and shared the gospel on live TV.

Trump said:

• During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem, more than 2,000 years ago, when the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to be with us.
• Full of grace and truth, He brought the gift of God’s love into the world and the promise of salvation for every person and every nation.
• Tonight, this beautiful evergreen tree glows bright on the dark and cold winter night and reminds us of the words of the Gospel of John: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
• With the birth of Jesus, human history turned from night to day. His Word and His example call us to love one another, to serve one another, and to honor the sacred truth that every child is specially made in the image of God.
• America has stood tall, in part, because millions of our citizens have heeded that call in their faith—and the service of Christians has been an essential part of America’s strength from the very, very beginning.

(My opinion: I assume someone wrote this for Trump, but I give him credit for sharing the gospel with our nation.)

Seven, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters: on Dec. 4-5, 2025, at least 40 record-breaking low temperatures were set in the Midwestern U.S.

According to the forecast, more records will be set in early December.

Eight, concerning the False Prophet building a robot that can speak (Rev. 13:15): on Dec. 6, 2025, I read that Elon Musk said robots will soon be working on assembly lines, and they will be building other robots (in 2026).

Nine, concerning the growing influence of Islam in America: on Dec. 6, 2025, RAIR Foundation U.S.A. reported that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has started appointing members to key committees in the city, and “It would appear that most of them are Muslim, and religion evidently tops morality and criminal behavior in his selection process.”

Ten, concerning illegal immigration: Pres. Trump announced that the U.S. is going to start charging every illegal immigrant 14 years or older a $5,000 apprehension fee for entering the U.S. illegally.

The fee will apply to all illegal aliens—regardless of where they entered, how long they’ve been in the U.S., their current location, or any ongoing immigration proceeding.

Eleven, concerning the controversy over Jerusalem and peace and safety in the Middle East: on Dec. 6, 2025, Pres. Trump said:

• His 2017 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy there was a transformative step forward in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.
• Today, eight years later, my administration renews its commitment to ushering in a new era of peace, prosperity and stability in the region and all around the world.
• Now we stand on the doorstep of one of the greatest diplomatic achievements in history, as a strong, durable and everlasting peace is emerging across the Middle East.
• The significant peace agreement that he has led between Israel and Hamas is a monumental agreement, which is a massive leap toward an enduring peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people—one that ensures security, brings stability, and offers hope for generations to come.

(My comment: Notice that Pres. Trump said that his 20-Point Peace Plan is a massive leap toward peace and security – peace and safety – in the Middle East. Many prophecy teachers believe Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan may lead to the covenant that is confirmed – strengthened – by the Antichrist.)

Twelve, concerning the expansion of Israel’s borders at the end of the age and Pres. Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan: as of now, Israel controls about 53% of Gaza.

On Dec. 7, 2025, Israel’s Chief of Staff said:

• The Gaza ceasefire line known as the “Yellow Line,” demarcating the Israeli military withdrawal, is “a new border line.”
• We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip, and we will remain on those defense lines.

Thirteen, concerning slaves at the end of the age (Rev. 18:13): on Dec. 7, 2025, White House border czar Tom Homan said more than 60,000 children who were illegally smuggled into the U.S. have been located by the Trump administration and that some were rescued from dire situations, including sex trafficking and forced labor.

Fourteen, concerning Islam and wars and rumors of wars: Muslim terrorists are threatening to overrun the West African nation of Mali.

The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave or not travel there.

Fifteen, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. seized a large crude tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from both Venezuela and Iran.

Venezuela accused the U.S. of blatant theft.

Sixteen, concerning Pres. Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) to supervise a new Gaza government and the reconstruction of Gaza: on Dec. 10, 2025, Trump changed his announcement date from before Christmas to early in 2026.

Trump also said his BoP will be one of the most legendary councils ever – kings, heads of state, presidents, instead of seasoned diplomats and specialists as originally announced.

(My question: Will this transition into the Ten Kings? Who knows?)

Seventeen, concerning globalism’s attempt to create a borderless world: on Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security signed a $140M contract to purchase six Boeing 737 planes to use for the deportation of illegal immigrants.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

A group called “Endless Highway” recently sang at the church I attend.

One of the founding members (now retired) was asked to sing, and he chose a song called “I Won’t Have to Worry Anymore.”

The lyrics go like this:

Verse 1

Down here, my burden’s heavy
And the road seems rough and long
Sometimes my feet grow weary and so slow
But a brighter day is coming; soon I’ll step on heaven’s shore
And I won’t have to worry anymore

Chorus

Verse 2

Someday, when life is over, and I’ve said my last goodbye
I’ll see my Savior standing at the door
Then, I’ll hear Him say, “You’re welcome”
All your cares you’ve left behind
And I won’t have to worry anymore

Here is the Chorus

No, I won’t have to worry when I reach the other shore
All my troubles will be over, and I’ll rest forevermore
My eyes will be on Jesus, and my heart will be aglow
And I won’t have to worry anymore

My eyes will be on Jesus, and my heart will be aglow
And I won’t have to worry anymore

Got Questions says:

• God tells us to give Him all of our worries and concerns (I Pet. 5:7).
• Why does God want to take on our problems?
• The Bible says it is because He cares for us.
• God is concerned about everything that happens to us.
• No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us the peace that transcends all understanding (Phil. 4:7).

The song says Down here my burdens are heavy, and it adds that a brighter day is coming.

Jesus said, “In this world ye shall have Tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

No, Christians don’t have to worry anymore.

Here are some recent events that seem to indicate that the day of no worries is getting close:

One, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age: on Nov. 26, 2025, it was reported that:

• Thailand has put its military in charge of tackling the worst flood crisis in years after some areas reported the heaviest recorded rainfall in centuries, killing more than a dozen people.
• Hat Yai Airport said it suspended shuttle services after floodwaters reached two meters (6.6 feet).

(More: On Dec. 2, 2025, it was reported that Cyclone-fueled flooding across Southeast Asia, including in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, has now killed at least 1,200 people. Roughly 800 remain missing, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced since last week. Officials say entire low-lying districts have been submerged as rivers overflowed and landslides buried nearby communities.)

Two, concerning wickedness and violence (as in the days of Noah): on Nov. 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in an ambush-style shooting just two blocks from the White House.

Witnesses said the shooter (who was wounded and captured by other Guard members) shouted Allahu Akbar (an Islamic phrase that means Allah is the greatest) after the shooting.

(Update: on Nov. 27, 2025 (Thanksgiving day), the 20-year-old National Guardswoman died from the wounds she received when she was shot by a Muslim terrorist near the White House. The other victim is still fighting for his life.)

Three, on Nov. 27, 2025 (less than 24 hours after the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House), Pres. Trump ordered federal immigration officials to immediately launch a review of all green card holders hailing from nations the administration deems “countries of concern.”

Trump said, “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”

Four, on Nov. 27, 2025, Christian Daily International reported that Jordan wants to raise $100 million to position itself as a central destination for Christian pilgrimages by the year 2030 (the year that Jordan believes is the 2000^th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist at Bethany Beyond Jordan; John 1:28.)

Jordan believes many tourists will want to visit Bethany Beyond Jordan in 2030, and many others will visit sites in Jordan in 2033 (the 2000^th anniversary of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus).

Jordan believes that improving roads, hotels, etc., will boost tourism in 2030, 2033, and every year for many years.

Bethany Beyond Jordan was recognized as a UNESCO site in 2015.

A second site that Jordan wants to improve is Petra (recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007).

Some Christians believe Petra is the place in the wilderness that Jews will flee to when the Antichrist defiles the Temple at the middle of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 12:14).

Here is a link to the article.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/jordan-preparing-for-2030-anniversary-of-jesusbaptism.html?utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=Daily&utm_medium=newsletter

Five, concerning the tracking and control of everyone: on Nov. 25, 2025, Now The End Begins (NTEB) posted an article that says Pres. Trump has signed an executive order to launch The Genesis Mission.

According to NTEB:

• The Genesis Mission is being heralded as the largest mobilization of American scientific resources since the moon landing.
• In reality, it appears to be the most comprehensive attempt yet to fuse artificial intelligence, federal datasets, national laboratory supercomputers, and automated robotic experimentation into a single, unified system of knowledge and control.
• A system capable of compressing scientific discovery — what once took years — into mere hours.
• A system whose goals sound eerily similar to the global technological regime prophesied to rise in the time of Jacob’s trouble.

Six, concerning Islam’s desire to take over America and the world: on Nov. 28, 2025, hundreds of Christians marched peacefully in the streets of Dearborn, Mich. waving massive crosses, American flags flying high, Bibles held proudly.

They marched fearlessly, chanting:

• Jesus is Lord over America.
• No Sharia Law in the USA.

Their goal was to send an unmistakable peaceful message.

• Radical Islam will NEVER conquer the United States. Not Dearborn. Not Michigan. Not anywhere.
• America was founded under God.
• America will stay under God.
• The silent majority is silent no more.

My question: Is Islam trying to conquer the U.S.?

Here is a link to an 8 ½ min. video about a Texas representative’s speech before the U.S. Congress:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppVwPXOoFVk

Here is a link to a 1-minute video readers might want to watch:

https://x.com/GenFlynn/status/1994868031110221924?s=20

Seven, concerning the possibility of corruption and deceit in the White House during the Biden administration: on Nov. 28, 2025, Pres. Trump said he is terminating all documents allegedly signed by former Pres. Joe Biden with the autopen.

Trump is claiming that Biden’s staff took the presidency away from him, and Biden’s signature with an autopen was illegal if Biden didn’t authorize it (and Biden couldn’t authorize it because Biden wasn’t in control).

Eight, concerning persecution at the end of the age, Open Doors (a global religious group that monitors persecution) recently reported that the Bible is banned or restricted in 88 of the world’s 195 countries, meaning that nearly half of all nations limit access to the Holy Scriptures.

Nine, concerning hatred for Jews, and Jews returning to Israel at the end of the age: on Nov. 28, 2025, it was reported that:

• In Mid-Nov., authorities tested Israel’s ability to handle a surge in immigration, forcing officials to simulate everything from airport handling and medical screenings to housing, food, schooling, and job placements.
• The goal was clear: ensure that Israel could effectively absorb waves of Jews fleeing hostile environments, much like it did in the past, but this time with lessons learned from recent crises.

Ten, concerning hyper-inflation and an economic collapse at the end of the age: on Nov. 30, 2025, Michael Snyder (The Economic Collapse Blog) wrote, “In 2025, so far gold has gained 60%, while silver is already up 94%.”

Eleven, concerning the tracking of people: on Nov. 30, 2025, the Expose posted an article that says:

• Video doorbell ownership in the US rose from 4% to over 35% between 2017 and 2024.
• Smart TVs – which track and sell your viewing analytics – are now in 86% of homes, up from 47% a couple of years ago.
• 75% of cars shipped in 2024 were embedded with cellular modems, permanently streaming live data about drivers and passengers.
• The average online household in the US has a staggering 17 connected devices.
• And the data-broker market – the industry buying and selling your personal information – will soon reach $500 billion annually.

This is just a small portion of the article, so here is a link to the entire article:

https://expose-news.com/2025/11/30/everything-is-watching-field-guide-everyday-surveillance-tech/

(My comment: Be sure to notice that last point: companies are spending hundreds of billions of dollars per year to buy and sell (track) your personal information.)

Twelve, concerning God’s promise that no weapon formed against Israel shall prosper at the end of the age: on Dec. 1, 2025, Israel announced that its new Iron Beam laser defense system has successfully completed a comprehensive testing program, and deployment of the system will begin on Dec. 30, 2025).

The system uses a 100-kilowatt laser to intercept rockets, mortars and UAVs at a range of more than 6 miles, at a cost of about $2-5.

This is a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptors.

Thirteen, concerning a falling away in the Church: Pope Leo XIV recently called for a Palestinian state to be established in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip.

On Dec. 1, 2025, an Israeli official said:

• Our Torah (the five books of the Bible that were written by Moses) says that the solution is one state: a Jewish state.
• And I believe in the Torah of Israel.
• This is what we believe.
• He urged Pope Leo to focus on other matters.

(My comment: It is sad that Pope Leo would advocate something that is clearly unbiblical, that would divide the Promised Land, and that God said will cause Him to draw the nations into the Battle of Armageddon. He seems to be unaware or does not believe God’s warning against adding to or taking away from things in the Bible. The first five books of the Bible clearly teach that Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip are part of the Promised Land, and He gave all of it to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants after them forever. No king, president, pope, or any other being can overrule God.)

Fourteen, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Dec. 3, 2025, Pres. Trump said the United States will begin conducting military strikes inside Venezuela very soon.

He added that Colombia–long the world’s top producer of cocaine–could also face U.S. strikes.

He believes drugs are killing more Americans than war, and the operations are necessary to protect American lives from drug cartels that are smuggling opioids and cocaine into the U.S.

(FYI: Recent reports say the U.S. already has 11 warships, 15,000 troops, and an unknown number of submarines in the Caribbean. Some reports say the problem is more than drugs. Argentina is cooperating with Russia, Cuba, China and Iran. He is getting weapons from Iran and threatening some of his neighboring countries.)

(My opinion: Trump’s changing attitude toward Israel, ordering Israel not to destroy Hamas, cozying up to Qatar, his opposition to Israel annexing Judea and Samaria, his 20-Point Peace Plan, etc., may be getting the U.S. in trouble with God.)

Fifteen, concerning wickedness and violence (days of Noah) at the end of the age: on Dec. 1, 2025, it was reported that stabbings have soared 50% in Germany in the last four years, and most of the perpetrators are migrants.

According to the article, the globalists are importing crime and fear into Germany.

Sixteen, concerning the bodies of deceased hostages: on Dec. 3, 2025, Hamas returned a body that has been confirmed to be the next-to-last body.

Israeli authorities are working tirelessly to bring home the remains of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com