Scripture Reading : Isaiah 17
Theme : Judgement and Salvation for Damascus
Damascus is present day Syria. God promises to judge Syria in the end times because Syria will loot Israel (v. 14) but God will defend Israel. In that day, there will be no need for fortresses in Ephraim (northern kingdom Israel) because there will be world peace and no more war or terrorism (v.3). Also, the people of Syria will no longer worship idols but only God Himself. They will be God’s people just like Israel.
Praying the Scripture
- It is stunning that God has not only resurrected the nation of Israel in 1948, but also the locations of Israel’s current enemies, including Gaza, are the same as 3,000 years ago when Isaiah was written. This is so that God’s end times prophesies will be fulfilled. God’s prophesies are amazing! Again, the judgements in the end times will be horrific because of their horrific sins, but it is God’s way of reconciling the world to Himself. Pray that you will trust in God and know that this is the best way to restore this broken world, for God is all wise. Pray that Christ will return soon and end all the grieving on earth because of terrorism and human trafficking. Long for His Messianic Kingdom and live for it.
经文：以赛亚书17
主题：予大马士革的审判和救赎
大马士革就是今日的叙利亚。神承诺必在末日审判叙利亚，因为她将掳掠以色列（14节），但神会捍卫以色列。到那日，以法莲（北国以色列）不再需要保障，因为那时不再有战争和恐怖行动（3节）；世界将太平。另外，叙利亚人不会再敬拜偶像，唯独神一位。他们会成为神的子民，就像以色列一样。
用经文祷告
- 神不但在1948年复兴了以色列，还兴起了以色列今日的敌人，包括加沙，而她们也都是三千年前，当以赛亚记载预言时，以色列之敌所处的位置——这是令人惊叹的。神的预言非常奇妙！我们再次看到末日时的审判将因着人丑陋的罪变得很可怕，但这是神使全地与祂和好的方式。祷告你会信靠神，并晓得这是复兴这个堕落世界的最佳方式，因为神是满有智慧的。祷告基督会早日归来，中断全地因着恐怖行为和贩卖人口事件所造成的哀伤痛苦。我们要渴望神弥赛亚的国度，并为此而活。
