Syria seems to be the last of the nations thrown into upheaval by the "Arab Spring" that is still "in play." The government of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's increasingly isolated strongman, has not yet fallen, but the protests still rage and most of the Western world has turned against him. As the withering attacks and reprisals by Syria's security forces against the opposition continue, the UN, NATO, and the West find it more difficult to explain why they intervened in Libya, yet are turning a blind eye to the atrocities occurring in Syria.

Iran has leapt to Syria's defense, warning the West not to involve itself in Syria's internal affairs. Russia and China have made it known that they will protect Syria against damaging resolutions proposed by the UN's Security Council. Some military and intelligence analysts are worried that Assad may intentionally launch an attack against Israel to force other Arab and Muslim nations to rally around Syria -- and make the West forget their grievances with his regime.

Of course, anyone who is familiar with Bible prophecy knows that would be a mistake of monumental proportions. Isaiah's prophecy concerning Damascus, found in chapter 17 of his book, is yet unfulfilled. So we know it's going to happen. We just don't know when. That's why, when these kinds of circumstances arise and these kinds of threats are evident, those of us who believe what the Bible says sit up and take notice.

This week I'm going to thoroughly review what the Bible predicts about Syria's future.

We know the Syrians already have long-range missiles armed with both chemical and biological warheads aimed directly at Israel. And soon, they may have nuclear warheads, as well. So, as my mother used to say, what does this information have to do with the price of tea in China? Just this: the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah predicted that in the last days the Syrian capital of Damascus would be utterly annihilated -- overnight. Considering the fact that Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, and has never been destroyed, that means that Isaiah's prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. And considering the fact that only now -- with the use of nuclear weapons -- is it possible to utterly eradicate such a massive city overnight, I'd think twice before buying property in Damascus. Add to that the fact that we know Syria wants to destroy Israel and is apparently taking steps to prepare for that opportunity, I would also say that Syria (with Iran's urging) will someday get cocky -- or maybe desperate -- and force Israel to retaliate. Here's how Isaiah predicted it would happen, "And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not