The area, in North Eastern Syria, in which the city of Ras Al-Ayn is located has been inhabited since at least 8,000 BC. Today the city is inhabited predominantly by Arabs and Kurds, with a significant number of Syriacs/Assyrians and a smaller number of Armenians and Chechens.
Later Ras Al-Ayn was known as the ancient Aramean city of Sikkan, then as the Roman city of Rhesaina, and then as the Byzantine city of Theodosipolis. The area was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and in medieval times was fiercely embattled between several Muslim dynasties.
The first mention of Ras Al-Ayn is in Akkadian "Res'Ina during the reign of the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari (911-891BC). The Arabic name 'Ras Al-Ayn' derives from the Akkadian and has the same meaning:"Head of the spring." Or, "Hill of the spring,"indication a prominent mountain formation close to a well.
The underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves that form the springs around Ra'Al-Ayn are the main source of water of the Chebar River. Chebar means "strong", "many", "powerful".
In the Scripture, Che'Bar is defined as the River in the "land of the Chaldeans", known as "Babylon".
An artificial but powerful and royal water canal, property of the Assyrian king Nabuchadnezzar, besides whose fertile banks he located a part of the captive Jews and the place from where the prophet Ezekiel received his first prophetic and recorded vision of the Cherubim-Throne, the stunning effect of which lasted 7 days, and of his commissioning as "a watchman ... to the House of Israel, (Ezekiel 1:1-3:23), as well as a number of other similar prophetic oracles (10:15, 20, 22; 43:3).
The exact identification of the River is not possible. Shifting and flooding of the Euphrates River are known to have greatly altered the topography of the area over the centuries.
Ezekiel used the term 'River' in its widest sense to include the numerous Babylonian canals that once intersected the fertile area between the lower courses of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. The reason why they built the numerous canals was as a means of defense in order to contain the destructive waters of the flooding season not only by the excess but also by the depositing layers of soil-ruining salt over the agricultural areas. Many of these canals were broad enough for large sailing vessels, serving thereby to enhance Babylon's already renowned commercial and economic position.
In antiquity the course of the grand canal left the Euphrates North of Sippar and ran South East ca. 300 km / 186 mi through the Nippur Region before rejoining the Euphrates South of ancient Uruk. It is said to have been 15 to 20 ft / 4.6 to 6.1m deep in places, a sufficient depth to make it navigable by certain vessels. Today this artificial watercourse is dry.
The place 'the land of the Chaldeans' was a spot where Babel began. The name 'Babel' in Hebrew is the equivalent of 'Babylon' in Greek. Thus, Chaldea is actually Babylon and Babylon is Babel, the place where Satan collected the fallen people to rebel against God. The very place where Ezekiel saw the visions is the place where Satan instigated the greatest rebellion against God among the fallen people. That was also the place out of which God called Abraham (Genesis 11), and the very place into which the rebellious have fallen. In today Christian World, are most Christians on the right way to the Promised Land or in the land of the Chaldeans? The Book of Ezekiel exactly fits the situation of Christians today.
Chebar is also mentioned in several cuneiform documents of the 5th century BC from Nippur. The document certifies that the area was inhabited by a community of Jews that were exiled or in captivity. Cuneiform tables found from the archives of a Babylonian brokerage firm contains many Jewish names among their lists of clientele.
According to the Scripture the captives of Judah were deported to a place called Tel-Abib which was by the Chebar River (Grand Canal) in the land of the Chaldeans (Babylon). The name means 'Mount of the Deluge' because it was destructively flooded and ruined constantly by the Euphrates River. The prophet Ezekiel was among the first to be taken captive. When Ezekiel saw the visions, he was by a River. The River signifies the power of the enemy to damage God's chosen people.
Today the Chebar River is the satanic tide of the age that carries people away from God to Babylon.
There are two Rivers in the Book of Ezekiel: the Chebar River in chapter one and the River flowing out of the Temple in chapter forty-seven. The Chebar River carries the people away from God, but the River flowing out of the Temple brings people into God's life. These two Rivers are still on earth today. One River is the trend, the course, the tide, of this World, the River of Babylon, the River in the fallen World, which carries people away from God. And the River of the Lord that carries life wherever it comes and goes, the River of the Holy Land. You are free to choose in which River you want your journey in this World.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Friday, November 18, 2016
SYRIA AND DAMASCUS, GOD'S CHOSEN PLACES.
Syria is the region bounded on the East by Mesopotamia, on the West by the Lebanon Mountains, on the North by the Taurus Mountains, and on the South by Palestine and the Arabian Desert. This same region is called Aram in the Scripture. This boundaries are only general, since Syrian influence and domination within this area were rather fluid and unstable most of the time.
Syria is considered the cradle of prophets and apostles and most of the prophecies done in their ground were fulfilled.
During the patriarchal times, the Scripture records the concerned Syrian events around Haran involving the lives of Rebekah's family, her father Bethuel, and brother Laban, both being described as Syrians, or literally Arameans (Genesis 25; 28; 31). Because Jacob resided 20 years in this region, and there married Laban's 2 daughters and fathered sons and daughters, and because of the afflictions he experienced in Laban's service, he was later described as "a perishing Syrian." Also Jacob's mother was a Syrian. (Deuteronomy 26; Genesis 31; Hosea 12).
During the period of the Judges when the Israelites fell away from God's worship, the Syrian king Cushan-Rishathaim subjugated them for a period of 8 years (Judges 3;10). On another occasion, Syria's influence proved strong enough to cause Israel to worship her gods along with other of her deities.
From and after the birth of Israel's monarchy, Syria became aggressively active militarily, and throughout the entire history of the Northern Kingdom hostilities between the two prevailed.
Saul went to war with the Syrian kings of Zobah. (1Samuel 14). David, upon becoming king, inflicted heavy loses on the army of the Syrian King Hadadezer. At the same time much gold, silver, and copper were taken and sanctified to God. David also set up garrisons in Damascus and compelled the Syrians to pay tribute. (2Samuel 8; 1Chronicles 18). Later, more than 30,000 Syrian mercenaries that were hired by the Amonites, instead of fighting, took flight before the Israelites. However, after Syrian reinforcements were brought up, a battle with Israel ensued, and the Syrians suffered great losses, causing them to sue for peace. (2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 19).
Syria of the apostolic times meant the Roman province that Pompey annexed to the empire. This province embraced much of the territory of the Old Syria as well as the whole of Palestine. At the time of Jesus' birth it was ruled over by Governor Quirinius, the legate of Emperor Augustus, whose residence was in the capital of the province and third-largest city of the Roman Empire, Antioch, on the Orontes River. (Luke 2).
Jesus restricted His Ministry to Palestine proper, but reports of His Miracles reached out "into all Syria." (Matthew 4). Jesus also gave the greatest sermon in history, the"Sermon on the Mount", on Mount Hermon, in Syria (Matthew 5-7). God spoke on Mount Horeb, Hermon, and Gogotha, in Syria and the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Horeb. Syria also is the cradle of civilizations and Semitic peoples, and their languages.
Syria, in our days is one of the rich countries in the region because of its Petroleum and industries and the country has highly developed in the last two decades. For almost 45 years, the rain was scarce and the dry soil remained barren due to the lack of rain. But now the land has become fertile and people are amazed to see the fresh vegetables and fruits that dress the land after years of drought and scarcity.
The Biblical history and privileges of what God has done through all Syria and to the whole World is remembered throughout the Scripture. Syria was chosen by God, according to His Plan, as the center from where His Word was spread from Antioch to the World, and paved the way of the today Christian Church. In this holy spot God chose the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Greater and the Minor Syria is mentioned approximately 300 times in the Scripture. Still many cities and towns in Palestine are still called by the same name used during the time of Christ.
The most glorious gift to mankind is the Word of God compelled in the Scripture. The prophets were inspired by the Spirit of God to say and write what God wanted them to write. Christ is the living Word and Jesus is the Revelation of God to mankind. It seems that the Word of God is ignored or disregarded to study in our today lifestyle making many Christians unable to grasp the deep and sacred meaning and amazing history of Syria.
In the Gospel of Luke (chapter 2) it says: "In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman World." This was the first census that took place when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the exact time when this was happening. The time of the birth of Jesus marked the division line in the Scripture between before and after His Time (BC and AD).
Damascus was called "the oasis of the Arab World"and it was and still is a beacon and inspiration to all poets of the East and West. With his glorious history, it is considered the World archaeological museum and the World's oldest living city.
Damascus is now a modern capital like other modern capital cities. Being an historical city it is divided into two parts: the old and the modern. Both have a vivid Arabic character and splendor of its own.
The modern Damascus has grown so much in the surrounding suburbs and neighboring areas, being now named the Greater Damascus in the eyes of the World.
Damascus is mentioned about 60 times in the Scripture and Antioch 20 times. Jerusalem and Damascus are the ancient centers of Bible history and Jerusalem the center of the World in Prophecies. When the Christians in Jerusalem were scattered because of the persecution following the stoning of Stephen, some of them carried the Good News to Syria's capital, Antioch. First the Israelites there heard the message, and later those of other national groups. Barnabas and Paul were both instrumental in building up the congregation of Antioch. It was first in this Syrian city where "the disciples were by divine providence called 'Christians'". (Acts11; Galatians 1).
Syria is considered the cradle of prophets and apostles and most of the prophecies done in their ground were fulfilled.
During the patriarchal times, the Scripture records the concerned Syrian events around Haran involving the lives of Rebekah's family, her father Bethuel, and brother Laban, both being described as Syrians, or literally Arameans (Genesis 25; 28; 31). Because Jacob resided 20 years in this region, and there married Laban's 2 daughters and fathered sons and daughters, and because of the afflictions he experienced in Laban's service, he was later described as "a perishing Syrian." Also Jacob's mother was a Syrian. (Deuteronomy 26; Genesis 31; Hosea 12).
During the period of the Judges when the Israelites fell away from God's worship, the Syrian king Cushan-Rishathaim subjugated them for a period of 8 years (Judges 3;10). On another occasion, Syria's influence proved strong enough to cause Israel to worship her gods along with other of her deities.
From and after the birth of Israel's monarchy, Syria became aggressively active militarily, and throughout the entire history of the Northern Kingdom hostilities between the two prevailed.
Saul went to war with the Syrian kings of Zobah. (1Samuel 14). David, upon becoming king, inflicted heavy loses on the army of the Syrian King Hadadezer. At the same time much gold, silver, and copper were taken and sanctified to God. David also set up garrisons in Damascus and compelled the Syrians to pay tribute. (2Samuel 8; 1Chronicles 18). Later, more than 30,000 Syrian mercenaries that were hired by the Amonites, instead of fighting, took flight before the Israelites. However, after Syrian reinforcements were brought up, a battle with Israel ensued, and the Syrians suffered great losses, causing them to sue for peace. (2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 19).
Syria of the apostolic times meant the Roman province that Pompey annexed to the empire. This province embraced much of the territory of the Old Syria as well as the whole of Palestine. At the time of Jesus' birth it was ruled over by Governor Quirinius, the legate of Emperor Augustus, whose residence was in the capital of the province and third-largest city of the Roman Empire, Antioch, on the Orontes River. (Luke 2).
Jesus restricted His Ministry to Palestine proper, but reports of His Miracles reached out "into all Syria." (Matthew 4). Jesus also gave the greatest sermon in history, the"Sermon on the Mount", on Mount Hermon, in Syria (Matthew 5-7). God spoke on Mount Horeb, Hermon, and Gogotha, in Syria and the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Horeb. Syria also is the cradle of civilizations and Semitic peoples, and their languages.
Syria, in our days is one of the rich countries in the region because of its Petroleum and industries and the country has highly developed in the last two decades. For almost 45 years, the rain was scarce and the dry soil remained barren due to the lack of rain. But now the land has become fertile and people are amazed to see the fresh vegetables and fruits that dress the land after years of drought and scarcity.
The Biblical history and privileges of what God has done through all Syria and to the whole World is remembered throughout the Scripture. Syria was chosen by God, according to His Plan, as the center from where His Word was spread from Antioch to the World, and paved the way of the today Christian Church. In this holy spot God chose the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Greater and the Minor Syria is mentioned approximately 300 times in the Scripture. Still many cities and towns in Palestine are still called by the same name used during the time of Christ.
The most glorious gift to mankind is the Word of God compelled in the Scripture. The prophets were inspired by the Spirit of God to say and write what God wanted them to write. Christ is the living Word and Jesus is the Revelation of God to mankind. It seems that the Word of God is ignored or disregarded to study in our today lifestyle making many Christians unable to grasp the deep and sacred meaning and amazing history of Syria.
In the Gospel of Luke (chapter 2) it says: "In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman World." This was the first census that took place when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the exact time when this was happening. The time of the birth of Jesus marked the division line in the Scripture between before and after His Time (BC and AD).
Damascus was called "the oasis of the Arab World"and it was and still is a beacon and inspiration to all poets of the East and West. With his glorious history, it is considered the World archaeological museum and the World's oldest living city.
Damascus is now a modern capital like other modern capital cities. Being an historical city it is divided into two parts: the old and the modern. Both have a vivid Arabic character and splendor of its own.
The modern Damascus has grown so much in the surrounding suburbs and neighboring areas, being now named the Greater Damascus in the eyes of the World.
Damascus is mentioned about 60 times in the Scripture and Antioch 20 times. Jerusalem and Damascus are the ancient centers of Bible history and Jerusalem the center of the World in Prophecies. When the Christians in Jerusalem were scattered because of the persecution following the stoning of Stephen, some of them carried the Good News to Syria's capital, Antioch. First the Israelites there heard the message, and later those of other national groups. Barnabas and Paul were both instrumental in building up the congregation of Antioch. It was first in this Syrian city where "the disciples were by divine providence called 'Christians'". (Acts11; Galatians 1).
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