Posted on 03/02/2009 1:13:14 AM PST by Squidpup
On Monday night, something remarkable is going to take place in the capital of Syria. More than 1,100 senior Syrian government officials, journalists, business leaders and religious leaders — Muslim, Catholic and evangelical Christian — will attend the gala premiere of a major motion picture entitled Damascus, written, produced and directed by entirely Arab Christians. The film, part documentary and part narrative drama, tells the story of how Saul of Tarsus — one of the first prominent persecutors of Christ-followers in the Holy Land — himself became a follower of Jesus during a miraculous encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and eventually became known as the Apostle Paul, going on to write much of the New Testament.
It is unheard of in the Middle East to have a major Christian film about the events of the New Testament debut in a Muslim-majority country run by the secular Ba’ath Party, much less have the premiere supported and attended by senior government officials. That’s what makes the Damascus docu-drama project so extraordinary. What’s more, the film is hosted and narrated by one of the most well-known Syrian TV newscasters who explains the historic events of the life of Paul in the very places where those events occurred. Numerous events in Paul’s life are then dramatized using famous Syrian Muslim actors playing the part of Jews and Jewish followers of Jesus.
After the premiere, the film is expected to be launched throughout Syria and the rest of the Muslim world. Sources indicate senior Catholic leaders in the Vatican recently reviewed the film and were favorable.
The remarkable film debut comes at a sensitive time for Syrian officials who are feeling quite isolated from the West. U.S. and European leaders have been sharply critical of President Bashar al-Assad’s government on a number of fronts, for supporting Hezbollah’s war against Israel, supporting Hamas’ war against Israel, forming a strategic alliance with Iran, buying billions of dollars worth of advanced weapons systems from Russia, and building a nuclear facility with the help of North Korea (a facility that was bombed and destroyed by an Israel airstrike several years ago). Syria’s government has never been controlled by Radical Islamic jihadists. Still, it has long stifled activities by Arab Christians to teach about their faith. It is not clear what the Assad government’s motives are for both allowing and supporting the release of the Damascus film. But it is an encouraging development indeed.
It is especially noteworthy given two Bible prophecies — one in Isaiah 17 and the other in Jeremiah 49 — that suggest the city of Damascus will be obliterated in what the Bible calls “the last days.” The Scriptures do not say exactly when or how the Syrian capital will be destroyed. But let us pray that the powerful message of Paul’s life and Jesus Christ’s love and forgiveness for all people is clearly communicated to every Syrian, particularly those in the capital.
Ping as you requested
Why don’t we have names like that anymore? Like Jason of Yorba Linda. I mean I’m sure there were a lot of Sauls in Tarsus but that didn’t stop Saul of Tarsus.
or Rick of Rancho Cucamunga...
I’ve got news for you. The Syrian despotic regime is not so isolated anymore.
This is awesome! I understand that there has been a spiritual awakening in Syria in response to the fall of Saddam and the Iraq War. Nothing is impossible with God! On a political level, I think Assad is strengthening the Christian minority (10%) as a counterbalance to the Islamic extremists. Saddam used the Christians in Iraq in a similar way.
God giving Syrians an opportunity to come to Him and be saved before the prophesied destruction?
Hallelujah! May the harvest be plentiful!
God giving Syrians an opportunity to come to Him
How about God giving everyone an opportunity to come unto Him before the prophesied destructions of the last days, which prophecy is given as a warning that the destruction does not need to take place if certain conditions are met.
Unlikely, but nevertheless possible.
That opportunity has existed for every human being on the planet since Christ died on the Cross. It's not something new that God needs to come up with.
Anyway, since we are well into the last hours of this Age, and Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled in our day at breakneck speed, and what God told us in Scripture will happen is occurring now, the only hope all of humanity has is to accept the free gift of salvation that Christ's death on the Cross provides.
We can know the end of the story; it will happen as written, there is no way to stop it or alter it, and the only escape is through Jesus Christ.
Syria has had christians from before most of Europe has, being, as it is, closer to the scene of the action, as far as early Christianity is concerned.
or Larry of Arabia
The prophecy about the destruction of Damascus will take place, and the fact that this film being shown is big news is an indication that God may be acting to get the Gospel into Syria to bring as many people to Him as will come before the prophecy is fulfilled.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
God doesn't want anyone to die without knowing His Son as Savior. He will always provide a way of escape and an opportunity for repentance before He sends judgment. The fact that this film is being allowed in Syria is very important.
This isn’t as surprising as it seems. Other than in some parts of Lebanon, there is nowhere in the ME, including Israel many would argue, where Christians are safer and more free to practice their faith than in Syria and that has been true for many years.
I think there’s a good chance that Syria does not want to be so isolated any longer, and I think this has been in the works for a number of years. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Syria is where Iraq’s WMD’s went to with the blessing of the US.
Excellent. Thanks.
THANKS THANKS.
i THINK SO.
YUP.
I agree.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.