The Euphrates softshell turtle is an endangered soft-shelled turtle that is limited to the TigrisEuphrates river system. Now, however,desertificationis advancing, putting whole communities in danger. Well, in light of this, I would still say what verse 15 is describing takes place at a specific time, being the Lords second coming. The River Po cuts right across the top of Italy and flows out east into the Adriatic Sea. But God, in His love has provided a way to escape His wrath through Christ (John 3:16-18,John 14:6). We see these things today, but . , 15 Mysterious Doors That Can Never Be Opened, Ancient Mesopotamian Warfare in Sumer and Akkad, The Ancient World (Greece, Rome, Middle East, India, China). Turkey and Syria completed their first dams on the Euphrates the Keban Dam and the Tabqa Dam, respectively within one year of each other and filling of the reservoirs commenced in 1975. [55] The many dams and irrigation schemes, and the associated large-scale water abstraction, have also had a detrimental effect on the ecologically already fragile Mesopotamian Marshes and on freshwater fish habitats in Iraq. At the same time, the area was hit by severe drought and river flow toward Iraq was reduced from 15.3 cubic kilometres (3.7cumi) in 1973 to 9.4 cubic kilometres (2.3cumi) in 1975. Or it could be oil black gold. The Mandaic name is Pra (), and is often mentioned as Pra Ziwa (pronounced Fra Ziwa) in Mandaean scriptures such as the Ginza Rabba. [12] The length of the Shatt al-Arab, which connects the Euphrates and the Tigris with the Persian Gulf, is given by various sources as 145195 kilometres (90121mi). It is possible that we are really talking about gold, for example, some kind of deposit. Do the news reports of rivers turning blood red have anything to do with the end times. Do you not see that as the tribulation? Alright thank you. [96] For instance, the most common snakes in the Euphrates River are Persian sand vipers, Levantine vipers, desert black vipers, beaked sea snakes, and yellow sea snakes. [62] An archaeological survey and rescue excavations were also carried out in the area flooded by Lake Qadisiya in Iraq. It is reported that the level of the river dropped by 5 meters, but in fact everything is much worse there and is measured, most likely, from the level of last spring, which was already anomalous back then. The number one reason that the Euphrates River is drying up is low rainfall. In the Christian bible, the Euphrates River is significant. I understand what you mean Trent. Recently a video showed a man showing a drop in the water level of the Euphrates River which fell drastically, only in the last few years the river water was almost completely drying up. Under hashtag #_ (the Euphrates declines), Syrians posted photos of the water level of the river, showing how parts in along the river inside the Syrian lands dried up. What we see from scripture starting in Genesis is a focus on the Middle East in the beginning and in Revelation the focus is brought right back to that region of the earth. [39], With the implementation of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (Turkish: Gneydou Anadolu Projesi, or GAP) in the 1970s, Turkey launched an ambitious plan to harness the waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates for irrigation and hydroelectricity production and provide an economic stimulus to its southeastern provinces. The Euphrates runs from Turkey to Syria and then to Iraq until it joins the Tigris in Shatt Al Arab in Iraq. Verse 15 (NIV) references the Euphrates Not sure what other translations say? Some believe it is symbolic of the end times, while others think it could simply be a natural phenomenon. Instead, Aliawi said, "The dam's lake was formed with a length of 100 kilometers and a width of 8 kilometers and inundated the most prominent ancient sites in the river. [100] The lake also supports a modest state-operated fishing industry. Its been the main source of water for the region, and with it, growth and fertility are unlike anything theyd ever seen before. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! This river, when it dries out, is a sign that the end times are coming. And when I heard about the Euphrates river drying up I was scared. [74] In Iraq, sites like Eridu and Ur were already occupied during the Ubaid period. From the Syrian border to the. And it is a prophecy of Jacob, that from Ian the Antichrist will come, as it has been mentioned several times. Please check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Strangled by the water policies of Iraq's neighbors, Turkey and Syria; a two-year drought; and years of misuse by Iraq and its farmers, the river is. "[67], The early occupation of the Euphrates basin was limited to its upper reaches; that is, the area that is popularly known as the Fertile Crescent. Once the Euphrates enters Iraq, there are no more natural tributaries to the Euphrates, although canals connecting the Euphrates basin with the Tigris basin exist. Supposedly the dry Euphrates is an end-time sign that the end is near. Now, however,desertificationis advancing, putting whole communities in danger. The Euphrates River is one of the two major rivers that make up the Tigris-Euphrates river system, the other being the Tigris River. Along its way, it irrigates swaths of land in Syria's. These rivers rise in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains along the SyroTurkish border and add comparatively little water to the Euphrates. If you have any further questions, email me, or reach out to me on my social media pages. Wow, this commentary is far removed from reality and inputs so much human wisdom its scary. Was Proof of Biblical King Hezekiah Deciphered on Jerusalem Rock Inscriptions? Many of us understand this, but regardless, this view is cropping up here and there and due to that, I believe its important to address to prevent confusion. All rights reserved. Looking at this from a surface level, it speaks of the ongoing birth pangs we see around the world. The Euphrates, which is 2,800 kilometres long, flows from Turkey into Syria and Iraq. Let put in context that the bible mentions a number 200 million man army this is a huge footprint of evidence , the fbi announced two years ago that china has a military this large the only one in the world and there East of Israel when they cross the river this will be the begining of Armageddon because there intent is to destroy Israel, God will not allow it to happen. I wrote about my views on this in this article: https://himitsustudy.com/2020/02/23/study-of-revelation-the-sixth-trumpet/. Especially the flooding of Zeugma with its unique Roman mosaics by the reservoir of the Birecik Dam has generated much controversy in both the Turkish and international press. However, the rivers water levels have fluctuated significantly over time, and it has even dried up entirely in the past due to climate change, overuse of water resources, and the construction of dams and other water management projects. [86], In the centuries to come, control of the wider Euphrates basin shifted from the Neo-Assyrian Empire (which collapsed between 612 and 599 BC) to the short lived Median Empire (612546 BC) and equally brief Neo-Babylonian Empire (612539 BC) in the last years of the 7th century BC, and eventually to the Achaemenid Empire (539333 BC). Happy to see that you agree as well! Thank you for reading through the article and leaving a message. I dont adhere to Baruk as its non-canon. Some Kurdish-Syrian organisations have accused the Turkish government of exploiting water as a weapon of war, intentionally diminishing the flow into regions of Syria under Kurdish control. The bible makes it clear that our life is like a vapor so tomorrow isnt guaranteed for anyone (James 4:13-14). On which the various lives of the ancients depended heavily on this river. Perhaps you had another passage in mind? [43] Completion of GAP was scheduled for 2010 but has been delayed because the World Bank has withheld funding due to the lack of an official agreement on water sharing between Turkey and the downstream states on the Euphrates and the Tigris. [71] Late Neolithic villages, characterized by the introduction of pottery in the early 7th millennium BCE, are known throughout this area. Yet he veers off the truth when he says that the Sixth Bowl Judgment is during the tribulation. It is NOT! [9] Daoudy and Frenken put the length of the Euphrates from the source of the Murat River to the confluence with the Tigris at 3,000 kilometres (1,900mi), of which 1,230 kilometres (760mi) is in Turkey, 710 kilometres (440mi) in Syria and 1,060 kilometres (660mi) in Iraq. The river used to provide water for his olive grove, which is now scorched. [93] In 1984, Turkey unilaterally declared that it would ensure a flow of at least 500 cubic metres (18,000cuft) per second, or 16 cubic kilometres (3.8cumi) per year, into Syria, and in 1987 a bilateral treaty to that effect was signed between the two countries. The river has had problems in the past with lowering water levels, but why? The Euphrates River is one of the two major rivers that make up the Tigris-Euphrates river system, the other being the Tigris River. The minimum volume at Ht remained relatively unchanged, rising from 55 cubic metres (1,900cuft) per second before 1990 to 58 cubic metres (2,000cuft) per second afterward. It winds through Iraq for 660 miles. With this being said, some are saying that the current drying of the Euphrates river is fulfilling bible prophecy, but is this truly the case? Hi. The first time the Euphrates River was mentioned was cuneiform texts found in Shuruppak and pre-Sargonic Nippur. The 50-year-old farmer told French agencyAFPthat he and his family are thinking of leaving because theres no more water. [75] Clay boat models found at Tell Mashnaqa along the Khabur indicate that riverine transport was already practiced during this period. The most notable occurred in the 16th century when the river dried up completely for several years. Reference to that day typically refers to the last day, or days. Third, the Bible not only provides the context as to when this will happen but why this happens, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared (Revelation 16:12). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). The Euphrates River begins in Turkey, but flows through Syria and Iraq. Once Hes given us eternal life, we can trust in the fact that we have it forever. Biblically speaking, when the Euphrates River dries up, essentially the line between "righteous" and "unrighteous" becomes blurred, and/or is no longer present. Appel Projets Archologiques d'Urgence", "The EuphratesTigris Basin: An Overview and Opportunities for Cooperation under International Law", "National Aquaculture Sector Overview. [28], Among the fish species in the TigrisEuphrates basin, the family of the Cyprinidae are the most common, with 34 species out of 52 in total. Empowering the believer in Christ through apologetics, bible studies, and current events with a biblical worldview. Some of the more common birds include: The Euphrates River has been drying up for years, but why? [26], South of this zone lies a zone of mixed woodland-steppe vegetation. There was a village on the shore of the lake and it was flooded every spring the level of the lake rose to 5 meters. [27] Southeast of the border between Syria and Iraq starts true desert. The Four Angels. How many times has the euphrates river dried up? [58] Although concerted efforts have been made to record or save as much of the endangered cultural heritage as possible, many sites are probably lost forever. Understanding the historical perspective of the Euphrates River and its water levels is crucial for ensuring the sustainable management of this critical waterway in the future. It also wont be due to an intentional diminishing of water as some believe may be occurring currently (Lifegate). Its likely the city and the river were connected in importance and divinity. And it is a prophecy of Jacob, that from Ian the Antichrist will come, as it has been mentioned several times. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. For the Northern Hemisphere, spring has just begun and everything will dry up in June-July, but in the Middle East a drought has already begun and, as it turned out, the Euphrates River has dramatically shallowed. There are also local bird species that live and use the Euphrates River. Sites like Ebla, Mari and Tell Leilan grew to prominence for the first time during this period. [64], In Islam, a hadith is mentioned prophecying about unearthing of a gold mountain beneath the Euphrates river before the apocalypse, with many people dying fighting over it; it is said to be one of the future minor signs of the coming of Judgement Day:[65][66]. [87] The Achaemenid Empire was in turn overrun by Alexander the Great, who defeated the last king Darius III and died in Babylon in 323 BCE.[88]. Millions of people in Syria are losing access to water, food and electricity. In Iraq, they are battling the worst drought theyve ever seen. [6] In Mandaean scriptures, the Euphrates is considered to be the earthly manifestation of the heavenly yardna or flowing river (similar to the Yazidi concept of Lalish being the earthly manifestation of its heavenly counterpart).[7]. First, it takes place during the tribulation period and more specifically towards the end as its the second to last bowl judgment. the land between the rivers). [94] Another bilateral agreement from 1989 between Syria and Iraq settles the amount of water flowing into Iraq at 60 percent of the amount that Syria receives from Turkey. The Euphrates River Has Completely Dried Up In Iraq And SyriaThe drying up of Euphrates, Syrias longest river is raising concerns as the demise of the water body could lead to a humanitarian disaster in the country. Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? The earliest references to the Euphrates come from cuneiform texts found in Shuruppak and pre-Sargonic Nippur in southern Iraq and date to the mid-3rd millennium BCE. The Euphrates River begins in Turkey, but flows through Syria and Iraq. [45][46][47], The construction of the dams and irrigation schemes on the Euphrates has had a significant impact on the environment and society of each riparian country. Does this mean that the drying up of the Euphrates river as were currently witnessing it has no significance? The aid groups and engineers have expressed their concern at the possibility of a humanitarian disaster in northeastern Syria.Rising temperatures, lower rainfall and drought across the region are depriving people of drinking water and agricultural water. In any event, it just goes to show the LORD does things His own way, and its perfect. And what is the importance of the Euphrates River? Often times people lump the the 6th trumpet judgment in Revelation 9:13-21 with the 6th bowl judgment in Revelation 16:12-16 and I just dont see the relation or the interpretational justification to do so. Bible prophecy is not meant to scare but to prepare. The Syrian regime accused Turkey of depriving Syrians of their water share of the Euphrates river, saying electricity production at the Euphrates Dam stopped and water level in Lake Al-Assad, the Syrian state-owned news agency SANA reported on Wednesday. The Syrian brown bear can be found in the mountains of Southeast Turkey. The regions climate has shifted from wet to arid over the past few thousand years, leading to a decrease in the amount of water flowing in the river. Although Revelation 16:12 does indeed talk about the drying up of the Euphrates it elaborates this to us in a specific context. The presence of Eurasian beaver has been attested in the bone assemblage of the prehistoric site of Tell Abu Hureyra in Syria, but the beaver has never been sighted in historical times. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow;and the heads of the horseswerelike the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. This was caused by a combination of factors, including a severe drought and the construction of dams upstream. The Euphrates River has been drying up for years, but why? [73] During the 5th millennium BCE, or late Ubaid period, northeastern Syria was dotted by small villages, although some of them grew to a size of over 10 hectares (25 acres). Along with droughts, Iraq and the surrounding area also suffers from climate change and rising temperatures. Because of low rainfall, high temperatures, and the drying of the river, crops are failing, which has led to over 800 families leaving the villages around the Euphrates River. In this article, we will look at the Euphrates Rivers historical perspective and how its water levels have changed throughout history. Through his blog, he aspires to point skeptics of the bible to the truth of the Gospel using apologetics. Since then, Syria has built two more dams in the Euphrates, the Baath Dam and the Tishrin Dam, and plans to build a fourth dam the Halabiye Dam between Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Thank you for your comment and I appreciate you reading through the article. The Euphrates River has played a crucial role in the development and growth of several ancient civilizations. Syria's Lake Assad is the most important source of drinking water for the city of Aleppo, 75 kilometres (47mi) to the west of the river valley. Join us as we dig deeper into the terrifying details scientists have revealed about the changes in the Euphrates river, and what it could mean for the future of mankind. For the last 6,000 years, the Euphrates River has brought the areas of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia unprecedented success. NKJV, ESV, NASB, etc) just note the river and dont mention the Euphrates by name unlike the NIV. Climate change has significantly impacted the Euphrates Rivers water levels over time. Plant species in the moister parts of this zone include various oaks, pistachio trees, and Rosaceae (rose/plum family). [37][38] Syria also built three smaller dams on the Khabur and its tributaries. When you put all the accounts and events the Euphrates drying up matches perfectly with the bible reference to end time events. This is a prediction of what will happen right before the apocalypse. Although today nothing of it survives due to human interference, research suggests that the Euphrates Valley would have supported a riverine forest. [21][22], The drainage basins of the Kara Su and the Murat River cover an area of 22,000 square kilometres (8,500sqmi) and 40,000 square kilometres (15,000sqmi), respectively. I keep trying to tell people that the period during which the Euphrates is deliberately dried up by an Angel following a commandment actually happens during what is the Wrath of God period, and that CURRENTLY this is not the fulfillment of that prophecy which actually according to Scripture is not the tribulation period, it is the Wrath of God which comes AFTER the tribulation and right after Jesus returns to gather His people. The seasonal variability has equally changed. I am a young Christian who doesnt know much about the Bible or God. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Originating in Turkey, the Euphrates flows through Syria and Iraq to join the Tigris in the Shatt al-Arab, which empties into the Persian Gulf. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are drying up, and these are the very rivers that were once a critical part of the Cradle of Civilization in ancient Mesopotamia 2000 years before Christ. InRevelation 19:10were told that the essence of bible prophecy is Jesus,For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.My purpose in writing these articles in relation to bible prophecy is to express this truth to ultimately point you to Christ. As a fellow believer you have a lot to look forward to. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The river is spelled similarly to Sippar, an ancient city located in modern-day Iraq. Once the Euphrates enters the Upper Mesopotamian plains, its grade drops significantly; within Syria the river falls 163 metres (535ft) while over the last stretch between Ht and the Shatt al-Arab the river drops only 55 metres (180ft). Whenever you may find yourself in a place of doubt, remind yourself to take your eyes off of you and put them onto Christ who we can trust completely. [33], The Hindiya Barrage on the Iraqi Euphrates, based on plans by British civil engineer William Willcocks and finished in 1913, was the first modern water diversion structure built in the TigrisEuphrates river system. [9][15], The Euphrates receives most of its water in the form of rainfall and melting snow, resulting in peak volumes during the months April through May. Its one judgment which sets up another judgment rendered by Christ in-person to overwhelmingly defeat these armies, known as the winepress of the wrath of God (Revelation 19:15, 17-21). Over 7 million people are affected by the river drying up. The Euphrates River runs through parts of western Asia but is drying up. And I wanted to ask, is it bad that I was scared that the end days could be coming near? [48] A survey among those who were displaced showed that the majority were unhappy with their new situation and that the compensation they had received was considered insufficient. He will break it up into seven streams so that anyone can cross over in sandals. (NA) or dKIB.NUN, with the prefix "d" indicating that the river was a divinity. Could This Prehistoric Culture Be The First Ancient Civilization? [12][16] The average natural annual flow of the Euphrates has been determined from early- and mid-twentieth century records as 20.9 cubic kilometres (5.0cumi) at Keban, 36.6 cubic kilometres (8.8cumi) at Ht and 21.5 cubic kilometres (5.2cumi) at Hindiya. "Ancient Crystal Weapons" Found In Spain? It concerns the drying up of the Euphrates River. The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. [12][25], The Euphrates flows through a number of distinct vegetation zones. In northeastern Syria, the Euphrates water level is so low that five million people risk being left without drinking waterThere was a time when the strip of land between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in theMiddle East, was so lush as to earn itself the nickname of fertile crescent. Typically, there is a higher water level during April to May since there is more rainfall and melting runoff. This year, rainfall in southern Turkey where the Euphrates begins was the lowest in 30 years and for the past two years, the region has . Not only is the Euphrates River beautiful with breathtaking sights, but there is a lot of historical significance centered around the river. Lifegate: Its like being in the desert, says Khaled al-Khamees, standing on parched ground in a place where, last year, theEuphratesRiver flowed throughSyria. What parts of the article lead you to believe that its far removed from reality and that my pride was fueling this in some way? According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Cyrus diverted the water of the Euphrates enough to allow his army to enter through the channels under the city walls (, 1) The sixth bowl judgment comes near the end of the tribulation. The Euphrates (/jufretiz/ (listen)) is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. For other uses, see, Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 15:44, minor signs of the coming of Judgement Day, List of cities and towns on the Euphrates River, "Euphrates River | Definition, Location, & Facts | Britannica", "Early Loan Words in Western Central Asia: Substrates, Migrations and Trade", Iraqi Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Municipalities and Public Works 2006a, Iraqi Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Municipalities and Public Works 2006b, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+16%3A12&version=NIV, "A new Turkish aggression against Syria: Ankara suspends pumping Euphrates' water", "Mideast Water Wars: In Iraq, A Battle for Control of Water", "Dry Aquifers in Arab Countries and the Looming Food Crisis", "Revision of the species of Trionychidae found in Asia and Africa, with descriptions of some new species", "Using Shuttle Radar Topography to Map Ancient Water Channels in Mesopotamia", "Nouveaux Amnagements Hydrauliques sur le Moyen Euphrate Syrienne.