Russia’s Getting Feisty

Not to take attention away from all the mega-booming prophecy fulfillment activity happening in Europe, but some other big stuff is happening especially with Russia. It’s coming in under the radar for most people, but you can bet Washington is keeping a big eye on it and wringing their hands. Russia is acting and sounding more like the mean, scary Russia that we grew up with. Take a look at some of these latest headlines.

Russia’s military buildup:

• Putin threatens to build-up nukes if START not ratified
• Russia May be Forced to Turn to Nuclear Weapons, Military Chief Warns
• Massive show of military might in Russia
• Russia announces $30 billion military budget for 2012 a 17% increase

Russia hates Israel:

• Russia: We will provide Syria with advanced missiles, despite Israel, U.S. protests
• Russia Insists Weapons to Syria Will not Reach Terrorists
• Israel Angered Over Russian Plan to Sell Syria Missiles
• Russian president to visit Palestinian territories, despite cancelling Israel leg of trip
• Russia supports Palestinian bid to win UN statehood
• Russia accuses Israel of using 'dangerous rhetoric' against Iran

Russia hates the USA:

• Russia's president warns of a new Cold War over missile defense
• Russian FM to US: Don't stir up protests in Middle East
• Putin says U.S. is "parasite" on global economy

Another Cold War is heating up

• Putin Plans a Return to Cold War Atmosphere
• Another Cold War with Russia? Here's Why
• Report Says Illinois Water Pump was Hacked from Russia
• U.S. to Stop Providing Russia Data on Europe Forces

Russia loves Iran:

• Medvedev, Ahmadinejad discuss nuclear energy ties
• Russian FM opposes further sanctioning Iran
• Iran Asks Russia About Building More Reactors
• Russia loading fuel back into Iranian nuke plant crippled by virus
• Iran gets another nuclear fuel batch from Russia
• Russia says new U.S. sanctions on Iran unacceptable

Is Vladimir Putin the ”Prince of Rosh” of  Ezekiel’s Gog and Magog? Putin certainly has the mindset and demonstrates the characteristics of an authoritarian leader.  He even has been bequeathed with a purported divine approval according to the Kremlin’s top political advisor who believes Putin was sent by God to Russia for this time.  There's another article out there dealing with Putin's cult-like status. You crazy prophecy watchers all know that when divine attributes of this nature start getting into the mix, trouble’s brewing. Putin is running for President in March 2012.

Now, speaking of Gog and Magog, this whole “Russia loves Iran” thing is so interesting. Iran is ancient Persia and here’s some clips from Ezekiel’s prophecy that make this love affair so important:

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,  and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.  I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.  Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.
 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.  After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.  You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”

Sorry, I know you want to read more! You can read it all in your own Bible by going to Ezekiel and reading chapters 38 and 39 (starts on page 763).  In Ezekiel 38 and 39 we see worldwide involvement in prophetic events. These chapters provide a panoramic view of things to come upon Israel and other world nations. Some of the names listed in these chapters are familiar to us, but others mean nothing until we trace their ancestral roots. Going back to the Table of Nations listed in Genesis 10 we find that Gomer, Magog, Tubal, Meshech, and Togarmah are all direct descendents of Japheth, one of Noah’s sons. The Old Testament left a clear trail that has enabled ethnologists to trace these groups to the regions where they finally settled. After the flood, the Japhethites migrated from Asia Minor to the north, beyond the Caspian and Black Seas. The modern names for these settled areas are as follows: Gog is the prince of Rosh, so he is whoever the leader of Russia is at that time. Ezekiel 38:1-4 sets the stage with the role Gog will play in this attack on Israel. Verse 4 indicates that Russia will enter into this war reluctantly. The other players composed of Islamic controlled nations enter in with Gog in verses 5-7. Although most versions use the name Ethiopia, in the original Hebrew, it is Cush, one of Ham’s sons. Ethiopia is a very peaceful nation noted for its Christianity as a result of Phillip’s work with the Ethiopian eunuch, but Islam is growing in this country, and it has become unstable. Hal Lindsey indicates that Gomer is Germany, but most prophecy teachers include it with Turkey. Verse 6 indicates that Togarmah is from the north, and this being Turkey is further supported by the fact it is directly north of Israel. Verses 14 and 15 also indicate that Gog comes from the far north. If you look at a map, you will see that Moscow is north of Jerusalem and in the same longitude.

There’s your geography lesson. The message here is that Russia is a key player and part of the alliance that will come together and attack Israel.  We see this alliance in its early formation with this Russian affinity for Iran (Persia). I’ll probably get some tweets and emails from well-meaning folks who will try to correct my eschatological approach to interpreting end time events and they will label me from misguided and misinformed all the way to heretic and act as if I’ve harmed their children—something about future events bring out strong doctrine and ugliness. All you crazy prophecy watchers (I’m one too!) listen, I won’t be upset if I’m wrong, I promise! I love Jesus and so do you. Who knows, we may have to stand next to each other in heaven worshiping the Lamb of God—so we want nothing between us, right?

Keep an eye on Russia and all those other nations listed in Ezekiel 38—they are making the news right now. I’m sure that the only reason Israel and the US haven’t made an outright attack so far on Iran is due to this Russian friendship. Everything is escalating bringing the world to a crisis with the need for a solution, and someone is going to bring it, and peace, security, and a promise of prosperity. Did you find page 763 yet?

This is the opportune time for the church to rise and bring the right answer and to demonstrate that answer with power. We need to realize we are hosting the greatest power on earth and the plan of the ages is heaven on earth, the church without spot or wrinkle, and God’s children fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ.

PD