Category: Politics

We live in incredible times when significant prophetic events are rapidly falling into place to set the stage for the Biblical end of days.  My generation has witnessed more preparations for the Tribulation Period than all of the previous generations since the time of Christ.  The announcement on December 6, 2017 by President Donald Trump to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is one of these significant events. It signals that the Biblical stopwatch of God that will tick off the final seven years before the literal and supernatural return of Christ to earth is rapidly approaching.  In Psalm 102:13, the Psalmist declared: “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”  In the context of this great prophetic psalm, the Holy Spirit has revealed that developments in Jerusalem are directly related to the end of this age.  “When the LORD shall build Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Psalm 102:16)

Anyone who has studied the Bible thoroughly will know that historically and prophetically the Holy City of Jerusalem is at the center of God’s stage for the unfolding of His divine plan and purposes on earth.  As we shall discover in this article, the struggle for the Jewish occupation and ownership of Jerusalem as viewed within the nations will continue until the very end of this age.

I have had several people call and write me concerning the significance of our president’s announcement.  Here is the big question: “How does President Trump’s announcement fit into the overall big picture of the Biblical prophetic end-time scenario?”

President Trump stated that part of his decision was based upon the historical reality of what is true about Jerusalem.  Since the founding of the modern State of Israel, Jerusalem has been the only capital of the Jewish nation.  Almost all of the governmental affairs of Israel are conducted in the governmental buildings in Jerusalem.  I have seen and photographed many of the buildings on my tours in Israel in the last 32 years.  In addition to this, the Scriptures and hundreds of solid archeological evidences prove that Jerusalem was occupied by God’s chosen people since it was declared by King David to be their capital almost 3,000 years ago.

We could all wish that this recognition of Jerusalem and the plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem would start a new political global trend.  However, the current events and the prophetic Scriptures indicate otherwise.

First, the liberal political U.S. leaders and media are all opposing President Trump’s decision.  They overlook the fact that congress overwhelmingly voted to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1995.  Since that time, three previous presidents promised, while campaigning for the presidency, that if elected they would move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as directed by congress.  Each of them vetoed this bill twice each year.  It is now apparent that President Trump was the only one who really intended to honor his campaign promise.

These same political pundits and uninformed media personnel are stating that what President Trump has done is politically foolish.  While this decision is not popular with the political leaders of the world, as indicated by the recent UN vote to oppose this announcement, it is certainly approved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  As we all know, that’s all that really matters!

I do not pretend to agree with all of President Trump’s decisions, policies, or actions.  The world may view his declaration about Jerusalem as foolish.  The Bible states: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)   We must not expect the world to really understand all of this!  Those without the Spirit of God are spiritually dead and blind.  They really cannot understand. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Many billions of people, especially those who follow the Islamic mindset, hate Israel and the God of Israel.  They are blinded by their hatred.  They hate God and are united against Israel.  Read Psalm 83:1-8.

According to the Bible, the acceptance of the return of the Jewish people to their land and their occupation and ownership of Jerusalem is a divine test that will determine who is for or against God. Those who stand with God will applaud and pray for His “will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).   In Psalm 122:6, we are commanded: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  Therefore, all believers who know the prophetic Word of God should support President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish nation of Israel.

In the context of the final seven years at the end of this age, Jeremiah 30:18 states: “Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents [their temporary dwelling places among the Gentile nations], and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city [Jerusalem] shall be builded upon her own heap [the rubble of its ancient remains], and the palace [center of governmental affairs] shall remain after the manner thereof.”  This text, and many others we will examine in this article, clearly demonstrates that the struggle for the city of Jerusalem will be at the center of the conflict between God and the nations in the immediate future.

I believe that President Trump’s recent recognition of Jerusalem will have the effect of galvanizing international opposition against God’s city, ultimately leading to Armageddon.  Others agree with me on this.  Charles Gardner, in an article in an e-mail from Israel Today, comments:  “The decision of President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as a probable first step towards moving the American Embassy there could well be a catalyst for a battle of the ages.”  (e-mail from Israel Today, December 8, 2017)

Jerusalem will be the focus of the international attack upon Israel during the last half of the Tribulation Period.  While calling Jerusalem “Ariel” (which is Hebrew for “the lion of God”), Isaiah 29:7-8 depicts the nations’ passionate determination to distress Jerusalem, as “a dream of a night vision.”  They will dream of their victory over Jerusalem, but their dream will not come to fruition.  Finally, at the end of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will call for the nations of the world to join him in the Battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)  Zechariah 12 and 14 highlight the Antichrist’s attack upon Jerusalem.  The Lord has declared: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”  (Zechariah 12:9)  While the forces of the Antichrist are attacking Jerusalem, the Lord will descend from heaven and fight against this evil force gathered against His people, destroying them all with the power of His spoken word. (Zechariah 12:2-3, 12-15)

Therefore, it is clear that Jerusalem is the epicenter of the international political conflict at the end of this age.  The nations will join Satan in his attack upon Israel, and especially Jerusalem.  The Scriptures paint a clear picture of the global attack upon Jerusalem that will not end until the battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation Period. While speaking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives about the end of this age, Jesus told His disciples: “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)  The time that is designated as “the times of the Gentiles” speaks of all the Gentile governments from Genesis 9 until Revelation 19.  The Gentiles are destined be in control of events on earth until the Jewish Messiah returns from heaven at the end of the Tribulation to rule over all the nations of the world (Revelation 19:15) for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4-6)  Finally, a Jewish global kingdom will rule over all of the Gentile nations.

It is very insightful to examine the Scriptures to determine why Jerusalem is at the center of the war between heaven and hell, God and Satan. Understanding this is critical to developing a Biblical view of what lies ahead for our world.  Let us examine two major reasons why this is true.

Reason #1

God’s Desire for the Destiny of Jerusalem

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned by name more than 800 times in the Bible.  It is emphatically important to grasp that Jerusalem lies at the very center of God’s eternal plans for this earth.

Jerusalem is not the choice of the Jews, it is God’s choice. Psalm 132:13 plainly states: “For the LORD hath chosen Jerusalem…”  Jerusalem is called “the holy city.” (Matthew 4:5)  This declaration is mentioned many times in the Bible, which indicates that God has set this city apart from all of cities in the world for His purposes.  Jerusalem is uniquely called “the city of our God” (Psalm 48:1, 8), and “the city of the great King.” (Psalm 48:2)  Uniquely, God has created the earth and placed Jerusalem at the geographical center of the nations. (Ezekiel 5:5)

The Lord has openly declared His special love for Jerusalem.  In Psalm 78:68, the Lord spoke of Zion “which he loved.”  In Zechariah 1:14, He expressed His love: “…I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy…”  In Zechariah 2:8 He spoke of Jerusalem as “the apple of his eye.” These unique statements of God’s special love for Jerusalem should open our eyes to the central divine focus upon Jerusalem in these last days.  If He is our Lord, and we love Him, we should love what He loves.

When I am in Jerusalem, these passages flood my mind and fill me with a wonder and love for this great city.  I have traveled to many places in this world, but none touch my heart like Jerusalem.  When I am there, I feel like I am in my spiritual home.

As the sovereign Almighty, the Lord is determined that His divine destiny for Jerusalem will be accomplished. This is very powerfully expressed in Isaiah 62:1-7.  “For Zion’s sake, will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. (verse 1) … Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (verse 3) … I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (verses 6-7)

The joy of the Jewish people over Jerusalem is an amazing thing o witness.  No other people on earth have such a loving attachment to a city as do the sons of Jacob for Jerusalem.  The eternal city is the subject of their prayers, singing, and dancing.  This is a fulfillment of many Biblical prophecies. “The redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion…” (Isaiah 51:11)  Jerusalem is destined to become the international capital of the Messiah’s government for 1,000 years.

Reason #2

Satan’s Desire for the Destruction of Jerusalem

Satan knows that if he does not stop God’s revealed destiny for Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:1-3)  Satan has never faced such a judgment or restriction, and he is determined to oppose God in his desperate attempt to avoid this.  As a result, Jerusalem is at the center of Satan’s attack against God.  Isaiah 14:13 reveals that Satan’s agenda is to dethrone God in heaven and to control the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to oppose God’s agenda for His Son to rule the earth from this location. History demonstrates that Satan has done everything in his power to oppose the Jewish occupation of Jerusalem.  Amazingly, the Arab people have been the major tool of his attack upon the Jewish people and their beloved city.  This was true in the days of Nehemiah.  Read Nehemiah 4.  The ancient prophet Obadiah faced this Arab hatred and opposition.  And, this was the situation in Psalm 83:1-8, and Psalm 120.  So, it is not a surprise that at the center of the attack against the Jewish occupation of the city of Jerusalem is the Arab people and their religion – Islam.  Zechariah records God’s verbal confrontation with Satan about all of this. “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2)

The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.”  How ironic that no other city on earth has known so much war, destruction and bloodshed.  Jerusalem has suffered the threats, attacks, and/or control of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Rome, the multiple wars between the Muslims and crusading Catholic Church, the Ottoman Turks, and the British.  When my tour groups walk through the Old City of Jerusalem there are many places where we are reminded that the present level of Jerusalem is 14-21 feet above the level of Jesus’ time, and even deeper to the various levels of the Old Testament period. Much of this death and destruction that Jerusalem has suffered is a result of the conflict that exists between God’s and Satan’s opposing agendas.  As we get closer to the final phase of this war in the spiritual realm, the spotlight upon Jerusalem will once again become increasingly intense.

According to the prophetic Word of God, Jerusalem will be the center of the Antichrist’s focus in the last half of the Tribulation Period. (Daniel 11:45; Zechariah 12, 14; Matthew 24: 15-20 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 )  The fact that Islam has been at the center of the conflict against the Jewish occupation and control over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount for 14 centuries is not a coincidence.  This is one of many reasons why I believe the Antichrist will be a Muslim and the religion that will consume and control him is Islam.  The powerful control and growing influence of Islam is evidence that we are living in the last of the last days!

There is coming a future day when many Arabs and Muslims will be saved and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as their Savior.  In an amazing chapter, Isaiah 60, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the transformation of the Arabs who will be saved and survive the Tribulation Period.  Their former hatred for the Jews and their land and city will be replaced with a respect and support of the Jewish occupation of the Promised Land and Holy City.  Isaiah 60:14 summarizes this astounding change: “The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

Presently we are hearing of a supernatural movement of the Holy Spirit within the Muslims populations of the Middle East.  Tens of thousands of Muslims are having dreams of seeing Jesus and later hear the gospel and are saved.  Many of these former Muslims have already become martyrs for their Lord as they attempt to share the gospel with their Muslim families and friends. I believe that this sudden supernatural event and its powerful impact throughout the Muslim world in the Middle East is a forerunner of what the Lord will do during the Tribulation Period among the Jewish people in Israel. (Joel 2:27-32)  Therefore, this supernatural evangelism of the Muslim masses is another powerful sign that the Rapture is very near.

When the Tribulation Period is over, those who survive will stand before the Lord in the judgment of what is called the Sheep and Goat nations, as recorded in Matthew 25:31-46.  The sheep represent those who are genuinely saved, while the goats represent the lost.  As you read this text, you will realize that the faith of these people will be exposed by their works.  Their works are centered upon their treatment of “the least of these my brethren” – the Jewish people. (verse 40)   Those who are saved will love what God loves and pray for His will to be done on earth.  When one understands the role of the Jewish people and their occupation of the Holy Land and the Holy city of Jerusalem, he will always stand with God, His people, His land, and His city.

I believe that President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will be used to force the world to take sides.  If they are for God, they will stand with the Jewish people and their occupation and ownership of Jerusalem.  If they oppose God, they will support the Arab/Muslim agenda, which calls for the destruction of the Jewish nation of Israel.

For several decades now, the world has followed the false cry for peace in the Middle East.  The world refuses to look at the true historical facts.  Prior to modern times, there never was an ethnic group of people called “Palestinians.” There never was a Palestinian country.  The land called Palestine was always governed by an outside political power for thousands of years until modern times.   The Jews never stole the land from the Arabs.  In contrast, the Arab nations surrounding the Holy Land called for the Arab people living in that land to evacuate as the Arab nations invaded the newly born nation of Israel in May, 1948.  The Arab masses complied, and when Israel won the war, the Arab nations chose to keep the displaced Arabs (now called Palestinians) in refugee camps as a bargaining chip to tempt the world to force the Jews out of the land.

It is no secret that the Arab people, including those who now call themselves Palestinians, do not want to create a two-state solution to this conflict.  The world thinks that the Arab/Muslims want a Palestinian State to live in peace along side of a Jewish State [Israel].  However, when you examine their charters, education materials, maps, media, and religious declarations, it is not a secret that the Palestinians and all of their Arab/Muslim friends are really calling for the creation of a Palestinian State from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River.  They want the complete removal of the Jews from the land of Israel.

The nations of the world have been blinded by all of the Arab/Muslim false promises.  The financial and political corruption of the Palestinian leadership and the incitement toward violence and hatred of the Jewish people have been totally ignored by the western nations.  In essence, they are promoting the creation of another Islamic terrorist nation, while they oppose the only true democracy in the Middle East.  This is not only unbiblical.  It is also wrong and insane!  This is another testimony that we live in a pagan, godless culture that has inverted reality.  Good has become evil and evil has become good.

At the center of this conflict is the city of Jerusalem. The world recognized this in 1947.  When the United Nations voted in November, 1947, on a plan to partition the land of Palestine, they created a map showing a Jewish State, and a new Arab State.  However, they declared that Jerusalem and the immediate surrounding area would be declared an international zone.  They recognized that neither the Jews nor Arabs would accept a plan that would give Jerusalem to the other side.

However, the conflict over Jerusalem is not a nationalistic struggle.  At the center of this conflict is the religion of Islam.  The struggle for Jerusalem is a religious war.  Muslims claim that Jerusalem is an important Muslim center of worship.  However, the Koran never mentions Jerusalem by name.  Until modern times, the Muslims did not consider Jerusalem to be important.  As a matter of fact, the passionate possession of Jerusalem did not begin with the Muslims until the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.

President Trump’s announcement to accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a very big issue in this religious war.  Until his announcement, the western world was playing along with the Muslim world, ignoring the Biblical facts, modern historical records, and amazing archeological discoveries that prove that Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people and should be recognized as the capital of Israel.  Now, President Trump has dared to take a bold step and do what is right in a world that celebrates wrong.

Soon, and very soon, the church is going to be caught out of this world and the struggle for Jerusalem will reach a new level that will finally bring the nations to Armageddon, where Jesus will settle the score once and for all!

I thank the Lord that I have been given the privilege to watch all of this unfold.  If the prophets or apostles were here with us, you would not be able to shut them up!  They would be proclaiming the promise of our Lord’s soon return.  How sad that we live at a time when the churches are so silent about His Second Coming.  Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Dangerous Developments on Israeli’s Northern Border

While the war of Jerusalem is heating up, there is another critical development on Israel’s northern border. According to many sources, the failed Syrian government is nothing more than a weak puppet government now controlled by Russia and Iran.  In the past year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently visited Moscow to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Iranian presence in Syria.  The Israelis know that it is Iran’s goal to control the Middle East and eventually establish a Shia-based global empire.  In order for this to happen, Iran’s goal is to establish a land bridge from Iran, through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, which is nothing more than a weak puppet of Iran, controlled by Hezbollah.  Hezbollah has engaged in war and terrorist attacks against Israel along the southern Lebanese border for several decades.  This militia terrorist group is trained and supported by Iran and operates in the region with the ultimate goal to bring about the destruction of Israel.

Israelis are concerned that Iran is now building a powerful military base just 31 miles from their northern border with Syria.  Despite Netanyahu’s warnings to Russia that Israel will not accept Iran’s military presence in Syria, the Russians are giving their support to Iran’s new military Syrian base.

Several sources indicate that Iran’s purpose for this military presence in Syria is religiously motivated by their Shia prophetic convictions. World Net Daily recently released the following report: “Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project argues the bases near Israel don’t pose an imminent threat of a conventional military strike or even an asymmetrical attack. But he said the motivation is rather a desire to fulfill Shia prophecy of a showdown with the Jewish state that Iran’s religious leadership believes will prompt the coming of a messianic figure, or ‘Mahdi.’ …

There are now some 13 Iranian military installations in Syria – some manned by Hezbollah terrorists and others by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces.

‘This isn’t normal competition between hostile powers; this isn’t even the normal Iranian sponsorship of terrorism or attempts to expand their military presence,’ Mauro said in a recent television interview. ‘To the Iranian regime this is the fulfillment of prophecy.’

Mauro pointed out that new Iranian troops are called Ansar al-Mahdi, or ‘Supporters of the Messiah.’ And Iran has also created a 313th brigade, into which it is recruiting young Syrian Shiites. According to tradition in Shiite Islam, 313 is the number of fighters that will arrive with the Mahdi, the Islamic Messiah, Mauro explained.

Shia tradition holds that the arrival of the Mahdi will coincide with the arrival of the Christian messiah, Jesus, who will be the Mahdi’s lieutenant in fighting the Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah, or anti-Christ.

Shia Islam believes the Mahdi will reappear with Jesus, who will declare himself a Muslim, and kill Christians who refuse to convert. ‘The end of days,’ according to Shia belief, will be a bloody battle, killing off two-thirds of the world population and leaving the rest to convert to Islam.

The concept of the Mahdi figures in Iranian politics. In a speech in front of the U.N. General Assembly in 2008, then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left the gathered politicians aghast as he begged Allah to hasten the return of the Mahdi.

‘You are not dealing with fully rational actors,’ Mauro said. ‘You can be irrational and strategic and pragmatic at the same time, which is what Iran is doing. If you understand these prophecies, you can understand Iran.’

Mauro explained that according to Shiite theology, Iranian leadership believes it will lead the battle against Sunni adversaries, invade Israel and take over Jerusalem. He added that the recent destabilization in Saudi Arabia is a direct result of Iran’s apocalyptic agenda.” (World Net Daily, November 24, 2017)  To watch this interview, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6fTplpYzrE

As the Bible prophecy student follows all of these recent ongoing developments, he realizes that the hour is very, very late.  We are literally standing on the brink of major events that have overwhelming prophetic implications. I can honestly say that I have never been more focused or excited about following all of this.  Perhaps this is the year we will fly home to heaven.

“Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Russia and the End of Days

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“I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me,

when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. “ Ezekiel 38:16

By Mike Wingfield

In light of the prophetic Biblical narrative of the last days, it is absolutely amazing to watch events unfold in the Middle East and around the globe right before our eyes. It is very clear that God is orchestrating developments to set the stage for the fulfillment of end-time events. It is my opinion that one of God’s primary judgments among the nations will be the destruction of Russia and her allies that come against Israel in a great military invasion, as detailed in Ezekiel 38-39. Without question, recent aggressive and bold military moves by Russian President Vladimir Putin are signaling that the ultimate showdown between Russia and God is drawing nearer each day.

In 1991, the Soviet Union, then a world superpower, collapsed. At that time, Vladimir Putin was a KGB agent. The KGB was known as an evil and ruthless security agency. A decade later, Putin became president of Russia, which is officially known as the Russian Federation. As the Russian leader, Putin commented that the collapse of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.” (http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/21) It obvious to me that Putin’s aggressive actions in recent days are begin motivated by his dream to rebuild the Soviet Union and to wield global power over the nations. This has always been the ambition of Communist Russia. History reveals that in its march to achieve global supremacy, one of Russia’s greatest ambitions has been the acquisition of the land of Israel.

Prior to the declaration of the nation of Israel in 1948, many Jewish pioneers in Palestine lived on communal farms called kibbutzim and moshavim. These communities were a unique type of socialist approach to living in which the residents of these communities had very few personal belongings. Their work was for the community, and the community owned most of the properties and possessions. As a reward for their cooperation and work, the community cared for all of the members’ basic needs for living. It is apparent that the poor Jews who immigrated to Israel found this kind of lifestyle attractive and saw it as a way to fulfill their dream to help establish the modern Jewish state. On the other hand, as the socialist and communist leaders in the Soviet Union observed the creation of these communal farms, they concluded that the future Jewish state would adopt a socialist form of government and be a part of the nations that would eventually come under the orbit of the Soviet influence. This is why the Soviet Union quickly recognized the nation of Israel in 1948. Russia was the second nation to accept the Jewish state into the family of nations; the United States being the first to do so. However, when it became clear that Israel would follow the path of democracy rather than socialism, the Soviet Union changed its courting policies toward Israel and began its support for the Arab and Muslim states that were calling for the destruction of Israel. This alliance with the Arabs and Muslims has continued to this present time. Russia views Israel as a part of the West, which it despises and dreams of conquering.

The soft U.S. foreign policies of the Obama administration for eight years have allowed Putin to orchestrate his Russian political and military dominance in the Middle East. As a result, Israel finds itself facing a Russian and Islamic coalition that is positioning itself in Syria only a few miles from Israel’s northern border on the Golan Heights.

On August 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meet with Putin in Russia. Netanyahu informed Russia that Israel would not tolerate an increased Iranian military presence in Syria. Since Iran continues to publicly avow the destruction Israel, it is only right that Israel take a very commanding position to refuse Iran’s presence on their northern border.

Furthermore, a few months ago, communications strategist and author Joel Rosenberg commented: “Radical Islam is not the only threat we face in the West. Radical Russian nationalism and imperialism may prove to be an even more serious threat, especially given that Moscow has nuclear weapons while the violent Islamists do not (yet)…. I remain deeply concerned that most NATO leaders are insufficiently concerned by the magnitude of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin and the Russian military.

“Putin has invaded and occupied parts of Georgia, Crimea, and eastern Ukraine in recent years. Putin is selling arms to the ayatollahs in Iran, and has sent military forces into Syria to bolster the regime of Bashar al-Assad, a mass murderer who is presiding over the destruction of his entire country. …

“Do we really believe Putin’s aggression has run its course? A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that the three Baltics States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) are currently so poorly defended by NATO troops that Moscow could launch a surprise attack and capture at least two of them in just 60 hours.” (e-mail blog from Joel Rosenberg, July 22,2017)

Then, only a few weeks later, Rosenberg reported: “Moscow is gearing up for massive war games later this fall that could put upwards of 100,000 Russian troops on the borders of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each of these countries are NATO members. Each lived for decades under the cruelty of Soviet occupation. Each are increasingly worried Putin may be interested in seizing them and putting them once again under Russian hegemony. …

“Putin has further ‘ratcheted up military provocations against NATO forces across Eastern Europe’ by sending Russian warplanes to make ‘provocative flybys of NATO ships and aircraft,’ by deploying ‘new military hardware to its Kaliningrad exclave, a territory nestled between the Baltic countries and Poland, which are all NATO members’ and by conducting ‘cyber warfare attacks on the electoral processes of multiple NATO countries, including, but not limited to, the U.S., Germany, and France,’ according to a U.S. defense analyst writing in Newsweek.” (flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/10)

In recent weeks, the U.S. Congress passed a bill to promote sanctions against Russia to punish them for their apparent involvement in the 2016 U.S. elections. As a result, Putin has announced that as of September 1, Russia is forcing the United States to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755. As tensions mount between Russia and the U.S. one wonders what the ultimate outcome will be.

While the world is oblivious to where all of this is going, those of us who know Biblical prophecy do not know all of the details, but we do have the big picture in clear focus. On the basis on Ezekiel 38-39, we know that Russia and its Islamic allies are plotting an eventual invasion of Israel. The Islamic rhetoric within Putin’s coalition provides evidence of their evil strategies. With all of this in mind, let us consider Ezekiel’s 2,600 year old prophecies as we examine five facts about Russia and the end of days.

Its Identity and Location

When the Bible student studies Ezekiel 38, one of the major questions to be answered is: “What is the identity of ‘the land of Magog,’ ‘Meshech and Tubal’?” This requires us to go back to the first mention of these ancient people groups in Genesis 10. Then, one must attempt to trace the location in which these ancient people groups settled. Concerning this, Jewish Biblical scholar, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, has concluded: “The identification of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined from the fact that these tribes of the ancient world occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which is today in southern Russia. … The name Rosh is the basis for the modern name Russia.” (Arnold Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of Messiah, pp. 106-107)

This conclusion is confirmed by the location of the chief prince of the land of Magog as being “out of the north parts.” (Ezekiel 38:15; see also 39:2) When one looks at the location of Israel, Russia is located in the extreme north. Therefore, with great certainty, we can conclude that Ezekiel predicted that Russia will lead a coalition out of the north to attack Israel in the last days.

Its Character in the Last Days

When one examines the text of Ezekiel, he will conclude that Russia will be characterized as having an evil spirit, a warring spirit, and a godless spirit. In the last days, Russia is a champion for evil that opposes God and His eternal plans for Israel and the church.

According to the Bible, Russia and its Islamic allies will have an evil agenda in the last days. Ezekiel 38:10 states: “It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought.” While Russia is deceptively silent about its evil intentions toward Israel, it has no problem developing military alliances with Iran and Turkey, which have repeatedly expressed their hatred for Israel, and frequently call for its annihilation.

Both history and the Scriptures demonstrate that Russia and its Islamic allies have a warring spirit. They are not interested in promoting peace, but thrive on war. The prophetic revelation in the book of Ezekiel gives testimony that the people living in the region now occupied by Russia have always been a warring people. They believe in taking what they want by military conquest.

In Ezekiel 32:27, God declared that Russia was the promoter of “the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.” In Ezekiel 38, Russia is depicted as a nation that possesses a massive army that will invade Israel in the last days. The history of the 20th century certainly illustrates that Russia is a blood-thirsty nation that has brutally murdered millions of its own people.

It is a demonstrated fact that Russia also openly promotes a godless spirit. Russia has prided itself as an atheistic culture that has been an enemy of the cross. Therefore, it is no surprise that it also loathes the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. In Ezekiel 38:16, God declares that in the last days, Russia will be “against my people of Israel…. and … against my land.” In response to this, the Lord has spoke of His opposition to Russia. In Ezekiel 38-39, the Lord has repeatedly declared that He is “against” Russia and its powerful leader in the last days. (Ezekiel 38:1-2; 39:1)

Its Allies in the Last Days

According to Ezekiel’s prophecy, in the last days, Russia will unite with other nations that have the same warring spirit that desires to attack the Jewish nation. Psalm 120 gives us insight into Israel’s national security threats in ancient Biblical days. On behalf of the Jewish people, the writer of this Psalm calls out to God because of the deceptive warring spirit of Mesech [the people living between the Black and Caspian Seas- now Russia] and Kedar [the Arabs]. In verse 7, the psalmist declares: “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” This is the same situation that exists in the Middle East today. Israel continually strives to have peace with Russia and the Muslims. However, this ancient coalition united against God’s people “are for war.” (Psalm 120:7)

Russia, with its evil, warring, and godless spirit has found a compatible partner in the Arab Muslims. About 4,000 years ago, the Lord spoke to Ishmael’s mother while she was fleeing from the presence of Sara, Abraham’s wife. The Lord informed her that the son she would deliver, and consequently, his descendants, would have a warring spirit. He said to her: “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him …” (Genesis 16:12) History demonstrates that this was the beginning of the ancient conflict between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael, the forefathers of Israel and the Arab Muslim nations. The conquest of ruthless jihad, bloody military conquest, has been the trademark of Islam for 14 centuries. So, the warring spirit of Russia and the Arab Muslims traces its hatred for Israel and the God of Israel back 4,000 years.

Just as Ezekiel predicted 2,600 years ago, Russia has formed an alliance with some of the most dangerous, militant, evil nations in the world today. As prescribed in the prophetic record, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan have been pulled into the Russian orbit of influence. (See Ezekiel 38:5-6.) Ezekiel 38-39 is set in the context of a revelation in Ezekiel 25-39 concerning God’s judgment of the nations both in the past and in the last days that have oppressed and opposed His people, Israel. Note that once again, Russia is pictured with the Middle Eastern nations that are all Muslim nations today. (Ezekiel 32:26-28) In Chapter 32, these nations are viewed as being those who have caused terror in the other nations, Therefore, throughout this section, God has declared that He will return His terror upon these warring nations who have fought against Him and His chosen people. (Ezekiel 32:32) Ultimately, these nations are depicted as being cast down into hell. (Ezekiel 32:17-32)

Not only have Russia and its Muslim allies expressed hatred for Israel, but, they all have a record of persecuting and killing Christians. This is especially true of Sudan. Radical Sudanese Muslims, with the backing of their government, are persecuting and killing Christians throughout Sudan.

Its Leader in the Last Days

In Ezekiel 38-39, the future leader of Russia is referred to as “Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.” (Ezekiel 38:3) In light of the present developments in the Middle East, one has to wonder if Vladimir Putin is the Russian leader who will fulfill this prophecy. Is Putin Gog? While we can never be absolutely certain, it seems that Putin does fit the description given by Ezekiel. It does appear that Putin is in the process of attempting to restore the glory and power of the former Soviet Union. This explains his aggression and militant strategies unfolding in the Middle East, especially Syria.

In Ezekiel’s prophecy, Gog is known as a powerful military leader. In Ezekiel 38:7, Gog is called “a guard.” This word means that Gog was a militant protector of his troops, a leader skilled in military maneuvers. This means that Gog was known for his military prowess. This seems to be a fitting description of the militant character of Vladimir Putin.

Gog also is viewed by Ezekiel as possessing a massive army, in addition to the very large armies of his coalition. In Ezekiel 38:9, it says that Gog and his forces will “ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy [troops], and many people with thee.” According to globalfirepower.com, Russia has 3,391,027 military personnel, Iran has 934,000, and Turkey has 743,415. These three allies have a combined 5,068,442 military personnel. In contrast to this, Israel has only 718,250 military personnel, with a total Jewish population of about 6.2 million. This data perfectly fits the picture depicted by Ezekiel at that the time of the Russian/Islamic invasion in the last days.

Its Destruction in the Last Days

As one looks at the statistical data mentioned above, it is apparent that the Jewish people will be greatly outnumbered by this Russian/Islamic coalition that will come against them. Like previous times in the Old Testament, the Lord is stacking the numbers against His own people to demonstrate to them that He is the Lord God Almighty. (Read the story about Gideon’s army in Judges 6-7.) In the days of King Jehoshaphat, a massive Arab army came against Israel. As they faced this overwhelming foe, King Jehoshaphat prayed, “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us: neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) God answered the king and sent a prophet to give him His response: “Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)

In the larger context of Ezekiel’s revelation of God’s judgment against the nations, Ezekiel 25-39, it is repeatedly mentioned that God seeks His vengeance against the nations that are against His people and His land. (Ezekiel 25:3, 6, 12, 15; 26:2; 35:5, 10-15; 36:2-7; 38:8, 10-23) This section speaks of the historical and prophetic vengeance of God upon these nations. As mentioned before, it will eventually be aimed at Russia and the Arab/Islamic nations.

It is very apparent that God is orchestrating the events in the Middle East to bring about the final chapter in this ancient conflict against Him. It is not an accident that in Ezekiel 25-39, God directed His prophet to write about the King of Tyrus. After examining Ezekiel 28:6-19, many Biblical scholars agree that this is a reference to Satan. In other words, this conflict against Israel should be viewed from the spiritual realm as a conflict between good and evil, between God and Satan. The Lord is allowing Satan to use his wicked instruments against His people and His land. However, the final outcome is in the hands of the Lord!

The president of Russia does not know it, but God is baiting him for the final destruction of the Russian Army and the armies of Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan. Speaking to Gog, God said: “Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, … And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth…” (Ezekiel 38:3-4) Russia and its allies will come against Israel not only because they hate them, but also because of the incredible wealth in Israel. (Ezekiel 38:12-13) Israel is rapidly becoming a very wealthy nation. Although it is very small, Israel has become a world leader in computer, agricultural, medical, and military hardware. Israel is on the cutting edge of electronic technology. The recent discoveries of natural gas and oil are making it energy independent, as well as an exporter of natural gas to the nations of the Middle East and Europe. All of this is especially attractive to Vladimir Putin. The bait is working. Soon, God will set the hook!

With the Russian/Islamic coalition forming on Israel’s northern border, it is only a matter of time before they will make their move against Israel. When they do, the God of Israel will intervene. He will send a massive earthquake in the region that will trigger volcanic eruptions. (Ezekiel 38:19-22) This geological catastrophic event will mentally unhinge these invading armies so that they will be confused and kill each other. (Ezekiel 38:21) A similar thing happened in the days of King Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 20:22-24)

Not only will the Lord destroy the Russian army on the mountains of Israel, but He will also “send a fire on Magog [Russia], and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 39:6) Russia and her Islamic allies will be finished. This will be the first phase of God’s judgment in the last days upon the nations that have had a history of hatred and war against Him and His chosen people. I am convinced that Russia will be out of the global picture before the Tribulation Period begins. In all likelihood, the battle of Gog and Magog will take place shortly after the Rapture, but before the Tribulation Period begins.

In the context of Ezekiel 38-39, God repeatedly declares, “I will…” The overriding impact of this passage is the message that God is sovereign and that His eternal plans for His glory will be accomplished. He has chosen the Jewish people and the Holy Land as His instruments for His glory. God’s divine plan is not for the glory of the Jewish people, or anyone else. The Lord instructed Ezekiel to declare: “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes: O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 36:22-23)

God will bless or curse the nations based upon how they stand with Him in His eternal plan, which is bound up in the Jewish people and their land. (Genesis 12:3) The Jewish global population is about 0.3 percent of the world’s total population. The land of Israel is very tiny compared to the great nations of the world. However, God has chosen the small things to glorify Himself. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to [nothing] things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Iran and Turkey believe they are in the driver’s seat in the Middle East. They believe that they will successfully destroy the nation of Israel and annihilate the Jewish people. However, their dream will not come to pass! (Read Jeremiah 29:17-18.) Instead, they are plotting their own demise.

Friends, take heart! We live in a world that has gone mad! The masses around us are ignoring God and seeking their own course of action to gratify their own desires. We can be encouraged that North Korea, or the socialists that are in our country, are not in control. God’s plan will come to pass. We are in His hands! “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Concerns About Yellowstone Park Volcanic Eruption

Some scientists are expressing a great concern over the potential that the very large dormant volcano at Yellowstone State Park could be moving toward a major eruption. As thousands of people descended upon the park to observe the solar eclipse on August 21, they were greeted with a 3.2 earthquake. This quake followed a 2.5 quake the day before. There have been thousands of earthquake tremors in the park this summer.

All of this is of great concern. This volcano is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and is the most dangerous one in the United States. Should we experience a major eruption it would be catastrophic for America and the entire world. It could kill people in 15 states and cover one-third of the U.S. in volcanic ash. This would stop air traffic over the U.S. and in other parts of the world for months. The volcanic ash in the Midwest would be so deep that it would take years for the breadbasket of America to agriculturally recover.

Some scientists have become so concerned that they are making plans in a desperate and costly attempt to cool down this treacherous volcanic hotspot. “NASA [recently] announced that it is working on plans to drill six miles down into the volcanically active region and pump water into the magma at high pressures. The water would return to the surface at 662 degrees Fahrenheit, bringing some of the volcano’s heat with it. The project is massive, estimated to cost $3.46 billion, and admittedly risky.

‘The most important thing with this is to do no harm,’ Wilcox, a researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, told the BBC. ‘If you drill into the top of the magma chamber and try and cool it from there, this would be very risky. This could make the cap over the magma chamber more brittle and prone to fracture. And you might trigger the release of harmful volatile gases in the magma at the top of the chamber which would otherwise not be released.’

But the NASA scientists working on the project are convinced that Yellowstone poses enough of a threat that they are willing to risk setting off an eruption.” Read more at:

www.breakingisraelnews.com

According to Revelation 6:12-17, the Tribulation Period will begin with massive global earthquakes that will trigger massive volcanic eruptions. With everything else that is preparing our world for the Tribulation Period, it is only natural that the thought of a major eruption of the Yellowstone volcano must be taken seriously.

A Massive Jewish Exodus of European Jews to Israel

As our world moves deeper into a cycle of dangerous Islamic terrorism and moral decline, a growing number of European Jewish people are thinking about immigrating to Israel. Following the recent terrorist attack in Barcelona, a prominent Rabbi in Spain spoke to his fellow Jews, encouraging them to make plans now to immigrate to Israel. He is admonishing them to not wait until it is too late, like in previous generations. Surveys among Jews living in the UK indicate that due to the increase of anti-Semitism, one-third of them are thinking about immigration to Israel.

According to the Bible, when the Kingdom Age begins, every Jew will be at home in Israel. God says that His people will know that He is the LORD their God when He has “gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more [in their enemies’ lands].” (Ezekiel 39:28)