"Russia Viewed As Rising Star"

According to The Jerusalem Post: "Russia is viewed as the rising military star in the region while the U.S. is perceived as a falling star."

The news that Russia and Iran had a "secret" deal to place Russia's strategic bombers and strike fighters on an airbase in Western Iran is seen as proof.

"Although Israeli and American intelligence communities knew in advance that Iran agreed to host Russian bombers on its soil, the two countries are puzzled by the development, but understand its strategic importance--not only to the Middle East, but globally."

Aimed at boosting their military cooperation, the secret deal marks a much larger strategy: to increase Russia's influence in the Middle East.

The Post article continues: "In that sense, Putin is taking advantage of the incoherent and hesitant U.S. foreign policy of President Barack Obama. It seems the U.S. is trying to detach itself from world conflicts, which may well result in a new version of isolationism."

With what other countries is Russia "enhancing its military cooperation?"

• China
• Egypt
• Saudi Arabia
• (and just last week)--Turkey

Israeli military officials believe it is clear "that Moscow is trying to create a wedge between the U.S. and its traditional allies."

"American allies--including Israel--understand the new Russian game and its true motives, but still feel they have no choice but to tacitly support it."

Why? Because they believe Russia has a future with up-side potential and the U.S. does not.

A wise woman once said: "God reveals a fascinating and detailed prophecy about a future war campaign against Israel in the book of Ezekiel. The war is known as the "Gog and Magog War" because the people of Magog and their leader, Gog, will lead the attack against Israel. Scripture clearly teaches that this war will be a turning point for Israel with regard to their relationship with God. The sobering, yet exciting aspect of this study is that for the first time since Ezekiel penned these prophecies, the countries that will gather against Israel have built an alliance in recent years. The prophetic puzzle pieces are now in place. It is just a matter of time, that is, God's timing before these prophecies find fulfillment." -- Amy Van Gerpen, Tracking Bible Prophecy

"Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until He reveals His plans to His servants, the prophets." -- Amos 3:7

News:

• NBC News: Moscow & U.S. State Dept. exchange "withering" remarks over Russia's use of Iranian facilities.
• EurActiv.com: U.S. moves nuclear weapons form Turkey to Romania, according to two independent sources; Romanian Foreign Ministry denied the reports.
• The Sun: Putin masses 40,000 troops, armoured vehicles along Ukraine border as fears of military invasion mount. 

"Are We Witnessing the Rise of Magog?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States and the West of practicing "cold war tactics" in a vitriolic speech before a cheering Russian parliament.

Fresh from his victory in Crimea, the Russian leader openly mocked and ridiculed the US for the sanctions approved on Monday.

Commodities and foreign currency expert Jim Sinclair says:

"To sanction Russia is to forget that Russia supplies Europe with its gas supplies. To sanction Russia is to forget there are many US and European corporations operating within Russia right now. I honestly believe sanctioning Russia is the same as shooting yourself in the foot."

Sinclair goes on to say, "Anybody that is nuclear capable to the degree that Russia is with its delivery systems is a world power."

"We hear constantly Russia is only a regional power. We hear lies. We hear untruths. We don't have a clear picture to what is taking place."

Sinclair believes the Russian's have "the upper hand. They have it in their ability to turn the US economy upside down and into collapse."

Strong words. But Sinclair stands behind them: "There is no question whatsoever", he says, "Putin doesn't need a nuclear bomb. He has a nuclear economic bomb he can set off at any time."

How?

According to Sinclair,

"The real teeth of retaliation for sanctions being in the simple acceptance of any currency whatsoever for payment for gas to Europe. It makes energy cheaper. Why in the world would anyone pay in dollars if they can pay in their own currency?"

Sinclair added, "We're in a hell of a mess. If the world drops the 'Petrodollar', we'll have a hot war in a week. We will go to war over the Petrodollar."

While the Bible doesn't mention a war between the US and Russia, it does detail a war between Russia (Magog & friends) and Israel. (Ez. 38 and 39)

Where's the United States?

Apparently, on the sidelines wringing her hands.

Jim Sinclair on USA Watchdog.com

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army...'" Ez. 38:3-4

A wise man once said: "Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform." - RBC

News:

• The Washington Post: Vice Pres. Biden: "US military well-prepared to defend NATO Allies from Russian aggression.
• Reuters: Russian forces storm Ukraine base in Crimea, US warned Moscow of 'dark path to isolation' on Wednesday.
• CBS: Family anger erupts in Malaysia, jet search enters 13th day; Israel on high alert

"Ukraine Crisis and Bible Prophecy"

How does what's happening in Ukraine factor into bible prophecy?

First, it's important to recognize that the fulfillment of bible prophecy does not happen out of the blue.

For example: Nobody is going to pull the Antichrist out of a hat one day. He will most likely rise to power in response to a global leadership vacuum.

Secondly, while bible prophecy gives us a complete overview of God's plan for mankind and this planet, it doesn't give us every detail. We must surmise the rest.

For example: Because the United States is not mentioned in the end-time scenario, we are left to guess (by watching events unfold) the reason why.

So how does Ukraine factor in?

If Russia is Magog (as detailed in Ezekiel 38), what is happening in Ukraine, and what happened in the former Soviet nation of Georgia in 2008, should come as no surprise. Whether Putin is Gog or not, it's way too early to tell.

But one thing is clear:

Vladimir Putin is taking Russia a giant step closer to fulfillment of Ez. 38 and the rise of the Antichrist.

How?

• His goal is to restore the power of the Soviet empire
• If Ukraine allies with Europe, it will be a huge blow to that goal. Putin will do everything in his power to stop that from happening.
• Russia, a major supplier of natural gas to Europe, uses it to manipulate and gain wealth and power (this will factor into their motivation to attack Israel, as Israel has recently discovered she is virtually swimming in oil).
• If the Ukraine situation ends up as the Georgia one did, Russia gains back a little more power, and will be emboldened to try for more.
• This will eventually cause Europe to seek a strong leader to counter Putin (and his like), and to unite into a much stronger union (as predicted in Revelation 17:12), going from 28 nations down to 10 regions.
• Meanwhile, Israel is on a collision course with Magog (Russia), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya (along with many others).

In other words: Nations from all directions will form a coalition against Israel. But it won't happen out of the blue.

Because the student of bible prophecy knows what to look for, we've been alerted to watch this prophecy progress toward fulfillment for years in terms of:

• the Arab Spring
• the recent military alliance between Russia, Iran and a number of countries in the region
• the gutting of the US military, economy and subsequent unwillingness to fight
• the increasing aggression of Russia
• the discovery of massive oil reserves in Israel
• the increasing isolation of Israel and the unreliability of her allies

The crisis in Ukraine is (as Pink Floyd once lamented) Just another brick in the wall...

"I am God, and there is no one else like Me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish" - Isaiah 46:10.

A wise man once said: "As the Sovereign of the cosmos, God can do anything He desires. His pleasure (Ps. 147) includes the salvation of His people (Zeph. 3:17) and the worship of their hearts (John 4:23-24). - William Van Germeren, PhD.

News:

• Press Telegram: Hilary Clinton compares Putin's action in Ukraine to Hitler's run up to WWII
• NBC: US sends six fighter jets to Baltics, more airmen to Poland in response to crisis in Ukraine
• DEBKA File: Israel's navy seizes Iranian missile ship headed for Gaza
• Fox News Channel: Russia's Vladimir Putin nominated today for the Nobel Peace Prize

"Why is No One Covering This?"

While most of us are being bombarded day and night with the Trayvon Martin aftermath, a dangerous drama is being played out in Russia's Far East. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a 'snap-drill' designed to plunge his nation's military into a state of 'full combat readiness' at a moment's notice.

The largest Russian military exercise since the Cold War is being simulated this week in response to a "hypothetical attack by Japanese and US forces." The impromptu war games are a massive show of force which includes:

• 130 combat aircraft
• 70 ships
• 5,000 tanks
• 160,000 troops
• 320 tons of equipment

Moscow-based military analyst Alexander Khramchikhin claims, "The land part of the exercise is directed at China, while the sea and island part of it is aimed at Japan."

Really? With the U.S. and Russia on the verge of a proxy war in Syria? And come to think of it, wasn't Putin a little ticked off by the Israeli bombing of Russian weapons supplies earlier this month?

H-m-m-m...you've got to wonder people, if maybe the tensions between them are starting to simmer.

Let's not forget the Russian's have been pressing the pedal to the metal in regards to accelerating their military build-up in recent years.

While the U.S. cut military spending by 15% in 2013, Russia has increased their's by a whopping 60%, the largest military build-up since the Cold War. And while America is calling for a reduction in nuclear weapons, Russia is busy working on a new generation of nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles which Kremlin officials say, "will be able to penetrate U.S. missile defenses."

So where's the media? M.I.A.

The Bible predicts Russia (aka Gog) will attack Israel along with Iran and a coalition of Muslim nations (Ezekiel 38). Maybe somebody should let the White House know this isn't exactly a good time to be cutting back on military spending. Just sayin'...

A wise man once said:  "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse." John Stuart Hill

"For I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done."  Isaiah 46: 9, 10

News:

• Detroit News: Detroit declares bankruptcy; largest municipal bankruptcy case in U.S. history
• CNN: Jesse Jackson calls Florida an "apartheid state" in a reference to the Trayvon Martin case
• Capitalism Institute.org: House votes to delay Obamacare mandates for individuals for one year; last week's vote delayed mandates for institutions.