IT’S ALL ABOUT POWER, and it’s all about to escalate. The spiritual entities that lie behind every world leader are waging a war for control — a war against the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The ultimate prize in this continuing war is Israel, God’s chosen nation.

Students of Biblical prophecy will recognize the phrase Gog and Magog War, and I’d dare say at this point, many non-scholars will as well. As the war in Georgia leads into its fifth official day of fighting, I can’t help seeing a terrifying alignment of military incursions with one final goal: Invasion of Israel.

Take a look at the map below of the Black Sea Region.

Note the countries that surround the Black Sea are clockwise: Ukraine (which includes an ‘autonomous region’ called Crimea (the little island off the southern coast of Ukraine), Russia, Georgia (that includes the autonomous region of Abkhazia, which directly borders the Black Sea), Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. Now, let’s take a look at the US Missile Defense Shield countries: So far, the Czech Republic and most probably Ukraine have signed on. But word is that the US wants installations in Georgia as well. With Ukraine and Georgia seeking NATO membership (Georgia’s might be fast-tracked now), expect NATO bases to pop up in both countries.

In other words, within the coming five years, the United States, the EU, and NATO (eg. the West) will position themselves to foil Russian plans in the region.

Note, too, that the Russian Navy is currently based in the Black Sea courtesy of Ukraine, but Ukraine has ordered Russia to close up shop. That’s where the ‘autonomous region’ of Crimea comes in.

So, what am I getting at? Here’s the batting order:

1. Putin takes South Ossetia and even incurs into Georgia.
2. Putin takes Abkhazia (the Russians are already there).
3. Putin ‘assists’ Crimea in breaking totally free of Ukraine.
4. Putin invades Turkey on the way to Israel.

Jesus Christ stands ready to return for His Bride, but we may well see the Gog Magog invasion before the trumpet sounds. Iran, Syria, and a host of Muslim nations all have military alliances with Russia. Right now, Israel’s nuclear capabilities provide a major deterrent against an Iranian attack. But Russia is a nuclear power, and a sudden invasion by the Soviet Bear would not only stun the world, but could appear impossible to stop.

Except for Jesus. He can and will stop it. A miraculous deliverance will take place, and God’s chosen people Israel will see God’s face shine upon them once again. The Seventieth Week is nearly here. Are you ready? Do you know Christ as Savior? Don’t wait until tomorrow. Now is the time for action. Now — before it’s too late.

“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him…

By SHARON K. GILBERT
July 10, 2008

WILL WE, OR WON’T WE? That is the question in the minds of many regarding the probability that the US and/or Israel will attack Iran. Not surprisingly, I’ve been keeping my eye on the situation, and here are a few clues as to what might soon occur:

1. Investments put on hold: French, Spanish, and Dutch companies have recently decided not to develop natural gas fields in Iran because the area is “too politically risky”. Do the insiders in these countries know something? Certainly, any investment in Iran’s gas fields now could turn sour if war breaks out — or if the government ‘nationalized’ said fields on a whim (like Hugo Chavez has been doing in Venezuela — and let’s not forget that Chavez and Ahmadinejad are good buddies).

2. Missile testing: Iran has tested long-range missiles that could “put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan all within striking distance.” In response, the US has conducted a ‘missile defense test’ involving scenarios that include ships in both the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. Back in January, Israel tested long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

3. US bases on Iran’s border: Secretary of State Rice is ramping up the language by reminding Iran that the US will defend Israel and its allies and that “no one should be confused of that.” Even the US Navy Commander has offered an opinion, vowing that the US would not allow Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

5. Congressional Clues: Believe it or not, 200 Congressmen and Congresswomen — including die-hard Democrat Barney Frank! — have signed on to a resolution that effectively calls for a blockade on Iran’s ships in the Strait. The resolution calls on the President to impose “stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program”.

6. The economy: The US is in deep trouble economically — foreclosures, volatile markets, dollar insolvency, and closing businesses (leading to lost jobs) are fueling a fast ride to an economic depression. Not backed by gold, the dollar relies on ‘confidence’ to remain strong, but those holding dollars are quickly losing faith. Iran’s oil bourse is open for business and trading in euros and yen rather than dollars. Look for this exchange to accept rubles — since Russia has made no secret of its alliance with Iran. Historically, wartime economies ‘boom’ while peacetime economies falter (it takes a lot of industry to feed the war machine). While one might say ‘hey, we’re still in Iraq and Afghanistan, isn’t that war”, I would answer, “not really”. These are listed as ‘peacekeeping missions’ now (don’t you love semantics?).

7. We’re in an election year: I look at the coming presidential election two ways. One — it will precipitate a fall event regarding Iran and Israel. This is possible for several reasons. George Bush has invested a lot of rhetoric in the game against Iran, and he might wish to go down in history as having removed this grave and growing threat. In return, Ahmadinejad may prefer to go up against his hated enemy, GWB, rather than the likes of a President Obama (who is viewed by some Islam nations as more Muslim than Christian, based on his father’s religion). A fall scenario could occur either preemptively (Israel and/or the US strike Iran’s nuclear facilities) or as response to a perceived attack (along the lines of 9/11). Two — the coming election could actually serve as a buffer between current rhetoric and a major precipitating event. We saw this in 2001. Clinton had dealt with Iraq for years without much action (an aerial attack now and then and a lot of resolutions), leaving the ‘dirty work’ to his political opposition. Perhaps, this same dance will take place in 2008/2009, leaving Obama to take the heat for launching a war.

Bottom Line: The clues are there, if one cares to look. But finally, let’s not forget a very important Bible prophecy in Ezekiel 38. The prophet hears the word of the Lord saying that a great king from the North will suddenly attack Israel along with “Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee.”

While many argue over the identity of the King of the North (I’ll go on record as saying I think it is most likely Russia), the identity of the second country is indisputable: Persia (aka Iran). Could the Ezekiel 38 war be just months away — if that? If the AntiChrist wishes to present himself as ‘Christ’ (remember that ‘anti’ means ‘in place of’ as well as ‘against’), then he’ll need a fake Armageddon. The Ezekiel 38 war could fit the bill nicely.

So, what do we do? Pray, my friends. Pray that the will of the Lord is done on Earth, and that you and I make use of every moment we have to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ; that we unfailingly preach Him crucified, risen, and returning; and that we all keep our eyes lifted up, for our redemption truly draweth nigh.