Russia 2014 Palestinian leader turns to Putin

Russia 2014

Palestinian leader turns to Putin for Palestinian state Debkafile, January 24, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas launched his “diplomatic intifada” against Israel Thursday, January 23, on his visit to Moscow. His meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev marked his breakaway from the US led peace process with Israel, four months before it was due to expire, and signaled his bid for Russian backing for a Palestinian state. The Palestinian leader’s defection caught both Secretary of State John Kerry and Prime Minister Binyamin unprepared – and surprised their intelligence agencies. Putin and Abbas almost certainly planned in advance to drop their bombshell on the day both Kerry and Netanyahu were otherwise engaged at two international events in Switzerland, Geneva 2 on Syria and the World Economic Forum. For Putin it was a chance to show the international community that he was several steps ahead of the game on the three hottest Middle East issues – Iran’s nuclear program, the Syrian civil conflict and the Palestinian bid for statehood. The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas flew into Moscow this week on a four day visit. During the visit he met the Russian President, Prime minister and Russian religious leaders. He was seeking Russian involvement in the peace process. As the American nine month peace process nears as end, Abbas is seeking help from Russia to advance his cause of a Palestinian State. Russia, with its new Middle East influence is only to happy to oblige. Amazingly the Bible foretold these exact circumstances. In Ezekiel 38 we read that Gog (the Russian leader at the time of the end eg Putin) will be VISITED! The original word “visited” means to be “sought after”. Abbas VISITED Russia this week and sought their help in removing Israel from the land… After many days thou [Gog / Russian leader / Putin] shalt be VISITED : in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. (Ezekiel 13: 1, 10 -11)

Russia preparing to develop Gaza gas field AFP, January 23, 2014 EVENT In a significant political and economic development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Jan. 23 with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting came as a prerequisite to officially sign an investment agreement aiming to develop the Gaza offshore gas field in the Mediterranean Sea. It is only logical to assume that this step will raise the ire of Israel. The latter does not appreciate the role Russia plays in the region, especially since Israel has never come to an agreement with Russia. AFP reported that there were talks of investing $1 billion to develop the Palestinian gas field. Clearly taken aback by the news coming in fast from Moscow, Israeli official sources said Thursday night they could not understand how the Russians and Palestinians came to an agreement on Mediterranean waters off the shores of Gaza, when the rights were already owned by British Gas. COMMENT Now this really is amazing…. On the visit to Russia this week Abbas discussed with Russia a deal concerning gas fields that lie off the Gaza Strip! Russian natural gas company Gazprom is planning to produce 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas at the site, according to Russian news agency ITAR TASS. The Russian engineering firm Technopromexport was also considering an oil development project in Ramallah in the West Bank, according to the same report. There are two massively significant things here. Firstly the Palestinian Authority is not a state so is not empowered to establish Special Economic Zones in the Med. Russia appears to not be concerned with this and is treating the PA as a state. Secondly Russia is considering stepping into the West Bank and developing oil there. Ezekiel 38 speaks of Russia coming down to Israel to take a spoil. The oil and gas finds are pulling Russia down – they cannot resist…. BIBLE QUOTE thou [Gog / Russian leader] shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates…To take a spoil, and to take a prey; (Ezekiel 38: 10 -12)

Unrest erupts across west of Ukraine Daily Telegraph, January 23, 2014 EVENT Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfed parts of downtown Kiev as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president to call early elections or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise on Thursday. They demanded that Yanukovych dismiss the government, call early elections and scrap harsh anti protest legislation that triggered the violence. The largely peaceful protest against Yanukovych's decision to shun the EU and turn toward Moscow in November descended into violence Sunday when demonstrators, angered by the passage of repressive laws intended to stifle the protest, marched on official buildings. For days protesters hurled fire bombs and stones at police, which retaliated with stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. The Wednesday deaths of two protesters — the first fatalities in more than two months of protests — fueled fears of more violence. COMMENT We are very interested in the Ukraine. Why? Because we are told in Ezekiel 38 that Gog is of the land of Magog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal. Magog according to ancient historian Josephus was where the Scythians lived. Maps show that the Scythians lived in Southern Russia and Ukraine. See map above. Instead of Scythia read Magog. You can see that Scythia covered mainly southern Russia but also extended to cover much of Ukraine. The violence in the Ukraine is due to half the country wanting to come under Russian influence and half wanting to come under Europe’s influence. Russia is winning this tug of war by doing gas deals and putting massive pressure on the Ukraine government. Russia sees Ukraine as its satellite nation. In fact is main military port on the Black Sea is actually in the Ukraine at Sevastopol. We know Russia will come with many ships – they are based in Magog! BIBLE QUOTE The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, [h] and many nations will fall (Daniel 11: 41 NLT)

US presses Russia on Syria weapons BBConline, February 1, 2014 EVENT US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Russia to press its ally Syria into speeding up the removal of chemical weapons. The US says only about 4% of chemical weapons declared by the Syrian government have so far been removed. Mr Kerry raised the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, officials said. Syria's chemical weapons are due to be removed and destroyed by 30 June. Under the terms of the UN backed plan, Syrian authorities are responsible for packing and safely transporting the chemical weapons to the Mediterranean port of Latakia. "Secretary Kerry pressed Foreign Minister Lavrov to push the regime for more progress on moving the remaining chemical weapons within Syria to the port in Latakia, " the US State Department official said. Washington considered progress so far to be "unacceptable", the official added. COMMENT So peace talks have failed. The violence continues and will almost certainly escalate. Only 4% of Syria’s chemical weapons have been removed. Earlier this week, the US ambassador to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Robert Mikulak, said "the effort to remove chemical agent and key precursor chemicals from Syria has seriously languished and stalled". Everything has stalled. The peace agreement, the chemical weapons agreement and the cooperation between America and Russia. America once more is starting to “push” Russia into pushing the Syrian regime. Once more Russia will refuse to budge. The burden of Damascus and Syria will NOT end peacefully and with resolution. The Bible could not be clearer. It will end with the complete destruction of Damascus and the ending of Syria as a nation. We don’t know when …but it will happen… BIBLE QUOTE Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labor. That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken! Her young men will fall in the streets and die. Her soldiers will all be killed, ” says the Lord (Jeremiah 49: 24 -26 NLT)

Russia criticises West for supporting Ukraine protests Daily Telegraph, February 1, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE The Russian foreign minister has strongly criticised the West for backing Ukraine's protesters, accusing European and American leaders of inciting "increasingly violent" protests. Sergei Lavrov said that Western support was causing an escalation in the demonstrations, which first started two months ago when President Victor Yanukovych failed to sign an agreement to deepen ties with the European Union – preferring to forge stronger links with Russia. Why is no one condemning those who seize administration buildings, attack policemen and chant racist and anti Semitic slogans? " said Mr Lavrov. "How would the European Union react if the Russian government openly supported street riots in London, Paris or Hamburg, and sent its ministers to these cities to encourage the protesters? " he asked. Describing the situation in Ukraine as raising "fundamental questions" about EU Russia relations, he said that in this case "a choice is being imposed. " The Ukraine is being torn in two. The majority of the population want to move away from Russian influence and come under Europe’s influence. But Russia is not about to let the Ukraine do this. This is a tug of war between East and West. Between Russia and Europe / America. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States and European Union "stand with the people of Ukraine”. "Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine, " Kerry told political, diplomatic and military leaders at a Munich conference. ” The United States and EU stand with the people of Ukraine in that fight. ” So we see how yet another uprising and revolution is bringing Russia and America into potential conflict… And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11: 40)

Russia Opposes a Humanitarian Resolution on Syria Associated Press, February 5, 2014 EVENT Russia said Wednesday it opposes a new U. N. Security Council resolution on the humanitarian plight in Syria, an announcement that is likely to torpedo a Western and Arab backed draft that would pressure the government and opposition to allow desperately needed aid into the country. Russia's U. N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told a press briefing that "hard, pragmatic and purposeful work is necessary" to resolve specific humanitarian issues — not a council resolution which will almost certainly aim "to politicize the problem. ” Council diplomats said they expect to circulate a draft humanitarian resolution this week, following the failure of peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition to achieve any concrete results, especially on possible humanitarian aid convoys to besieged parts of the city of Homs. "We are against moving to a resolution now in the Security Council, " Churkin told reporters. COMMENT Russia and China support the Syrian government. They have vetoed three previous Western backed resolutions that would have pressured President Bashar Assad to end the violence. They cannot even approve immediate access to all areas of the country to deliver aid to millions of civilians. Russia’s support of Syria is interesting. As mentioned many times before Syria is home to the ancient king of the north mentioned in Daniel 11. We read “at the time of the end” the king of the north will invade Israel. If we didn't’ have Ezekiel 38 we would have surely concluded that the latter day king of the north was Syria. However we find out in Ezekiel 38 that the new king of the north is Gog – the Russian leader. So what has happened to Syria? The answer is simple. Syria is removed from being a nation. Russia becomes the greater and more powerful king of the north at the time of the end BIBLE QUOTE Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel (Daniel 11: 40 – 41 NLT)

Putin's allies turn out in force as western leaders stay away Daily Telegraph, February 7, 2014 EVENT Western leaders including Barack Obama, David Cameron and Angela Merkel may have stayed away from Sochi in protest at Russia's anti gay laws, but 55 world leaders attended Friday night's long and lavish opening ceremony. International big hitters including Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, Recip Tayipp Erdogan of Turkey, and Japan's Shinzo Abe, were among those watching the three hour spectacular hosted by Vladimir Putin. The Russian authorities claimed it was a record number of heads of government and state to attend a winter Olympics. The £ 31 billion games the most expensive winter or summer Games ever staged have been regarded as a test of the Russian president's leadership as much as modern Russia's ability to stage a major sporting event. Mr Putin's near neighbours from the former Soviet states of Central Asia, were all in attendance. COMMENT Many people call these the Putin Games. Putin has personally backed these games and thrown his immense authority behind them. They are intended to showcase the power of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Instead they highlight its problems: organized crime, state corruption, and the terrorist threat within its borders. It is interesting that practically no Western leaders have gone to the games. But Russia’s allies have – all of them. It really does show the East West divide. We may wonder where this division comes from. It is actually there in the Bible. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a man made of metals details out in symbolic terms the history of the empires of the world that affect Israel. The iron legs represent the division of Rome into Eastern Empire and Western Empire. That division remains to this day. BIBLE QUOTE In your vision Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight. The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay (Daniel 2: 31 -32)

China and Russia help global defence spending rise for first time in five years Daily Telegraph, February 3, 2014 EVENT Soaring defence budgets in China and Russia mean global military spending is growing for the first time in five years, according to new forecasts. Spending across Asia and the Middle East is surging even as the military powers of Europe and the US are forced to scale back dramatically in the face of austerity cuts contributing to a steady change in the balance of military power. The figures were disclosed as the secretary general of Nato issued a stark warning that the West will cede influence on the world stage because of its falling spending. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was concerned about falling funding in Washington and European capitals while there was a military spending spree in Russia and China. He told BBC Newsnight: “When governments are forced to cut deficits and make deep cuts it’s difficult to argue defence should be exempted. COMMENT The East is growing strong militarily and the West is growing weaker. It is changing the balance of power. In Revelation 16 we read of a dragon, beast and false prophet. The dragon represents the Eastern Empire of Rome – pagan and militaristic. When Constantinople fell (capital of the East) it was said the Moscow became the new capital of the East. The beast represents the West – what we would now call Europe. And the false prophet is the Papacy. Interestingly Revelation 16 begins by symbolically talking about the French Revolution. Liberty, Equality Fraternity. The beast (Europe the West) cries liberty freedom to do what you want. The dragon (Russia the East) cries Equality – all men are equal. The false prophet (Papacy) cries Fraternity – brotherhood. But all are lies. Humanism (liberty) leads to slavery to sin. Communism leads to dictators. Catholicism leads to persecution of the saints. All this leads to Armageddon… BIBLE QUOTE And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty. The 3 evil spirits (teachings) are liberty, equality, fraternity (Revelation 16: 13 -14)

War of words between Obama and Putin over Ukraine ABC News, February 20, 2014 EVENT A war of words between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the violence exploding on the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, this week shows the global tug of war between East and West erupting in the former member of the old Soviet Union. The tensions between protesters and government security forces became deadly overnight in Independence Square, where Ukrainians have gathered for months to protest President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to back out of a deal with the European Union and instead join an economic group led by Russia. Protesters felt the EU deal would have been a significant step forward in building relationships with Western nations, but that Yanukovich was pressured by Putin to spurn the West and continue its close relationship with Russia. Statements by Obama and Putin this week show each country is trying to blame the other for meddling in Ukraine. COMMENT The Ukraine has the world’s 3 rd largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. The reason this country (the largest in Europe) has so many of these weapons is that it was once part of the USSR. It also has a huge army of 780, 000 men. But the Ukraine that sits between Russia and Europe has in recent years looked increasingly towards the West. There is an on going political battle within Ukraine as to who runs the country – pro Russia or Pro Europe presidents. Currently it is a pro Russian president. The last pro Western president was poisoned with a potent dioxin – almost certainly Russia was behind this. It shows the lengths Russia will go to to keep Ukraine under its control. The Ukraine is part of the ancient land of Magog. Putin (latter day Gog) is of the land of Magog. He will keep control of Ukraine. The tug of war will lead to Russia getting angry. BIBLE QUOTE “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3 NLT) Putin says Ukraine is a “krai”—purposely avoiding the Russian word for country, strana. The Russian word “krai” means “land”. This is how the Bible describes Magog in Ezekiel 38.

Financial crisis threatens Russia as Ukraine spins out of control Daily Telegraph, February 20, 2014 EVENT The dramatic escalation of Ukraine’s civil conflict and fears of Russian military intervention have sent financial tremors across Eastern Europe, turning the region into the new fulcrum of the emerging market crisis. “This has suddenly gone from a domestic Ukrainian story into a geopolitical clash, ” said Lars Christensen, from Danske Bank. The Russian ruble has fallen to a record low against the euro, with contagion reaching Poland, Hungary and Romania in recent days. “The moves in Russia are very like the events during the war in Georgia in 2008. Markets are pricing in the risk of Russian intervention, ” he said. Any deployment of Russian troops to stiffen the Ukrainian government could spiral out of control, leading to an East West stand off not seen since the Cold War. It might even been seen as replay of Russian intervention in Hungary in 1956 to prevent the country slipping out of the Soviet Union. COMMENT We may actually see Russian intervention in Ukraine if push comes to shove. Russia has too much to lose if the Ukraine turns to the West. On Wednesday Obama said that the Ukraine is not part of “some Cold War chessboard”. However Putin does see it that way. To Putin the Ukraine is a very valuable piece on his board. The port city of Sevastopol in the Ukraine continues to be the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Many of Russia's gas pipelines run through Ukraine to Europe. Kiev the capital of the Ukraine is the centre of Orthodox Christianity, Russia’s national religion. Also Putin’s pet project is to create a Eurasian Union. The idea is based on the European Union. An economic union of ex Soviet states (including the Ukraine) to be a power bloc to compete with the EU. So for Putin there is a lot at stake with the Ukraine. The Bible is clear…. Magog (which Ukraine forms part) will be controlled by Gog when he invades. BIBLE QUOTE Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. …And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live (Ezekiel 39: 1, 2, 6 NLT) safely on the coasts. Magog will be destroyed

Putin backs Egypt Sisi's 'run' for Egyptian presidency Daily Telegraph, February 13, 2014 EVENT Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has made a startling intervention in Egypt’s political turmoil by backing its defence minister for the presidency, before an election has even been declared. Whether the minister, the newly promoted Field Marshal Abdulfattah el Sisi, will stand for president in elections scheduled for later this year is the biggest talking point in Egyptian politics, with elements of a personality cult already forming around him. His aides have consistently denied reports that he has already made a decision, but Mr Putin chose to ignore that while welcoming him on a visit to Moscow. “I know that you have made a decision to run for president, ” Mr Putin said. “That’s a very responsible decision: to undertake such a mission for the fate of the Egyptian people. On my own part, and on behalf of the Russian people, I wish you success. ” COMMENT The political turmoil in Egypt continues and now Putin has got involved. It is very unusual for a candidate to be so publicly backed by a foreign country, particularly when he has not even announced his candidature! 40 years ago the Egyptian president Anwar Sadat ended military cooperation with Russia and lined up with America. Egypt’s close ties to America have lasted ever since. That is until recently. Egypt is looking to Russia as Egypt has lost trust in America. Russia is keen to take advantage of America’s unpopularity. Russia and Egypt are about to do a $2 bn arms deal it is reported. The Bible tells us that Russia is interested in Egypt. In Daniel 11 we read that the king of the north (Russia) comes down through Israel into Egypt. In fact we read that when he gets into Egypt he completely takes over and controls the whole wealth of the country. But it is an invasion. Russia conquers Egypt. So although Russia appears friendly to Egypt, Putin’s true future intentions are to rule over it and subdue it… BIBLE QUOTE He [the king of the north / Russia] will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants. (Daniel 11: 42 – 43 NLT)

Map of the Scythian Kingdom “Magog founded those that from him were called Magogites, but who by the Greeks called Scythians” Josephus: Antiquities BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3 RSV) Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog We are told in Ezekiel 38 that Gog is of the land of Magog we are told by ancient historians were called the Scythians by the Greeks. The map shows the territory of Scythia. You can see it mainly covers southern Russia. On the left we have superimposed modern Ukraine. You will notice that the eastern half of Ukraine was part of ancient Scythia (Magog)…. .

Ukraine: Russia accused of ‘armed invasion’ Daily Telegraph, February 28, 2014 EVENT Russian troops and armour backed by gunmen in unmarked uniforms fanned out across Crimea yesterday morning, seizing two airports and other key installations in an apparent bid to assert Moscow's dominance over the region. Despite "grave" warnings from America not to intervene, soldiers and unidentified armed men deployed on Crimea's main roads, and occupied key positions within ports and the region's main television station. Although no shots were fired and there were no reported injuries, Arsen Avakov, the new Ukrainian interior minister, said the sudden and unannounced Russian deployment amounted to a "military invasion and occupation" of his country's territory. COMMENT In last week’s WWW we wrote…”We may actually see Russian intervention in Ukraine if push comes to shove. ” Within one week the intervention has come. Thirteen giant air transports flew into the Crimea Friday night, Feb. 28, and landed some 2, 000 Russian troops at a military airfield near Sebastopol. Russian troops have taken over the two main airports in Crimea. Another group seized the region’s key points bridges, road hubs and power stations. So what is going on? Ukraine is being torn in two. There is a tug of war. In broad terms western Ukraine is pro Europe. Eastern Ukraine is pro Russia. A few months ago the pro Russian president rejected an EU deal to do trade and instead went with a Russian trade deal. This caused the riots and deaths we saw on the streets last week. This led to the pro Russian Ukrainian leader going into exile. He turned up in Russia. Putin however does not want to lose control of Crimea (part of Ukraine) because this is his access to the Middle East from the Russian controlled military naval base of Sevastopol. War over Ukraine’s future could be on the cards… BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog The land of Magog (as we showed on the first slide) encompassed Southern Russia but also the Eastern half of the Ukraine. It cannot be coincidence that Gog (Putin) at this time is wrestling away the last piece of the precise territory (Ezekiel 38: 2) that was controlled by ancient Gog (the leader of the Magogites).

Russia war games over Ukraine prompt US warning Associated Press, February 26, 2014 EVENT Russia ordered 150, 000 troops to test their combat readiness Wednesday in a show of force that prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in Ukraine would be a "grave mistake. ” Putin's announcement of huge new war games came as across Ukraine, the divided allegiances between Russia and the West were on full display. Amid the tensions, Putin put the military on alert for massive exercises involving most of the military units in western Russia, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. The maneuvers will involve some 150, 000 troops, 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 navy ships, and are intended to "check the troops' readiness for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation's military security, " Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in remarks carried by Russian press. COMMENT It’s amazing how fast events are happening. Within days we have a full blown Cold War situation with America warning Russia and Russia warning America. At an unscheduled press conference president Obama warned Russia there would be "costs" for any military intervention. Mr Obama said he was deeply concerned by reports of Russian military movements. But will Putin listen to these mild threats? It’s unlikely. In fact we see here a similar situation in Ezekiel 38 when Russia invades the Middle East. Britain and America (Tarshish and young lion) asking why Russia is doing such a thing. The two war weary powers do not want to physically confront the Russian bear. Russia is very much like a bear. Docile until provoked. When pushed too far the bear responds with fierce anger and nothing stands in its way. Nothing provokes a bear more than when her cubs are threatened. Crimea is one of Russia’s cubs… BIBLE QUOTE Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will push and attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. Events in Ukraine may well be part of the king of the south “push” or “attack” against the king of the north. (Daniel 11: 40 NLT)

Ukraine pleads for Britain & US to come to its rescue Daily Telegraph, February 28, 2014 EVENT Deeply worried politicians inside Ukraine's parliament have pleaded with Britain and the United States to come to their rescue, after Russia was accused of launching a series of raids in the Crimea region. The two Western powers signed an agreement with Ukraine in 1994, which Kiev's parliament wants enforcing now. The Budapest Memorandum, signed by Bill Clinton, John Major, Boris Yeltsin and Leonid Kuchma – then rulers of the USA, UK, Russia and Ukraine – promises to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Article one reads: "The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine. . . to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine. ” And Kiev is now claiming that their country's borders are not being respected. COMMENT This forgotten treaty signed in 1994 between Russia, America and Britain could drag the US and UK into WAR with Russia if Putin's troops intervene in Ukraine. That was the headline in a newspaper in the UK this week. The agreement states that the three countries will refrain from the threat or use of force against Ukraine. This agreement came about as a way of persuading Ukraine to give up its vast nuclear arsenal to Russia for dismantling. Ukraine was part of the USSR so ended up with the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. It would only surrender these weapons if it felt protected. America and Britain in effect promised to protect Ukraine from aggression. This is why Ukraine this week asked these two countries to help. The king of the south is being asked to step in and push back the king of the north. They may be forced to do so… BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end the king of the South shall push at and attack him, and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and pass through. (Daniel 11: 40 AMP) Events in Syria nearly led to confrontation between America and Russia. Events in Ukraine may also lead to verse 40 of Daniel 11 being fulfilled….

World scrambles as Russia tightens grip on Crimea Associated Press, March 2, 2014 EVENT Warning that it was "on the brink of disaster, " Ukraine put its military on high alert Sunday and appealed for international help to avoid what it feared was the possibility of a wider invasion by Russia. Outrage over Russia's military moves mounted in world capitals, with U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry calling on President Vladimir Putin to pull back from "an incredible act of aggression. ” A day after Russia captured the Crimean Peninsula without firing a shot, fears grew in the Ukrainian capital and beyond that Russia might seek to expand its control by seizing other parts of eastern Ukraine. Senior Obama administration officials said the U. S. now believes that Russia has complete operational control of Crimea, a pro Russian area of the country, and has more than 6, 000 troops in the region. COMMENT This crisis has the potential to lead to war. Putin has defied calls from the West to pull back his troops. He is insistent that Russia has a right to protect its interests and those of Russian speakers in Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine. Russia has long wanted to reclaim the lush Crimean Peninsula, part of its territory until 1954. Russia's Black Sea Fleet pays Ukraine millions annually to be stationed at the Crimean port of Sevastopol and nearly 60 percent of Crimea's residents identify themselves as Russian. Ukraine is in effect a country divided down the middle. The Western half are pro Europe. The Eastern half pro Russia. In effect we are looking at the division in the legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s image. Some expect Russia to control Europe. But this is not what the Bible says. The legs remain divided. They never join together. Ezekiel 38 war does not involve Europe. It is Russia, Iran, Sudan, Libya & Turkey. The European beast and Catholic war comes later when Christ has returned and is established in Jerusalem BIBLE QUOTE His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. The legs represent the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire. Although all (Daniel 2: 33 -34) elements are destroyed this does not indicate a uniting of powers.

Putin mocks the West and threatens to turn off gas Daily Telegraph, March 7, 2014 EVENT Putin and Antiochus Epiphanes Daniel 8 horn power and king of the north Vladimir Putin has mocked diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis as Russia threatened to disrupt European gas supplies by cutting off sales to Kiev over its unpaid debts. The Russian president said through his official spokesman that, despite deep disagreements with the West, he did not want a confrontation over Ukraine to spiral into a “new cold war”. Nevertheless Dmitry Peskov ridiculed Western demands for direct talks between the Kremlin and the new Kiev government, claiming that the loss of credibility involved “puts a smile on our face”. Earlier, Gazprom, Russia’s state owned energy giant, said it would start to reduce deliveries to Kiev, a move that would disrupt supplies to Europe. Gazprom said Ukraine had failed to make payments on its £ 1. 2 billion debts. Energy experts said Russia had the power to cause problems in markets across Europe, even though peak winter demand was past. COMMENT It is amazing how deceitful Russia is being over events in Crimea. It flatly refuses to acknowledge that its soldiers have taken over the region. They say this because the troops are not wearing Russian insignia. However they are driving military vehicles owned by the Russia military and clearly following Russian orders. This week Russia deliberately sank three old war ships to block the harbour entrance to stop Ukraine navy ships leaving the port in Crimea. Russia is backing a referendum next week in Crimea on joining the Russian Federation. This could spark conflict. We read in Daniel 8 of a king of fierce countenance standing up in the “latter time”. He brings destruction and ultimately attacks the Holy people (the Jews). Through his policy he causes deceit to prosper. This man is a latter day Antiochus Epiphanes. The original king of the north. In fact Putin even looks like this ancient king. Putin fulfils these words BIBLE QUOTE And in the latter time …. , a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And (Daniel 8: 23 -24) through his policy also he shall cause craft [deceit] to prosper

Putin has transformed Russian army into a lean, mean fighting machine Washington Times, March 6, 2014 EVENT President Vladimir Putin has turned a once moribund Russian military into a lean, quick strike force that can invade Chechnya, Georgia and now Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Under Mr. Putin, Russia has developed the world’s third largest defence budget, at $70 billion. The underpaid army of post Cold War conscripts has given way to special operations troops and experienced guns for hire, some of whom showed up in Crimea in not readily identifiable uniforms. Overall, headquarters have been consolidated and soldiers fight out of brigades, not large divisions. Mr. Putin, who has lamented the end of the Soviet empire, is using Russia’s energy riches to buy military technology overseas such as communications networks and drones. Germany, its eastern half once ruled by Stalinist countrymen, built for Russia a sophisticated training centre for infantry units that can simulate an array of war scenarios, such as invading a neighbour. COMMENT Russia is now an immense fighting machine. America is the world’s policeman and because of this is thinly stretched. Russia, however, has no real military commitments around the world and therefore when it does invade the Middle East it will be able to do so with ease. The other advantage Russia has from a military point of view is that it is not a democracy. Putin calls the shots. He is not answerable to the people. He controls the politics and makes the decisions. This means he can react (as in Ukraine) very quickly and catch the West off guard. Ezekiel 38 speaks of Gog (Putin) preparing his forces. God says “be prepared and prepare for yourself and all your armed forces. ” It is clear Putin has indeed been preparing. He has setup rapid strike forces that can move quickly and decisively. The stage is being set for Russia to come down… BIBLE QUOTE And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, (Ezekiel 38: 15)

Russia and the West fail in last minute Ukraine talks Daily Telegraph, March 14, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Russia and the West were on a collision course on Friday night after the failure of an 11 th hour attempt to settle the confrontation over Ukraine. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, gave warning that Moscow will now suffer “consequences” when six hours of talks with his Russian counterpart broke up without agreement. After this meeting at the US ambassador’s residence in London, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, described the Ukrainian region of Crimea as being “immeasurably more important for Russia than the Falklands for the United Kingdom”. The failure of the talks means that a referendum on Crimea joining Russia will proceed on Sunday. European Union foreign ministers are then expected to meet on Monday and impose travel bans and asset freezes on between 120 and 130 powerful Russians linked to the Kremlin. Russia and the West are indeed on a collision course. Or more accurately Russia and America. Russia believes America stirred up the trouble in Ukraine and removed the pro Russian leader. This is why Russia has stepped in. It will not allow a country that it sees firmly in its orbit passing under European / US control. Like a bear deprived of her cubs Russia is rearing up and will go to ANY lengths to protect her interests. Russia said this week they don’t want war. But generally Russia says the opposite to the truth. All the signs are that Russia is gearing up for war. So what does the Bible say about this? We have shown that Magog included the territory of eastern Ukraine as well as southern Russia. The Bible says Gog (Russian ruler) is of the land of Magog. We are watching Russia begin take over Eastern Ukraine and therefore Gog will control the whole territory of ancient Magog. All this may be the spark to ignite world war… Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Gog is the ruler of the Russian people Putin (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3)

Russia 'to face consequences' says US BBConline, March 14, 2014 EVENT US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the US is "deeply concerned" about the "large deployment" of Russian forces along the eastern border of Ukraine and in Crimea. Speaking at a news conference following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Mr Kerry warned that Russia will face consequences if it doesn't "change course" over the rising tensions in Ukraine. In other developments: the UN Security Council is to vote on Saturday on a US drafted resolution that defines Crimea's referendum as illegal. U S Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Poland Lithuania early next week to discuss ways to support Ukraine's sovereignty. The Pentagon says it will keep its aircraft carrier battle group in the Mediterranean Sea longer than planned because of the Ukraine crisis. Russia has moved a column of army trucks and a number of artillery pieces into northern Crimea. COMMENT Russia is believed to have deployed about 80, 000 troops near Ukraine’s eastern frontier. The foreign ministry in Moscow raised fears on Friday of a full scale invasion of eastern Ukraine by reserving Russia’s “right” to intervene to protect its citizens. Back in 1994 Russia, America and Britain signed an agreement to ensure Ukraine’s borders were protected and not violated. This was to provide security guarantees for Ukraine to give up its stockpile of nuclear weapons. Ukraine did give up the weapons and is now calling on Britain and America to keep their side of the bargain. America not only has this agreement to think about it is also concerned about how this will impact around the world. The US is trying to give Iran border guarantees if it does not proceed to get a nuclear weapon. The guarantee would be worthless in the light of events in Ukraine. There is great pressure on America to PUSH back at Russia. They will…. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11: 40) The time of the end cannot be 100 years ago –. the push could happen anytime…. soon…

Russia Warns It Is Ready To Place Eastern Ukraine 'Under Its Protection' Reuters, March 14, 2014 EVENT Russia said on Friday it reserved the right to protect compatriots in eastern Ukraine after clashes in the city of Donetsk in which one person was killed. The Foreign Ministry said Thursday’s violence in the industrial city, where many people speak Russian, showed the Ukrainian authorities had lost control. Ukraine's acting president warned the country must be ready for a full scale Russian invasion "at any moment" on Thursday as officials announced the emergency call up of a 60, 000 strong national guard force. Oleksander Turchynov, the acting president in Kiev, declared Moscow was "ready" to go much further than the annexation of the Black Sea territory of Crimea, which is expected to vote to secede from Ukraine in a referendum on Sunday. With tensions mounting across the region, Moscow also sent three fighter jets to Belarus at the request of its government. COMMENT So can we piece together events from here? Well with Bible in hand here is what may happen. There are lots of strands coming together. We could see America “push” Russia over Ukraine. This maybe some sort of military provocation. This would fulfill Daniel 11: 40. This then sets the scene for Russia to descend against the king of the south into Israel. We also need to see Isaiah 17 fulfilled with conflict between Israel and Syria. This could come at anytime. We are also reaching the deadline for Israel to divide the land with the Palestinians. It is possible we see some deal endorsed by Israel’s government that agrees to divide the land. It is hard to know the exact order but each situation is reaching its climax and events could happen fast. Ultimately this will all lead to Russia, (with Turkey, Iran, Sudan etc) descending into Israel and beyond … BIBLE QUOTE Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. (Joel 3: 9 -12) Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat:

Russia risks new Cold War, West warns Daily Telegraph, March 17, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin has delivered a swift and uncompromising blow to the imposition of US and EU sanctions by signing a decree recognising Crimea as an independent state, paving the way for him to acknowledge a request from the breakaway region to join the Russian Federation. Ignoring Western threats of a new Cold War and a “far reaching” economic blockade, the Russian president will on Tuesday address both houses of the Russian parliament on the crisis, and is expected to welcome Crimea into the fold. The formal process of absorbing the peninsula could be completed within weeks. The Kremlin announced that Mr Putin had signed a decree recognising Crimea as an independent state, after it voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to leave Ukraine and join Russia. The US and the European Union responded by issuing targeted sanctions against several key players in the escalating crisis. COMMENT Events have moved amazingly quickly. Just a few weeks ago Crimea was part of Ukraine. In less than two weeks Russia has moved in and annexed the region and brought it under the Russian Federation. Mr Putin has seen his personal approval ratings soar to a three year high after his decision to send troops to Crimea was invaded by Russia in the 1870 s and then handed to Ukraine in 1954. It remained with Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. But Putin has said that the greatest geopolitical catastrophe was the collapse of the USSR. He has now begun the process of rebuilding that empire. The Russian juggernaut is on the move. Almost all commentators say that we are returning to a new Cold War. In Ezekiel 38 we read of Gog being “turned back”. This literally means “to be returned”. Putin himself (Gog) was returned to power and is now turning the whole of Russia back to Cold War days…. BIBLE QUOTE And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen (Ezekiel 38: 3 -4) “I will turn thee back” literally means “I will return you” or “I will restore you”.

Crimea Goes East, Ukraine Goes West Associated Press, March 21, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Two almost simultaneous signatures Friday on opposite sides of Europe deepened the divide between East and West, as Russia formally annexed Crimea and the European Union pulled Ukraine closer into its orbit. In this "new post Cold War order, " as the Ukrainian prime minister called it, besieged Ukrainian troops on the Crimean Peninsula faced a critical choice: leave, join the Russian military or demobilize. Ukraine was working on evacuating its outnumbered troops in Crimea, but some said they were still awaiting orders. With fears running high of clashes between the two sides or a grab by Moscow for more of Ukraine, the chief of the U. N. came to the capital city Kiev and urged calm all around. All eyes were on President Vladimir Putin, as they have been ever since pro Western protests drove out Ukraine's president a month ago, angering Russia and plunging Europe into its worst crisis in a generation. On Friday Ukraine signed a treaty with Europe while at the same time Putin signed to bring Crimea into Russia. Both sides are antagonising the other with no solution to this crisis even on the distant horizon. Europe said this week that they will bring forward a target date to finalise political talks with Moldova and Georgia. This will anger Russia. The division of Russia and Europe is made clear in the Bible. It begins with the 2 legs of Daniel’s image representing East and West. It is further detailed in Daniel 7 and 8. Daniel 7 tracks the West and the power of Rome. Daniel 8 tracks the East and the latter day power of Russia. Daniel 11 from verse 40 shows the conflict between East and West through the latter day powers of king of the north and king of the south. There are two distinct wars at the end. Ezekiel 38 is a war led by Russia (East). This war is about power and spoil. Then there is a religious war (Revelation 17) led by Europe / Rome. the stone was cut of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold— The stone = Christ returning. The metals of the image = different world empires. The fact the stone grinds all worldly kingdoms to powder does NOT (Daniel 2: 45) mean all the metals are united as one at the end. They remain divided.

Nato chief: Crimea invasion could be just the beginning EUObserver, March 20, 2014 EVENT Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned Crimea could be the beginning of a wider military campaign, amid Russia's veiled threats against EU and Nato member Estonia. He told the Brookings Institution, a think tank in Washington, on Wednesday (19 March): “I see Crimea as an element in a greater pattern, in a more long-term Russian, or at least [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin, strategy. So of course our major concern now is whether he will go beyond Crimea. ". He added: “This crisis is not just about Ukraine. We see what could be called ‘ 21 st century revisionism’: Attempts to turn back the clock; to draw new dividing lines on the map; to monopolise markets; shuffle populations. ” He urged Nato members to increase defence spending. He pledged “further steps to reassure [Nato] allies” and to “step up assistance to Ukraine. ” COMMENT This was a very interesting speech this week from the NATO chief. He warns explicitly that Crimea may well be part of a longer term Russian strategy. In fact he clearly says it is Putin’s own strategy. This is one man’s ambition. This is one man’s desire and longing. Putin wants to redraw maps, turn the clock back (“I will return thee”) and challenge the “uni polar world” (one world superpower) and create a “multi polar world”. This is Putin language meaning two superpowers. The NATO chief says this is Putin’s STRATEGY. It is Putin’s PLAN. Amazingly this is exactly what the Bible says Putin will do. He will create a PLAN. In Ezekiel 38 v 10 we read that Gog (Russian leader) thinks an evil thought. This can be translated as “thou shalt devise an evil plan. ” The word “thought” in the AV means “a plan” or “strategy”. Putin’s evil strategy and plan was thought of in advance. It has only just begun…. BIBLE QUOTE Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: (Ezekiel 38: 9 -10)

Russian troop buildup now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border CBS News, March 21, 2014 EVENT The build up of Russian troops now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border with some soldiers as close as 50 kilometres away, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports. The build up is raising serious concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine proper. The beefing up of Russian forces includes tanks and tactical aircraft but is also a very heavy logistical build up which would allow for a sustained operation, Martin reports. The build up is at least twice the size of what the Russians advertised when they announced the exercise. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the Ukraine defence minister but there were no immediate details reported from that conversation. On Thursday, Hagel called Moscow to ask Russia's defence minister directly about the troop movements. Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby said the Russian promised there would be no invasion. COMMENT The huge build up of troops proves that all is not over with Ukraine / Crimea. Right now, there as many as 20, 000 Russian troops, complete with tanks and artillery, positioned just to the east of Ukraine. But other units deeper inside Russia appear to be on the move and could soon double the number of troops at the border. Russia has said they will not invade. But as we have said before the opposite is normally true. If Russia says their troops are not in Crimea it means they are. If Russia says its intentions are peaceful then they are not. When Russia was asked when these troops would return to their bases no timetable was given. We don’t know exactly what will happen next but conflict is highly probable. With each side increasing sanctions (and with no way to back down) war in this area might come very soon. BIBLE QUOTE Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: (Jeremiah 50: 41 -42) These people from the north in ancient time were the Medes and Persians. In a latter day context – the Russians.

Russia hints at using Iran talks as leverage New York Times, March 20, 2014 EVENT Despite public assurances by Western officials, concern is growing that the escalating animosity between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine crisis could have a corrosive effect on the nuclear talks with Iran. Even before the Obama administration expanded the scope of sanctions on Thursday over Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, the Russians had sent signals that their retaliatory tools might include an altered position regarding the Iran talks, in which Russia and the United States are colleagues in the six nation group negotiating with the Iranians. But Russia’s delegate to the Iran talks, Sergei A. Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister, hinted in comments reported by the Interfax news agency Wednesday night that Russia might link the Ukraine and Iran issues as part of its own diplomatic leverage with the United States and European Union. COMMENT The fallout and repercussions of events in Ukraine are massive and could be seismic in terms of how it impacts on other sensitive situations around the world. One highlighted in the New York Times article above shows how it might impact on negotiations with Iran. Russia who is key to making Iran tow the line has hinted on potentially changing its stance and in effect might work against America’s push to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons. This would have enormous consequences for Israel who again is relying on America to deliver a nuclear free Iran. Almost overnight the whole geopolitical world has changed and potentially we stand on the brink of war. Much of what we have long looked for with regards to Russia is happening. We have seen through the words of God in the scriptures that a Russian leader would come to power who would be arrogant, deceptive, corrupt and strong… BIBLE QUOTE And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, Having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; (Daniel 8: 23 -24 NKJV)

Time to re-arm? New Statesman, March 28, 2014 COMMENT This week I walked into a newsagents at Paddington station in London and there was this magazine on the shelf in front of me. The picture as you can see is amazing. It is almost identical to slides that many of us have used to show Russia’s future role in invading the Middle East. It even shows Britain and America in the south confronting the Russian bear. We are surely watching events unfold we have long looked for…. BIBLE QUOTE the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind… (Daniel 11: 40)

Russia's build-up near Ukraine reaches 40, 000 troops Reuters, March 28, 2014 EVENT Russia's reinforcement of troops near Ukraine has brought the total forces there to as many as 40, 000, U. S. officials estimated on Friday, as the United States voiced anxiety over the buildup and called on Moscow to pull back its military. The U. S. estimates of as many as 35, 000 to around 40, 000 troops are higher than the more than 30, 000 total deployments reported earlier this week by U. S. and European sources familiar with official reporting. Some European sources remain cautious of increasing the estimates beyond 30, 000. The military buildup is adding to concerns that Russia may again be readying an incursion into Ukraine following its annexation of Crimea, which has triggered the worst stand off with the West since the Cold War. "The possibility of another Russian incursion is very real, " a U. S. intelligence official said, echoing increasingly ominous statements by other Obama officials. COMMENT NATO's top military commander said on Sunday that Russia has built up a "very sizable" force on its border with Ukraine. He went on to say that Moscow may have a region in another ex Soviet republic, Moldova, in its sights after annexing Crimea. “Russia was acting more like an adversary than a partner, ” he said. We don’t know if Putin will push further West. It possibly depends on what guarantees he can get out of Obama. One thing that does concern military commanders in the West is that the type of troops and vehicles placed on Ukraine’s border are the exact type that could quickly enter at a moments notice and take a great deal of territory. Ancient Magog certainly did cover the whole of east Ukraine and therefore it is possible Putin does invade and capture the entire territory. The Bible says that Gog is (of the land of Magog), ruler of Meshech and Tubal. Putin does rule Meshech and Tubal… BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech [Moscow] and Tubal [Tubolsk], and prophesy against him. (Ezekiel 38: 2) Magog actually means “land of Gog”. Magog covered eastern Ukraine. Gog (ancient ruler of Magog) originally ruled that area. Putin a latter day Gog is making ancient Magog “his land”….

G 8 suspends Russia for annexation of Crimea Daily Telegraph, March 24, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Russia was suspended from the G 8 club of rich countries on Monday as President Barack Obama promised to “impose a greater cost” on the Kremlin if the confrontation over Ukraine escalates. The group of leaders retaliated for President Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Ukraine’s region of Crimea by agreeing to exclude Russia from their meetings. Mr Obama joined David Cameron and the leaders of France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan to impose the penalty. However, they stopped short of permanently barring Russia from the top table of international politics, holding open the prospect of readmission if Moscow agrees to “abide by international rules”. Until then, the G 8 is effectively suspended and the world’s richest countries will meet as the G 7. Their main fear is that Mr Putin will move beyond Crimea and invade eastern Ukraine. These diplomatic efforts are designed to deter Russia from taking this step. Europe and America are struggling to make an impact on Putin. Russia has openly scorned the sanctions on individuals so far. Even the announcement of the exclusion of Russia from the G 8 was openly mocked. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said, “The G 8 is an informal club, there is no formal membership in that club, so nobody can be expelled from that club by definition, ” he said. “If our Western partners believe that this format has no more future, well so be it. We are not clinging to that format and we will not see it as a tragedy if it does not convene. ” We just don’t care he is saying. All of this is quite similar to what we will see happen in the future. The Bible says Russia will invade Israel and on into Egypt. It says that America and Britain will question Russia. They don’t attack Russia they just keep asking what Russia is doing. It is exactly what they are doing now, ringing their hands, with little they can do… Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her young lions will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder? ”’ (Ezekiel 38: 13)

NATO orders end to cooperation with Russia Associated Press, April, 2014 EVENT NATO's foreign ministers ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia on Tuesday and told their generals and admirals to quickly figure out ways to better protect alliance members that feel threatened by Vladimir Putin's Kremlin. The 28 member alliance, the keystone of U. S. and European security since the end of World War II, was reacting to its most serious crisis in years: Russia's unilateral annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which the U. S. and its allies have condemned as an illegal land grab. U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the other ministers, meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels behind closed doors, unanimously agreed Tuesday on a number of measures. A civilian NATO official said the steps included the suspension of "all practical civilian and military cooperation" between NATO and Russia. COMMENT Last week the G 8 agreed that Russia could no longer meet with them while the current situation continued. This week NATO has ended cooperation with Russia. NATO is also considering the possible deployment and reinforcement of military assets in eastern NATO member states, such as Poland the Baltic states. Air patrols and AWACS surveillance flights over Poland Romania have been stepped up. NATO is a military alliance of America and European nations. The main aim of NATO was to counter the military power of the USSR which is why America was involved. Basically an attack on one of NATO’s members is considered an attack on them all. Like Europe, NATO has been expanding over the last 50 years. It has moved ever eastwards. Russia feels threatened by this and has drawn a line in the sand with Ukraine. The East West division is exactly what the two legs in Neb’s image symbolise. BIBLE QUOTE Thou, O king, [Nebuchadnezzar] sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. (Daniel 2: 31 -33)

Russia could take Ukraine in three days Daily Telegraph, April 2, 2014 EVENT Putin – Fierce looking, arrogant, deceitful, successful Russian forces are positioned and prepared to launch an invasion of Ukraine within 12 hours of the order being given, Nato's top general has said. Gen. Philip Breedlove, Nato’s top military official and the man in charge of drafting a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea, said in interviews on Wednesday that Russian forces on the border are poised for a three to five day operation. “It’s my opinion that they could move within 12 hours of a ‘go’, ” Gen. Breedlove said in an interview with CNN. “So essentially they could move right away if given the ‘go’. ” Gen. Breedlove said 40, 000 Russian troops remain in border areas, despite earlier reports that Russia had withdrawn some elements of an earlier troop build up in recent days. But he added: “ 40, 000 doesn’t tell the story. ” “This is a combined arms army with all of the pieces necessary should there be a choice to make an incursion into Ukraine, ” he said. COMMENT On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he had ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian troops near the eastern border of Ukraine, according to the German government. However later on Wednesday the NATO military chief said they were not seeing any Russian troop pull out. In fact as the article says above, Russia is ready to go into Ukraine at a moments notice. It’s not just the troops but all the logistical equipment as well that is now on the border on Ukraine. The Bible speaks about a man living at the time of the end who is associated with the ancient king of the north. We read in great detail of his character and even what he looks like in Daniel 8. He is of fierce countenance. He is deceitful. He is successful in whatever he does. He will be arrogant. He will destroy many and especially God’s people. The man in Daniel 8 is the exact same person as Gog in Ezekiel 38 – PUTIN. BIBLE QUOTE the vision concerns the time of the end. v 17. the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. v 19 seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future v 23. a fierce looking, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He (Daniel 8: 17, 19, 23 -25 NIV) will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior

Putin hovering on the brink of a massive invasion Eurasia Daily Monitor, April 17, 2014 EVENT Putin and other Russian officials have been blaming the West for instigating the Ukrainian crisis and, as Putin put it, “Pushing us too far, so we were forced to push back. ” In his televised phone in, Putin insisted the threat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) expansion engulfing Ukraine, the possibility of Western (NATO) military bases and offensive armaments “appearing in Crimea, ” as well as “NATO ships in Sevastopol” forced Moscow’s hand in deciding to take over Crimea. According to Putin, not only Crimea, but the entirety of eastern and southern Ukraine, from Kharkiv in the northeast to Odessa on the border with Romania and Moldova, comprise “Novorossia” or “New Russia”. Putin implied Novorossia does not belong to Ukraine and must return to the Russian homeland. Putin once again repeated that Ukrainians and Russians “are one nation temporarily divided into two states. COMMENT Shortly after the deal to try to end the crisis was agreed in Geneva on Thursday, Putin went live on his annual televised phone in. Far from sounding like things were being resolved he spoke of territories outside Russia as being part of something called Novorossia (New Russia). He also explained what he sees as Russia’s in terms of Ukraine – the eastern and southern part of Ukraine. He also explained exactly why Russia was doing this – ie invading another country. It is because we were PUSHED too far by NATO he said. And so far from being close to a deal to calm things down we will surely see further escalation. It is remarkable Putin says he wants eastern and southern Ukraine as this is the very area that formed part of ancient Magog. It is also remarkable that he says the reason for the invasion is because Russia was PUSHED. This is the exact Bible language of Daniel 11: 40 where the king of the north is PUSHED BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11: 40)

Putin threatens to cut gas to Ukraine, EU countries Daily Telegraph, April 11, 2014 EVENT Mr Putin threatened the "extreme measure" last week of cutting off Russian gas for Ukraine unless the country pays in advance for all of its supplies. In a stark letter to 18 world leaders, Mr Putin acknowledged that, in such a "critical situation", gas deliveries to the European Union would also be jeopardised. The EU buys a third of its gas from Russia, about half of which arrives through pipelines running across Ukraine. But Mr Putin accused the EU of causing the current crisis, leaving Russia with "no alternative" but to toughen its approach. As Ukraine's economy foundered under a new government and threats from Russia last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a rescue program of £ 8 10 bn to stabilise the country's crumpled finances and help restore growth. The IMF board will review the Ukraine financing plan, which requires tough reforms and austerity measures on the part of the government, at the end of April or beginning of March. COMMENT Would Putin shut off the gas to get his own way? Answer YES. He has done it before and this time the stakes are so much higher. On Thursday European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wrote to Putin urging Russia to provide an early warning of any possible delivery disruptions. Russia’s biggest gas client in Europe is Germany. As one mainstream UK newspaper said this week “Vladimir Putin is striking at the heart of the West. If we choose to resist Putin, we will risk a terrifying military escalation. It may be no exaggeration to say this could bring us to the brink of nuclear war. Historians may look back and say this was the start of World War III. ” We know that ultimately the final conflict will be centred on Jerusalem. But all these events in Ukraine are destabilising the world order to enable Armageddon to happen… BIBLE QUOTE For they. . go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them (Revelation 16: 14 -16) together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Kiev warns of 'world war three' Daily Telegraph, April 25, 2014 EVENT Western powers led by US President Barack Obama have warning that Russia faces fresh sanctions over Ukraine, as Kiev accused Moscow of seeking to trigger a “third world war”. The threat came amid heightened tensions on the ground as the Ukrainian military launched a new offensive to besiege the rebel held city of Slavyansk and insurgents blew up an army helicopter with a rocket propelled grenade. German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that EU ministers would meet soon to agree new measures targeting Russia. “Given the absence of progress, we have to think about and not just think about, but act on the option of new sanctions, ” she said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities ratcheted up military operations against pro Russian rebels in the east and called for support from the West. “The world hasn’t forgotten the 2 nd World War and Russia wants to start a third world war, ” said the prime minister. th COMMENT It is incredible as we near the 100 anniversary of the start of the first world war we read in our daily newspapers about the possible start of the third world war. The first world war, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914. More than 9 million combatants were killed. World War 1 brought about the end of several great empires. The British and the Ottoman empires. A key element was to remove the Ottoman power from Palestine. World War 2 brought about the reestablishment of Israel in the land of Palestine because of the 6 m Jews that were killed in Europe. World War 3 will bring about the end of nations as we know them and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth centred in Israel. The 3 world wars then are 3 stages. Stage 1 – clearing the ground for Israel to be created. Stage 2 – the creation of Israel. Stage 3 – the establishment of the kingdom of God centred on Israel. World War 3 is coming…. BIBLE QUOTE And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. (Daniel 2: 43 -44 NIV)

G 7 agree new sanctions on Russia Daily Telegraph, April 26, 2014 EVENT The Group of Seven has agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, with a senior US official saying some could come as early as Monday. The move marks a further ramping up of pressure on the Kremlin by the grouping, which has turned on its fellow G 8 member since Russia annexed Crimea in March. "We have now agreed that we will move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia, " a joint statement said. "Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine's presidential elections, we have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia's actions. ” A senior US official, however, noted that the measures by each country need not be identical. Several European economies are tightly bound to Russia, which is a large supplier of energy. US sanctions could come as early as Monday. COMMENT From a military point of view America is practically powerless in Ukraine. The Obama administration has removed all operational combat tanks from Europe and key strike aircraft. This is limiting the options for America to give a show of force to bolster eastern NATO allies as Russia contemplates invading Ukraine. So what can America do? It seems clear that America will do something. Its greatest weapon is now financial sanctions. The Telegraph reported this week that an elite cell at the US Treasury has developed an arsenal of financial weapons that can in theory can bring Russia to its knees by “persuading” global banks and insurers to pull back form dealing with Russia then would be forced either into submission or into finding new ways to get cash. Russia will be “pushed” into coming down and taking a spoil from Israel…. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, …. He shall enter also into the glorious land. The “push” is a provocation from the king of the south (America/ UK) against the king of the north (Russia). We will (Daniel 11: 40) enter the “time of the end” when this happens… anytime soon!

Ukraine crisis: War of words offers little hope BBConline, April 25, 2014 EVENT Day by day the language of diplomacy is being replaced by words of confrontation and recrimination, as the US and Russia manoeuvre in the escalating crisis over the future of Ukraine. The statement by John Kerry on Thursday took the rhetoric to a new level as he accused the Russian government of failing to do anything to defuse tensions in eastern Ukraine, as required under the terms of the agreement reached in Geneva last week. "Having failed to postpone Ukraine's elections, having failed to halt a legitimate political process, Russia has instead chosen an illegitimate course of armed violence to try and achieve with the barrel of a gun and the force of a mob what couldn't be achieved any other way, " Mr Kerry said. The US secretary of state went on to describe Russia's action as a "full throated effort to sabotage the democratic process. ” Not since the Cold War ended more than 20 years ago, have such angry words been fired at the Kremlin by the state department. COMMENT It is hard to see any diplomatic solution with the situation in Ukraine. Russia will never let Ukraine out of its sphere of influence and America will never allow Russia to just get its own way without punishment. It is indeed an escalating crisis. In his first term Barack Obama attempted to reset relations with the Kremlin. The two countries even signed a treaty to cut their nuclear arsenals back in 2010. But that brief period of optimism that Russia and the United States could normalise relations, has now become a distant memory. It began to go wrong when the revolutions in the Arab world began. Russia was alarmed by NATO’s bombing of Libya. Russia then backed Assad in Syria and blocked every resolution against the regime. And now Ukraine is the final straw for Russia. The path to conflict has begun. It will end with Russia invading the Middle East. BIBLE QUOTE I will drive away these armies from the north. I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea, and those at the rear into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land. ” Surely the Lord has done great things! (Joel 2: 20 NLT) This verse is speaking of the destruction of Russia troops in Israel by God

Russia warns Ukraine of 'catastrophic consequences’ Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2014 EVENT Ukraine has launched a military assault on the flashpoint town of Slavyansk, raising the stakes in the showdown with Russia, which has promised "catastrophic consequences" if Kiev stepped up operations. Insurgents shot down two army helicopters, killing two servicemen, including a pilot, as the army tightened its noose around the rebel held town of 160, 000 people. The predawn offensive drew a sharp response from Moscow, where a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin said it dealt a "final blow" to a deal clinched last month in Geneva meant to ease the crisis. A spokeswoman for insurgents in Slavyansk, the epicentre of tensions in eastern Ukraine, said the army had staged a "full scale attack" on the town. An AFP reporter on the scene saw a column of eight armoured vehicles just south of Slavyansk and heard explosions and sporadic small arms fire as helicopters circled overhead. COMMENT Another week and yet another step towards war in Europe. On Thursday Ukraine's interim president reintroduced conscription amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion. Oleksander Turchynov has also put his armed forces on "full combat alert" in response to the estimated 40, 000 Russian troops massed on the border. Analysts say Ukraine has 130, 000 personnel in its armed forces that could be boosted to about one million with reservists. German chancellor Angela Merkel and President Obama delivered a joint statement that 3 rd tier economic sanctions will be activated if Russia moves further into Ukraine. This is the strongest statement from Germany yet. We have all the makings here (as reported last week) of a third world war. This is not an exaggeration. Both of the world’s superpowers are directly opposing each other with no side backing down. The king of the north (Russia) and king of the south (US/UK) are at loggerheads. BIBLE QUOTE at the time of the end, the king of the south will thrust at the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall (Daniel 11: 40 NLT)

Ukraine crisis: dozens killed in Odessa Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2014 EVENT Dozens have died in a building fire in Ukraine after a clash between pro Ukrainian and pro Russian protesters in the Black Sea port of Odessa. Ukrainian authorities said 31 people died in the blaze at the city’s trade union building on Friday evening. Twenty three of the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning and eight died after leaping from upper storey windows to escape the flames, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. More than 50 people, including 10 policemen, have sought medical attention. The carnage came after a day of vicious street battles between pro Ukrainian and pro Russian activists in which both sides hurled cobble stones and molotov cocktails. Riot police largely stood aside as pro Russian activists carrying bats and shields and distinguished by the orange and black St. George’s ribbon clashed with activists carrying the yellow and blue colours of the Ukrainian flag. COMMENT There is no doubt that Putin has caused this mayhem. This one man has stirred up Ukraine so that the nation has begun to tear itself apart. There was no violence, no rioting, no clashes until Putin sent in his special forces to destabilise eastern Ukraine. Human life means nothing to this man. His ambition, his plan, is to recreate the Russian Empire. He will stop at nothing to achieve this aim. Even if many lives are sacrificed he will not stop. In fact the Bible speaks of a Russian ruler (Gog) who lives at the time of the end. God knew all about Putin and the role he would play. Listen to these words from Ezekiel 38: 17. This is God speaking…. ”You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. ” The chapter goes on to say that when Gog does send his armies into Israel – he (Gog) and they (his armies) will be destroyed by God… BIBLE QUOTE I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the (Ezekiel 38: 21 -22 NIV) many nations with him

NATO Official: Russia now an adversary Associated Press, May 1, 2014 EVENT After two decades of trying to build a partnership with Russia, NATO now feels compelled to start treating Moscow as an adversary, the alliance's second ranking official said Thursday. "Clearly the Russians have declared NATO as an adversary, so we have to begin to view Russia no longer as a partner but as more of an adversary than a partner, " said Alexander Vershbow, the deputy secretary general of NATO. In a question and answer session with a small group of reporters, Vershbow said Russia's annexation of Crimea and its apparent manipulation of unrest in eastern Ukraine have fundamentally changed the NATO Russia relationship. "In central Europe, clearly we have two different visions of what European security should be like, " Vershbow said. "We still would defend the sovereignty and freedom of choice of Russia's neighbors, and Russia clearly is trying to re impose hegemony and limit their sovereignty under the guise of a defense of the Russian world. " COMMENT Interesting that NATO now talk of Russia being an adversary not a partner. NATO says that Russia is trying to reimpose hegemony. In the Greek the word “Hegemon” means a leader. Hegemony is where a more powerful state rules over subordinate states using the threat of force. This is exactly what Russia is now doing. Ezekiel 38 talks about God turning Gog back. It actually says ”I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army. ” The original Hebrew means “I will return you” or “I will restore you”. Putin (Gog) has been returned and restored to power (in 2012). But we also see Russia itself turned back to an being an adversary. Returned to anti west, authoritarian, totalitarian ways. God says that when Gog has been restored we will then see him descend into the Middle East… BIBLE QUOTE Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince (ruler) of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal. And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth and all your army (Ezekiel 38: 3 -4)

Russia shows off military might in parade in Moscow Daily Telegraph, May 9, 2014 EVENT Thousands of Russian troops marched on Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade in a proud display of the nation's military might amid escalating tensions over Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine when he opened Friday's parade in Moscow, focusing on the historic importance of the victory over Nazi Germany. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and a key element of the national identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering and honoring millions of victims of World War II. The holiday also offers a chance to display the nation's massive military arsenal. About 11, 000 troops proudly marched across Red Square to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs. Some 150 military vehicles and about 70 combat aircraft took part in the show. COMMENT This was the largest and longest Victory Day parade that Russia has ever held as it remembered its victory over Nazi Germany. It comes at a time of massive tension between Russia and the West. Russia’s military was in serious decline during the 1990’s after the collapse of the USSR. Under Putin however it has been restored. Russian military spending has rocketed to $76 bn. They are without doubt the second most powerful nation on earth. With over 750, 000 active frontline personnel, 2. 5 m active reservists, 15, 500 tanks, 3000 aircraft, 350 ships and 8500 nuclear warheads! And one man who controls them all. Putin has this vast arsenal at his disposal. The displays this week are not only to celebrate Russia’s past victories they are a warning to the world that Russia is back. God said through Ezekiel about 2500 years ago that in the latter days Russia would get its army mobilised, arm them and then be called into action by invading Israel… BIBLE QUOTE Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war (Ezekiel 38: 7 -8 NLT) This is God talking to the Russian leader of the last days

Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea Daily Telegraph, May 9, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin made a triumphant visit to Crimea on Friday, as one of the bloodiest days of conflict in eastern Ukraine to date pushed the country further toward civil war. Mr Putin was met by jubilant crowds when he flew into Sevastopol after reviewing the annual victory parade on Red Square in Moscow on Friday. In a display of Russian military might, he sailed on a cutter to review flag bedecked Russian warships anchored in the bay, greeting the sailors of Russia’s Black Sea fleet with a “hello comrades. ” After the review, thousands thronged the shore to watch a fly past of 70 military aircraft, including helicopters, Mi. G fighters, and Bear nuclear bombers, to mark 70 years since the city was liberated from German forces in May 1944. Crowds shouted “Russia!” and “Thank you!” as Mr Putin took to a stage to make a speech in which he praised Crimeans for “fidelity to historic justice. ” COMMENT Putin arrived in military style. 10 grey Russian warships lined up behind him. As he drew along aside each warship, he yelled into a microphone, “Hello, comrades!” and the naval personnel, arrayed at least two deep on deck in their blue dress uniforms, shouted back a ritual greeting to their commander in chief, followed by a rousing “Hurrah!” This was Gog – the Russian leader – acting as the Bible said he would. Gog actually means “mountain” in Hebrew. When applied to a person it would indicate someone who thinks highly of himself – a proud, lofty and strong person. This is precisely what Putin is. Vladimir is two Russian words. Vlad = master. Mir = world / universe. Putin possibly means “people”. So we have “Master of the universe and people. ” Interestingly when Gog is described in Daniel 8 it speaks of him being “master of deception” and becoming “arrogant”. We see this happening in front of our eyes… BIBLE QUOTE He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. (Daniel 8: 24 -25 NLT) This is latter day descendant of the original king of the north – Antiochus Ephanese.

Putin urges separatists to postpone referendum Daily Telegraph, May 7, 2014 EVENT President Vladimir Putin has made a calculated retreat over Ukraine's crisis, urging the pro Russian insurgents who control large areas of Donetsk to postpone a referendum on the status of the region. The Russian president also promised to "seek ways out of the crisis" and claimed that some of his country's troops had been withdrawn from Ukraine's eastern border. Mr Putin's newly conciliatory tone the first time he has specifically called on the pro Russians to take a step back from confrontation came amid mounting evidence that the leaders of the "Donetsk People's Republic" would have been incapable of holding a plausible referendum by the original deadline of Sunday. Nato, the Pentagon and the White House cast doubt on Putin's statement about the troop withdrawal. "We haven't seen any evidence of any Russian forces being withdrawn from the areas where they have been stationed in recent weeks. They remain large, near the eastern borders of Ukraine, ” they said. COMMENT Putin is a master of deception as the Bible says he would be. He plays a very clever game and often outwits his opponents. Even though he is the aggressor he has the ability of sounding statesmanlike and compromising. This week he urged the pro Russian insurgents not to hold a referendum tomorrow (Sunday). He also said his troops were being withdrawn. But it is all deception. The troops have not moved they are all still in position. And far from condemning the insurgents in East Ukraine, Putin makes a victory speech in Crimea which would only embolden them. Daniel 8 v 25 in the Authorised Version says “by peace [he] shall destroy many”. Other versions say “when they feel secure he will destroy many”. This is ultimately reference to his invasion of Israel but the same principles apply here – catching them off guard. BIBLE QUOTE He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (Daniel 8: 24 -25 NIV)

Russia conducts large-scale nuclear attack exercise Free Beacon, May 8, 2014 EVENT Russia’s armed forces conducted a “massive” nuclear forces exercise on Thursday simulating NATO and U. S. nuclear attacks and involving several long range ballistic and cruise missile firings. The large scale nuclear war drills come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow’s military annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and Russian instigated unrest in eastern Ukraine. The exercises were monitored by Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with May 9 anniversary celebrations marking the victory in World War II. “We are checking the preparedness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, we are holding an exercise, ” Putin was quoted as saying, noting that the exercises were planned in November and involved all branches and services throughout the country, including nuclear forces. Pentagon official Mark Schneider said the exercises are unusual. COMMENT Again here is more evidence of the truth. Not a de escalation of the crisis but continued escalation. In rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, RIA Novosti news agency reported that aerospace defence forces “led by Russian President Vladimir Putin” successfully countered a massive nuclear missile strike. On Tuesday Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying that Russia will beef up its Black Sea fleet this year with new submarines and warships following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The fleet compromises 40 frontline warships and is a platform for projecting power into the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Britain said on Thursday it had deployed a destroyer to track a Russian aircraft carrier sailing close to its coastal waters, the latest in a series of such incidents and a reminder of underlying tensions between London and Moscow. Preparations war continue apace…We need to be ready BIBLE QUOTE Therefore, be patient, ” says the Lord. “Soon I will stand accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy. (Zephaniah 3: 8 NLT)

Putin Caesar and our great geo-political turning point American Thinker, April 29, 2014 EVENT We are witnessing a turning point in geopolitical history, future historians may analyse as we have seen the Roman Empire’s fall. Vladimir Putin is making a move and it’s not just against Ukraine. It may not be merely a move against Eastern Europe. It’s not even, perhaps, just a move against US world dominance. There was a time when the USSR was the “evil empire, ” a godless Golgotha. But that was then. Now, in 2013 14, Putin has seen fit to say, in his December State of the Nation speech, “Many Euro Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values. …Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi child family and a same sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation. ” “Today, many nations are revising their moral values and ethical norms, eroding ethnic traditions and differences between peoples and cultures. ” COMMENT Putin is seeing himself as some sort of saviour of world morals. He looks on at Western Europe and sees the promotion of same sex marriage and “alternative lifestyles” as a breakdown of Christian values. He is right of course on this point. But Putin’s answer is war, conflict and increasing power. Both sides are completely wrong in their approach. What is remarkable is this division of humanistic ways v militaristic ways is exactly detailed out in Nebuchadnezzar’s image. He saw a vision of a man made of metals. The legs were made of iron. The iron represented the Roman Empire which divided into east and west. The final part of the image was of feet made part of clay and part of iron. The clay represents man. Human thinking. The iron represents the military strength of Rome. The two don’t mix. Russia is the iron. Europe is the clay. They don’t mix! BIBLE QUOTE And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. (Daniel 2: 43 -44 NIV) Clay = humanist thinking Iron = military strength – they don’t mix!

Insurgents in eastern Ukraine declare independence Associated Press, May 12, 2014 EVENT Pro Moscow insurgents in eastern Ukraine declared independence Monday and sought to join Russia, undermining upcoming presidential elections, strengthening the Kremlin's hand putting pressure on Kiev to hold talks with the separatists following a referendum on self rule. Russia signaled it has no intention of subsuming eastern Ukraine the way it annexed Crimea in March. Instead, Moscow is pushing to include eastern regions in negotiations on Ukraine's future — suggesting that Russia prefers a political rather than a military solution to its worst standoff with the West since the Cold War. Such talks are central to a potential path toward peace outlined Monday by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. But it's up to the Ukrainian government to take the next step. COMMENT When a woman gives birth she goes through contractions. There is severe pain and then respite, severe pain then respite. But each contraction is stronger and the gap between the contractions get closer. The Bible speaks of the world being in pain like a woman in labour just before Christ returns. This week has been a quieter week in the Ukraine – but be assured another contraction is coming. We know that Russia has encouraged weeks of unrest in eastern Ukraine in a possible attempt to grab more land. The Ukrainian government's room to manoeuvre is shrinking. With national presidential elections scheduled for May 25, the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk who declared independence Monday have asked to join their enormous neighbour Russia instead. These areas form Ukraine's industrial heartland. There is so much at stake. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukraine is on the brink of civil war, making it difficult to hold free & fair elections later this month. It is on the brink. BIBLE QUOTE And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and (Isaiah 13: 8 -9) he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

US releases satellite images of Russian forces Daily Telegraph, May 14, 2014 EVENT The US government released new satellite pictures on Tuesday which it said showed Russian forces were still near the Ukrainian border in recent days, contradicting Russian assertions they had been withdrawn. President Vladimir Putin announced last Wednesday that the troops had moved, but Nato and the United States both said they had seen no sign of a Russian withdrawal from the frontier. Nato officials have previously estimated Russia has around 40, 000 soldiers close to Ukraine's border, exacerbating the worst East West crisis since the Cold War. The commercial satellite photos, published by the US State Department and on the US Mission to Nato's Twitter account, showed what appeared to be about 20 Russian helicopters at Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, on May 9. Alongside it, the US government published another image of the same area on March 26, also showing helicopters. An earlier photograph, from March 22, showed no helicopters in the area COMMENT Nato is accusing Russia of blatantly lying. Russia says their troops have moved away from Ukraine’s border. America then shows pictures showing they have not moved at all. Colonel Martin Downie, spokesman for Allied Command Operations at Nato, said recent comments by Russia's leadership on a troop withdrawal did not reflect realities on the ground. "The reality is that Russia continues to have 40, 000 high readiness troops massed on Ukraine's border and another 25, 000 troops in Crimea. The units on the latest satellite pictures show mechanised infantry, armoured vehicles and combat helicopters, " he said in a statement. We know from the Bible that Putin (the little horn that grows in Daniel 8) is deceitful. In fact one version says he is “master of deception”. Russia says it has not sent in troops into Ukraine but everyone sees it has. BIBLE QUOTE He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. (Daniel 8: 24 -25 NLT) The man spoken of here is of the same ilk as the ancient king of the north – Antiochus Ephanese

Turkey vulnerable to Russian power in the Black Sea Jerusalem Post, April 19, 2014 EVENT With the annexation of Crimea, Turkey faces a stronger and bolder Russian naval power in the Black Sea. A resurgent Russia may be tempted to exploit its temporary naval dominance to alter current Black Sea energy exploitation and transportation arrangements more in its favor and to the detriment of Turkey and its partners in the Caucasus. With the annexation of Crimea, Turkey faces a stronger and bolder Russian naval power in the Black Sea. Russia now possesses the Ukrainian navy’s submarine and several, if not most, of Ukraine’s 11 major surface combatants. Even without the Ukraine’s naval assets, Russia’s own new additions to its Black Sea Fleet will enable Moscow to dominate the region. Russia recently put to sea the first of its six Admiral Grigorovich class frigates. All six frigates are designated for service in the Black Sea Fleet. These Russian procurement programs alone will quickly tilt the balance of naval forces in Russia’s favor COMMENT This was a very interesting article in the Jerusalem Post a few weeks ago looking at how Turkey could be seriously affected by Russia’s growing power and strength. Turkey has a large military naval force in the Black Sea but now Russia has taken over Crimea this delicate balance has shifted towards Russia of course captured Ukraine’s naval assets when it annexed Crimea increasing overnight its naval strength. Another even more serious destabilising situation might come with gas pipelines. Currently Russia transports some gas through Turkish waters to avoid Ukraine’s boundaries. Now Crimea is part of Russia it could change the route of the pipeline and bypass Turkey. The Bible speaks of a vast Russian navy coming down into the Middle East. Events in Crimea have positioned Russia in a very strong position to do this… BIBLE QUOTE The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, …. He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. (Daniel 1140 -41)

Premier, President, Czar – What Putin wants Time Magazine, May 19, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Putin is an unlikely giant of modern geopolitics. Born to a family of modest means he made a career in the KGB. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Putin worked in the city government of St Petersburg, then joined the Kremlin staff of President Boris Yeltsin named Putin the head of the FSB which replaced the KGB, and then his Prime Minister. That positioned Putin to become president when Yeltsin resigned. Putin inherited a humbled motherland. He was determined to reverse this and restore Russia’s place in the ranks of great powers. A surge oil prices helped plug holes in an outmoded Russian economy. It also allowed Putin to modernize his military. Putin grew bolder. The shirtless horseback rides, the judo matches and other antics for the camera. The restoration continued. In 2008 Putin defied Western condemnation and sent his army into Georgia. Putin is Russian Orthodox. The Russian czars saw themselves as protectors of the world’s Orthodox people – the 19 th century Crimean War was fought largely on those grounds – Putin is increasingly taking up that cause. This article in Time Magazine made some very interesting points about Putin. He is a very unlikely candidate to be running the world’s second largest superpower. He was almost unknown and had little to no political base. He was literally picked from relative obscurity and handed the keys to the presidency of Russia. I have recently read a book called “The man without a face – the unlikely rise of Vladimir Putin. ” It explains how Putin did end up in power and the reasons he was selected. In Daniel 8 we read of a ruler that exists in the latter days. This ruler we are told becomes “very strong” but it goes on to say “but not by his own power”. In other words not by his own strength. Putin was placed in power by those at the time who wanted yes man – a puppet! a fierce looking, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper (Daniel 8: 23 -24)

After Crimea: The future of the Black Sea fleet The Jamestown Foundation, May 22, 2014 EVENT Russia’s March 17 annexation of Crimea capped nearly two decades of increasingly fractious Russian Ukrainian relations, punctuated by rising tensions over Russia’s lease of Sevastopol. Russia’s annexation of Crimea has altered the Black Sea Fleet’s future. On May 13, Russian Navy commander in chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov stated that the Black Sea Fleet will receive 30 new warships over the next six years, following an earlier statement by Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu that the BSF will receive more than $2. 3 billion in developmental funding by 2020 (ITAR TASS, May 13). Their final deployment is uncertain, as some support vessels are slated for stationing in the Sea of Azov and may be more of a statement of posturing rather than a new naval reality. In addition to Sevastopol, the finest natural harbor in the Black Sea, Russia also acquired the former Crimean Ukrainian naval bases of Novoozerne on Donuzlav Bay. COMMENT It is now clear that Russia’s annexation of Crimea is part of a larger plan to revitalize the Russian Navy and the Black Sea Fleet in particular. The expansion of the Black Sea Fleet will also bolster Russia’s ability to project power in the region. Beyond the Black Sea, Sevastopol will allow Moscow to exert influence over the eastern Mediterranean, Balkans and Middle East. The importance of the Mediterranean to Russia was highlighted in 2013, when, amid the civil war in Syria, Russia created a “permanent task force”. Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that all 23 Crimean defence industry plants and shipyards would be involved in the modernization of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, saying, “When it comes to shipbuilding and ship repair, let me remind you that in 2015 we will undertake a massive upgrading of the Black Sea fleet. BIBLE QUOTE The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. (Daniel 11: 40 -42)

Obama condemns Russian 'dark tactics' in Ukraine BBC News, June 4, 2014 EVENT US President Barack Obama has condemned Russian "aggression" in Ukraine. Speaking in Warsaw to mark 25 years since the fall of communism in Poland, he hailed Polish democracy as a beacon for neighbouring Ukraine. "How can we allow the dark tactics of the 20 th Century to define the 21 st? " he said. Earlier Mr Obama met Ukraine President elect Petro Poroshenko, and pledged support for plans to restore peace to the country. Mr Obama called Mr Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead Ukraine, and said the nation could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it. Mr Poroshenko, a billionaire sweet manufacturer, was elected in May. Mr Obama pledged $5 m (£ 3 m) of military assistance to Kiev including body armour and night vision goggles. The aid follows $18 m promised since early March for food, clothes, radios and other equipment. COMMENT Near the end of the second world war Russia pushed Germany out of Poland. However Stalin insisted that Poland established a communistic government. Poland remained under the grip of Russia behind the “iron curtain” until 1989. This is why Obama wanted to make a key speech on Ukraine from Poland. He sees what happened in Poland as a model for what should happen in Ukraine. In other words the people should be allowed to have the government they want and not one imposed on them by Russia. Obama said, "We will not accept Russia's occupation of Crimea or its violations of Ukraine's sovereignty. ” “Poland was invaded and conquered, carved up and occupied, " he said. "But those days are over. ” But those says are not over. The Russian bear is growling again and is not content to sit by and watch the West move ever closer to its borders. Russia is asserting itself – it is this spirit that will bring Russia down to Israel & beyond. BIBLE QUOTE This is what the Lord says: “Look! A great army coming from the north! A great nation is rising against you from far off lands. They are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like a roaring sea as they ride forward on horses. They are coming in battle (Jeremiah 6: 22 -23 NLT) formation, planning to destroy you, beautiful Jerusalem

Russian fighter intercepted US Air Force plane BBC News, June 4, 2014 EVENT A Russian jet flew within 100 ft (30 m) of a US Air Force plane over international waters near Japan in April, US officials have said. The incident on 23 April involved a Russian SU 27 Flanker fighter and a US intelligence gathering RC 135 U. The US plane was flying a routine mission in international airspace over the Sea of Okhotsk, officials said. The incident came amid tension between the US and Russia over Russia's involvement in Ukraine. "The SU 27 approached the RC 135 and crossed the nose of the US aircraft, " Lt Col Myles Caggins III told the BBC. The Russian aircraft manoeuvred aggressively and exposed its belly to the American pilots to demonstrate it was armed with air to air missiles, Defence News and CNN reported. US and Russian defence officials are said to have later discussed the incident. COMMENT There a growing number of incidents where Russia is antagonising American and British forces. Earlier in April, another Russian fighter jet made repeated low altitude passes over US Navy destroyer Donald Cook in the Black Sea. Fighter jets were scrambled after two Russian military aircraft were spotted approaching UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence (Mo. D) has said. The tension therefore is high between Britain and America on the one side and Russia on the other. It was also reported this week that Britain has offered Nato an armoured battle group including up to 25 tanks to join exercises in Poland as a show of force against Vladimir Putin. The deployment would see as many as 1, 000 British soldiers join Nato forces for war games across the border from Ukraine later this year. We are seeing the king of the south and king of the north sparring on the fault lines of Europe. The sparring will lead to war…. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, (Daniel 11: 40 -42) even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

Russian image has deteriorated – BBC poll BBC News, June 4, 2014 EVENT People's views of Russia have strongly deteriorated since last year, according to the latest 24 country poll for the BBC World Service. The poll, which was mostly conducted before the crisis in Crimea, showed people were more negative about Russia in the past year than they had been at any time since the poll began in 2005. It also found that views of the US and the EU had worsened. But Germany has kept its position as the most positively viewed country. Iran and North Korea attracted the most negative ratings. The Country Ratings Poll of 24 nations was conducted by Globe. Scan/Pipa. COMMENT It is no surprise, surely, to see Russia’s image as nation to be so low at this time. Many people are shocked at how Russia has acted in invading another country without any real provocation. We would also not be surprised at Iran and North Korea coming at the top of the list of nations that people view negatively. These are oppressive states with open hostility to the world in general. They also seek the demise of America and “the West”. But now look again at the table…. The article did not mention this but Israel is seen more negatively than Russia and only just behind Iran and North Korea! It is shocking to see how people view Israel. We know Israel are not following God correctly and in faith but equally they are not calling for the destruction of other nations. They are not supporting terrorism. It is no wonder that ALL nations of the world one day will gather against Jerusalem to battle when Israel is seen in such a negative light… BIBLE QUOTE I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city. Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. (Zechariah 14: 2 -3 NLT)

Russia sent tanks to separatists in Ukraine, U. S. says New York Times, June 13, 2014 EVENT The State Department said Friday that Russia had sent tanks and other heavy weapons to separatists in Ukraine, supporting accusations Thursday by the Ukrainian government. A convoy of three T 64 tanks, several BM 21 multiple rocket launchers and other military vehicles crossed the border near the Ukrainian town of Snizhne, State Department officials said. The Ukrainian Army reported Friday that it had destroyed two of the tanks and several other vehicles in the convoy. “This is unacceptable, ” said Marie Harf, the deputy State Department spokeswoman. “A failure by Russia to de escalate this situation will lead to additional costs. ” Overnight Friday, separatists using antiaircraft and heavy machine guns fired on a military transport plane as it was landing in Luhansk, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said. It did not give details of casualties, but offered condolences to family members of the victims. News reports said the plane was carrying as many as 49 military personnel. COMMENT The situation between Russia and Ukraine gets worse each week. America and Ukraine have accused Russia of sending tanks (for the first time) into Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to retaliate after pro Russia separatists shot down a military plane in the east, killing 49 people. It is thought to be the biggest loss of life suffered by government forces in a single incident since the Ukrainian government in Kiev began an operation to try to defeat the insurgency in the east. The new president will be under enormous pressure to retaliate against such a large loss of life. Putin will never concede eastern Ukraine to Europe. Eastern Ukraine is part of ancient Magog – we are told that Gog (of the land of Magog) will invade Israel. Putin is securing the final part of the land of Magog before the invasion takes place…. BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your (Ezekiel 38: 2 -4 NLT) whole army

Russians launch surprise war games next to NATO Washington Times, June 11, 2014 EVENT NATO military officials were caught off guard by surprise guests as military exercises began in the Baltics last week — Russians. As U. S. led exercises with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were under way, the Russian military began conducting its own training manoeuvres. The Russian exercises included marines, paratroopers, and long range bombers. Russia Today posted a video of the exercises on You. Tube Wednesday. The NATO exercises, which included B 2 Spirit stealth bombers, were then operating in a crowded region rife with Russian Su 34 Fullback attack planes, A 50 AWACS aircraft, the short range surface to air missile system SA 9 N Tor, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other military hardware, the defence website The Aviationist reported Wednesday. COMMENT America has sent three B 52 bombers to the UK this week. It is the first time the B 52 s have returned to their European "home" for more than a decade. The last time they were in Europe was in 2003 the year America launched "shock and awe" on Iraq. The B 52 is seen as an offensive weapon of last resort. It is capable of firing nuclear missiles and cruise missiles. This is all about America flexing its military muscle in the light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Russia is responding, as we read in the article above, by literally lining up against Nato in their war game exercises! And so we see the continuing build up of tension between the king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (America and Britain). How long before all these powder kegs explode into full blown conflict? It may not be too long in coming… The whole world is like a woman in labour – the painful contractions are coming thick and fast… BIBLE QUOTE The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against Jerusalem. But when they saw it, they were stunned; they were terrified and ran away. They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labour. You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a powerful east wind. (Psalm 48: 4 -7)

Nato warns Russia over fresh military build-up Financial Times, June 19, 2014 EVENT Nato's secretary general on Thursday called a fresh Russian military build up along the western border with Ukraine a very regrettable step as the west escalated warnings that Moscow's refusal to sever support for eastern Ukrainian separatists could trigger a fresh wave of sanctions. We now see a new Russian military build up at least a few thousand more Russian troops deployed to the Ukrainian border and we see troop manoeuvres in the neighbourhood of Ukraine, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in London. Mr Rasmussen warned that further intervention by Russia would require the west to respond with sanctions. Jack Lew, the US Treasury secretary, made similar comments in Berlin, demanding that Moscow stop funnelling arms, rebels and other forms of support to rebels in eastern Ukraine. If Russia is not willing to reverse course the international community is prepared to increase the costs, he said
 COMMENT As the world’s attention has suddenly and dramatically switched to events in Iraq, the Kremlin has been increasing its support for the insurgents in eastern Ukraine. It took months of persuasion to get Russia to move its troops away from Ukraine’s eastern border and yet within 2 weeks of withdrawing them – they are back! Also Putin has ordered forces in Russia's central military district to be put on full combat alert for a week. A truce was announced by the new Ukrainian president this week but the Kremlin dismissed it, saying it was "not an invitation to peace and negotiations but an ultimatum". More sanctions are coming on Russia and the conflict shows no sign of abating. We are seeing the image of Daniel 2 before us. The divided legs of Europe – East and West. The division of course is straight through the centre of Ukraine. It is not a uniting of the two sides we are looking for but a dividing. Clay and iron don’t mix! BIBLE QUOTE The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided…. But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen (Daniel 2: 41 -43 NLT) themselves by forming alliances…But they will not hold together…

Russia cuts gas supply to Ukraine Associated Press, June 16, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE Russia on Monday cut gas supplies to Ukraine as a payment deadline passed and negotiators failed to reach a deal on gas prices and unpaid bills amid continued fighting in eastern Ukraine. The decision does not immediately affect the gas flow to Europe, but could disrupt the long term energy supply to the region if the issue is not resolved, analysts said. Ukraine's Naftogaz company head Andriy Kobolev said Russia had cut the supply of gas to Ukraine, but that Ukraine can manage without Russian gas until December. Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said that since Ukraine had paid nothing for the gas by Monday, from now on the company would demand that Ukraine pay in advance for any future deliveries. Ukraine was ready to accept a compromise in talks in Kiev of paying $1 billion now and more later, but Russia didn't accept the offer, the European Commission said in a statement. The impact of Russia’s move this week will not be felt for a few months. Ukraine has enough gas supplies to last until the winter. The trouble is that the gas supply for Europe goes through Ukraine. The gas for Ukraine and the gas for Europe is the same gas in the same pipeline. Therefore when Russia says it has switched off the gas what it means is that it is only sending enough gas through for Europe’s demands. However if Ukraine’s supplies run out they could take the gas that was destined for Europe. Gazprom (the Russian gas supplier) announced this week it suing Ukraine’s state gas company. And Ukraine’s state gas company announced it was suing Gazprom! The Russian bear is playing hard ball. It is being goaded and provoked. It will just not tolerate Europe operating in a nation that was once part of the USSR. Putin the master of deception will destroy many without warning. He will invade the Middle East… He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power. (Daniel 8: 24 -25 NLT)

Ukraine signs historic EU pact amid Russia anger Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin has called for a long term ceasefire in Ukraine while claiming the overthrow of its former pro Russian president provoked a schism, a humanitarian crisis and a “flow of blood”. Speaking at a ceremony foreign diplomats in the Kremlin, the Russian president made a sideswipe at today’s signing in Brussels of a trade deal between the EU and Ukraine. “The anti constitutional coup in Kiev and the attempts to impose on the Ukrainian people an artificial choice between Europe and Russia pushed society towards a schism, a painful internal confrontation, ” he said, in comments carried by news agencies. Mr Putin added: “In the south east of the country, blood is flowing, there is a real humanitarian catastrophe, tens of thousands of refugees are forced to seek shelter, including in Russia. ” COMMENT This week Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko signed the very agreement with Europe that was almost signed last year. It was this event last year that was the final straw for Russia and Putin ordered the invasion of Crimea. This is why there is anger from Putin at events this week and hints at retaliation. But it wasn’t only Ukraine signing agreements this week…The leaders of Georgia and Moldova also signed EU “association agreements” at a ceremony in Brussels. So three former Soviet countries have signed up with Europe. So what Putin’s next move? Well perhaps we get some idea if we listen to the words of Putin’s senior adviser. “Europe organised a military coup in Ukraine, they helped Nazis to come to power. ” Asked if Ukraine’s president was a Nazi he replied “of course”. We are seeing Russia being pushed and provoked. It is part of a series of events that will eventually persuade Russia to break forth and descend into Israel and beyond. The Russian bear will rise up as its cubs are taken… BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. Events in Ukraine could be part of the “push” from the king of the south. America is threatening more sanctions (Daniel 11: 40)

Putin meets Abbas, urges renewal of peace talks Israel National News, June 26, 2014 EVENT Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Wednesday. "We would very much like the peace process to resume. I know there are many difficulties here, ” Putin said. Abbas for his part described it as “meeting between two friends, " Itar Tass news agency reported. “Regrettably, the situation in the region is not improving, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet with you and talk about how the situation is evolving and outline steps toward normalization, ” Russia Today quoted Putin as telling Abbas. Putin told the Palestinian leader Russia was interested in improving relations, saying “This is an addition to the other issues of the regional agenda which is currently a priority for us, and our neighbours, and other countries. ” Abbas will seek Russia's help to face the "vicious crackdown" Israel has been waging in the occupied West Bank, the Fatah official added. COMMENT This event is worth noting. The Palestinian leader went to Moscow this week on a three day visit. According to Russian media, the last time Abbas was in Moscow was at the end of last January. Abbas first visited Russia in an official capacity at the beginning of 2005 and has since then visited Russia eleven times, not including the current trip. So 12 times Abbas has been to Moscow. Every time he has been he has the same message. WE NEED RUSSIA’S HELP. This message has become evermore urgent. America’s attempts at peace have come to nothing. Russia’s influence in the world has become ever greater. We read in Ezekiel 38 of Gog (Putin) being ’visited”. The word literally means to be “sought after” or “called to action”. These “visits” by Abbas are seeking Russia’s support and calling him to action. Russia WILL respond…. BIBLE QUOTE After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. (Ezekiel 38: 8)

Ukraine launches new offensive to rid east of rebels Daily Telegraph, July 1, 2014 EVENT Russia’s President Vladimir Putin promises to protect ethnic Russians with 'the entire arsenal of available means' amid clashes in key towns in Ukraine's east. Ukrainian forces launched a new offensive against pro Russian rebels in the east of the country on Tuesday after President Petro Poroshenko ended a ceasefire and promised to purge the region of “dirt and parasites”. Both sides in the conflict reported clashes in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions bordering Russia. “After the President's speech, the ATO (Anti Terrorist Operation) went into action, ” said Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkovsky. “We opened artillery fire, carried out air strikes at the strategic points of the terrorists and places where they are concentrated. ” In a televised announcement early this morning, Mr Poroshenko said he had given orders “to attack and liberate our land” from “terrorists, insurgents and marauders”. COMMENT And its not just the Middle East! Eastern Europe is also in trouble. The conflict in Ukraine continues with no one able to stop the killing. This week the Ukrainian president called an end to the ceasefire and has pushed back hard at the rebels in the eastern part of the country. President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance”. But he warned it was too early for celebrations. He is right to be cautious. Putin said on Friday that he would protect ethnic Russians with the entire arsenal at his disposal! In other words he will stop at nothing and do whatever it takes to keep hold of eastern Ukraine. Eastern Ukraine is part of ancient Magog. Gog (Putin) is taking control of the EXACT area of ancient Magog. God said that Gog (of the land of Magog) would invade Israel. With Putin taking control of Magog the next step will be invasion of Israel. BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3)

Russia threatens nuclear strikes over Crimea Washington TImes, July 11, 2014 EVENT A senior Russian official appeared to issue a nuclear threat against Ukraine over Crimea on Wednesday. In recent weeks, numerous senior level Ukrainian officials have promised to return Crimea to Ukraine despite Russia’s decision to annex it earlier this year. Following his appointment as Ukraine’s new minister of defence, Colonel General Valeriy Heletey promised the parliament in Kiev he would work to retake Crimea from Russia. When asked about these comments at a press conference on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded, ”If it comes to aggression against Russian territory, which Crimea and Sevastopol are parts of, I would not advise anyone to do this. ” He then added, “We have the doctrine of national security, and it very clearly regulates the actions, which will be taken in this case. ” This is a not so subtle threat to use nuclear weapons to retain Crimea. COMMENT The “doctrine of national security” that Lavrov is referring to is about the Russian doctrine on first use of nuclear weapons. Before the year 2000 Russia had the same nuclear doctrine as all other nuclear nations. It basically said that Russia had a no first strike policy. In other words Russia would never fire a nuclear weapon first. That doctrine changed. When Putin came into power on the first day of the new millennium his very first edict was to change this doctrine. He changed Russia’s nuclear doctrine to say that if very existence of the state is under threat they could use nuclear weapons. So this week Lavrov said in effect that if Ukraine tries to take Crimea back Russia would see that as opening the possibility of nuclear weapons being used against Ukraine! Would Putin use nuclear weapons? There seems little doubt he would do so… BIBLE QUOTE And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. This is talking about the latter day king of the north (the original was Antiochus Ephanese). The latter day man is Gog (Putin). Notice that he destroys “wonderfully”. “Wonderfully” means “unsurpassing”, “extraordinary”, “difficult to contemplate” nuclear war? ? (Isaiah 17: 12 -13)

Britain and America implicate Russia in Flight MH 17 missile attack Daily Telegraph, July 18, 2014 EVENT Britain and America have implicated Russia in the “unspeakable” missile attack on Flight MH 17 as diplomatic relations reached their lowest point since the Cold War. Barack Obama, the US president, described the deaths of nearly 300 people as an “outrage” as he issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart, for supporting the separatists who are thought to have fired the missile. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said it was an “appalling, shocking, horrific” incident and added that “those responsible must be held to account”. Both leaders called for Mr Putin to allow the crash site to be “properly investigated” amid reports that armed separatists were denying investigators access. On a day of fast moving developments and growing recriminations between the East and the West: COMMENT Things are getting out of control. Russia has supplied powerful weapons to the rebels in eastern Ukraine. It is believed that BUK missile system destroyed the passenger jet killing 300 innocent people this week. The BUK missile launcher is Russian made and looks like a large tank. You certainly couldn’t just buy one of these on the black market. Russia must have supplied it to the rebels. In fact there are pictures of a BUK missile launcher driving around eastern Ukraine over the last few weeks. The shooting down of this plane suddenly changes things. Many nationalities were killed including British and American. Apparently Putin has been refusing to accept calls from David Cameron. America is now considering even greater sanctions. Meanwhile Russia blames the Ukrainian government for these unfolding events. This shocking event undoubtedly will bring to breaking point the relations between Russia and America. The king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (UK/US) are pushing at each other… BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. There is a massive provocation going to come from UK/US against Russia (Daniel 11: 40)

Pentagon: 12, 000 Russian troops on Ukraine border Washington Free Beacon, July 16, 2014 EVENT The Pentagon estimates that up to 12, 000 Russian troops are on the country’s border with Ukraine as it continues to deliver heavy weapons to separatist forces within Ukraine, according to Politico Pro. Russia is building up its combat forces once again along its border with Ukraine and is continuing its deliveries of heavy weapons to pro Russian fighters there, the Pentagon said today. Defence Department spokesman Col. Steve Warren said the Pentagon estimates there are 10, 000 to 12, 000 combat troops inside Russia’s border, representing a “variety of forces” including infantry and mechanized units. The presence is smaller than the roughly 40, 000 troops that were on the border earlier in the crisis, but is a spike from the roughly 1, 000 troops that were there only a few weeks ago. COMMENT On Wednesday night, the United States announced a new round of sanctions on Russia. While previous sanctions had largely been aimed at individuals with links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, these new sanctions took aim at key areas of the Russian economy. Europe has also announced new sanctions on new investments into Russia but is not going as far as America. The White House hauled in all 28 European ambassadors this week to urge a more robust approach, but fears over potential Russian retaliation, particularly from Italy and France, are understood to have prevented any agreement to move on so called "level 3" sanctions that would hit entire sectors of Russia's economy. With Bible in hand we can see events building up to enable Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 38 to take place. Russia aggressive, anti West, empire building. The West (especially US) weaker and unable to counter a resurgent Russia. BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth. They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion. Again in the readings this week – a prophecy about Russia coming down. . (Jeremiah 6: 22 -23)

US accuses Russia of firing across border at Ukraine military Daily Telegraph, July 25, 2014 EVENT Thursday's claims from the US that Russia is firing at Ukraine military forces while planning to deliver more weapons to separatists came from US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, who cited intelligence reports. "We have new evidence that the Russians intend to deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers to separatist forces in Ukraine and have evidence that Russia is firing artillery from within Russian to attack Ukrainian military positions, " Harf said. The charges come less than two days after pro Russian separatists shot down two Ukrainian military jets in the country's east, and a week after a Malaysian Airlines jet was brought down, which the US says was shot by a surface to air missile. Last Thursday, 298 people were killed when Flight MH 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, in an area held by Russian backed separatists. COMMENT There were those who hoped that the shock of the shooting down of Flight MH 17 over Ukraine might make Russia stop and think. Perhaps even rein in the pro Russian separatists. But in fact the opposite has happened. Russia has stepped up its aggression. The United States claimed that Russia fired artillery from its side of the border targeting Ukrainian military forces this week. The US also said that Moscow is planning to give pro Russian separatists even heavier and more powerful weapons in the coming days. On Friday NATO said that Russia had massed 15, 000 troops on the Ukrainian border. Russia is pouring petrol on the Ukrainian fire one spokesman said. So how does the Ukraine situation fit in to Bible prophecy? It does so in two ways. Firstly Eastern Ukraine is part of ancient Magog and Putin is taking it back. Secondly it is creating the circumstances that will cause the “push” from America. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. There is a massive provocation going to come from UK/US against Russia (Daniel 11: 40)

Russia threatens to hit British companies in 'retaliation' for sanctions Daily Telegraph, July 24, 2014 EVENT Russia has issued a threat to seize the assets of British companies including BP and Shell as a retaliation against David Cameron’s demand for tough sanctions. In a mounting war of words, a senior diplomatic source claimed Moscow would “fight back” against any industry wide EU sanctions by putting British companies working in Russian oil on the frontline. “We want friendly relations. We will go along as far as we can. Then we will retaliate, ” the figure said. The official measures will include seizing the assets of British firms, adding: “BP and Shell have a lot of assets in Russia. ” The two firms have major partnerships with Russia energy firms Gazprom and Rosneft. In March, senators loyal to Mr Putin proposed freezing the assets of European and American companies in Russia, in response to Western sanctions imposed on Kremlin figures responsible for the annexation of Crimea. COMMENT Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian ambassador, in a combative press conference, warned of a new economic collapse if Western sanctions went ahead, saying they “may well trigger the long anticipated end game of the present global crisis. ” So what does he mean “the long anticipated end game”? He is implying that there will be a final showdown between Russia and the West. The two countries that are pushing hardest on Russia are Britain and America. The Russian ambassador (just quoted) said that “Britain is the most difficult and hostile country in the EU towards Moscow. ” Many headlines are saying “Britain PUSHING for new sanctions on Russia. ” We think of Daniel 11 v 40. The king of the south is pushing at the king of the north. Russia responds with invasion of the Middle East… BIBLE QUOTE Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. This mighty nation was originally Babylon. In a latter day context its Russia. (Jeremiah 5: 15)

NATO must respond to Russia: Cameron Associated Press, August 1, 2014 EVENT NATO must rethink its long term relationship with Russia and strengthen the alliance's ability to respond quickly to any threat, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Saturday. NATO needs to sustain a "robust" defensive presence in eastern Europe, Cameron wrote in a letter to the alliance's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and the 27 other NATO country leaders. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization also needs to beef up its response force of rapidly deployable land, sea, air and special operations troops, he said. With six weeks to go before Britain hosts the NATO summit in Newport, south Wales, Cameron said he wanted to use the meeting to agree a tougher policy towards Moscow, which would send a message that NATO member states would not be intimidated. ” In 2014, the world is more unpredictable than ever and we meet at another pivotal moment in the history of the alliance, " Cameron wrote COMMENT We are seeing the preparations of the king of the north (Russia) to come down into the Middle East. We are also seeing the king of the south (US / UK) pushing at Russia over Ukraine. The UK prime minster this week warned of complacency in regards to Russia. He said we should be rearming and preparing for further conflicts with Russia. So what of the Russian conflict of Ezekiel 38? This is stage 2 and comes hot on the heels of the conclusion of stage 1. Stage 2 is detailed in Zechariah 14 and the nations are detailed in Ezekiel 38. Notice how in Zechariah 14 there is no mention of “nearby nations”. Notice in v 2 they come to take a “spoil”. Notice (unlike Zechariah 12) that Jerusalem is captured and becomes a ruin. Zechariah 14 is the outer ring of nations that descend into vacuum left by the stage 1 conflict. Click here to watch a video on this BIBLE QUOTE Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. This stage 2 war is about SPOIL – see Ezekiel 38. 12. (Zechariah 14: 1 -2) Jerusalem is left a ruin in this war. In Zechariah 12: 6 Jerusalem survives.

Russia introduces ban on food imports from EU & US Daily Telegraph, August 7, 2014 EVENT Russia has banned meat, fish, dairy and fruit and vegetable imports from Western countries in the most drastic retaliatory measures taken by the Kremlin to date. The measures, which are a response to sectoral sanctions designed to punish Russia for stoking the on going civil war in Ukraine, affect all countries to impose sanctions on Russia and could impact up to ten per cent of Russia's food imports. Announcing the ban at a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning, Dmitry Medvedev, the prime minister, said the ban would not apply to children’s food or products bought abroad by private individuals. “Russia imposes a total ban on the import of beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, and dairy products from the countries of the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the kingdom of Norway, ” said Mr Medvedev. COMMENT Far from backing down Putin is fighting back. The sanctions Russia has placed this week on Europe have a greater impact than the sanctions that Europe have placed on Russia. But the move has sparked fears of rising food prices as demand for domestic produce rises before new suppliers can be brought in to fill the gap in the market. But Putin doesn’t seem to care. Russia imports £ 25 bn worth of food so it is a big gap to fill. On top of all this Putin has agreed a $20 bn (£ 11. 8 bn) trade deal this week with Iran that will see Russia sidestep Western sanctions on its energy sector. And so Western sanctions are just driving Russia and Iran closer together. Meanwhile Obama is the leader of a war weary nation and is weak because of that. Europe is both too divided and too dependent on Russia to really push back at Putin. Which all leaves Putin in the driving seat. He will one day change direction and head south to Israel… BIBLE QUOTE 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. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, (Ezekiel 38: 5 -7) Persia = Iran Thee = Gog / Putin Prepare = Get ready for war

Nato warns of Russian preparations to invade Ukraine Daily Telegraph, August 6, 2014 EVENT Russia is preparing to send troops into eastern Ukraine under the pretext of mounting a humanitarian mission to save separatist rebels, Nato and American officials have warned. The Kremlin has doubled the number of troops on its border with Ukraine to 20, 000 and is conducting a week of military exercises. She said Nato was concerned Moscow could use “the pretext of a humanitarian or peace keeping mission as an excuse to send troops into eastern Ukraine”. Chuck Hagel, the US defence secretary, said the threat of a Russian intervention in Ukraine was now “a reality” after a meeting with his senior US commanders in Stuttgart. “When you see the build up of Russian troops and the sophistication of those troops, the training of those troops, the heavy military equipment that’s being put along that border, of course it’s a reality, it’s a threat, it’s a possibility – absolutely, ” he said. COMMENT There are reports today that Russian military vehicles have entered Ukraine. The UK and US governments have made a statement warning Russia not to send troops into Ukraine under the pretence of humanitarian assistance. As Time magazine put it this week “Putin the 21 st century czar has mastered the dark art of stirring up problems that only he can solve, so that Western leaders find themselves scolding him one minute while pleading with him the next. And yet Putin will evidently keep going as long as each new crisis makes him stronger. Other world leaders try to avoid crises; Putin feasts on them. ” The Bible makes absolutely clear that at the time of the end there would exist a Russian leader who would be in the mould of an ancient leader of the Magogites (Scythians) called Gog. The Scythian Empire covered southern Russia and eastern Ukraine. The Scythians were ruthless people headed up by a ruthless man…. BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3)

Ukraine destroys part of Russian armoured column Daily Telegraph, August 15, 2014 EVENT Ukraine said its artillery destroyed part of a Russian armoured column that entered its territory overnight and said its forces came under shellfire from Russia on Friday in what appeared to be a major military escalation between the ex Soviet states. Russia's government denied its forces had crossed into Ukraine. It called the Ukrainian report "some kind of fantasy" and accused Kiev of trying to sabotage aid deliveries to eastern areas torn by fighting between pro Russian separatists and the Western backed government of Moscow's former satellite. Nato said there had been a Russian incursion into Ukraine, which is not a member of the Western mutual defence pact, but it avoiding calling it an invasion. Other European capitals accused the Kremlin of escalating a conflict that has revived Cold War era animosities and chilled the region's struggling economies. COMMENT Just as the Israel / Palestinian contraction calmed for a few days the Ukrainian / Russian contraction started again in earnest. The Bible speaks of the world going into labour pains like a woman giving birth. The contractions occur as we lurch from crisis to crisis. If these reports today are true we are possibly seeing the first official shots of open conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Europe may soon be at war. Zechariah 1 speaks the world having 70 years of rest and peace. But at the end of this time period God decides to punish the heathen nations for what they had done to Israel 70 years before. The initial fulfilment was Israel being destroyed by the Babylonians but then after 70 years God punished Babylon. We have also seen a period of 70 years go by since the great persecution of the Jews in the second world war. That war came to an end in 1945. 70 years later God may be about to punish the nations – war is coming… BIBLE QUOTE This is what the Lord of Hosts says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions. (Zechariah 1: 14 -15 NLT) v 12 explains that this period of peace and rest had lasted 70 years.

NATO sees 'high probability' of Russian invasion Reuters, August 11, 2014 EVENT NATO said on Monday there was a "high probability" that Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine, where the government said its troops have been closing in on Donetsk, the main city held by pro Russian rebels. Kiev said it was in the "final stages" of recapturing Donetsk, by far the biggest city under the control of the pro Russian rebels. The battle for the city could be a decisive turning point in a conflict which has caused the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. An industrial metropolis with a pre war population of nearly 1 million, the main rebel held redoubt rocked to the crash of shells and gunfire over the weekend and heavy guns boomed through the night into Monday from the outskirts of the city. Ukraine appears to be pressing ahead with its offensive, undeterred by the presence of 20, 000 Russian troops massed on the nearby border for a potential ground invasion COMMENT So where does this major division between western Europe and eastern Europe (Russia) get mentioned in Bible prophecy? Surely we were expecting a Russian / Euro alliance against Israel? Well this is not what the Bible says will happen. Russia and Europe are symbolically the two separate legs of the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw. As legs remain divided – so do these two parts of Europe. Even if we look at the feet of the image we see division – between the iron (the military strength of Rome now residing in Russia) that does not mix with the clay (humanism now residing in Europe). They do not mix together – it is a divided kingdom. The two sides of this story are detailed out in the rest of Daniel. The little horn in Daniel 7 gives us the final picture of western Europe and the power controlling it there the Pope. Daniel 8 gives us the final picture of the east (Russia) and the little horn power there which is Russian leader Gog. BIBLE QUOTE Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the destruction of all the metals at the return of Christ does NOT mean all those metals were united together. We are (Daniel 2: 45) explicitly told they are divided not united. Russia v Europe is this division.

Ukraine conflict: Russian aid or Trojan Horse? BBConline, August 14, 2014 EVENT Russia's dispatch of a huge convoy of lorries carrying humanitarian aid to east Ukraine has raised suspicions about its intentions, given its support for the rebels fighting the Ukrainian government there. It is believed the aid is meant primarily for the rebel held city of Luhansk, home to 425, 000 people before the conflict erupted in April, and now under government siege. Attempts to admit the aid with Ukrainian government consent, and under Red Cross supervision, appear in doubt after the lorries left the scheduled route and turned towards a section of the border under rebel control. The Russian lorries pulled up in a field near the Russian town of Donetsk (not to be confused with the Ukrainian city of the same name) in Rostov region on 14 August. They had travelled south from Voronezh, where they made their first stop after leaving the Moscow. COMMENT As one BBC reporter said when speaking about this enormous convoy of white lorries taking aid to Ukraine – “there is a theatrical air about this whole operation. ” There is indeed a theatrical air. A Russia orthodox priest sprinkled all 280 white army trucks with “holy water”. It’s all staged, all false, all with underlining motives that have nothing to do with people without water and food and everything to do with Putin’s land grab of Ukraine. In Daniel 8 (which speaks about the latter day Antiochus Epiphanies who was the original king of the north) we read about Gog and what he does and what he is like. We are told he has a fierce countenance. He causes deceit to prosper. He considers himself superior. And interestingly the AV says “by peace he destroys many. ” How do you destroy by peace? Surely by pretending there is peace but by really planning war. Is this not what the headline is saying? Peace / aid but really it is Putin’s Trojan Horse. BIBLE QUOTE a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: (Daniel 8: 23 -25)

Could tensions over Ukraine hit space? BBC online, August 14, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE In 2011, the Atlantis Shuttle flew its last mission. Nasa's space shuttle programme had come to an end. Now, to get to the International Space Station (ISS) a long serving symbol of unity in space the Americans have to catch a lift from the Russians on their Soyuz spacecraft, at a cost of more than $60 million a seat. But as tensions grow over Ukraine, relations between the US and Russia are becoming ever more fraught. Earlier this year, a leaked memo revealed that Nasa was suspending some of its ties with Russia as part of America's ongoing sanctions, apart from work on the ISS. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin responded by suggesting the Americans send their astronauts into space using a trampoline. The hostility has left the US and Russia searching for new friends. America is turning towards home grown commercial industry to bring space manufacturing back to US soil. Russia is turning to China. It’s not only here on earth that we are seeing the tensions building up. It is even affecting joint projects in space. The space station is one of the last projects that Russia and America are working together on. It has been a symbol of how they had to cooperate together to build and operate the station together. They have both been entirely dependent on each other. However events back on earth have put this project in jeopardy. America needs Russia to even get its astronauts into space following the ending of the NASA space shuttle programme. Russia needs America for technical knowledge and cash. We don’t know how much longer tensions need to rise before they finally give way to conflict but the longer it goes on the greater the final explosion. We know that there cannot be long left now – Christ is coming – soon… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21: 25 -27)

CNN: Russian Invasion of Ukraine The Deal’ ‘Real CNN, August 28, 2014 EVENT CNN said Thursday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “the real deal, ” with 1, 000 Russian troops in Ukraine’s southern area and around 2, 000 throughout the country. “These are regular Russian forces. No separatists, no rebels, ” said CNN’s Barbara Starr. “This is the real deal. Russian troops with Russian weapons. ” Starr added that Russia has brought long range anti air equipment into Ukraine. Satellite imagery from NATO appears to prove the presence of Russian troops in an area where Ukraine’s military does not operate. “This couldn’t come perhaps at a more awkward time for President Obama, ” said Starr, ahead of the NATIO summit in Wales. COMMENT Ukraine's president said today that his country is "close to a point of no return full scale war”. Petro Poroshenko was speaking in Brussels, where he said a meeting of EU leaders had agreed to prepare more sanctions against Russia. Europe’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton accused Russia of "direct aggression" in east Ukraine. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said that Russia is "practically in a war against Europe”. Over 2500 people have been killed in Ukraine since mid April. The 70 year period of peace prophesied in Zechariah chapter 1 is coming to an end. That prophecy has two fulfilments. Initially when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews captive. God then waited 70 years until he punished Babylon for what they had done. See Jeremiah 50: 18. In the same way the 2 nd World War came to an end in 1945 and there has been relative in peace in Europe since then. But now 70 years later God is about to punish those nations that destroyed so many Jews. Following this punishment Israel will be regathered and a new temple built in Jerusalem BIBLE QUOTE This is what the Lord of Hosts says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions. (Zechariah 1: 14 -15 NLT) v 12 explains that this period of peace and rest had lasted 70 years.

Vladimir Putin: Don't mess with nuclear-armed Russia Daily Telegraph, August 29, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin raised the spectre of nuclear with the West on Friday as he defied international condemnation over his decision to send thousands of Russian troops and heavy armour into Ukraine. Accused by Europe and Nato of launching a full scale invasion of eastern Ukraine, the Russian leader boasted to a group of Russian youngsters that "It's best not to mess with us. ” In language not seen since the height of the Cold War, he told his audience: "Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers. ” Mr Putin's comments, made during a visit to a pro Kremlin youth camp outside Moscow, will horrify Western governments as they try to bring Russia into check. Even during the height of Cold War hostilities, few Kremlin leaders ever resorted to the direct mentions of Russia's nuclear arsenal. COMMENT Eastern Europe and Western Europe are divided precisely as prophesied in the Bible. The two legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s image never become one. They are divided forever. The Eastern leg (Russia) is the military side of Europe. The Western leg (EU) is the religious side of Europe. Daniel 7 tracks the Western leg and the little horn power of Rome – ie the Pope. Daniel 8 tracks the Eastern leg of the little horn power THAT GROWS which is latter day Antiochus Ephanses – king of the north – ie Putin. We are told all about the king of the north and exactly who is he is Ezekiel 38. It is Gog. The ancient title for the leader of the Magogites. The Magogites controlled (at the time of Ezekiel) all of what we now call Russia AND (amazingly) EASTERN UKRAINE. We therefore see latter day Gog (Putin) taking back the exact area of Magog. This is why we are told to look for Gog OF THE LAND OF MAGOG – Ukraine is part of Magog! BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3)

Ukraine crisis: US strengthens sanctions on Russia Daily Telegraph, September 12, 2014 EVENT The US government has imposed new sanctions on major Russian banks, defence and energy companies. The measures are part of a joint effort with the European Union aimed at punishing Russia for what they say is its military intervention in Ukraine. They come despite a fragile ceasefire holding in the east of the country. The Russian foreign ministry denounced the new sanctions as "another hostile step in line with the confrontational course" taken by the US. "Of course, our retaliatory measures will not keep you waiting, " it said. The sanctions announced on Friday mean that US citizens will not be able to provide loans lasting longer than 30 days to Sberbank, Russia's biggest bank. They will also affect Rostec, a major technology and defence firm, and technology for Russia's oil industry. COMMENT Both Europe and America have put into force this week even more sanctions against Russia. Despite a truce between Ukraine rebels and Ukraine forces there is still way too much Russian involvement in eastern Ukraine according to the West. Nato says Russia still has about 1, 000 heavily armed troops in eastern Ukraine and about 20, 000 more near the border. Russia is vowing to respond to these increased sanctions. Reacting to the EU sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that they could undermine the ceasefire in Ukraine. In other words Russia could return to fighting a full scale war with Ukraine. As some reports say – this is like a game of poker. Who is going to blink first. If no one does the stakes get higher and higher. Eventually someone has to back down – if not there is war. The Russian bear is being pushed and is starting to wake up and growl. We will one day see it roar and come tearing down into Israel… BIBLE QUOTE Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, (Daniel 11: 40 -41 NLT)

Russia reduces gas exports to Poland BBConline, September 11, 2014 EVENT Russia's gas supplies to Poland have dropped by 45%, Poland's state gas firm PGNi. G says, amid tensions over Ukraine. The news came just hours after Poland stopped providing gas to Ukraine through "reverse flow" pipelines. The Russian gas volumes were 24% lower on Tuesday and 20% lower on Monday, according to PGNi. G. That shortfall prompted Poland to halt reverse flow. Poland Ukraine rely heavily on Russian natural gas. Russia is in a pricing dispute over gas with Ukraine. Some analysts believe Russia, which stopped gas supplies to Ukraine in June over the pricing dispute, is punishing Poland for sending gas to Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have been fighting pro Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine since April, after the separatists declared independence in two regions. Russia has denied arming the rebels and sending soldiers across the border. COMMENT Russia is already reacting to the sanctions. It has switched off gas supplies to Ukraine and now is punishing Poland who is supplying Ukraine with gas by turning down gas supplies to them! On top of this Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered military forces in the country's east to carry out a major exercise to test their preparedness. This is a second major drill of combat readiness since June when the conflict in eastern Ukraine was already raging. That drill in the Volga region and the Urals involved 65, 000 troops. In May, Russia and China held a joint naval exercise in the East China Sea. A BBC documentary this week called “Putin’s gamble” ended with a quote from a Kremlin insider who said. . “I think we are at the beginning of a series of crises that will change the landscape of the world. ” The Bible says this as well. It calls it the time of trouble such as never was – and it is fast approaching… BIBLE QUOTE Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame (Daniel 12: 1 -2 NLT) and everlasting disgrace.

Putin 'privately threatened to invade Poland, Romania and the Baltic states' Daily Telegraph, September 18, 2014 EVENT President Vladimir Putin privately threatened to invade Poland, Romania and the Baltic states, according to a record of a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart. "If I wanted, in two days I could have Russian troops not only in Kiev, but also in Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn, Warsaw and Bucharest, " Mr Putin allegedly told President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine, reported Süddeustche Zeitung, a German newspaper. If true, this would be the first time that Mr Putin has threatened to invade Nato or EU members. Any threat to send Russian troops into the capitals of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland Romania would cause grave alarm among Western leaders. If Mr Putin were to act on this, Britain could find itself at war with Russia. All five countries mentioned in this alleged conversation are members of both the EU and Nato. They are covered by the security guarantee in Article V of Nato's founding treaty, which states that "an attack on one is an attack on all". COMMENT Putin's alleged threat bears similarities to remarks he made to Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, in which he warned: "If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks". On Tuesday, Ukraine ratified a historic Association Agreement with the EU. This puts Ukraine on the path towards eventual EU membership. It was the refusal of the former president, Viktor Yanukovych, to sign this agreement last year that triggered the Ukraine crisis. Last week we reported that the EU was implementing further sanctions against Russia, focusing on the energy, financial and arms sectors. So despite an on going ceasefire, behind the scenes the tensions are growing. Putin is not backing down. His rhetoric is increasingly aggressive. The Bible says a Russian leader will pretend to be peaceful but in fact bring shocking destruction… BIBLE QUOTE He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He = latter day Antiochus Ephanese / king of north (Daniel 8: 24 -25 NLT)

Nato begins military exercises in Ukraine Daily Telegraph, September 15, 2014 EVENT For the first time one European country now contains both Nato troops and Russian combat units, although they are deployed at opposite ends of Ukraine about 700 miles apart. America and the leading Western powers began a military exercise in Ukraine on Monday after renewed fighting in the east claimed at least six lives in breach of a supposed ceasefire. About 1, 300 troops from 15 countries joined Exercise Rapid Trident held in the Lviv region of western Ukraine. America sent 200 troops and Britain dispatched a reconnaissance troop from the Light Dragoons with 40 personnel. This multi national force, which included soldiers from 11 Nato countries, carried out a "battalion level field training exercise", said a US Army statement. The manoeuvres were held "at the explicit request of the Ukrainian government and military". COMMENT The two sides are coming ever closer together. Not to make peace but closer to conflict. Nato has its troops in Ukraine and so does Russia. Ukraine is being torn in two. There is increasing anxiety over energy. Ukraine could run out of gas in this winter, as Russia has stopped deliveries and is demanding that Ukraine repay its debts. EU members Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are re exporting Russian gas to Ukraine but this "reverse flow" solution has angered Russia. So as we head towards winter the tension will mount. Russia is also building up forces in Crimea to counter NATO forces. So where does this Ukraine conflict fit in to Bible prophecy? It fits because Gog (Russian leader) is “of the land of Magog”. And the original Magog when Ezekiel wrote covered the eastern half of what we now know as Ukraine as well as southern Russia. Therefore Putin is indeed “of the land of Magog”. Eastern Ukraine is becoming his… BIBLE QUOTE Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! It is interesting that Magog is mentioned first on the list… Perhaps indicating its significance at the time Gog invades? (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3 NLT)

Russia prepares to repel United States on all fronts Eurasia Daily Monitor, September 26, 2014 EVENT To prepare to meet the external US led threat, the Russian military is currently carrying out the unprecedentedly massive military exercise Vostok 2014, involving 155, 000 men as well as thousands of tanks, jets, naval ships and other heavy equipment. Thousands of reservists were called up. According to Russia’s defence minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu, Vostok 2014 is the biggest war exercises in the country’s history, larger in size than any war games during the Cold War. Arguably, Vostok 2014 was exclusively a preparation for war with the US. Apparently, the ceasefire in Donbas is seen in the Kremlin as a temporary armistice essentially one between Moscow and Washington, which are both fighting a war by proxy within Ukraine, as during the Cold War in Vietnam or Afghanistan. This ceasefire is shaky and may collapse, possibly followed by further escalation and the conflict spreading, involving the entire globe. COMMENT Despite the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, Russia continues to prepare for full scale conflict. Not only in Ukraine but all out war with America. The war games conducted this week are on an enormous scale. Even at the height of the Cold War nothing was seen like this. And these military exercises took place this week. As the report says we could possibly see conflict spreading and “involving the entire globe. ” The Bible talks about Russia preparing. In Ezekiel 38 v 7 it says “be thou prepared and prepare for thyself and all thy company assembled unto thee”. So who is God addressing? see v 2. God is addressing Gog is ruler of Magog, Meshech and Tubal. Russian territory. It is Russian leader Putin who is preparing. But preparing for what? The chapter tells us that he is preparing for war and invasion of Israel…. BIBLE QUOTE Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. thou shalt come into the land …against the mountains of Israel, . . Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all (Ezekiel 38: 7 -9) thy bands, and many people with thee.

Russia will add 80 new warships to Black Sea Fleet Reuters, September 23, 2014 EVENT Russia will increase its Black Sea fleet with more than 80 new warships by 2020 and will complete a second naval base for the fleet near the city of Novorossiysk by 2016, its commander said on Tuesday. In comments made to President Vladimir Putin as he visited the port city, Vice Admiral Alexander Vitko said a second Black Sea base was needed in addition to the main base on the Crimea peninsula annexed from Ukraine because of NATO expansion. "Eighty ships and other vessels are expected to arrive (in Novorossiysk) before 2020. The Black Sea Fleet will have 206 ships and vessels by 2020, " Vitko told Putin. During NATO exercises in western Ukraine earlier this month, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised to boost the number of troops in Crimea. Russia plans to spend 21 trillion rubles ($545 billion) by the end of the decade on refurbishing Russia's armed forces. Some of those funds will be used to improve the defense infrastructure of Crimea. COMMENT The Bible also talks about Russia invading with “many ships”. We read in Daniel 11 v 40 of the king of the north (another title of Russia) coming against the king of the south like a whirlwind, with chariots (tanks) and “many ships”. Russia already has a massive fleet. The Guardian newspaper reported a few weeks ago… “Since taking 51 vessels from Ukraine without resistance, Russia now has more warships than America. The U. S. Navy has 283 active vessels, and Russia had 280 warships until last week, when it began taking over Ukrainian vessels stationed in Crimea. ” All the events in Ukraine are leading to a preparation for greater conflict. Russia under Putin is trying to restore a Russian empire – restore Russian influence. It will go to any lengths to do this. God foretold all this thousands of years ago…. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11: 40)

Russia has more deployed nuclear warheads than U. S. Washington Times, October 1, 2014 EVENT For the first time, Russia, which is in the midst of a major strategic nuclear modernization, has more deployed nuclear warheads than the United States, according to the latest numbers released by the State Department. Russia now has 1, 643 warheads deployed on intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers. The United States has 1, 642, said the fact sheet released Wednesday. The warhead count for the Russians, based the Sept. 1 report required under the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), shows an increase of 131 warheads since the last declaration on March 1. The U. S. reported a warhead increase of 57 during the same period. It is not clear why the warhead numbers increased. On New START delivery systems, the latest fact sheet reveals that the current Russian arsenal of deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, silo launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers is 528, up from 498. COMMENT In 2010 Russia and America signed a treaty to reduce the number of deployed nuclear warheads. But in fact they are increasing them. The treaty limits each side to 1, 550 deployed warheads. Russia now has 1643. Both sides have increased but the report that came out with these details does not know why! It is clear what is happening. Both sides are preparing for war. Both sides are “beating their ploughshares into swords and their pruninghooks into spears” as the Bible says would happen in Joel chapter 3 v 10. The verse before that says “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war!” The Gentiles nations are getting ready for conflict. These terrifying weapons may well be used in the future. A number of passages seem to indicate they will. It surely will be a time of trouble such as never was. We need to be on the right side …now. BIBLE QUOTE Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. (Joel 3: 9 -10)

Ceasefire in Ukraine is being ignored by Moscow Washington Post, October 1, 2014 EVENT Fighting intensified in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday despite a fragile cease fire, as pro Russian rebels appeared to be close to capturing the strategically important Donetsk airport. The fighting was some of the worst since a Sept. 5 truce that calmed the conflict but did not end the hostilities, and city authorities said that at least nine civilians died in the day’s battles. Ukraine’s military and separatist forces said the fighting intensified Wednesday, as rebels vowed to seize the airport, which has remained in government hands for almost all of the six month long conflict. If rebels succeed in taking the airport, they will gain an important means to allow supplies to be brought to their war torn territory as they seek to build a new state in Ukraine’s southeast. The cease fire hands over effective control of the territory to the rebels without granting them independence. COMMENT It is hard to call this a “fragile cease fire”. This ceasefire appears to be fragile in the sense that a piece of china you have just shattered is fragile. Russia still has forces and military equipment in Ukraine. The battles for key strategic sites are still being fought. Speaking this week at the UN General Assembly, Sergei Lavrov said the crisis in Ukraine was the result of a coup d'etat in that country backed by the United States and the European Union for the purpose of pulling Kiev out of its "organic role as a binding link between" East and West and denying it the opportunity for "neutral and non bloc status. ” In other words Russia sees the conflict as on going and continues to blame America especially for it. The division in Europe is there for all to see. It has brought the king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (America) against each other. These events culminate in Russia being pushed to invade Israel and beyond… BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without (Ezekiel 38: 10 -12) walls, and having neither bars nor gates. To take a spoil,

Moscow caught watching Israel from Syrian border The Times, October 11, 2014 EVENT A secret base overrun by Syrian rebel forces this week yielded more than a grandstand view of the Israeli border. After seizing the 3, 280 ft peak at Tal al Hara, the rebels found a military eavesdropping base bristling with equipment. Intriguingly, though, the walls were also covered in maps of Israel annotated in Russian to show the layout of Israeli forces and signal stations. There were lists of Russian soldiers who had apparently served with Syrians at the base, less than 10 miles from the sensitive Golan Heights region of Israel. Wall mounted displays showed Syrian army emblems alongside insignia of the Osnaz GRU, the Russian special forces’ electronic intelligence unit. Video footage shot by the rebels showed a wall mounted list of six past commanders of the base, all Russian with the rank of colonel. One rebel, a former soldier in the Syrian army, said that the site was the most important in a network of Russian operated listening posts in Syria. COMMENT Incredible but with Bible in hand not surprising. Russia is watching Israel from Syria. The American senator John Mc. Cain commenting on this said that the “base reflected enduring Russian support for President Assad’s government”. He described it as a “shocking revelation”. Russia’s true intentions are revealed clearly in God’s Word. We are told that Gog (the Russian ruler) will plan in advance to invade Israel. The reason that Gog wants to invade is because he sees a “spoil”. Wealth to be taken. Israel has this wealth right now. It has not only the largest economy in the Middle East, it also has the strategically valuable east coast of the Mediterranean. And if that wasn’t enough it has, in the past few years, found huge gas fields worth billions. Russia is watching Israel – it will invade… BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without (Ezekiel 38: 10 -11) walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

Russia and Ukraine fail to make progress in talks Washington Free. Beacon, October 17, 2014 EVENT Russia, Ukraine and European governments failed to make any progress towards solving the crisis in Ukraine on Friday in talks that the Kremlin said were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements. ” Further discussions were scheduled later in the day, but there were few expectations of any immediate accord to strengthen a faltering ceasefire in eastern Ukraine or to end a row over blocked Russian gas supplies to Ukraine. “I cannot see a breakthrough here at all so far, ” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after top EU leaders met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on the sidelines of an EU Asia (ASEM) summit in Milan. “We will continue to talk. There was progress on some details, but the main issue is continued violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, ” she added, clearly pinning the blame for the impasse on Moscow. COMMENT As the days become colder and the nights shorter, the search for a deal to keep the heating on in Ukraine and safeguard the supplies of many of its neighbours is reaching a critical point. But the talks are struggling. The consequences if these talks collapse are huge. On 16 June Russia turned off the gas taps to Ukraine after complaining that Ukraine had failed to pay off its debts. Ukraine depends on Russia for half its gas supplies. Putin warned on Thursday that Russia would reduce gas supplies to Europe if Ukraine took gas from the transit pipeline to cover its own needs. We can see how this standoff could develop into a massive crisis in Europe. Putin holds many of the cards in this high stake game as he controls a huge percentage of Europe’s energy. We read of a latter day king of the north in Daniel 8. We read of a fierce, strong, deceitful Russian ruler – Putin fits the bill amazingly well! BIBLE QUOTE a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. (Daniel 8: 23 -24)

Russia deploying tactical nuclear arms in Crimea Washington Free. Beacon, October 10, 2014 EVENT Russia is moving tactical nuclear weapons systems into recently annexed Crimea while the Obama administration is backing informal talks aimed at cutting U. S. tactical nuclear deployments in Europe. Three senior House Republican leaders wrote to President Obama two weeks ago warning that Moscow will deploy nuclear missiles and bombers armed with long range air launched cruise missiles into occupied Ukrainian territory. “Locating nuclear weapons on the sovereign territory of another state without its permission is a devious and cynical action, ” states the letter signed by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” Mc. Keon (R. , Calif. ) and two subcommittee chairmen. “It further positions Russian nuclear weapons closer to the heart of NATO, and it allows Russia to gain a military benefit from its seizure of Crimea, allowing Russia to profit from its action. ” COMMENT As one US Senate Armed Services Committee member said “The stationing of new nuclear forces on the Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian territory Russia annexed in March, is both a new and menacing threat to the security of Europe and also a clear message from Putin that he intends to continue to violate the territorial integrity of his neighbours. ” Russia is deploying Tu 22 Backfire nuclear bombers to the Crimean airbase. Jane’s Defence Weekly described the nuclear capable Tu 22 s to be based in Crimea as “the backbone of Soviet naval strike units during the Cold War. ” Russia is preparing not only to defend its position in eastern Europe but to expand its influence far wider. We are seeing the king of the north preparing to descend into the Middle East. Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11 will shortly be fulfilled… BIBLE QUOTE the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: (Daniel 11: 40 -41)

Russia’s Push to the South—A net assessment of the Geopolitical Developments in the Black Sea Region Eurasia Daily Monitor, October 16, 2014 EVENT The strategic implications of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine far transcend Ukraine, Russia, Poland the Baltic States. They also prominently include the entire Black Sea littoral, including the Balkans, and even the Eastern Mediterranean. Historically, domination of the Black Sea opened the way to Russia’s projection of its power into these areas, and recent events show signs that this process may be repeating itself again. Moscow’s conquest and annexation of Crimea in February 2014 has set the stage for a new Russian drive to the south. Russia’s expanding presence in the Middle East stems, in no small measure, from its ability to project and sustain naval power in the Mediterranean from its bases and robust presence in the Black Sea—a capability and objective that will likely continue to grow if Moscow’s conquest of Ukraine cannot be arrested and reversed. COMMENT There are those who might question whether Russia would ever descend south into the Middle East. Sure they might want to defend their own borders – but invade Israel and beyond? – surely not! But it’s not just the Bible that says this will happen. The analysis in the report above says that Russia is in a drive to the south. The author of this paper is Dr. Stephen Blank. He is a Senior Fellow and resident Russia expert at the American Foreign Policy Council. He is not looking at Russia with Bible in hand – he is looking at Russia with current events in hand. It just so happens that the two are one and the same. We have been saying for many, many years that Russia is the nation to lead an invasion from the north into Israel. Events in Ukraine and Crimea have emboldened Russia to make the steps southward. There are of course still more events to happen to finally push (and pull) Russia down but they could come at anytime…. BIBLE QUOTE I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. I will knock the bow from your left hand the arrows from your right hand, and I will leave you helpless. You and (Ezekiel 39: 1 -4 NLT) your army and your allies will all die on the mountains.

Putin is dragging the West into murky waters Daily Telegraph, October 21, 2014 EVENT It is like a scene from the Cold War: the sighting of a suspicious underwater object in the waters off Stockholm forces Swedish military forces to launch their largest search operation for decades. To add extra spice to the affair, a Swedish newspaper reports that the mobilisation of ships, troops and helicopters is in response to the interception of an encrypted message from a stricken Russian submarine to its fleet headquarters in the Baltic Sea. The very fact that the Swedes’ emergency military response immediately provoked claims that the Russians were up to their old Cold War tricks of conducting clandestine submarine operations is an indication of the deep level of distrust that now exists between Russia and its European neighbours. While many European countries are making drastic cuts to their defence budgets, the Kremlin has recently approved the construction of 10 new submarines to add to its powerful Northern Fleet. COMMENT Sweden is convinced that Russia has sent a submarine into its waters which hit some kind of trouble and issued a distress call. However they have not managed to find it. Sweden this week threatened to use force against the sub if they found it. It shows how close we can be to more conflict. As Russia pushes the boundaries nations get more anxious and more likely to act. Russian military provocations have increased so much over the seven months since Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine that Washington and its allies are scrambling defence assets on a nearly daily basis in response to air, sea and land incursions by Vladimir Putin's forces. We are in the preparation stage for the third world war. It should not take any of us by surprise when it begins. The Bible talks of this preparation for war…. . BIBLE QUOTE Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. This speaks of ancient Assyria coming against Israel but it is repeated in the last days…. (Isaiah 8: 9 -10)

Putin accuses US of undermining global stability Associated Press, October 24, 2014 EVENT President Vladimir Putin of Russia said Friday that the world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place because of U. S. attempts to enforce its will on other countries and that his nation will not comply. In an emotional speech before international political experts, Putin unleashed scathing criticism of the United States for what he called its disregard of international law and unilateral use of force. If the United State fails to abandon its "desire of eternal domination, " then "hopes for peaceful and stable development will be illusory, and today's upheavals will herald the collapse of global world order, " Putin said during a meeting that lasted about three hours in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. His voice strained with anger, Putin accused the U. S. and its allies of trying to "tailor the world exclusively to their needs" since the end of the Cold War, using economic pressure and military force. COMMENT Russia feels threatened by US influence on its doorstep. Putin believes that America is behind European expansion into the very states that used to be part of the USSR – eg Ukraine. Putin has said that the collapse of the USSR was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the twentieth century was when it collapsed. Putin wants to rebuild that empire. Putin wants (in his words) a “multi polar world”. In other words a world with TWO superpowers not one. Just as there are two poles – north and south. Russia of course is the northern power and America the south. In Daniel 8 we read of a man who comes to power who is “completely wicked”, “a fierce looking”, “a master of intrigue”. This is speaking of a latter day king of the north – Putin. He is fierce…He is angry. He is emotional. He has a great army at his command. He wants to create an empire. The Bible says he WILL act…. BIBLE QUOTE “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce looking, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. (Daniel 8: 23 -24 NIV)

Nato reports rise in Russia military flights over Europe BBC, October 29, 2014 EVENT Nato has reported an "unusual" increase in Russian military aircraft conducting manoeuvres over European airspace over the last two days. A Nato statement said four groups of aircraft, including Tu 95 Bear bombers and Mi. G 31 fighters, were tracked over seas and the Atlantic Ocean. Fighter aircraft from Norway, Britain, Portugal, Germany and Turkey were scrambled in response. Tensions between Russia and Nato states have soared over the Ukraine crisis. The US and EU imposed sanctions on Russia after its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula earlier this year. Ties have been further strained as the West has accused Russia of supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine a charge Russia has denied. The Nato statement on Wednesday made no mention of Ukraine. COMMENT Russian nuclear capable bombers conducted a third day of military runs along Europe's coasts on Friday, NATO alliance announced. In all, Nato said in a statement, its jets had intercepted four groups of Russian aircraft in about 24 hours since Tuesday. Meanwhile defence officials, said several Russian Il 76 refuelling tankers were seen at Cairo International Airport this week, fuelling concerns that the large scale bomber and fighter operations by the Russians will be extended to the Mediterranean and Egypt. A U. S. official said the deployment is being viewed by intelligence analysts as a sign that Egypt is moving closer to Russia in its military relations. And so we see Russia testing Europe’s responses and pushing against what it sees as aggression in Ukraine. Despite the gas deal this week eastern Europe remains on edge and Russia is showing it is not backing down. All events are leading to conflict and a time of trouble such as never was. The clock is ticking… BIBLE QUOTE Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. (Joel 3: 9 -10)

Russian Arms Sales to Syria, Iran Add to Middle East Instability Washington Free. Beacon, October 30, 2014 EVENT Putin’s Russia has revived its once flagging global arms sales business and is using those sales to revive its defence industrial base. Second to only the United States with about a 26 percent share of the global arms market—the United States has a 30 percent share—Russian arms sales in 2013 generated some 13 billion dollars for government coffers according to the pro government Russia Today. Other sources, such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), claim that the annual value of Russian arms sales, which the Russian government cloaks in secrecy, often exceeds that of the United States. The obvious financial benefits tell but a small part of the value Russia derives from its arms sales abroad. Unlike the United States where large private corporations compete for arms contracts, since 2007 Russia has relied on the state controlled consortium Rosoboronexport to monopolize Russian arms sales and to advance Russian foreign policy objectives. COMMENT The countries into which Russia pours its arms and military equipment says it all. Russia stands four square with Syria and Iran. Two nations America says are part of the axis of evil! Russian sales to Syria of T 72 battle tanks, interceptor aircraft such as the very fast Mig 31, training aircraft and attack helicopters are playing a pivotal role in inflicting heavy casualties on insurgent forces. Over 200, 000 civilians have died in this war. Since at least the 1990 s Russia has been providing technical assistance to Iran’s development of a long range missile program. These missiles are aimed in one direction – Israel. The Bible says that Russia would act as a guard (protector) of Iran. We see in the headline above Ezekiel 38 before our eyes… BIBLE QUOTE I have put hooks in thy jaws, And have brought thee out, and all thy force, Horses and horsemen, , A numerous assembly, [with] buckler and shield, Handling swords. Persia, Cush, and Phut, with them, All of them [with] shield and helmet. Be prepared, yea, prepare for thee, Thou and all thine assemblies who are assembled unto thee, And thou hast been to them for a guard. (Ezekiel 38: 4 -8 YLT)

Putin: World War III is inevitable Valdai International Discussion Forum, October 29, 2014 EVENT The following are excerpts of Putin’s speech delivered at the Valdai conference in Sochi, just a few days ago. The speech was directed at Western elites. “Russia will no longer play games with the United States and engage in back room negotiations… All systems of global collective security now lie in ruins. There are no longer any international security guarantees at all and the party responsible for the destruction of global collective security is The United States of America……Russia does not wish for the chaos to spread, does not want war, and has no intention of starting one. However, today Russia sees the outbreak of global war as almost inevitable, is prepared for it, and is continuing to prepare for it. Russia does not war, nor does she fear it…Russia will not close herself off from the world, but anyone who tries to close her off from the world will be sure to reap a whirlwind. COMMENT This speech was little reported in America or the West in general. We have tracked down a video of the actual speech that Putin gave and checked the transcript of the speech. The reason for doing this is that what Putin said in the speech is incredible and worthy of note. They key point is that he said that Russia sees the outbreak of global war as almost inevitable. He said they are preparing for it. This is exactly what the Bible says will happen. Russia will prepare for world war and will in fact lead it. What Putin also said was that anyone who opposes Russia will be “sure to reap a whirlwind” This is a very interesting phrase! Daniel 11 says that the king of the north will come against the king of the south LIKE A WHIRLWIND!! Putin is quoting this verse without even knowing it. We can hear the venom in how Putin addresses the United States. We really could be on the brink of global conflict the like of which has not been seen before. BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11: 40)

Tank column crosses from Russia into Ukraine Daily Telegraph, November 7, 2014 EVENT A column of 32 tanks and 30 trucks has crossed into eastern Ukraine from Russia, the Ukrainian government says. The trucks were carrying ammunition and fighters, said a military spokesman, but the BBC cannot confirm his report. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since 5 September, although hundreds of people have been killed since then. More than 4, 000 people have died since fighting erupted in April after pro Russian separatists seized control in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The European OSCE monitoring mission has warned that the "bloodletting" is still going on, with numerous incidents of shelling. Heavy artillery fire was reported in Donetsk city on Friday, according to the Interfax Ukraine news agency. Fears of a return to full scale conflict were raised after the separatists held elections on Sunday in defiance of Ukraine's government and Western countries. COMMENT Last Sunday, the pro Russian rebels held a controversial election, which led to separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko, being sworn in as head of the self declared Donetsk People's Republic. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said on Monday that Berlin found it incomprehensible that "official Russian voices" should recognise this election. Russia’s answer to Germany’s incomprehension was to send 32 tanks, 16 howitzer cannons and 30 trucks of troops into eastern Ukraine. Putin is gradually taking over a very significant piece of land. Eastern Ukraine was definitely part of the territory of the ancient Scythians. Josephus (historian) tells us that the Scythians were the same people as the Magogites. Ezekiel 38 says that Gog is of the land of Magog. Gog (Russian leader) is taking over the last part of ancient Magog. BIBLE QUOTE “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army (Ezekiel 38: 2 -3 NLT)

Russia sends warships to Australia in 'puerile' display Daily Telegraph, November 13, 2014 EVENT Russia has dispatched a convoy of warships to Australia’s northern border in a “puerile” display of its military muscle just weeks after Australian prime minister Tony Abbott threatened to confront his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the MH 17 plane attack. The Australian Defence Force said it was monitoring the passage of the Russian vessels through the Coral Sea and dispatched two frigates and a surveillance aircraft to track the ships. The ships have reportedly been tracked for a week. "Certainly it is unusual for Russian naval elements to be in Australian waters, ” Mr Abbott said. "Unusual, not entirely unprecedented, but unusual … Let’s not forget that Russia has been much more militarily assertive in recent times. The Russian embassy in Canberra said the deployment was a routine exercise and was “not directly related to Australia” and "Your reaction is not that surprising because we do rarely go this way. ” COMMENT The G 20 meets in Australia this weekend. The G 20 stands for a Group of 20 nations who have large economies who meet primarily to discuss monetary issues. Russia is one of those nations and Putin is attending. The Australian prime minister is incensed at Russia’s involvement in the shooting down MH 17 which killed 27 Australians. Mr Abbott said he was going to “shirt front” Mr Putin at the summit. Apparently this is an Australian football term which describes aggressively grabbing an opponent or knocking them to the ground. In response to this tension Putin ordered a convoy of Russian warships to Australia’s northern border. The Australian Defence Force said two frigates and a surveillance aircraft had been sent to track the warships. Australia of course is part of the Bible’s king of the south. It is one of the “young lions” of Ezekiel 38. Part of the opposing force when Russia invades the Middle East. We see tension now. BIBLE QUOTE Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? (Ezekiel 38: 13)

Putin stockpiles gold as Russia prepares for economic war Daily Telegraph, November 13, 2014 EVENT Russia has taken advantage of lower gold prices to pack the vaults of its central bank with bullion as it prepares for the possibility of a long, drawn out economic war with the West. The latest research from the World Gold Council reveals that the Kremlin snapped up 55 tonnes of the precious metal far more than any other nation in the three months to the end of September as prices began to weaken. Vladimir Putin's government is understood to be hoarding vast quantities of gold, having tripled stocks to around 1, 150 tonnes in the last decade. These reserves could provide the Kremlin with vital firepower to try and offset the sharp declines in the rouble. Russia's currency has come under intense pressure since US and European sanctions and falling oil prices started to hurt the economy. The biggest buyers of gold after Russia are other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States led by Kazakhstan / Azerbaijan COMMENT In total, central banks around the world bought 93 tonnes of gold in the third quarter of 2014 of which Russia bought 55 tonnes. Kazakhstan bought 28 tonnes. Russia has tripled its gold stocks in the last decade. Why would Russia be buying so much gold? Nations buy gold during periods of crisis. This might be a financial crisis, currency crisis, national emergency or war. Russia is suffering a financial crisis (because oil its main revenue has fallen so much in recent months). It is suffering a currency crisis (the rouble has fallen because of sanctions). It is heading towards war (the situation in Ukraine continues to worsen with war looking increasingly likely). So Putin buys gold. What we are actually witnessing then is Russia’s preparation for a time of instability and conflict. It’s not a sudden move but a long term strategy to shore up the defences. Putin has a plan – an evil thought – to re establish a Russian Empire through conflict… BIBLE QUOTE Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. Russia preparation for war is well underway… (Ezekiel 38: 7)

Fears rise as Russian military units pour into Ukraine New York Times, November 12, 2014 EVENT Tanks and other military vehicles pouring over the border from Russia into eastern Ukraine. Nightly artillery battles in the region’s biggest city, Donetsk, and reports of fighting around another regional capital. And now, sightings of the “green men, ” professional soldiers in green uniforms without insignia, the same type of forces that carried out the invasion of Crimea last spring. A senior NATO official confirmed on Wednesday what Ukrainian military officials and monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been saying for days now: Russian troops and military equipment are crossing the border into Ukraine, seemingly preparing for renewed military action, though what exactly remains unclear. The statement drew stern and dismissive denials from Moscow, which for months has denied any military intervention in eastern Ukraine, though it has acknowledged publicly that Russian “volunteers” have crossed into Ukraine to support the pro Russia separatists. COMMENT We reported last week that there was evidence Russia had sent tanks and troops into Ukraine following the vote on independence in the eastern regions of Ukraine. NATO confirmed this on Wednesday accusing Russia of sending tanks, troops and military hardware to east Ukraine, raising fears of renewed all out fighting and calling into question the peace deal. The US envoy to the UN, Samantha Power, also accused Russia of pursuing war in Ukraine while talking peace. This is an interesting statement. In Daniel 8 we read of the latter day king of the north. We are told he will be a fierce ruler and a “master of deception”. But we are also told he bring sudden and shocking destruction. We see the deception we await the destruction… BIBLE QUOTE a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. (Daniel 8: 23 -25 NLT)

Russia to build Iran atomic reactors at Bushehr BBC, November 12, 2014 EVENT Russia has agreed to build up to eight nuclear reactors in Iran, 12 days before a deadline for a deal to curb Iran's nuclear activity. The deal agreed by Russia and Iran envisages the construction of two reactors, with scope for a further six. World powers including Russia have been pressing Iran to curb its activity amid fears it wants to build a bomb. Diplomats are due to meet for a final round of talks next week. It is unclear what impact the Russian deal will have. Six world powers the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China are seeking to persuade Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment to a level below that required to build a weapon. They have offered to lift sanctions in exchange. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he was "reasonably optimistic" of reaching a deal at the talks. COMMENT Russia has struck a deal to build two more nuclear reactors in Iran to be possibly followed by another six. It is a move intended to cement closer ties between the two countries. This deal comes just two weeks before the 24 November deadline for Tehran to sign an agreement on its nuclear programme with six world powers. It surely shows Moscow’s intention to deepen its links with Tehran before possible softening of western sanctions against Iran. There a few key prophecy points here. Firstly we have Russia acting with Iran and effectively guaranteeing their security and well being. Ezekiel 38 says that Russia will act as a “guard” a “protector” of Persia (Iran). The second point of interest is where these nuclear reactors will be built in Bushehr is south west Iran. The Bible calls that area ELAM. Isaiah 21 speaks of Elam attacking. Jeremiah 49 speaks of Elam’s bows being broken. It sounds like there is conflict in the very area that Iran is building nuclear facilities. BIBLE QUOTE See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam’s exiles do not go. I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them. I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger, ” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 49: 35)

Putin vows that US 'will never subjugate Russia' Daily Telegraph, November 18, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin issued a defiant message to the West on Tuesday, accusing the United States of trying to "subjugate" Russia while promising it would never succeed. The Russian president also appeared to channel Al Capone, the Chicago mobster, when he joked that "weapons and politeness" were more effective than "politeness alone”. Meeting supporters at a forum in Moscow, Mr Putin corrected another speaker who said that the United States wanted to humiliate Russia. "They don't want to humiliate us, they want to subjugate us, to solve their problems at our expense, " he said. "They want to bring us under control. " Mr Putin added: "Throughout history no one has ever succeeded in doing that to Russia and they never will. ” The president was speaking to members of the All Russia People's Front, a coalition of groups that back him. COMMENT At the G 20 summit last weekend Putin was lambasted from all sides. The Canadian prime minister said to Putin, “I guess I’ll shake your hand, but I have only one thing to say to you: you need to get out of Ukraine. ” The Australian prime minister threatened to “shirt front” Putin and the British prime minister warned of new sanctions. Obama in his toughest words yet said Russia would remain isolated from the international community. No wonder Putin left the conference early! But in Bible terms we were watching Tarshish and the young lions all verbally attacking Gog of the land of Magog. Gog (Putin) returned to his homeland Magog (Russia) and what does he do? Does he decide to change his ways? No! He gives a speech (in direct response to the G 20) accusing the US of subjugating Russia. He also said that threat of using weapons was the only effective answer. Putin is getting angry. We know what happens next…. BIBLE QUOTE the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? These very nations lambasted Putin at the G 20 last weekend. This verse says they will do so again when he invades Israel. (Ezekiel 38: 13)

NATO leader sees 'serious military buildup' in Ukraine Reuters, November 18, 2014 EVENT NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denounced on Tuesday what he called a serious Russian military buildup both inside Ukraine and on the Russian side of the border and urged Moscow to pull back its troops. Stoltenberg said NATO saw movement of troops, equipment, tanks, artillery and also of advanced air defense systems in violation of a ceasefire agreement. Russia denies providing arms or troops to support a separatist pro Russian rebellion in eastern Ukraine, which began after the removal of a Kremlin oriented Ukrainian president by mass protests in February. A ceasefire was agreed in early September, but fighting flared again recently. Stoltenberg told reporters as he arrived for a meeting with European Union defense ministers he had information on a buildup inside Ukraine. This is a serious military buildup and we call on Russia to pull back its troops, " he said. COMMENT Far from backing down Russia has accelerated its troop movements in and around Ukraine. But it’s not just Ukraine. NATO warplanes have had to scramble 400 times this year in response to an increase in Russian air activity around Europe not seen since the Cold War, the alliances chief said on Thursday. He said the flights which have risen 50 percent over the last year posed a risk to commercial air traffic. Two Russian strategic bombers circled the U. S. island of Guam last week in what U. S. defence officials say is the latest in a series of “nuclear provocations by Moscow”. Over 150 years ago the first Christadelphian wrote a book called Elpis Israel. In it John Thomas wrote about the autocrat of Russia. “When Russia makes its grand move for the building up of its image empire then let the reader know that the end of all things, as at present constituted, is at hand. ” It is at hand. How did he know? The Bible told him. BIBLE QUOTE Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth. They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war (Jeremiah 6: 22 -23) against thee, O daughter of Zion.

Angela Merkel warns Russia could seek to destabilise 'whole of the European peaceful order' Daily Telegraph, November 17, 2014 EVENT Russia could seek to destabilise vast areas of eastern Europe if it is not challenged in Ukraine, Angela Merkel has warned. The strongly worded statement came as Ukraine's president warned of a resumption of "total war" in the strife torn country's east. In a speech to Sydney's Lowry Institute for International Policy Studies, the German Chancellor said Russia's annexation of Crimea and subsequent destabilisation of eastern Ukraine "called the whole of the European peaceful order into question". "This isn't just about Ukraine, " she said. "This is about Moldova, this is about Georgia, and if this continues then one will have to ask about Serbia and one will have to ask about the countries of the Western Balkans. " Mrs Merkel said she feared the creation of a Cold War style zone of influence in Europe where Moscow could demand consultation on any major decision. COMMENT Hostilities have escalated sharply in the past two weeks between Ukraine rebels and Russia and the Ukrainian government. This is fuelling concerns about a return to all out warfare. Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's president, said Kiev is prepared for full scale hostilities should diplomatic solutions fail. "We are prepared for a scenario of total war. . . we don't want war, we want peace and we are fighting for European values. But Russia does not respect any agreement, " he said in an interview with the German newspaper Bild. Germany’s leader has also warned of war in Europe if Russia is not checked. Britain is planning more large Cold War style tank exercises in Poland next year in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the head of the UK Army has said. The world is destabilising in preparation for the time of trouble such as never was… BIBLE QUOTE and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12: 1 -2)

Cameron compares Russia to Nazi Germany Daily Telegraph, November 14, 2014 EVENT COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE David Cameron has compared Russia to Nazi Germany because of its actions in Ukraine on the eve of a tense meeting with Vladimir Putin. Mr Cameron will on Saturday night challenge Mr Putin about Russia’s continued acts of aggression in Ukraine as it supplies heavy weapons and tanks to the separatists. In a reference to World War II, Mr Cameron said that the world must “learn the lessons of history” and intervene to stop “a larger state bullying a smaller state”. He said: "Russian action in Ukraine is unacceptable. We have to be clear about what we are dealing with. It is a large state bullying a smaller state in Europe. "We have seen the consequences of that in the past and we should learn the lessons of history and make sure we don't let it happen again. " It was only a few months ago that Prince Charles compared Putin to Adolph Hitler. Now we have the UK prime minister comparing Russia to Nazi Germany. Britain is currently remembering 100 years since the outbreak of world war 1 in 1914. And here we are on the brink of world war 3. Putin does have some things in common with Hitler. Not least a shadowy youth movement called Nashi (Russian for “ours”). Hitler had Hitler Youth a recruitment training ground to bring new young people into paramilitary wing of the Nazi party. Both Hitler and Putin led nations that were filled with bitterness over lost glory, both fostered intense hatred of outsiders, and both promised to restore their national honour through military conquest. Hitler killed 6 million Jews. We are told that two thirds of living in Israel will be killed when Russia invades. 4 million Jews will be killed… Two thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, ” says the Lord. “But one third will be left in the land. I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people, ’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God. ’” This is Holocaust II driven by Putin (Zechariah 13: 8 -9 NLT)

Putin’s annual speech marks a dramatic shift Stratfor, December 5, 2014 EVENT The Russian leader spoke of war and struggle, showing he sees the world as a hostile place. President Vladimir Putin on Thursday gave his annual address to Russia’s Federal Assembly. This year, however, Putin’s speech was markedly different from past addresses in ways that reflect both a shift in Russia’s view of the world and the massive challenges that Russia now faces. In Putin’s two previous addresses since returning to the presidency in 2012 for his third term, the Russian leader opened with optimistic remarks about progress and the advance of reforms inside the country. This time, however, Putin began in a markedly different tone, focusing instead on battle. According to the president: “This year Russia faced trials that only a mature and united nation and a truly sovereign and strong state can withstand. ” COMMENT Putin’s annual speech given on Thursday this week showed the extent to which things have changed. Since his last speech the pro Russian government in Ukraine has been removed. This led to Russia annexing Crimea. Which has led to sanctions on Russia. Which has led to sharp economic decline and the onset of recession. In his speech Putin blamed these hardships entirely on the West, primarily the United States. Putin’s speech came shortly after a major gun battle between security forces and militants in the Russian region of Chechnya — the first in years. Putin mentioned the attack in his speech and said in the past these separatists had received support from “across the pond” – referring to America. The speaker in Chechnya’s parliament said that the attack on Grozny could be fulfilling orders from the US and NATO. The analysis by Stratfor (quoted above) concludes by asking this question. Will Russia push back with what power it has left? The answer is with Bible in hand – Russia will PUSH back. . . BIBLE QUOTE I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. (Ezekiel 39: 2 -3)

Russia launches ‘wartime government’ HQ RT, December 1, 2014 EVENT Russia is launching a new national defence facility, which is meant to monitor threats to national security in peacetime, but would take control of the entire country in case of war. The new top security, fortified facility in Moscow includes several large war rooms, a brand new supercomputer in the heart of a state of the art data processing centre, underground facilities, secret transport routes for emergency evacuation and a helicopter pad, which was deployed for the first time on Nov. 24 on the Moscow River. The Defence Ministry won’t disclose the price tag for the site, but it is estimated at the equivalent of several billion dollars. The new National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) is a major upgrade on what was previously called the Central Command of the General Staff, a unit tasked with round the clock monitoring of military threats against Russia, particularly ballistic missile launches, and deployment of strategic nuclear weapons. COMMENT When Russia does get into the war prophesied in the Bible in Ezekiel 38, the new command control centre would act as a major communication hub and a form of wartime government. Putin launched the project in May 2013. It was officially opened on Monday. It delivers reports to the country’s military command gives orders to all ministries, state owned companies and other organizations, according to the needs of the armed forces. “The creation of NDCC was one of the biggest military projects of the past few years. ” Lt. General Mikhail Mizintsev, the NDCC chief, said. According to the general it analyses and forecasts any threats to Russia or its allies. The preparation for war is coming together. How much longer before Putin decides to try out this new HQ – not for practice – but for war…? BIBLE QUOTE Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. (Joel 3: 9 -11)

Putin Diverts Pipeline from Europe to Turkey New York Times, December 1, 2014 EVENT President Vladimir V. Putin said Monday that he would scrap Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline, a grandiose project that was once intended to establish the country’s dominance in south eastern Europe but instead fell victim to Russia’s increasingly toxic relationship with the West. It was a rare diplomatic defeat for Mr. Putin, who said Russia would redirect the pipeline to Turkey. He painted the failure to build the pipeline as a loss for Europe and blamed Brussels for its intransigence. The decision also seemed to be a rare victory for the European Union and the Obama administration, which have appeared largely impotent this year as Mr. Putin annexed Crimea and stirred rebellion in eastern Ukraine. Russia had long presented the $22 billion South Stream project as a sound business move. But Washington and Brussels had dismissed it as a thinly veiled attempt by the Kremlin to cement its position as the dominant supplier in Europe. COMMENT The fall out from the war within Ukraine is increasing. The € 40 billion ($50 billion) pipeline was to have transported Russian gas from the Black Sea coast through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary to Austria, bypassing Ukraine en route. Another pipeline would have supplied Italy via Greece. The European Commission has been working to torpedo the construction of South Stream for some time. They viewed what Putin was doing as seeking to control eastern Europe. So Putin has now turned away from Europe and is now looking at Turkey. Some of the gas will still end up in Europe but Turkey is now the gateway to doing this. Turkish newspapers celebrated this as a Turkish Russian energy alliance. Turkey is Togarmah in Ezekiel 38 and is on side with Russia when it invades Israel. Therefore this alliance must be part of that build up. BIBLE QUOTE Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. (Ezekiel 38: 6 -7)

Russia demands 'explanations' from Israel I 24 News, December 8, 2014 EVENT The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded "explanations" from Israel, following reports that the Israeli Air Force allegedly bombed several targets on Syrian territory, including some in the vicinity of the Damascus international airport. Moscow sent an official letter of complaint to the UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon, citing "Israeli aggression" and calling not to permit such actions in the future. According to a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, "Moscow is gravely concerned about this dangerous turn of events, the circumstances of which require explanations. In any case, there is no doubt that the use of force in international affairs is unacceptable and deserves to be condemned. ” Israel said Monday it will not allow "sophisticated weapons" to fall into the hands of its enemies. COMMENT Debkafile reported as follows “Israel’s air strikes near Damascus international air port and the Syrian-Lebanese border Sunday, Dec. 7, are depicted by Middle East military and intelligence sources as Israel’s first overt military clash with Russia in the course of the more than three-year Syrian war. Those sources assert that the strikes demolished components of Russian SA-25 or other types of top-line anti air missile systems that Moscow had destined for Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist group. Russian transport planes are said to have shipped these consignments in the last few days to the military section of Damascus international airport. It was pointed out that the Israeli air strikes occurred less than 24 hours after Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the Kremlin’s point man for the Syrian war, met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah Saturday in Beirut. ” The Bible says Gog will eventually invade Israel. We can see the true colours of Gog in events this week. He will invade Israel… BIBLE QUOTE thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee (Ezekiel 38: 15 -16) against my land, that the heathen may know me…

Russia Baltic military actions 'unprecedented' Poland BBC, December 11, 2014 EVENT Poland says the level of Russian naval and air force activity in the Baltic Sea region has been "unprecedented" this week. Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said most of the activity was in international waters and airspace and Sweden was the country most affected. Nato partners of the Baltic states, including the UK, have military jets on an air policing mission in the region, monitoring the Russian planes. Fighting in Ukraine has raised tension. Mr Siemoniak said Russia was "not preparing to attack" but it was testing Nato defences, which "does not serve to build good relationships and trust". The three small ex Soviet states in the Baltic Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined Nato in 2004. The spike in activity follows a study by European Leadership Network, which detailed 40 incidents over recent months, including 11 that it said were of a "more aggressive or unusually provocative nature, bringing a higher level risk of escalation". COMMENT Another week and more provocation by Russia on eastern Europe. This week the word ”unprecedented” was used in relation to the amount of Russian military activity. Several incidents have been reported this week. On Tuesday the Norwegian military said one of its warplanes had a "near miss" with a Russian fighter which had ventured too close, north of Norway. The UK Ministry of Defence called in Nato spy planes this week to help in the hunt for a Russian submarine spotted off the west coast Scotland. Two Canadian fighter jets intercepted Russian long range bombers conducting a reconnaissance mission off Canada's northwestern coast Monday. So how much longer can this go on? Eventually all this tension will spill over into war. We are watching the king of the north preparing itself for massive conflict… BIBLE QUOTE Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. (Zephaniah 3: 8)

Ukraine cheers US vote for military aid, Russia outraged AFP, December 13, 2014 EVENT Ukraine welcomed a US bill that would allow Washington to provide lethal military assistance to the embattled country, but Russia expressed outrage at the "openly confrontational" legislation. The bill passed late on Thursday and due to get final approval in Congress on Friday before being sent to US President Barack Obama opens the way for up to $350 million (280 million euros') worth of US military hardware to be sent to Ukraine, which has been fighting an eight month war against Kremlin backed separatists in its east. It also threatens fresh sanctions against Russia, whose economy is crumbling under previous rounds of Western sanctions and a collapse in oil prices. The threat of sanctions prompted a quick response from Russia with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying Saturday Moscow would "not be able to leave this without a response. " COMMENT America is moving behind the scenes to make Russia pay even more for its annexation of Crimea and its on going operations in eastern Ukraine. It is going to increase sanctions on Russia but more importantly it looks like it may also provide military support to Kiev. This will “push” Russia too far. Russia's foreign ministry said this week that this new US legislation put a "powerful bomb" under US Russia bilateral ties. Reports say that it is not certain if Obama would sign the legislation into law – but if he does Russia will undoubtedly respond. The Bible says that the king of the south (America / UK) will PUSH at the king of the north (Russia). The word push means militarily provoke or attack. If Obama does sign this then it would indeed be a massive military provocation and even seen as a direct attack. We know the push is coming and when it does Russia comes down into Israel… BIBLE QUOTE And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the (Daniel 11: 40) glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown:

Russia faces recession as oil crash and sanctions cost economy £ 90 bn Daily Telegraph, November 24, 2014 EVENT Anton Siluanov, Russia's finance minister, has warned that the economy could face a hit from falling oil prices, weeks after Vladimir Putin claimed that they had been manipulated by political forces. "We are losing around $40 bn [£ 26 bn] per year due to geopolitical sanctions and we are losing some $90 bn [£ 58 bn] to $100 bn [£ 64 bn] per year due to oil prices falling 30 pc, " Mr Siluanov said in a speech in Moscow, reported by RIA Novosti news agency. Brent an oil classification which serves as a global benchmark has already plummeted by as much as 30 pc from a peak of $115 a barrel in June. If the price of oil fell to $60 a barrel and sanctions intensified, the economy would fall into a recession in 2015, Mr Siluanov said. COMMENT We cannot be certain if America is pressuring Saudi Arabia but it has happened before. . One only has to study how the Cold War came to an end 25 years ago without a shot being fired. It was the price of oil that did it. It was the collapse in oil prices engineered by Saudi Arabia in the mid eighties, which literally bankrupted the old Soviet Union. The Kremlin’s wealth came from oil. The lower oil prices caused the USSR to go bankrupt, which in turn led to perestroika under Gorbachev and the collapse of the Soviet Empire. History is repeating itself. Russia today depends on half its budget revenues from the sale of oil. Once more Saudi Arabia is keeping prices down by keeping production up. Once more Russia is beginning to feel the pain. But this time is different. Putin is in control. Will Putin back down and end the Cold War II stand off? Or will he react? War of course would push prices back up. Putin will react…. BIBLE QUOTE And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. All this is about Gog (Putin) President (Daniel 8: 23 -24) Reagan did a secret deal with Saudi Arabia CLICK HERE to read more

Nato warns Russia could control whole Black Sea BBC, November 26, 2014 EVENT Nato's top military commander, Gen Philip Breedlove, has warned that Russian "militarisation" of the annexed Crimea Peninsula could be used to exert control over the whole Black Sea. Speaking in Kiev, Gen Breedlove said Russian military assets being installed in Crimea would have an effect on "almost the entire Black Sea". Mr Breedlove is in Ukraine for high level talks with Ukrainian leaders. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014. Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that it had deployed a batch of 14 military jets to Crimea, as part of a squadron of 30 that will be stationed on the peninsula. An initial batch of fighter jets were flown to Crimea's Belbek air base "from military air bases in Krasnodar Territory, " Russian agency Interfax reported. COMMENT Russia is on the move. It is strengthening its position in and around its borders – and beyond. This week saw military jets being sent to Crimea. On Monday, Russia tightened its control over Georgia's breakaway province of Abkhazia with a new treaty envisaging closer military and economic ties with the lush sliver of land along the Black Sea. The move drew outrage and cries of "annexation" in Georgia. On Wednesday, a convoy of Russian warships entered the English Channel to undertake a series of exercises. The ships are expected to pass through the Channel and head south shortly, towards the Mediterranean. It’s as if the pieces are being put in place on a huge chess board. Putin is the grand master playing this game. And a lot is at stake. The rules of the game are changing. The Bible says that a ruler of Russia will exist in the last days who comes against Israel with many ships. The control of the Black Sea is part of this preparation for the invasion BIBLE QUOTE and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: (Daniel 11: 40 -41)

Oil plunges again, reaches recession-level depths AP, December 12, 2014 EVENT Another forecast of weak global demand, another nosedive for oil. A 6 month rout in the price of oil accelerated this week, culminating in a 4 percent drop Friday — its third such drop in 5 days — to its lowest level since May of 2009, when the U. S. was still in recession. Friday's trigger was a lowered expectation for oil consumption from the International Energy Agency. The benchmark U. S. oil price closed down $2. 14 to close at $57. 81 a barrel in New York. It is now 46 percent below its late June high for the year of $107. 26. "The adverse impact of the oil price rout on oil exporting economies looks likely to offset, if not exceed, the stimulus it could provide for oil importing countries against a backdrop of weak economic growth and low inflation, " the IEA said. It highlighted the impact on Russia, which has been particularly hard hit by the market sell-off. COMMENT Russia is in increasing trouble as oil continues its slide downwards. At this price level Russia will be driven into recession next year. Russia needs oil to be over $100 a barrel to balance its books. Russia’s economy is highly dependent on energy exports to pay the bills. But what could drive prices back up? Well Russia cannot really affect the supply and demand situation. There is too much supply at the moment through Opec keeping production high and also America shale oil now booming. Both these things keep prices low. But there is one other aspect that can push prices back up – WAR. In 2012 when Iran and America came close to conflict oil prices bounded to $100. World unrest in 2011 with the revolutions also caused oil to peak at $113. What Putin needs therefore is instability and war. A desperate man will do desperate things…. BIBLE QUOTE Thus says the Lord God: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal! I will turn you around and drive you forward, and bring you up from the remotest parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, (Ezekiel 39: 1 -3 RSV)

Putin: West is trying to 'defang' the Russian bear Associated Press, December 18, 2014 EVENT Vowing never to let the West defang his proud nation, President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to fix Russia's economic woes within two years by diversifying and voiced confidence that the plummeting rouble will soon recover. In a live, three hour news conference that has become a Putin holiday tradition, the Russian leader demonstrated unwavering confidence in his domestic policies despite the catastrophic collapse in the rouble. His fierce defiance toward the United States flared throughout as he insisted the West was trying to destroy Russia to grab Siberia's great natural resources. He accused the West of trying to infringe on Russia's sovereignty, saying the Ukrainian crisis was just a pretext for Western action. COMMENT Putin compared Russia to a bear in this speech. He said "Sometimes I think, maybe it would be better for our bear to sit quiet, rather than chasing around the forest after piglets. To sit eating berries and honey instead. . ” So Putin sometimes thinks lets be peaceful and be a like a bear eating honey. But Putin’s speech did not stop there… he then said “Maybe they will leave the bear in peace. THEY WILL NOT. Because they will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and his claws. ” So Putin’s decision is made. He believes the bear cannot live in peace for its own survival is at stake. “Once they've taken out his claws and his fangs, then the bear is no longer necessary. He'll become a stuffed animal, " he said. Every time a bear is mentioned in the Bible is speaks of war, anger, bitterness and cunning. Key words in relation to the bear… roaring, ranging, robbed, rend, bereaved, devour, bitterness. Putin is bereaved of his whelps (USSR states) he is bitter and feels robbed. He is angry but cunning. He is roaring and will range and devour much flesh. BIBLE QUOTE As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people…. We roar all like bears…. I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart…there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. There are 13 references to bears in OT (Proverbs 28: 15, Isaiah 59: 11, Hosea 13: 8, 2 Kings 2: 24)

US slaps trade ban on Crimea over Russia occupation Daily Telegraph, December 20, 2014 EVENT Barack Obama imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia annexed Crimea on Friday, banning all exports of goods and services to the contested peninsula and prohibiting Crimean imports. Canada also slapped new sanctions on Russia, hitting the country's oil and gas sector and targeting 20 Russian politicians as well as Ukrainian separatist leaders. Mr Obama said his executive order was "intended to provide clarity to US corporations doing business in the region and reaffirm that the United States will not accept Russia's occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea". The action bans new US investments in Crimea and authorises the US Treasury to impose sanctions on people and companies operating there. It also forbids trade of technology or services between Crimea and the US. COMMENT America continues to provoke the bear. Mr Obama's order came a day after he signed BIBLE QUOTE into law a congressional bill allowing him to impose new sanctions on Russia over its alleged support of pro Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. That law also authorises the president to send lethal weapons to Ukraine's military. But Putin appears ready to fight. He clearly signalled in his speech that he will not back down. But the pain in Russia is increasing. Russia began the year as the 8 th largest economy in the world. In just months it has dropped to 15 th! The Eurasia Group (a political risk and consulting firm) said this week that there is “potential global risk of Russia asserting itself more aggressively in Ukraine and other nearby countries. ” This week Russia had to increase its base interest rate to 17% to defend the rouble. It’s sign of panic and severe stress. How long does this go on for? We don’t know. But the Bible is clear. . America pushes at Russia. When pushed far enough Russia comes down like a storm. It is gathering now. . And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the (Daniel 11: 40) glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown:

Russia ‘planning’ war in Israel says official International Business Times, December 22, 2014 EVENT Russia is planning to ignite a war in Israel in an alleged contingency plan to trigger a direct military conflict between Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime. A French official has revealed the plan as Russia's weapon against the U. S. and the European Union amid increasing sanctions on Moscow. According to WND, the official, who has requested his identity to remain unknown, said Russia's plan to start a war in Israel was borne out of Russia's increasing isolation due to Western sanctions. In the past week, the U. S. and European Union issued tighter sanctions to target the Russian economy and pressure Moscow to pull out its troops in Crimea. The anonymous official further revealed that Russia has been successful in sending Hezbollah a large shipment of Iskandar ballistic missiles and surface to air missiles. The convoy of missiles was received despite the alleged efforts of Israeli airstrikes targeting weapons shipped by Russia earlier in December. COMMENT So could this “unnamed source” be right? Could Russia ignite a conflict between Israel and its neighbours in retaliation to American and European sanctions? Apparently Russia has not made any final decision about pushing Hezbollah to attack Israel. However, according to the report the French official believes Russia is indeed planning a possible conflict in the Middle East to play out the country's confrontation with the West. We do know that the Syrian Foreign minister visited Putin earlier this month in Sochi. We do know that Russia has sent high tech military equipment to Syria which was bound for Hezbollah. With Bible in hand we know there is an immediate conflict with Israel’s surrounding neighbours that PRECEDES Gog invading. It makes sense that Russia is behind the first war (Israel’s neighbours) and the second war (Ezekiel 38) BIBLE QUOTE After many days thou [Gog / Putin] shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell (Ezekiel 38: 8) safely all of them. Visited = sought after, needed, mustered.

Russia: Kiev's move to join NATO dangerous for EU Daily Telegraph, December 25, 2014 EVENT Russia said on Thursday that Ukraine's pursuit of Nato membership posed a danger to European security and threatened to sever its remaining ties to the Atlantic military alliance. Ukraine's parliament renounced the country's neutral status on Tuesday in a significant step towards joining Nato. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said the West was using Ukraine's Nato bid to fuel confrontation between Russia and its neighbours. "There a few Western countries that want to maintain the crisis in Ukraine and to maintain and boost the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, including through provocative efforts towards membership in the Atlantic alliance, " he said. "The very idea of Ukraine's efforts to join Nato are dangerous, not only for Ukrainian people, because there is no unity over that issue, it is dangerous for European security, " COMMENT Moscow is outraged. The decision this week in Ukraine’s parliament to renounce its neutral status in pursuit of Nato membership deepens the worst confrontation between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War. "Nato countries pushed Kiev to this counterproductive decision, trying to turn Ukraine into a front line of confrontation with Russia, " Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov told the Russian news agency Interfax. He went on to say that if Ukraine ever does join NATO, Russia would respond accordingly…relations would be “practically impossible to repair. ” The Bible speaks of division between East and West. There are the two legs of Daniel ’s image. Each leg represents the two halves of the divided Roman Empire. The West ruled by Rome. The East ruled originally by Constantinople (and later Moscow. ) Daniel also tracks the West in Daniel 7 and the East in Daniel 8. The division continues…. BIBLE QUOTE there came up among them another little horn…: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes (Daniel 7: 8, 8: 9) of man, and a mouth speaking great things. This horn = Vatican ruler in the West And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. This horn = Antiochus + latter day Gog / Putin

New Russian military doctrine says NATO top threat Associated Press, December 27, 2014 EVENT Russia identified NATO as the nation's No. 1 military threat and raised the possibility of a broader use of precision conventional weapons to deter foreign aggression under a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday. NATO flatly denied it is a threat to Russia, and accused Moscow of undermining European security. The new doctrine, which comes amid tensions over Ukraine, reflected the Kremlin's readiness to take a stronger posture in response to what it sees as US led efforts to isolate and weaken Russia. The paper maintains the provisions of the previous, 2010 edition of the military doctrine regarding the use of nuclear weapons. It says Russia could employ nuclear weapons in retaliation for the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against the country or its allies, and also in the case of aggression involving conventional weapons that ``threatens the very existence'' of the Russian state. COMMENT Putin has once more changed his military doctrine to become more aggressive. For the first time, the new doctrine says Russia could use precision weapons ``as part of strategic deterrent measures. '' The document does not spell out when and how Moscow could resort to such weapons. Examples of precision conventional weapons include ground to ground missiles, air and submarine launched cruise missiles, guided bombs and artillery shells. Putin came to power in the year 2000. One of the first things he did back then was to lower the threshold at which Russia may use nuclear weapons. Russia can use nuclear weapons against any armed aggression if all other means have been exhausted or turn out to be ineffective. The Bible indicates that nuclear weapons could well be used. It even talks about smoke rising that look like palm trees! BIBLE QUOTE And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: Pillars = like a palm tree spreading at the top! (Joel 2: 30 -32)

Russia, 4 -Ex-Soviet nations finalise new alliance Associated Press, December 23, 2014 EVENT Russia and four other ex Soviet nations on Tuesday completed the creation of a new economic alliance intended to bolster their integration, but the ambitious grouping immediately showed signs of fracture as the leader of Belarus sharply criticized Moscow. The Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, comes to existence on Jan. 1. In addition to free trade, it's to coordinate the members' financial systems and regulate their industrial and agricultural policies along with labor markets and transportation networks. Russia had tried to encourage Ukraine to join, but its former pro Moscow president was ousted in February following months of protests. Russia then annexed Ukraine's Black Sea Crimean Peninsula, and a pro Russia mutiny has engulfed eastern Ukraine COMMENT The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will be an economic union of states located primarily in northern Eurasia. A treaty aiming for the establishment of the EEU was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, and will come into force on 1 January 2015. Treaties aiming for Armenia's and Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union were signed on 9 October 2014 and 23 December respectively. Armenia's accession treaty will come into force on 2 January 2015. The Eurasian Economic Union will create a single economic market of 183 million people and a gross domestic product of over 4 trillion U. S. dollars. This bloc is Putin’s answer to Europe’s expansion. It is an attempt to create Europe II. The USSR collapsed in 1991. Since that time Europe has expanded up to Russia’s border. Putin’s ambition with the EEU is to build a super power to counter America. It’s the further development of the king of the north. BIBLE QUOTE At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. This is the little horn of Daniel 8 – describing Gog. (Daniel 8: 23 -24)