The Final Countdown

Cold War II is springing to life as Russia and the United States have spent the better part of a month trading barbs and quasi-threats. Russia even has a pair of top-of-the-line nuclear subs patrolling the east coast of the US for what is believed to be the first time in 15 years. This comes less than two weeks after VP Joe Biden assured the former Soviet republic of Georgia that the US would stand behind the nation in any further conflicts with Russia, who briefly invaded Georgia last year.

Tensions are further raised over missile defense plans. The US wants to put missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, a move that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promises will result in Russian missiles being pointed at Europe. Further, Russia has vowed to counteract any US moves by placing weapons in space, a move long predicted by some prophecy scholars. (Note that these predictions are generally based on Revelation 12. While it is possible this could be a “double prophecy” and reference two events, I am of the opinion that one must take these verses out of context to conclude it is talking about “war in space” between human nations.)

Vladimir Putin, the insanely popular once and future President of Russia, is regarded by many to be a strong candidate to be Gog of Magog, or the prince of Rosh who launches World War III in Ezekiel 38-39. We know that these chapters are specific to Russia because actually cities in the country are named. For instance, Rosh is Hebrew for Russia, Meshech for Moscow, and Tubal of Tubalsk.

Russia will lead a Middle East confederation of nations against Israel (Ezekiel 38:15; Psalm 83:4-5), with Iran being its key sidekick (Ezekiel 38:5). The partnership between Russia and Iran is growing stronger, and the two nations are even holding joint military exercises, and Russia is refusing to back any sanctions against Iran for attempting to acquire nuclear technology.

As part of the opening salvo that begins World War III, this Russian led group will attack the United States (Jeremiah 50-51) using missiles (Jeremiah 50:14, 29; 51:3, 11) launched during a sneak attack (Jeremiah 50:24; 51:12).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Russia, North Korea to test fire new missiles
• Iran tests missile that could hit Israel, US forces
• Russia launches ICBM in test
• China, North Korea, Russia, Iran working together
• Peres says Israel can’t strike Iran without US help

Two quick stories to illustrate the cooperation of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran:

• China wants Ahmadinejad election recognized
• Experts find Soviet parts in North Korean Missile

These four nations will work together to launch World War III. The battle begins when Russia forms a coalition of Arab nations whose purpose is to obliterate Israel (Psalm 83:4-5). This cabal marches on the Holy Land (Ezekiel 38:15), with Iran being a key driving force (Ezekiel 38:5). In the second half of the assault, China and North Korea march down the Euphrates River and into the Middle East (Revelation 16:12; Isaiah 11:15) to face the armies of the Antichrist (Daniel 11:44).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Russia again backs Iran, N. Korea
• Russia, China, North Korea increase activity, spar with EU
• Russia, North Korea to test fire new missiles
• North Korea, Iran advance chemical & nuclear programs
• Ahmadinejad victory given endorsement by SCO

While unrest rules Iran over the recent election results, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can rest certain he has the backing of one group of nations–the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Ahmadinejad attended a summit with the SCO members this week.

We often talk about the Russian and Iranian led confederation of nations that will march on Israel (Psalm 83:4-5; Ezekiel 38:8, 16). But there is a second half to that invasion, and it occurs when China and members of the SCO, along with North Korea (Revelation 16:12), follow up the initial movement by marching  a 200,000,000 man army (Revelation 9:16) down the Euphrates River and into the Middle East (Revelation 9:14, 16;12; Isaiah 11:15). So look for more cooperation between the SCO, Russia, and Iran in the days ahead.

Meanwhile, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that Iran is actively seeking nuclear weapons technology. Iran continues to ratchet up the rhetoric, this time by claiming that they foiled a US terrorist plot to blow up polling places on election day.

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• China, North Korea, Russia, Iran working together
• Euphrates River drying up!
• IAEA chief: Middle East a “ticking (nuclear) bomb”
• Russia, North Korea to test fire new missiles
• Russia again backs Iran, N. Korea

In end-time events, specifically the battle at Armageddon, Russia and China are lead actors, but their understudies–Iran & North Korea–will play a key role, as well. This week, it was reported that both nations have made significant progress towards development of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, North Korea, possessor of the largest artillery stockpile in the world, also has massive amounts of chemical and biological weapons, ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Iran and North Korea are also apt to make boisterous claims. Yesterday it was North Korea’s turn, warning that any move by the US to slow down its developing nuclear program would be met with a “thousand-fold” military response.

North Korea (Revelation 16:12) and Iran (Ezekiel 38:5) will be involved in the war we call Armageddon. In this battle nuclear weapons will be used (Joel 2:3; Zechariah 14:12; Joel 2:3-5).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• North Korea vows to weaponizing plutonium, warns of nuclear war
• North Korea restarts nuclear plant, makes threats, tests missiles
• N. Korea vows to restart nuke weapons factory
• Gates: North Korea testing missiles capable of striking US
• North Korea set for third nuclear test, threatens US with nuclear war

The United States military is moving a navy destroy into position as it tracks a North Korean ship that the military believes is hauling illegal weapons and nuclear technology. The ship, named Kang Nam, has been detained several times before for violating international sanctions against proliferating weapons and nuclear technology.

This matters because the North Koreans are working closely with the Iranians to develop nuclear missiles. In July 2006, Iranian officials were on hand to participate in the infamous Independence Day missile test, where North Korea launched a missile hoping to prove that it had enough range to hit the west coast of the United States. North Korea, along with Russia, is helping many East Asia and Arab nations develop nuclear weapons. These nations will work together to launch World War III during the heart of the Tribulation hour (Obadiah 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11) in a war that will include the launching of nuclear weapons (Joel 2:3-5; Ezekiel 9:6; Zechariah 14:12).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• North Korea threatens to remove US from globe
• N. Korea vows to restart nuke weapons factory
• Gates: North Korea testing missiles capable of striking US
• North Korea set for third nuclear test, threatens US with nuclear war
• North Korea restarts nuclear plant, makes threats, tests missiles

The Associated Press reports that a secret Israeli investigation has found that Venezuela and Bolivia are supplying Iran with uranium for its nuclear weapons program. Bolivia denies the charge. Iran has also dispatched six warships into international waters in what security analysts call “muscle flexing.”

Iran is mentioned in Scripture as playing a key role in the final years before Christ returns. President Ahmadinejad has repeatedly vowed to end the existence of Israel, statements that fulfill one of the last signs before Messiah comes (Psalm 83:4). Iran is working to make that happen, and is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 as one of the nations that joins with Russia to form a confederacy to wipe out Israel (Psalm 83:5; Ezekiel 38:8:16). It is also likely that Iran will take part in an attack against the United States (Jeremiah 51:11, 28).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Iran tests missile that could hit Israel, US forces
• Iran attack on Israel prompts UN walkout
• Iran claims 7,000 centrifuges
• Iran upset about Israeli “threats”
• Peres says Israel can’t strike Iran without US help

From the Associated Press:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran test-fired a new advanced missile Wednesday with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel, southeastern Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

The announcement will not reassure the U.S. government, coming just two days after President Barack Obama declared a readiness to seek deeper international sanctions against Iran if it shunned U.S. attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program. Obama said he expected a positive response to his outreach for opening a dialogue with Iran by the end of the year.

“Defense Minister (Mostafa Mohammad Najjar) has informed me that the Sajjil-2 missile, which has very advanced technology, was launched from Semnan and it landed precisely on the target,” state radio quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. He spoke during a visit to the city of Semnan, 125 miles east of the capital Tehran, where Iran’s space program is centered.

Iran is mentioned in Scripture as playing a key role in the final years before Christ returns. President Ahmadinejad has repeatedly vowed to end the existence of Israel, statements that fulfill one of the last signs before Messiah comes (Psalm 83:4). Iran is working to make that happen, and is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 as one of the nations that joins with Russia to form a confederacy to wipe out Israel (Psalm 83:5; Ezekiel 38:8:16). It is also likely that Iran will take part in an attack against the United States (Jeremiah 51:11, 28).

On Monday the Jerusalem Post ran a story outlining the Iranians plan to mass produce long-range missiles.

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Reports: Venezuela, Bolivia supplying Iran with Uranium
• Iran attack on Israel prompts UN walkout
• Peres says Israel can’t strike Iran without US help
• Clinton on Iran: “We don’t know what to believe”
• Iran upset about Israeli “threats”

In a follow up to the earlier post about Iran’s missile test and their wicked intentions, The Jerusalem Post is quoting CIA director Leon Panetta as saying there would be “big trouble” if Israel attempts to take out Iranian nuclear reactors. This is the oft-repeated position of the current United States administration, with President Obama himself often mentioning it.

Read the previous post for what this all means.

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Iran tests missile that could hit Israel, US forces
• Peres says Israel can’t strike Iran without US help
• Iran upset about Israeli “threats”
• Israel PM calls for conditional Palestinian state
• North Korea accused of shipping nuclear technology

From the Jerusalem Post:

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have begun deploying mobile launchers for surface-to-air and surface-to-sea missiles in the Strait of Hurmuz and other areas in the Gulf, it has been revealed.

An Iranian official, quoted anonymously in the Saudi daily Al-Watan, said Iranian forces deployed the missile bases following secret reports that the United States and Israel were working on a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iran’s preparations for a potential military strike are not new. The republic has conducted several military exercises over the past few years, some with the explicit intention of preparing the armed forces for a possible confrontation with the West.

The source said the missiles were deployed a few weeks ago.

Iran (Ezekiel 38:5) is lining up to join in the Russian-led attack (Ezekiel 38:15) of Arab states (Psalm 83:5) against Israel (Ezekiel 38-39), which occurs 3.5 years after the Antichrist forges a peace contract between Israel and the Arab nations of the Middle East (Daniel 9:27).

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Report: Israel preparing strike on Iran
• Peres says Israel can’t strike Iran without US help
• Iran upset about Israeli “threats”
• Iran attack on Israel prompts UN walkout
• Iran tests missile that could hit Israel, US forces

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged from a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Monday and announced that he hopes peace talks will begin “in the coming weeks.” Representing the European Union, the group that will forge the peace deal (Daniel 9:27) via the Antichrist (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24, 9:26; Revelation 13:1), Tony Blair said it is the “moment of truth” in the Mideast peace process.

Hostilities continue to escalate in the region. Egypt and Iran have both taken big steps in developing weapons grade uranium, maintaining it is for “peaceful purposes” (this despite Iran’s repeated promise to wipe Israel off the map). Israel, meanwhile, is working to remind everyone that Jerusalem is the nation’s capital, much to the irritation of the Arab world.

As we mention daily, everyone is calling for a two-state solution to the conflict in the region. Earlier today the Pope even weighed in, calling for an independent Palestinian nation that shares Jerusalem as its capital. Yesterday, US National Security Adviser James Jones said that the Iranian threat makes a two-state solution imperative. Probably the most interesting statement came from King Abdullah of Jordan, who said that we do not need “a two-state solution, (but) a 57-state solution,” where the Israeli’s negotiate with Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinians, and the rest of the Arab and Muslim world.

This is exactly how it is going to play out! The aforementioned peace contract brought on by the Antichrist will be between Israel and a whole host of nations (Daniel 9:27), and will include a two-state solution (Joel 3:2) with Jerusalem as the shared capital (Zechariah 14:2). Sadly it is a false peace as the Bible says Israel makes an agreement with “death and hell” (Isaiah 28:15). This is because while Israel thinks she is at rest (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11), the nations on the other side of the peace contract will be plotting her destruction (Psalm 83:4-5). Led by Russia (Ezekiel 38:8, 16; Jeremiah 1:13, 10:22), this confederation of nations will march on Israel (Ezekiel 38:15) precisely when Israel lets its guard down (Ezekiel 38:11). All the key players of the region will take part in the assault, including Egypt of Daniel 11:40; Syria of Isaiah 17:1 and Psalm 83:8; Iran (& possibly Iraq), Ethiopia, Lybia, and Turkey of Ezekiel 38:5-6; and Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine of Psalm 83:7. Plus many other nations.

Related posts from prophecyproject.org:

• Is the division of Jerusalem already underway? Hamas calls for “long-term truce”
• Iran claims 7,000 centrifuges
• ALERT: Netanyahu set to allow Palestinian sovereignty
• Iran, Syria unite against Israel; EU readies peace plan
• US General gives warning on Iraq