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 almost certainly 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).
Two quick stories to illustrate the cooperation of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran:
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).
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.
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 (Zechariah 14:12; Joel 2:3-5).
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).
