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).
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).
The Communists of North Korea continue to make threats, this time vowing to weaponize plutonium and launch a nuclear war if challenged.
North Korea vowed on Saturday to embark on a uranium enrichment program and “weaponize” all the plutonium in its possession as it rejected the new U.N. sanctions meant to punish the communist nation for its recent nuclear test.North Korea also said it would not abandon its nuclear programs, saying it was an inevitable decision to defend itself from what it says is a hostile U.S. policy and its nuclear threat against the North.
The North will take “resolute military action” if the United States or its allies try to impose any “blockade” on it, the ministry said in a statement carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
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North Korea’s communist regime has warned of a nuclear war on the Korean peninsula while vowing to step up its atomic bomb-making program in defiance of new U.N. sanctions.
The second wave of World War III will involved China, North Korea, and perhaps other oriental nations marching to the Middle East (Revelation 9:14; 16:12) to face the armies of the Antichrist (Daniel 11:44). This oriental army of 200 million soldiers (Revelation 9:16) will engage in the greatest battle in the history of the world, where a third of all mankind will be killed (Revelation 9:15, 18), largely by nuclear weapons (Revelation 8:7; 9:18; Zechariah 14:12).
North Korea may be preparing to test its third nuclear device, according to United States and South Korean officials.
North Korean leaders have ratcheted up the rhetoric, engaging in very tough talk directed towards the United States. Wednesday, the US said it would extend its nuclear umbrella to South Korea and Japan, meaning that if those nations are attacked, America will defend them with force. North Korean officials claim that this is a “declaration of war,” and vowed to use nuclear weapons in a “merciless offensive” if provoked further.
Russia has said that it fears the conflict over Korea will go nuclear. North Korea has recently restarted its nuclear plants and test-fired several missiles, one of which is capable of hitting parts of the United States.
Why is this important? Because there is a great war will happen at the midpoint of the Tribulation. It begins with the Russian led confederation of Arab nations (Psalm 83:4-5) breaking the peace contract orchestrated by the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27) to march on Israel. After this Russian horde is defeated (Joel 2:20; Ezekiel 39:6), the largest army ever assembled (Revelation 9:16) (comprised of Oriental nations) marches down the Euphrates river (Revelation 9:14; 16:12) to go to war with the armies of the Antichrist (Daniel 11:44). During this battle nuclear weapons will be used (Revelation 8:7; 9:18; Zechariah 14:12).
