WORLD AT WAR: 3.9.24 - Vladimir Putin End-Times Figure

Vladimir Putin May Be a Bloodthirsty Tyrant, But Is He an End-Times Figure? � By Mark Hitchcock - https://harbingersdaily.com/vladimir-putin-may-be-a-bloodthirsty-tyrant-but-is-he-an-end-times-figure/ Vladimir Putin today is considered by many to be the world�s enemy number one. He�s a bloodthirsty tyrant, and his country holds the world�s largest nuclear stockpile. Bible prophecy speaks of an evil despot who is going to rise from Russia in the end times to lead a great coalition of nations that invades Israel. What we see happening todayis a frightening preview of that. The Bible in Ezekiel 38 and 39 talks about an individual called Gog. These two chapters were written over 2500 years ago, but they read like they were ripped from today�sheadlines. Gog is the leader of the coalition of nations and is addressed directly by God. Ezekiel 38:1-3 says, �And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy faceagainst 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.� It is not exactly clear the meaning of the word �Gog.� Some believe that it means mountain, high, or exalted�which paints a picture of this leader, Gog, being very inflatedwith pride. I don�t believe Gog is this individual�s name. It appears to be used as a title like Pharaoh or President. Others believe the word �Gog� means darkness. Either way, Gog will be a prideful, very dark figure in the end times. Vladimir Putin, to use the words of Joel Rosenberg, is �Gog-esque.� Now, I�m not saying that Vladimir Putin is Gog�that would be reckless speculation�but at the very least,we could say that Vladimir Putin is a frightening foreshadow and an awful anticipation of this Gog figure. Gog is not the same as the Antichrist. But according to Ezekiel 38 and 39, when Gog leads an invasion of Israel in the end times, he and his forces are going to be supernaturallywiped out by God, which would create a huge power vacuum in the world that will allow the Antichrist, as a leader of the west, to ascend to great power. Vladimir Putin dreams of a new imperial Russia�a restoration of the Russian Empire. He has compared himself to the Russian Tsar Peter the Great and uses brutal, heavy-handedtactics. He invaded Georgia back in 2008, Crimea in 2014, Ukraine in 2022, and has been deeply involved in the civil war in Syria since 2015. He has expansionist desires�wanting toexpand and restore the great Russian Empire. At the end of last year, Putin ordered the military to increase its number of soldiers by 170,000, which would bring the Russian troops to a total of 1.3 million. Vladimir Putin has now ruled as president for 25 years, and there�s no sign that that�s going to end for this new Russian �tzar.� There�s a long list of Russians who�ve diedafter running afoul of Vladimir Putin. Putin will do anything to maintain his stranglehold on power�all kinds of brutality and savagery. Let me just mention a few examples: • Sergei Yushenkov, a leader of an anti-Kremlin party, was shot in front of his Moscow home on October 17, 2003. • Anna Politkovskaya, a prominent journalist, was killed execution-style in her apartment in 2006. • Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian security agent, died in London after being poisoned in 2006. • Natalya Estemirova, a human rights activist, was shot to death in 2009. • Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group who led an attempted coup in July of 2023, seemed to be let back into the good graces of Putin until August 23, when a planecarrying himself and all his top associates exploded mid-air. • Maksim Kuzminov, a 28-year-old pilot in Russia who defected with his equipment-loaded helicopter and was given sanctuary in Ukraine, was shot 12 times by an unknown gunman ina parking garage in Spain in early February. • Alexei Navalny, Putin�s chief antagonist, was killed in a remote prison in the Arctic on February 16, the eve of a prisoner swap. • Of course, Alexei Navalny�s death has caused an international uproar. We can see all the brutality and savagery that Putin will do to hold on to power�and it�s exactly like theperson who is described in Ezekiel 38. In Ezekiel 38, it says that Gog is of �the land of Magog,� which is part of Russia and maybe Ukraine. However, it goes on to say that he is the �prince of Rosh, Meshech, andTubal.� Rosh is a reference to Russia, but �Meshech and Tubal� are in modern-day Turkey. I�ve always wondered about that. Could this final Russian leader rule over Russia� and Turkey? The Atlantic Council publication wrote this week: Russian president and indicted war criminal Vladimir Putin should be closely watched in Turkey. Though Putin took the opportunity to contradict historical facts and pure commonsense, the interview offers valuable insights into how the Russian leadership views its relations with neighboring countries. During more than two hours of what a European Commission spokesperson called �old lies, distortions, and manipulations, and . . . hostility towards the West,� Putin demonstrateda morbid obsession with Russian imperial grandeur, justified the invasion of neighboring states, and showed zero respect for international law and peace treaties. As a country that has spent more years in wars with Russia than with any other rival and that has competed for dominance in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea over centuries,Turkey should not take the Russian threat lightly. Turkey and Russia have been involved in more wars over the years than with any other country. The publication continues: In February 2023, while Turkey was still recovering from a devastating earthquake, Russian State Duma Member Semyon Bagdasarov issued a call to attack Turkey and annex Istanbul: �Turkey is the historical lands of Russia. Turkey is now in a dire situation. Let�s take advantage of this and return our lands. Let�s squeeze it out of the Central Asia, undermine its influence in Ukraine, drive it out of the South Caucasus, raise certainforces in Turkey and return what historically belonged to us�Constantinople.� He went as far as to suggest that �the crisis in Turkey must end up in its collapse� and in Russia�s return to Istanbul. �Some Russian opinion leaders,� according to this article, �have not abandoned the idea of conquering Istanbul when the opportunity arises.� Ankara is the capital of Turkey,but Istanbul is the main city. The Russians obviously have expansionist ideas. Now, whether Vladimir Putin is Gog or not�only time will tell. But make no mistake, this evil ruler will rise and do exactly what Ezekiel predicted over 2500 years ago. This is another apologetic or proof for the truth of the Bible, that the Bible is the very Word of God Himself. It�s also another clear indication to us that what we see todayis a preview. It�s the warm-up for what�s coming and signals that the return of our Lord could be very near. --------------------- The Ostrich Tactic - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/03/02/the-ostrich-tactic-by-daymond-duck/ Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, has voiced a series of opinions lately that have caught my attention. On Feb. 14, 2024, on live TV, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said, “Hamas is not a terrorist groupfor us. It’s a political movement.” Erdan responded: • “Is the brutal murder of hundreds of civilians not terror? Is the systematic rape of women not terror? Is attempting Jewish genocide not terror? Ladies and gentlemen, this isthe UN: a terror-excusing, Hamas-promoting, victim-blaming organization that has lost every ounce of credibility. Nothing said by the UN can be trusted or accepted.” (Note:Griffiths tried to excuse his obvious bias by saying, “Just to clarify: Hamas is not on the list of groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council.”) On Feb. 20, 2024, Erdan was talking about Lebanon firing rockets and missiles at Israel when he told the UN Security Council: • “For years, Israel has called for this Council to impose the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (an agreement for Hezbollah to stay away from Israel’s border),yet for years, the UN has opted for the ‘ostrich tactic.’ • Tragically, this is no longer a situation that can be ignored. The clock is ticking. It is not a matter of years but weeks before Israel will be forced to implement Resolution1701 ourselves.” On Feb. 21, 2024, Erdan was being interviewed when he said: • “Today I told the Security Council about the letters and meetings I had with Lazzarini (the head of the UNRWA) and Guterres (the UN Sec. Gen.) how terror tunnels pass under schoolsand how UNRWA teachers idolize Hitler. We have been presenting this information to UN officials for years – but they have become collaborators of Hamas, and now they are literally a part of the terrorist organization.” What was Erdan talking about when he accused the UN of taking the ostrich tactic? He was saying Israel has asked the UN to do something about Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon again and again for years, but the UN officials and the UN Security Councilhave buried their heads in the sand and done nothing. The UN has ignored Israel’s complaints and acted like a problem doesn’t exist. The fact that the truth does not matter to these people has led to war in Gaza, is leading to a greater war in Lebanon and Syria, and will lead to the greatest war ever duringthe Tribulation Period. The ostrich tactic is why I sometimes say, “UN stands for United Nothing.” (Update:On Feb. 26, 2024, Erdan called on UN Sec. Gen. Guterres to resign for allowing the UNRWA to become a de facto terrorist organization with extensive ties to Hamas and doing nothing to correct the situation.) Below are some current events that seem to relate to Bible prophecy. One, concerning world government, a borderless world, and thedecline of America: according to U.S. Customs and Border protection, 7,298,486 illegal immigrants (some sources say more than 10 million) have entered the U.S. since Biden became president. 36 states have a population of less than 7,298,486. Two, concerning “signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in thestars; 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 theysee the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:25-27): on Feb. 19, 2024, Michael Snyder (author, frequent guest on radio and TV) wrote, “I am not anticipating that any particular event will happen on April 8th. Rather, I believethat what we will witness on April 8th is a sign and a warning for the entire nation.” Snyder was writing about the fact that the paths of two solar eclipses (one on Aug. 21, 2017, and the other on Apr. 8, 2024) form an “X” over the U.S. Among other things, Snyder points out that: • The two solar eclipses are almost 7 years apart. • The path of the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse passed over 7 U.S. locations named Salem (short for Jerusalem). • The path of the Apr. 8, 2024 eclipse will pass over 7 U.S. locations named Nineveh (a city that was built by Noah’s great-grandson Nimrod, a wicked city where Jonah delivereda warning from God; Gen. 10:11; Jonah 1:1-17). • On Apr. 8, 2024, the sun, the moon, and 7 planets will be aligned in a straight line looking from Jerusalem. • When the Apr. 8, 2024 eclipse starts across the U.S., the first community it will come to is Eagle Pass, TX (ground zero of the U.S. immigration crisis). Here are some thoughts that have crossed my mind about Snyder’s excellent article: • 7 is the number of perfection. It is the most mentioned number in the Bible. Its root word means “enough” or “full” (see Rev. 17:4-5). • Jerusalem is the most mentioned city in the Bible. Jesus will come back to Jerusalem and rule the world from Jerusalem for 1,000 years. • Jerusalem comes from the root word Shalom, which means peace. We will not have peace on earth until Jesus comes back. • Nimrod tried to establish a New World Order (world government and a pagan world religion) at the tower of Babel (it included Nineveh). • God destroyed Nimrod’s New World Order. • God told Jonah to tell the citizens at Nineveh to repent of their great wickedness, or He would destroy Nineveh. • In the days of Noah, God destroyed the world with a flood because the wickedness of man was great. • The immigration crisis is part of Biden’s New World Order plan (a borderless world). • 8, 2024, is exactly 7 weeks before May 27, 2024 (when world leaders are scheduled to vote on the International Pandemic Treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations,a scheme to get nations to surrender their sovereignty for the creation of a New World Order. I honestly don’t know what to think about the eclipses, but it could be unwise to overlook the fact that they might be a warning. Here is a link to Snyder’s article. https://endoftheamericandream.com/on-april-8th-the-great-american-eclipse-of-2024-will-cross-over-7-u-s-locations-named-ninevah/ Three, concerning the World Economic Forum (WEF) and world government:on Feb. 21, 2024, it was reported that 11 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a bill to stop the U.S. and U.S. agencies from giving money to the WEF. Four, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39): onFeb. 21, 2024, it was reported that there are growing ties between Russia and Iran, 400 highly accurate Iranian missiles have been delivered to Russia since Jan. 2024, and more missiles will be sent in the future. Five, concerning the accuracy of the New Testament: an 11-year-oldboy recently found a coin while walking near the Dead Sea. Some scholars say it is about 2,000 years old and is of the type mentioned in the story of the widow’s mite mentioned in the Bible (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). Six, concerning deceit and corruption in the mainstream media:there has been widespread speculation that some news agencies had advance knowledge of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel (and not warning Israel) because journalists were on the scene, taking pictures, etc. The media has denied this, but it is now known that Al Jazeera employed some journalists who were also Hamas terrorists that had ties with the AP, Reuters, CNN, The New YorkTimes, etc. On Feb. 23, 2023, it was reported that Oct. 7 survivors and victims’ families have filed suit against the AP for supporting terrorism by publishing the work of Hamas terrorists. Seven, former Pres. Trump made two statements on Feb. 23, 2023,that should encourage Christians: “We still need the hand of our LORD and the grace of almighty God!” “No one will be touching the Cross of Christ under the Trump Administration; I swear to you, that will never happen!” Eight, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Feb. 27, 2024, itwas reported that Hamas is planning to escalate its war with Israel during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Hamas intends to claim that the desire of some Jews to sacrifice a Red Heifer means Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount are in danger, so Hamas intends tostir up riots during the month of Ramadan, supposedly to protect Jerusalem and the mosque. According to the report, Hamas has the support of Hezbollah and Iran, and they are hoping that Muslims from many countries will join them. Israel is thinking about limiting access to the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan, but doing so will likely be met with rioting. (Update:On Feb. 28, 2024, it was reported that high-level sources in Iran and Lebanon are saying that Iran has given Hezbollah in Lebanon permission to launch a large-scale attack on Israel if it becomes obvious that Israel intends to attack Rafah. It was reportedthat the head of Hezbollah stated on Feb. 26 that an attack on Israel is likely during the month of Ramadan, and it would happen sooner if Israel attacks Hamas in Rafah.) Nine, concerning deceit at the end of the age: during a forumon Capitol Hill that heard from 22 scientists, medical doctors, former government officials, and journalists, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson alleged that our government is covering up the danger of taking a Covid-19 vaccination. Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war. Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 (Day 138): The eighty-third day of the resumed war. • Residents of Rafah reported several Israeli strikes and large explosions. • Concerning a vote by Israel’s Knesset to reject “international diktats” (the globalist effort to force the Two-State Solution on Israel) earlier in the week, Netanyahu said (onFeb. 21), “We will not reward terrorism by unilateral recognition in response to the Oct. 7 massacre, nor will we accept imposed solutions.” This strong stance sends a powerful message to the world: Peace and security (peace and safety) for Israel will beachieved through negotiations, not through unilateral actions. Today, we stand united more than ever.” Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 (Day 139): The eighty-fourth day of the resumed war. • 3 terrorists in Israel attacked 9 Israelis (1 dead; 3 critical wounds; 5 wounded but not critical). The terrorists have been killed. • Israel downed a Houthi missile over the Red Sea. • Israel destroyed a mosque and several houses in Rafah. • The Houthis said they intend to ramp up their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. • The Houthis fired 2 missiles at cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden. • Israel’s cabinet said it will continue its war with Hamas until all its goals are met. • In response to terrorist attacks in Judea, Israel advanced plans to build more than 3,000 housing units there. Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 (Day 140): The eighty-fifth day of the resumed war. • Israel is committed to seeking a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah, but its Navy is gearing up for war in case diplomacy fails. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 (Day 141): The eighty-sixth day of the resumed war. • Israel spotted a terror cell entering a Hezbollah weapons storage facility and sent jets in to blow it up, and there were several strong explosions. • Israel has facilitated the delivery of almost 14,000 deliveries (254,000 tons) of humanitarian aid to Gaza since the Oct. 7 war began. • Based on intelligence information from captured Hamas terrorists, 60 members of Hamas who participated in the Oct 7 attack on Israel were rounded up and arrested in Khan Younis. Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 (Day 142): The eighty-seventh day of the resumed war. • Christian and Messianic Jewish faith leaders started 3 days of fasting and prayer for the nation of Israel. • The head of Israel’s military said advancements on the battlefield are the best way to get Hamas to release the hostages. • The U.S. asked Israel to stop harming Hamas police officers because they are needed to protect trucks carrying humanitarian aid. Israel said its military will attack any Hamasterrorist regardless of their position. • Israel will continue to attack Hezbollah even if it agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas. • An Israeli strike killed 2 members of Hezbollah in Lebanon. • Israel killed several members of Hamas in Khan Younis and captured many weapons, grenades, and a large amount of ammunition. • Israel believes many Hamas leaders involved in the Oct. 7 arrack in Rafah are hiding in Rafah and holding most of the hostages there. Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 (Day 143): The eighty-eighth day of the resumed war. • Netanyahu gave his war cabinet a plan for evacuating Rafah, and Israel is pushing forward with plans to invade the city. • The entire PA government submitted their resignations to Mahmoud Abbas. They plan to merge with Hamas to create a new PA government in the next few days and continue their oppositionto Israel. • Israeli forces killed more than 30 terrorists in Gaza City today. • Israel struck targets in Lebanon that were farther from Israeli territory than any target since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7. • Hezbollah fired about 60 rockets at Israeli targets in the Golan Heights. • S. and UK jets struck 22 Houthi sites in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. • Israel discovered (and is destroying) a tunnel complex beneath a hospital, university campus, and prison that is 6.2 miles long and connects northern Gaza with southern Gaza. • Israel’s Defense Min. said Israel will not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until the hostages are released. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 (Day 144): The eighty-ninth day of the resumed war. • Cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah are increasing. • Israel is perplexed as to why Biden keeps saying a ceasefire in Gaza is near. (Note: I don’t think this is the only thing that is confusing Biden.) • The U.S. shot down 5 drones that were launched by Houthis in Yemen. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 (Day 145): The ninetieth day of the resumed war. • Hezbollah fired several old Soviet-made (as in Battle of Gog and Magog) rockets into Israel. • Israel will continue to build settlements in the West Bank despite U.S. objections. FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born witha sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6). Finally, are you Rapture Ready? If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believethat Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this. -------------------------------------- Pressure Must Be Asserted, But Not At The Netanyahu Government � By Amir Tsarfati - https://harbingersdaily.com/amir-tsarfati-pressure-must-be-asserted-but-not-at-the-netanyahu-government/ It used to be that the United States stood with Israel in saying that a plan for the hostages to be released needed to be solidified prior a ceasefire being considered. Thatall changed with a tweet from Secretary of State Antony Blinken Tuesday, in which he wrote, �While meeting with Israeli War Cabinet Member @gantzbe, I underscored the urgency of reaching a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages and surgehumanitarian aid and reiterated the need for Israel to take steps to improve delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.� Later, he doubled down on this strategy in another post in which he is pictured with Qatar�s prime minister, writing, �We will continue to urgently pursue an agreement foran immediate humanitarian ceasefire to enable the release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the increased provision of critical aid to Gaza.� Notice what changed? Now the U.S. is saying that Israel must agree to a ceasefire first. Only then can we can facilitate the release of hostages, in addition to surging humanitarianaid and improving Israel�s delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Essentially, he is saying that Israel must stop fighting and give Hamas all it is asking for. Washington is trying to force the Netanyahu government to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.This is asinine! But as crazy as it is, it is not surprising given who is standing next to Blinken in the picture accompanying the first tweet. The @gantzbe is Benny Gantz, the primary figurein the opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu�s coalition. Without permission, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Blinken and the Biden government. Biden�s administration is desperate to find someone to run with their two-state solution, and Gantz istheir useful idiot. Biden knows that he desperately needs a success in the Middle East, particularly after seeing the enthusiastic sweep Republican voters gave to former president Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. As far as Gantz goes, his excursion is a direct attempt to undermine Netanyahu and can easily be seen as an act of treason against the State of Israel. Gaza Fighting continues throughout the Gaza Strip. In Khan Yunis, dozens of terrorists have been arrested over the past week. On Sunday, the IDF launched a major airstrike on KhanYunis destroying more of Hamas�s infrastructure. Also, that day, an airstrike killed the leader of Hamas�s recruiting efforts Mahmoud Muhammad Abed Khad. An Israeli reservist, Sgt. Maj. Dennis Yekimov, was killed a day earlier in Khan Yunis bringing the numberof IDF troops killed in the Gazan war to 246. Last week, a group began marching in a call for the return of the hostages. They launched from Kibbutz Re�im, near where the Nova massacre occurred, toward Jerusalem. Overthe next four days, more and more people joined the procession. Finally, on Saturday, the assembly that now numbered over 15,000 arrived in Jerusalem. Included in the numbers were quite a few members of the families of the abductees. I feel deeply for thepain of these people. I can�t imagine the anguish of not knowing the situation of your loved ones, particularly after hearing the many stories of the abuse and torture these hostages are experiencing. And, yes, the torture is happening. Despite the efforts of Hamas apologists to downplay what the terror group has done and is doing; the violence is real. Even the UnitedNations, after a thorough investigation, had to admit that there are �reasonable grounds� to believe that rape and sexual torture were and are being perpetrated on women and children. But this march is not the answer. This is the Benny Gantz strategy of a victorious army running in retreat (see above story). Yes, pressure must be asserted, but not at theNetanyahu government. It must instead be directed at Hamas until they finally break and release all those they are illegally and inhumanely holding. The West Bank As I�ve said before, the West Bank is a very dangerous place. The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, are very active. Mahmoud Abbas�s Fatah party tries to portrayitself as peaceful, but in actions they show they are terrorists � regularly shooting at Israeli villages and military bases. In the Hebron area last month, the Shin Bet thwarted a terrorist cell that sought to carry out an ISIS-inspired bomb attack. Using information provided by online videos andISIS contacts, these men constructed 100 explosive devices. If this plot had not been discovered, the results could have been devastating. The Northern Front The clash between Israel and Hezbollah is evident for all to see by the rockets fired south and the airstrikes launched north. On Monday, thirty rockets were fired over theborder toward Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel. Thirteen were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas. Hamas claimed responsibility for 16 of the rockets; it is assumed that Hezbollah fired the rest. For its part, the IDF regularly sends planes, missiles,and weaponized drones at strategic targets in Lebanon. Friday night into Saturday morning saw seven Hezbollah terrorists killed by airstrikes. One drone strike killed Abbas Ahmed Halil, grandson of Hezbollah�s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Halil was a member ofthe pro-Iranian Imam Hossein Division. Two of his compatriots were also killed in the attack. According to Hezbollah, 226 of its fighters have been killed since the beginning of the war. Syria is also preparing for war. Last week saw a combined land and sea exercise by the Syrian military. This week, the Syrian army is following up by carrying out a huge militaryexercise. Yesterday saw rockets fired from Syria toward the Golan Heights. Israel immediately retaliated with an attack into Syria. Iran Elections in Iran told the story of a disappointed and disillusioned populace. In a system where there is no chance of the ruling party being defeated, popular attitudes canbe surmised from the voter turnout. Saturday�s election saw only 41% of those eligible coming out to vote. That is the lowest turnout since the Islamic Revolution. Part of the reason for the citizens� frustration is the tanking economy. The black-market rateof the Iranian Rial, known as the world�s least valuable currency, is now approaching 600,000 rials to one U.S. dollar on the black market. This is the lowest value the currency has ever held. Russia Yesterday, a Russian missile struck the Ukrainian city of Odesa killing five people. Approximately 500 meters away from the blast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasgiving Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis a tour of the area. No one in their entourages was harmed. Russia claimed they were aiming at a hangar where there were unmanned army vessels. Ukraine, for its part, took aim at a manned Russian vessel. Drone boats were directed at the Russian corvette, Sergey Kotov, sending the patrol boat to the bottom of the BlackSea near Crimea. If a Bloomberg report is to be taken seriously, Ukraine should celebrate every victory while it still can. The study claims that Russia should be able to break through Ukraine�s defensive line by summer. --------------------------------- The Prophetic Significance of the Hamas/Israel War - Olivier Melnick- https://shalominmessiah.com/2024/03/07/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-hamas-israel-war/ On October 7, 2023, Hamas literally broke a ceasefire that had been in effect since 2005, when they sent terrorists across to Israel and murdered 1,200 innocent civiliansand took over 240 hostages (several of them also murdered since that initial date.) On October 7, Hamas had declared war on Israel. Within a few hours, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared: �We didn�t start this war, but we will finish it!� The war is ongoing, and many Bible students are wondering if it has any prophetic significance. Is it connected to any Bible events that are predicted for the future? Is itthe war of Psalm 83? Is it the war of Gog and Magog? Is it the beginning of the Time of Jacob�s Trouble, also known as the Tribulation? Maybe it is also connected to the events described in Zechariah 12. Let�s look at all four possibilities. Is It the War of Psalm 83? Psalm 83 was written by Asaph and is a clear example of the hatred that the enemies of Israel have for the Jewish land. Verse 4 literally reads like a news headline: �Theyhave said, �Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.�� Further down into the Psalm, we are given a list of the ten nations that are �conspiring� against Israel. Incidentally, they also conspire against the God of Israel accordingto verse 5: �For they have conspired together with one heart; Against You they cut a covenant.� So, keep in mind that you cannot hate the Jews and love God. The ten nations are found in verses 6-8, �The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8 Assyria also has joined with them. In modern times, these ten nations are divided as follows: Jordan (Edom, Moab, Ammon), Saudi Arabia (Ishmaelites), Egypt (Hagarenes, Amalek), Lebanon (Gebal, Tyre), The GazaStrip (Philistia), Iraq and Syria (Assyria.) Two of these countries, Egypt and Jordan, have official peace treaties with Israel and are currently not a threat to the safety of the Jewish people. Additionally, there hasnever been a conspiracy of all ten countries in the history of mankind. Another way to look at Asaph�s lament is to see it as a literary device he used to express to his God that everywhere he looks, the Jews have enemies. It is akin to someonesaying, �The whole world is against me� when many negative things simultaneously happen to that person. It is very likely that the war of Psalm 83 isn�t really a war to start with. Is It the War of God and Magog? The war of Gog and Magog is also a very debated topic among Bible students. Ezekiel chapters 36-39 provide much information on end times. Chapters 36 and 37 speak of the regatheringof the Jewish people into the land, first in unbelief (36) and then, as they are being regenerated (37), with that beautiful passage about the Valley of Dry Bones. Ezekiel 38:1-7 lists ten proper names for the reader. Gog (a person), Magog (former Soviet Union), Rosh (Russia), Meshech and Tubal (Turkey), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (Sudan),Put (Libya), Gomer (Central Turkey), Beth-Togarmah (Turkey). This is a real war and can probably be described as one of the greatest existential threats that modern Israel will know in the future. Furthermore, in Ezekiel 38:8, 11 and14, we are told that the battle will take place while Israel is at rest and at peace, something that is clearly not the case currently, especially since October 7, 2023. Ezekiel 38:11 and you will say, �I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living withoutwalls and having no bars or gates. A preferred view for Gog and Magog would be after Israel has signed a peace treaty with the Antichrist, something that will indicate the starting point of the seven-year GreatTribulation. At that point, Israel will be at peace�albeit false�for the first three and a half years of the seven-year Tribulation. This is also in line with the prophecies of Daniel 9. Things are moving very fast in the Middle East right now and many eventstake place unexpectedly, but we are not in the midst of Gog and Magog. Is It the Start of the Great Tribulation? It is no secret that I adhere to a premillennial, pre-tribulational view of the end times, with the next event on the prophetic clock being the dateless, signless Rapture.Regardless of one�s view of the Rapture, serious students of the Bible agree that what starts the Tribulation is the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, and this hasn�t happened quite yet. Simply put, the current situation in Israel has not started the Tribulation. Incidentally, nowhere in the Bible do we find even one verse telling us that everything will befine for believers all the way to the start of the Tribulation. Things can and probably will get worse before they get better, and eventually, the Tribulation will start. Is It Connected to the events of Zechariah 12? The prophet Zechariah sheds more light on the end times. He tells us that in the end, Jerusalem will be at risk: Zechariah 12:3 But it will be in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who heave it up will be severely injured. And all the nationsof the earth will be gathered against it. Further down in the chapter, we learn that God will go after all the enemies of Israel, something that even Asaph was praying for in Psalm 83. Zechariah 12:9 And it will be in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. While we still do not have an exact timing for these events, we can say with assurance that the world stage, and certainly the Middle East stage, is being set for these battles.The worldwide irrational and demonic increase in antisemitism is showing us again that we are ever so close to the return of Yeshua of Nazareth. Satan knows that his days are numbered and that he will eventually be thrown into the Lake of Fire after Yeshuahas returned. This time, Yeshua will return as the Lion of Judah and not the sacrificial lamb of God. He will decimate all the enemies of Israel and inaugurate the Millennial kingdom inJerusalem from where He will reign from the throne of David. So, while this is not the War of Psalm 83, Gog and Magog, or the Tribulation, the stage is being set, and all the players are in place. Now would be a really good time toexamine your heart and make sure that you have made peace with God by trusting the atonement made by Yeshua, the Messiah, on your behalf. When all these events become a reality, while salvation will still be possible, life will be much more complicated. --------------------------