Occasionally, Concerning The Times will devote a weekly article to focus on global trends and rapidly converging prophetic events to get the big picture. God knows everything past, present, and future. When we step back and view current events through the lens of scripture, the things taking place in recent weeks and months seem less random and more as they belong to the end-time scenario. We will cover several topics and focus on two that are certainly prophetic in scope. Here is the current Global Situation Update:
When we look at the world with a discerning eye, it doesn’t take long before we recognize that there is trouble brewing everywhere. It is difficult to pick a corner of the globe and not find turmoil. If we turn to Africa we have the growing nightmare that is Ebola. In Africa, we also see a major surge in the persecution of Christians at the hands of radical Islamists. Europe is becoming reacquainted with an old evil that is antisemitism. From Hungary to France, to the EU leadership itself, it appears that many want to make Israel and the Jewish people the reason for all of the world’s problems.
When we turn to Asia we see a region that could ignite at any moment. Territory, natural resources, and unimpeded access to the international waters around China are all major issues. China has shown increased aggression towards its neighbors and is claiming more airspace and waterways as its sovereign territory. The other house of cards in Asia is the volatile Korean peninsula. The evil and darkness that is North Korea is always one miscalculation away from major conflict.
In the United States, we have double-digit unemployment and a stagnant economy, and our borders are open. The threat to national security that is represented by the border situation has been well documented, but it bears repeating. Disease, violent drug cartels, human trafficking, criminals, and terrorists are what we are leaving our borders open to. Unfortunately, this situation hasn’t abated and we can only hope that serious threats posed to the public never materialize.
Ebola has made its way here as well. It remains to be seen how this disease will affect America, but there have been many mistakes made by officials thus far. Now we have approximately 4,000 of our soldiers in the hot zone in West Africa. In my opinion, this is a very poor decision by this administration and the DOD to send these men and women to “fight Ebola.” We were told by officials that they wouldn’t be in harm’s way or have direct contact with patients. That may or may not be the case, but that leads one to question the 21-day quarantine in Italy for soldiers on the way back to the US.
Now I want to turn our attention toward two key situations that I believe are lining up with the end-time scenario the Bible lays out. First, we will look at Russia: Ezekiel 38:10
Russia has been making a lot of headlines in recent months. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been on the media’s back burner so to speak, but this may be short-lived. Two weeks ago, Russian President Putin ordered approximately 17,000 Russian troops to pull back from the border region of Ukraine. Putin has done this before and it remains to be seen if the temporary peace will hold. It’s worth noting that the two countries did strike a deal to allow natural gas to flow from Russia to Ukraine this winter. In light of the declining Russian ruble and the need to bolster its economy, the move makes sense.
When we look at the big picture in the region and increased Russian military aggression, the temporary peace may be just that, temporary. There has been a major surge of Russian military activity in the last year, which seems meant as a message to NATO. Moreover, in the past six months, we have seen numerous incursions into NATO country airspace. In the last week alone, there have been dozens of flights by Russian strategic nuclear bombers in close proximity to Norway, Portugal, Great Britain, and along our west coast near Alaska and California. When we take hard-line rhetoric coming from Moscow that’s being directed to Washington into account and the unusually high amount of “practice runs” their long-range bombers are making, the message to the west seems clear: Russia is bolstering its military and political presence worldwide and it seems to be deviating from the business as usual stance with the US and EU.
In my opinion, the timing of Russia’s resurgence isn’t coincidental. Looking at the picture the Bible gives us for the last days, we see why Russia will be on a path to dominance. It was written by Ezekiel over 2,500 years ago, Russia and its evil coalition will make a move to plunder the riches of Israel. When we begin to see recent activity set the stage for future events, it’s just more evidence that the prophecies in God’s word are 100% spot on. When we want to discern what is going on in this world, Russia is one area that needs to be watched. One last comment on Russia: Recently, the White House computers were subject to a hacking attack, and many media sources report it originated from inside Russia. This is just another indication that Russia is bent on a course of increased boldness and at the very least, open political conflict with the US. America seems to be sitting on the sidelines when Russia moves on Israel. We can see the current decline in the US economy, military, and global leadership as a potential catalyst to allow for aggression against Israel mentioned in Ezekiel. I featured a piece in March titled: The Hook in Russia’s Jaw, which can be found on our articles page.
Let’s look at Israel as our second area of interest. Zechariah 12:1 When we read Zechariah 12:3 in its context, we know the ultimate fulfillment will be at the Battle of Armageddon. But we are beginning to witness a preview of what will be the political situation at the end of the age. For decades, Israel and its surrounding ‘neighbors’ have been in an almost constant state of conflict. I keyed in on the term neighbors for a reason. It’s because most of us are not in the least bit surprised when we see violent Islamic extremists and rogue regimes ruthlessly attack Israel with weapons and harsh rhetoric.
Here is what is becoming increasingly evident in recent months: The EU is becoming an antagonist with its words and one-sided policies directed at Israel. During the last summer and the conflict with Hamas, Israel was vilified over and over again by many in the European and liberal US media. Israel defends itself from ruthless rocket attacks and the EU quickly rebukes the Israeli government for using “disproportionate force.”
I find recent developments between Washington and Jerusalem very telling. We know that there is coming a day when every nation will turn against Israel. Many western nations have been firm allies of the Jewish nation since its modern rebirth. But look closely at what’s happening, I’m referring to the last few weeks.
Washington is engaged in a war of words and policies against Israel. The current administration has done an about-face and systematically fractured what was once a longstanding vital relationship between the US and Israel. Please understand that no previous administration was perfect and there has been a misguided policy that has strained relations with Israel before I’m not here to attack the current administration.
I do want to call out the outright antagonistic and disrespectful tone taken by our leadership against Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly been the target of unmerited ridicule. New Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem are labeled as illegitimate by the US. Moreover, Washington seems bent on forcing its will for a two-state solution that would imperil the security of Israelis.
What I find most shocking is that the US is about to make a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program. When will Washington wake up and realize it’s making a deal with a regime that ultimately wants to destroy it? Here is the sad truth. It is becoming more evident that the US is moving from being a close ally of Israel and now it seems like the US is on course to becoming part of what the Bible says will be the end result: All nations will gather against Israel.
We are living in pivotal times and students of the Bible can see that world news echoes the sentiment: This is not the time for business as usual. Friends, keep your eyes on Israel because ultimately the nation is the axis on which we will see end time prophecy fulfilled. I hope that all of us will look at the events taking place right before our eyes through the clear lens of God’s word. Looking at the present global situation serves as a reminder that Jesus is coming soon.
All for Him,
Howard
