If you study the Bible you will discover that we are living in the later days. For 2,000 years Christians have believed they were living in the end-times. What has prophecy told us to look for; is it now?

The NIV study Bible tells us in Daniel 2 – “Daniel saw evil rulers with almost limitless power, but Daniel knew and proclaimed that God ‘sets up kings and deposes them,’ that he controls everything that happens. God governs the world according to his purposes. You may be dismayed when you see evil people prosper, but God is in control. Let this knowledge give you confidence and peace no matter what happens.”

Recent news is: Ukraine accepts Russia over the EU. Russia needs the Ukraine to become attached if Vladimir Putin is to build Russia into the next world’s super power. Is Putin the chief prince of Russia that is referred to in Ezekiel chapter 39?

I read where Iran and Russia, bitter enemies for centuries, have become allies for the first time in history. It has made me concerned. If you study Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39 it sounds like a war against Israel could breakout anytime. Should that happen no one will come to Israel’s rescue, (Does that surprise you?) and Scripture says that God will destroy the armies from the north. Everyone will know that it was a “God Thing”.

If you follow current events you may be aware that Moscow has aggressively pursued political, economic and military ties to Iran in defiance of U.S. and European protests. Russia has authorized the sale of nuclear technology to Iran. They are training nuclear scientists and are providing them with the latest in armament.

Scripture tells us that (Magog) Russia and (Persia) Iran and others will be led to invade Israel. Ezekiel 38:4 – “I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.” Ezekiel goes on in 38:9 – “You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.”

Russia has hugely increased their defense budget, including new aircraft, rockets and the size of their army. The Iranian religious leaders believe it is their duty to prepare the way for the Islamic messiah by destroying the Jews and Christians. Thus, they have vowed to annihilate the U. S. and Israel and are preparing their military and nuclear weapons to accomplish that. As we continue in Ezekiel 39:2 & 4 – “I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.” How close are we getting to the time when Ezekiel’s vision will come to pass?

Ezekiel 38:18 – 22 – “This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.”

Ezekiel raises many questions: Will Russia supernaturally be destroyed? The Bible says the devastation will be like something we have never seen before. It is believed that we will see a resurgence of religions worldwide. We assume this will give the world one last chance for salvation before the War of Armageddon.

When this war occurs, as we believe it will, it could start a spiritual crisis for Muslims around the world. When they see God protecting Israel their faith will be shaken. Think of the response churches will encounter. Acts 2:17 & 18 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”

In Revelation 9:15 & 16 – Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.” (NLT) Many believe this will be led by China, a new super-power that will follow the direction of four demons.

Revelation 13:1 & 2 – The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.”

Many believe this to be the Old Roman Empire led by Germany and a one-world government led by the anti-Christ. We have shared before that the end will not come until Israel and the Palestinians reach a peace agreement and the Jews are able to build their Temple next to the Muslim’s Golden Dome. The anti-Christ must stand in the Temple at the end.

Daniel 2:44- “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” This is when Christ returns to set up His kingdom and rules forever. The last super-power!

Do you wonder why we have the government we now have? According to Daniel, he knew and proclaimed that God ‘sets up kings and deposes them,’ that he controls everything that happens. God governs the world according to his purposes.

We are living in a time when the world is not pleasing God and it is time for His wrath to put an end to sinful living. But look at what we have ahead if we are living according to God’s ways and have accepted Christ as our Savior. It will be the most fantastic experience one could ever imagine. The Bible is full of hope for Christians! I want to live under Christ’s reign. How about you? Can you love God with all of you strength, body and soul and others as yourself? LOVE CAN!