Last fall I was going to write an article about my growing suspicion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was becoming an authoritative ruler, and how he may be a match to the Gog leader of Ezekiel 38 and 39. I decided to not do the article because of Putin's insistence that he planned to step down in 2008.

Putin has repeatedly pledged that he would not try to change the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. Speaking to journalists in Moscow , he said Russia needed stability, and the best way to ensure that was by leaving the constitution unchanged.

Some critics are comparing Putin to Julius Caesar, who, according to legend, pretended to turn down the crown three times before reluctantly surrendering to the will of the people. We may be witnessing the type of theatrical skill that would make William Shakespeare proud.

Mark Antony:
“... You all did see that at the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? ...”
Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene II

Putin's hesitancy has certainly endeared him to the Russian people. Sixty-five per cent of his countrymen would like the incumbent President Vladimir Putin to serve a third term in office. Around a quarter of the population would be happy to see him serve a life term.

It could be that the old boy has had his fill of public service, and he wants to retire to his dacha in the countryside. What makes people question his sincerity about quietly riding off into the sunset is the tight control he has over the government. The whole time Putin has been in office, he has greatly turned back the clock on nearly every democratic reform.

His refusal to suggest a successor has only fueled speculation that he seeks to remain in power behind the scenes. It seems odd that someone could be so ruthless in the consolidation of power, and then be so neglectful when the time comes to choose a replacement for himself.

The wholesale takeover of nearly every major media outlet in Russia makes me very doubtful of Putin's commitment to democracy. One by one, television, radio, and print publications have come under state control. The three national television networks are all Kremlin directed. Many of the remaining so-called independent media outlets have been bought up by Gazprom, the state national gas company. The only evidence of free press that's left is the operation of a few small-circulation newspapers.

The desire to control all the media has even reached down to the level of the Internet. Parliament passed a measure banning “extremism” in politics, and prosecutors have gone after individuals who post critical comments on web chat rooms.

The takeover of the Russian media has not been a slow and silent process. May people who stood in Putin's way have been neutralized. The owners of many media companies who were foolish enough to resist Putin have been systematically charged with crimes and have had their assets taken from them.

Last week, the Kremlin really showed its hand when managers for the Russian News Service told journalists that from now on, at least 50 percent of the reports about Russia must be “positive.” In addition, opposition leaders could not be mentioned on the air and the United States was to be portrayed as an enemy.

It does seem sad that Russia has gone full circle, returning to its darker past. I think there was a divine reason for this 20-year cycle. The brief period of freedom in Russia allowed for the departure of the Jews. Prophecy-minded Christians have quickly forgotten about the great Jewish exodus that occurred right after the demise of the Soviet Empire.

I believe the Bible even makes mention of this event: “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, the LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt ; but, the LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north..." (Jer. 16:14-15).

Now that the predictions of the northern exodus have been fulfilled, we could be seeing the prophetic time line move towards the fulfillment of the Ezekiel 38 and 39--the Russian - Arab invasion of Israel. Only the Lord knows whether Putin will play an active role in end-time prophecy. It would be very interesting if Putin reluctantly decides to stay on for a third term, but even if he does decide to bow out, he already has done much to set the stage for the Gog invasion.

"And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes" (Ezek. 38:15-16).