Wednesday, June 20, 2012
 
Russia, China, Ezekiel 38 and sanity

News headlines that Russia, China, Syria and Iran were going to conduct a 90,000 troop war game in Syria complete with hundreds of tanks, warplanes and ships sent ripples through the Christian community that the Ezekiel 38 prophecy was about to be played out. While it is good that many are watching these nations through the lens of Bible prophecy, it is a good idea to check the Bible for whether these events are prophetic fulfillment or types and shadows of prophecy or not even related to Bible prophecy. In short, study the scriptures for yourself before you take someone's word for them. Reuters now reports Russia and Syria deny as "disinformation" such war games originally mentioned in the Iranian media.

For as much as China and Russia aid the enemies of Israel, they are not specifically mentioned in any prophecy of the Bible. No doubt that they are end time players, just as America is an end time player. The nations mentioned in the Bible that come against Israel in prophecy and throughout history, however, are Middle Eastern. Ezekiel 38:2 identifies the leader that will bring Middle Eastern, currently mostly Islamic, nations against Israel: "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him." Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were all located in Turkey (directly North of Israel) at the time of Ezekiel's prophecy.

The controversy that divides Bible scholars is the use of the word "Rosh" in the Hebrew translation. Rosh is the word for "Chief." It also describes a people group. In attempting to connect Russia to this particular prophecy, many scholars suggest that the Scythians, a nomadic people, settled in parts of what are now Russia and that they are the "Russian" connection. In the context of the scriptures, there is yet another clue. In Revelation 2:13, Yeshua tells us that Pergamos is "where Satan's seat is." Pergamos is in Turkey, not Russia. The "Beast" of the end times is referred to in several places in the the Bible as the Assyrian, an empire that once controlled many of these prophetic locations in Turkey.

There is no doubt that Russia plays a role. It is a traditional supplier of weapons to Israel's enemies; it blocks most UN actions against Israel's enemies. In fact, Russia voted for Israel's right to exist at the UN in 1948, then it supplied the advisors and military equipment to the nations that immediately attacked her. But as far as Biblical proof that Russia is leading the Ezekiel 38 attack, it is speculation. Turkey, however, is extremely significant and once was the home of the most antichrist political and religious system on earth, the Islamic Caliphate--the Ottoman Empire. Yeshua warns in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Study the word for yourself that you may discern these times. It is important.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson