Putin, Ahmadinejad and The Ezekiel Prophecy

In the Book of Ezekiel chapters 38-39 speaks of a specific invasion carried out by a coalition of nations (magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Put, Cush, Gomer and Togarmah) against the Land of Israel. Those nations are listed by names we don't recognize today but it is not hard to trace where those people groups were once from. Magog is modern-day Russia, Meshech is the southern part of Russia by the Black Sea (include Ukraine), Tubal is a part of Russia between the Black and Caspian seas (include Georgia),Persia is Iran (Now, Iran is the present major exporter of "Islamic Fundamentalism"), Cush's descendants are peoples in the Horn of Africa, such as Ethiopian, Sudanese, Somalian, etc, Put is associated with North Africa (Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco), Gomer and Togarmah, is the Armenians and another caucasian people.

Today, we know that NATO's expansion eastward is making Russia look around hurriedly for at least some kind of strategic allies. While, the anti- Western and anti-American regime in Iran would be a natural and very important partner. By the summer of 1995, Russia and Iran embarked on what the Russian ambassador there had begun to call a strategic relationship. Russian-Iranian economic and military relations continued to develop with reports of Russian plans to sell Iran $4 billion of military and other equipment. Yet despite those common interests, Russian-Iranian relations were not particularly close during the Yeltsin era. But, during the first year and a half of the Putin presidency, Russian-Iranian relations appeared to be improving steadily, and it seemed that the two countries were pursuing a common set of anti-American interests. Russia has decided to acquiesce in Iran's nuclear program, most probably because of Putin's policy of enhancing Russian prestige in the Middle East.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was elected Iran's president in June 2005, is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ahmadinejad has been a vocal supporter of Iran's nuclear program. Under Ahmadinejad, Iran has been increasingly pushed into an alliance with Moscow due to the controversy over Iran's nuclear program. During his presidency, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speeches and statements have contributed to increased tensions between Iran and Israel. He said that the solution to the Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel. He also urged Muslim states to "isolate" the United States and Britain, accusing them of supporting Israel's military offensive. Ahmadinejad is a devout Shia Muslim. He said the way to hasten the coming of the Islamic Messiah known as the "Mahdi" is to annihilate two countries -- Israel, which he says is the "little Satan," and the United States, which he says is the "Great Satan."

Putin and Ahmadinejad have met regularly. Putin clearly wants to rebuild the glory of Mother Russia. He step down as president in 2008 but stay in power as prime minister. As an "emerging Czar", Putin wants to expand Russia's borders and influence. But he can't go West and east. His real opportunity to build a global, anti-Western empire lies is to the South,to the middle east region. Thats why, Putin has assiduously pursued good relations with Arab governments. While, Ahmadinejad wants to reunite the Muslim world under a single authority, an Iranian rule. For his ambition, Ahmadinejad needs Russia. In the past, Russia and Arab governments was also true Israel enemy. Iran very likely could be the key ally in the Russian led invasion of Israel in the last days.

So, if we read the headlines in the newspapers of today, and witness the conflict in the Middle East, it's not hard to imagine that this invasion prophesied over 2600 years ago, could be fulfilled in our lifetime. As followers of Jesus, how important it is that we stay faithful and true to be a witness in these last days. Let us pray faithfully and earnestly for our political and military leaders, as well for the leaders in Israel, Russia, and Iran.