Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Luke 21:11a There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences.
Map: Google
October 30, 2020: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks have struck southwest Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Izmir, Turkey appears to have taken the brunt of the damage.
As of this post, 21 people have died and over 725 have been injured. Small tsunamis were reported throughout coastal populations on the Aegean Sea.
For video and pictures of the event. Click on the link below from the Daily Mail.
This area is the home office to the seven churches in the book of Revelation.
Patmos is an island in the Aegean Sea. The word “Patmos” means: my killing. The Apostle John was sentenced to the island of “my killing”. Where are you going? My killing.
Patmos is a small island approximately 10 miles by 6 miles. It is a rocky island. Tradition has John receiving the “Revelation” in a cave on the south side of the island.
Historical Ephesus was the largest city of the seven churches.
This is the city for Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesus was located on the Cayster River. The city was between the Maeander River to the south and the Hermus River to the north. The city was also a great seaport on the Aegean Sea. The geography allowed Ephesus to be a significant commercial destination. It was the most important port in the Aegean.
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Ancient Smyrna today is Izmir, Turkey. It is located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Smyrna was founded by the Greeks approximately 3,000 years ago. Ancient Smyrna was a port city and relied on commercial trade. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD.
Today, Izmir is the most populous Aegean port city in Turkey. The city is predominantly Muslim. It is the third most populous city in Turkey. Izmir is home to Turkey’s second largest Jewish community of about 2,500. (Wikipedia)
Nagorno-Karabakh Region, September 27, 2020: Military conflict has broken out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the weekend. The situation appears to be escalating quickly. Both countries have declared martial law. Both sides are leaking information about war declarations.
Armenia has called for troop mobilization. Armenia is claiming they are responding to the Azerbaijan initiation.
photo: Wikipedia
Civilian and military casualties are being reported on both sides. Military equipment, munitions, and air force equipment are being destroyed on both sides.
“Dear compatriots: Now by the decision of the government, a military situation and a general military gathering is announced in the Republic of Armenia. The decision will take effect from the moment of publication. I urge the staff attached to the troops to present their territorial military commissions. For the sake of the homeland, for the sake of victory.”
Footage shows mobilization taking place this evening in Armenia where people are lining up to take part in war against Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/AiGzrMDsKs
Reports indicate Azerbaijan is shutting down social media. Tweets are showing truck loads of Syrian and Muslim mercenaries headed to the region. On Twitter, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan is making phone calls with Turkey, Russia, and the European Union. There are lots of pictures with people in meeting. Content is not being released.
There are religious implications. Azerbaijan is viewed as a secular country by the Muslim world. Nearly a quarter of the population identifies itself as Muslim. Of that group, Azerbaijan is mostly a Shia Muslim country.
Armenia is a predominantly Christian nation. As of 2011, 97% of the country identified as Christian and members of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Wikipedia).
The conflict has nations quickly aligning with one of the two nations.
Countries supporting Azerbaijan include: Turkey, Pakistan
Countries supporting Armenia include: Russia, India
Global economic considerations include pipelines of oil and natural gas that flow through the region. Turkey’s Lira and the Russian Ruble are in free fall and being devalued to historical levels relative to the US dollar. Cost of basic goods are exploding across the region due to inflation. Both countries are feeling the pain of United States economic sanctions.
World leaders are calling for peace and an end to hostilities…
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
This marks the third regional conflict where Turkey and Russia are at odds; Syria, Libya, and now Nagorno-Karabakh.
It would appear Russia and Turkey will need to get on the same page politically. And maybe not…
The verses above from Ezekiel 38 read as follows. Gog, a political leader of Magog (modern day Russia) is the leader of Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth Togarmah (essentially modern day Turkey and the area above in dispute).
It would appear somebody is going to coalesce power before the invasion of Israel takes place. This group of people will be under the leadership of Gog.
IF (and I caution with a BIG IF) this is a pivotal event that brings this about, it seems reasonable Russia is about to assert its authority whether it be military or political might.
Recent history teaches not to be dogmatic in certainty about prophecy being fulfilled. There have been and will be many twists and turns. Be watchful. Be alert. Scripture tells us how it ends but does not always tell us how we get there…
September 22, 2020: Today, Israel has become a member of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF). The virtual conference was hosted in Cairo, Egypt. Current members include Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and the Palestinian Authority. The goal of the group is to supply Europe with 10% of its natural gas needs.
Of note, France wants to be a member of the forum. The European Union and the United States are “observers”.
“…contribute to advancing regional stability and prosperity, creating an environment of trust, prosperity, stability and neighborly relations through regional energy cooperation…” -EMGF
The EastMed Pipeline is estimated to cost $8 billion and will deliver up to 12 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Europe. The EastMed will be the deepest under sea pipeline. The line is estimated to be 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) long.
Israel discovered natural gas off their coast in the Mediterranean in October 2015. There is enough gas for Israel to be energy independent and a significant exporter to western Europe. These gas fields are set to be ready for production in 2021.
Ezekiel 38:12 …to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth.
Currently, Russia is the largest exporter of natural gas to Europe.
These are the intentions of Gog, the leader of Magog (Russia). The Russians, along with the Turks and Iranians are planning to invade. Their motivation is economic. They want to steal natural resources from Israel.
Turkey has not been included the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. Of course the Turks will join forces with the Russians. These are the countries who stand to lose out economically because of the EMGF.
Ezekiel 38:13Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’
Historically, per Strong’s Concordance and NET Bible, Raamah settled in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. Sheba settled in the southern Arabian Peninsula. Dedan settled in the northern Arabian Peninsula. Dedan was an ancient capital of Saudi Arabia. It is modern day Al Ula in northwest Saudi Arabia. These areas make up what is modern day Saudi Arabia.
In light of recent Middle East peace developments and Biblical prophecy, don’t be surprised if Saudi Arabia has an agreement for normalized relations with Israel.
Today, Israel wishes Saudi Arabia congratulations on their 90th national year as a country. Israel expresses a future “with goodness and blessing in light of security, safety and prosperity, with our wishes for an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and good neighborliness.”
نتقدم بخالص التهنئة والتبريكات للمملكة العربية السعودية ملكاً وحكومةً وشعباً بحلول اليوم الوطني التسعين 🇸🇦. يعيده عليكم بالخير والبركة في ظل الأمن والامان والازدهار مع تمنياتنا ان تعم أجواء السلام والتعاون والجيرة الحسنة. #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي_90pic.twitter.com/XEGgIvn5ym
According to Ezekiel’s prophecy, it would appear modern day Saudi Arabia along with at least Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan will protest the potential Russian invasion. Prophecy seems to indicate there will be more countries in this coalition with Israel.
Beirut, Lebanon; September 12, 2020: This is a breaking story out of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. As emotions are running high between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, Russia is transferring significant naval forces to the region.
The following is from the Russian website Avia.pro. The feed was picked up by Al-Masdar News.
“experts are seriously concerned about the presence of at least 15 Russian warships and submarines off the coast of Syria. This is the first time such a large military formation has been seen here, which raises suspicions about whether Russia plans to engage in a military special operation against jihadists using the navy.”
“one of the last to appear off the coast of Syria was the tanker of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy ‘Akademik Pashin’; boats, and, obviously, this is far from the final number of ships of the Russian Navy located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.” -Telegram channel, Hunter Notes
Последние несколько дней танкер Северного Флота "Академик Пашин" существенно замедлил ход и сейчас находится по координатам 33.15044° / 31.51073° (возможно заправка группы кораблей ВМФ РФ) pic.twitter.com/53zdCEL1bX
Ezekiel 38:2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him…”
What does secular history say about the Magogians? Who are they? In the 7th century BC, Hesiod the Greek poet identified the Scythians as people of modern day southern Russia. Hesiod’s writings pre dated the Ezekiel the prophet.
The Father of History, Herodotus, labeled the descendants of Magog by their Greek name, Scythians. This occurred in the 5th century AD.
About 2,500 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel says Russia will be joined by several countries with their future invasion of Israel.
On August 15, 2016, Russia acquired its first permanent air base in Syria, the Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia, Syria. The Russians have been building and expanding their military presence in the region since.
Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.
First things first. The current events to be discussed below are not the fulfillment of the Revelation prophecy. Currently, the seven year tribulation has not begun. The seals have not been broken let alone the bowl judgments poured out. Bet yet another example, we are trending in this direction.
Basra, Iraq: Salt water from the Persian Gulf is pushing inland due to the lack of water flow from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers north of town. Farmers are going north looking for fresh water.
“Salinity has gone up in recent years and it’s killing the farmlands. Before, we could sell our dates in the Gulf and as far as the United States. Now, you can see with your own eyes. This whole river died.” Abu Shaker, a 70-year-old date palm farmer.
With the filling of the Ilisu Dam, Turkey is slowly cutting off water to Iraq. Water levels behind Mosul Dam in northern Iraq have dropped by three billion cubic meters. Water flow from Turkey has been reduced by 50%.
The Ilisu Dam is one of 22 dams being constructed in southeast Turkey. The dams are impacting both the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Syria is feeling the brunt of the decreased water flow of the Euphrates.
Iran is cutting off water from the Sirwan and Little Zab Rivers which dump into the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad.
To make matters worse, the water hyacinth is taking over the two rivers. The “Nile Flower” was introduced about 20 years as a decorative plant. The purple flowered plant is native to South America’s Amazon basin.
A plant is estimated to drink up to 1.3 gallons of water per day. The water hyacinth also blocks sun and oxygen from life on the rivers. As a result, fish are dying and water levels are dropping further. This has been devastating to carp fisherman. Carp supplies have been cut in half. Carp is a delicacy in Iraq.
A 1,000 square foot area weighs up to five tons. The thick vegetation blocks water from reaching fields for farming.
“During this harvest, our vegetable sales in the local market were down by a third,” Ahmed Yasser, farmer.
And with COVID-19, the wild flower is spreading unchecked.
While the world has been watching the drama between the United States and Iran…
January 8, 2020: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Erdogan have announced a cease fire in Libya effective 00:00 (midnight) on January 12, 2020.
Putin and Erdogan got together in Istanbul, Turkey to reach the deal. On the surface, it would appear Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the conflict.
Russian special forces have been in Libya since March of 2017. Russia supports General Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA). There are an estimated 2,500 Russian troops in Libya per the Turks.
Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) has requested Turkey’s military support. The GNA has the support of the United Nations. As of the posting of this blog, Turkey has sent an estimated 35 troops and this per Turkish state run news outlets.
See the New York Times article below for more details.
Check out al-Monitor for a Middle East perspective.
Oil and money are at the heart of the issue. Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa. Production is approximately 700,000 barrels per day. With political stability and safety, production could increase to 2,500,000 barrels per day.
The backdrop of the announcement was Russia and Turkey announcing the Turkstream Pipeline. The pipleline carries natural gas from Russia to the west under the Black Sea to Turkey. From there, natural gas is distributed to southern Europe.
“We hosted the President of Serbia (Aleksandar Vucic) and Bulgarian Prime Minister (Boyko Borissov) here, also there are some guests from other countries in Southern Europe. This gas will directly go to these countries: Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, (Serbia), Bulgaria, maybe Romania, and then go to Hungary and Austria.” -Sakir Arikan, Managing Director of TurkAkim Gas
“The supply of Russian gas through TurkStream will undoubtedly be of great importance not only for the economy of Turkey and the Black Sea region, but will also have a positive impact on the development of many South European countries, and will contribute to improving the energy security of Europe in general,” stated Vladimir Putin.
Russia is also supporting Turkey with the Akkuyu nuclear power plant which is scheduled to come on line later in 2020.
Ancient Magog (Russia) and his brothers Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal (Turkey) have come together in the name of peace in Libya. Turkey and Russia are drawing closer for economic benefit. The prophet Ezekiel said they would form an alliance at some point in the future. Who knew it would take about 2,600 years from when it was written?
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet…
These are Noah’s grandchildren. The sons of Ham by and large settled in Africa. Historical Put is a country that will join Russia, Turkey, Iran and others in their future invasion of Israel per the prophet Ezekiel.
Put or Phut means “a bow”; a nation and people of northern Africa; probably Libyans. –Strong’s Concordance. Consensus among researchers and scholars is noted that Put is modern day Libya.
The ultimate issue is oil and natural gas. Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa. Production is approximately 700,000 barrels per day. With political stability and safety, production could increase to 2,500,000 barrels per day.
Libya is also the main gateway to Europe for African immigrants. Six billion pounds a year are made in trading humans across the Mediterranean Sea. Italy is less than 300 miles away. Vladimir Putin looks to control the flow of immigration as a political tool against Europe.
Russian special forces have been in Libya since March of 2017. Russia supports General Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA). General Haftar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow in November 2016.
December 2019: Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) has requested Turkey’s military support. The GNA has the support of the United Nations.
President Recep Erdogan of Turkey intends to present legislation in early January 2020 to parliament.
“Since there is an invitation (from Libya) right now, we will accept it. We will present the motion to send troops as soon as Parliament resumes. God willing, we will pass it in Parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond to an invitation,” President Erdogan, Turkey.
Erdogan went on to further state the following.
“They are helping a warlord. We are responding to an invitation from the legitimate government of Libya. That is our difference.”
Turkey’s potential military move into Libya only complicates the situation further. Turkey will be supporting Libya’s GNA. Russia will be supporting General Haftar’s LNA.
Is Libya on the cusp of being like the situation in Syria?
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
The brothers of Magog (Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal) appear to point to modern day Turkey.
Russia and Turkey are aligning with political factions in Libya, just like Ezekiel said…
President Recep Erdogan is defending Turkey’s decision to move into Syria. Erdogan is threatening to open Turkey’s borders to Europe with 3.6 million refugees if the European Union is insistent on calling the operation an invasion and occupation.
The link below is from the Twitter feed of the Turkish media outlet Anadolu Agency.
The United States Government is divided in how to manage the situation. President Trump has authorized the removal of US troops. Trump has indicated he was elected to get the United States out of pointless wars.
I was elected on getting out of these ridiculous endless wars, where our great Military functions as a policing operation to the benefit of people who don’t even like the USA. The two most unhappy countries at this move are Russia & China, because they love seeing us bogged…..
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and others indicate Trump has betrayed Kurdish allies in the Middle East by leaving them vulnerable without US military assets. There is bipartisan support for sanctions against Turkey.
I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator @ChrisVanHollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria.
While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support. pic.twitter.com/Ph5fIVt7k3
International response is opposed to Turkey’s move into Syria.
The majority of the military intervention is currently taking place from the Euphrates River in the west to the Tigris River in the far east border of Syria.
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
The brothers of Magog (Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal) appear to point to modern day Turkey.
Russia will be joined by several countries in their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). One of those countries is modern day Turkey.
At some point in the future, Russia is prophesied to invade Israel. The Bible says Russia and Turkey are going to join forces (Ezekiel 38-39).
September 5, 2019: Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan discussed his need for nuclear weapons. His comments were in front of his ruling political AK Party.
Photo: Getty Images
“Some countries have missiles with nuclear warheads, not one or two. But (they tell us) we can’t have them. This, I cannot accept. There is no developed nation in the world that doesn’t have them” -President Erdogan
Erdogan’s primary complaint is the nation of Israel. For their part, Israel does not indicate their nuclear status in a positive or negative sense.
“We have Israel nearby, as almost neighbors. They scare (other nations) by possessing these. No one can touch them.” -President Erdogan.
Turkey previously signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1980 and the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Time will tell if these treaties mean anything to a man seeking nuclear weapons.
Erdogan did not stop with nuclear ambitions. He added some leverage to the situation by discussing the refugee situation in Syria.
Erdogan is demanding a “safe zone” in Syria. If an agreement is not reached with the United States, Erdogan has indicated he will release millions of refugees through Turkey into western Europe. Turkey’s president wants a deal by the end of September 2019.
“We will be forced to open the gates. We cannot be forced to handle the burden alone.”
There are an estimated 3.65 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey.
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
The brothers of Magog (Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal) appear to point to modern day Turkey.
Russia will be joined by several countries in their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). One of those countries is modern day Turkey.
At some point in the future, Russia is prophesied to invade Israel. The Bible says Russia and Turkey are going to join forces (Ezekiel 38-39).
Michael Douville and Paul Lehr discuss international economics and how it lines up with Biblical Prophecy. Biblical Prophecy is being fulfilled as we speak!
The economic situation in Turkey continues to deteriorate. The Turkish government is desperate for resources. How does the situation in modern day Turkey relate to Bible prophecy?
Ezekiel 38:12-13 to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth. Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’
For recent history regarding Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Ezekiel’s prophecy, see the link below.
Will a strong US Dollar lead to the scenario of hyperinflation described in Revelation 6?
Revelation 6:5-6 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”
