Europe 2014

1. Europe 2014

2. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel,[h] and many nations will fall Unrest erupts across west of Ukraine Daily Telegraph, January 23, 2014 EVENT Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfed parts of downtown Kiev as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president to call early elections or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise on Thursday. They demanded that Yanukovych dismiss the government, call early elections and scrap harsh anti-protest legislation that triggered the violence. The largely peaceful protest against Yanukovych's decision to shun the EU and turn toward Moscow in November descended into violence Sunday when demonstrators, angered by the passage of repressive laws intended to stifle the protest, marched on official buildings. For days protesters hurled fire bombs and stones at police, which retaliated with stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. The Wednesday deaths of two protesters — the first fatalities in more than two months of protests — fueled fears of more violence. We are very interested in the Ukraine. Why? Because we are told in Ezekiel 38 that Gog is of the land of Magog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal. Magog according to ancient historian Josephus was where the Scythians lived. Maps show that the Scythians lived in Southern Russia and Ukraine. See map above. Instead of Scythia read Magog. You can see that Scythia covered mainly southern Russia but also extended to cover much of Ukraine. The violence in the Ukraine is due to half the country wanting to come under Russian influence and half wanting to come under Europe’s influence. Russia is winning this tug of war by doing gas deals and putting massive pressure on the Ukraine government. Russia sees Ukraine as its satellite nation. In fact is main military port on the Black Sea is actually in the Ukraine at Sevastopol. We know Russia will come with many ships – they are based in Magog! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:41 NLT)

3. And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. Russia criticises West for supporting Ukraine protests Daily Telegraph, February 1, 2014 The Russian foreign minister has strongly criticised the West for backing Ukraine's protesters, accusing European and American leaders of inciting "increasingly violent" protests. Sergei Lavrov said that Western support was causing an escalation in the demonstrations, which first started two months ago when President Victor Yanukovych failed to sign an agreement to deepen ties with the European Union – preferring to forge stronger links with Russia. Why is no one condemning those who seize administration buildings, attack policemen and chant racist and anti-Semitic slogans?" said Mr Lavrov. "How would the European Union react if the Russian government openly supported street riots in London, Paris or Hamburg, and sent its ministers to these cities to encourage the protesters?" he asked. Describing the situation in Ukraine as raising "fundamental questions" about EU-Russia relations, he said that in this case "a choice is being imposed." EVENT COMMENT The Ukraine is being torn in two. The majority of the population want to move away from Russian influence and come under Europe’s influence. But Russia is not about to let the Ukraine do this. This is a tug of war between East and West. Between Russia and Europe / America. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States and European Union "stand with the people of Ukraine”. "Nowhere is the fight for a democratic, European future more important today than in Ukraine," Kerry told political, diplomatic and military leaders at a Munich conference.” The United States and EU stand with the people of Ukraine in that fight.” So we see how yet another uprising and revolution is bringing Russia and America into potential conflict… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

4. “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! Putin says Ukraine is a “krai”—purposely avoiding the Russian word for country, strana. The Russian word “krai” means “land”. This is how the Bible describes Magog in Ezekiel 38. War of words between Obama and Putin over Ukraine ABC News, February 20, 2014 A war of words between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the violence exploding on the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, this week shows the global tug-of-war between East and West erupting in the former member of the old Soviet Union. The tensions between protesters and government security forces became deadly overnight in Independence Square, where Ukrainians have gathered for months to protest President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to back out of a deal with the European Union and instead join an economic group led by Russia. Protesters felt the EU deal would have been a significant step forward in building relationships with Western nations, but that Yanukovich was pressured by Putin to spurn the West and continue its close relationship with Russia. Statements by Obama and Putin this week show how each country is trying to blame the other for meddling in Ukraine. EVENT The Ukraine has the world’s 3rd largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. The reason this country (the largest in Europe) has so many of these weapons is that it was once part of the USSR. It also has a huge army of 780,000 men. But the Ukraine that sits between Russia and Europe has in recent years looked increasingly towards the West. There is an on-going political battle within Ukraine as to who runs the country – pro Russia or Pro Europe presidents. Currently it is a pro Russian president. The last pro Western president was poisoned with a potent dioxin – almost certainly Russia was behind this. It shows the lengths Russia will go to to keep Ukraine under its control. The Ukraine is part of the ancient land of Magog. Putin (latter day Gog) is of the land of Magog. He will keep control of Ukraine. The tug of war will lead to Russia getting angry. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3 NLT)

5. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. …And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Magog will be destroyed Financial crisis threatens Russia as Ukraine spins out of control Daily Telegraph, February 20, 2014 The dramatic escalation of Ukraine’s civil conflict and fears of Russian military intervention have sent financial tremors across Eastern Europe, turning the region into the new fulcrum of the emerging market crisis. “This has suddenly gone from a domestic Ukrainian story into a geopolitical clash,” said Lars Christensen, from Danske Bank. The Russian ruble has fallen to a record low against the euro, with contagion reaching Poland, Hungary and Romania in recent days. “The moves in Russia are very like the events during the war in Georgia in 2008. Markets are pricing in the risk of Russian intervention,” he said. Any deployment of Russian troops to stiffen the Ukrainian government could spiral out of control, leading to an East-West stand-off not seen since the Cold War. It might even been seen as replay of Russian intervention in Hungary in 1956 to prevent the country slipping out of the Soviet Union. EVENT We may actually see Russian intervention in Ukraine if push comes to shove. Russia has too much to lose if the Ukraine turns to the West. On Wednesday Obama said that the Ukraine is not part of “some Cold War chessboard”. However Putin does see it that way. To Putin the Ukraine is a very valuable piece on his board. The port city of Sevastopol in the Ukraine continues to be the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Many of Russia's gas pipelines run through Ukraine to Europe. Kiev the capital of the Ukraine is the centre of Orthodox Christianity, Russia’s national religion. Also Putin’s pet project is to create a Eurasian Union. The idea is based on the European Union. An economic union of ex Soviet states (including the Ukraine) to be a power bloc to compete with the EU. So for Putin there is a lot at stake with the Ukraine. The Bible is clear…. Magog (which Ukraine forms part) will be controlled by Gog when he invades. COMMENT he BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 39: 1,2,6 NLT)

6. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog We are told in Ezekiel 38 that Gog is of the land of Magog. Magog we are told by ancient historians were called the Scythians by the Greeks. The map shows the territory of Scythia. You can see it mainly covers southern Russia. On the left we have superimposed modern Ukraine. You will notice that the eastern half of Ukraine was part of ancient Scythia (Magog)….. Map of the Scythian Kingdom “Magog founded those that from him were called Magogites, but who by the Greeks called Scythians” Josephus: Antiquities (Ezekiel 38:2-3 RSV) BIBLE QUOTE

7. Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog - The land of Magog (as we showed on the first slide) encompassed Southern Russia but also the Eastern half of the Ukraine. It cannot be coincidence that Gog (Putin) at this time is wrestling away the last piece of the precise territory that was controlled by ancient Gog (the leader of the Magogites). Ukraine: Russia accused of ‘armed invasion’ Daily Telegraph, February 28, 2014 Russian troops and armour backed by gunmen in unmarked uniforms fanned out across Crimea yesterday morning, seizing two airports and other key installations in an apparent bid to assert Moscow's dominance over the region. Despite "grave" warnings from America not to intervene, soldiers and unidentified armed men deployed on Crimea's main roads, and occupied key positions within ports and the region's main television station. Although no shots were fired and there were no reported injuries, Arsen Avakov, the new Ukrainian interior minister, said the sudden and unannounced Russian deployment amounted to a "military invasion and occupation" of his country's territory. EVENT he COMMENT In last week’s WWW we wrote…”We may actually see Russian intervention in Ukraine if push comes to shove.” Within one week the intervention has come. Thirteen giant air transports flew into the Crimea Friday night, Feb. 28, and landed some 2,000 Russian troops at a military airfield near Sebastopol. Russian troops have taken over the two main airports in Crimea. Another group seized the region’s key points - bridges, road hubs and power stations. So what is going on? Ukraine is being torn in two. There is a tug of war. In broad terms western Ukraine is pro Europe. Eastern Ukraine is pro Russia. A few months ago the pro Russian president rejected an EU deal to do trade and instead went with a Russian trade deal. This caused the riots and deaths we saw on the streets last week. This led to the pro Russian Ukrainian leader going into exile. He turned up in Russia. Putin however does not want to lose control of Crimea (part of Ukraine) because this is his access to the Middle East from the Russian controlled military naval base of Sevastopol. War over Ukraine’s future could be on the cards… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2)

8. Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will push and attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. Events in Ukraine may well be part of the king of the south “push” or “attack” against the king of the north. Russia war games over Ukraine prompt US warning Associated Press, February 26, 2014 EVENT Russia ordered 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness Wednesday in a show of force that prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in Ukraine would be a "grave mistake.” Putin's announcement of huge new war games came as across Ukraine, the divided allegiances between Russia and the West were on full display. Amid the tensions, Putin put the military on alert for massive exercises involving most of the military units in western Russia, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. The maneuvers will involve some 150,000 troops, 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 navy ships, and are intended to "check the troops' readiness for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation's military security," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in remarks carried by Russian press. It’s amazing how fast events are happening. Within days we have a full blown Cold War situation with America warning Russia and Russia warning America. At an unscheduled press conference president Obama warned Russia there would be "costs" for any military intervention. Mr Obama said he was deeply concerned by reports of Russian military movements. But will Putin listen to these mild threats? It’s unlikely. In fact we see here a similar situation in Ezekiel 38 when Russia invades the Middle East. Britain and America (Tarshish and young lion) asking why Russia is doing such a thing. The two war weary powers do not want to physically confront the Russian bear. Russia is very much like a bear. Docile until provoked. When pushed too far the bear responds with fierce anger and nothing stands in its way. Nothing provokes a bear more than when her cubs are threatened. Crimea is one of Russia’s cubs… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 NLT)

9. And at the time of the end the king of the South shall push at and attack him, and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and pass through. Events in Syria nearly led to confrontation between America and Russia. Events in Ukraine may also lead to verse 40 of Daniel 11 being fulfilled…. Ukraine pleads for Britain & US to come to its rescue Daily Telegraph, February 28, 2014 Deeply worried politicians inside Ukraine's parliament have pleaded with Britain and the United States to come to their rescue, after Russia was accused of launching a series of raids in the Crimea region. The two Western powers signed an agreement with Ukraine in 1994, which Kiev's parliament wants enforcing now. The Budapest Memorandum, signed by Bill Clinton, John Major, Boris Yeltsin and Leonid Kuchma – the then-rulers of the USA, UK, Russia and Ukraine – promises to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Article one reads: "The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine ... to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine.” And Kiev is now claiming that their country's borders are not being respected. EVENT COMMENT This forgotten treaty signed in 1994 between Russia, America and Britain could drag the US and UK into WAR with Russia if Putin's troops intervene in Ukraine. That was the headline in a newspaper in the UK this week. The agreement states that the three countries will refrain from the threat or use of force against Ukraine. This agreement came about as a way of persuading Ukraine to give up its vast nuclear arsenal to Russia for dismantling. Ukraine was part of the USSR so ended up with the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. It would only surrender these weapons if it felt protected. America and Britain in effect promised to protect Ukraine from aggression. This is why Ukraine this week asked these two countries to help. The king of the south is being asked to step in and push back the king of the north. They may be forced to do so… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 AMP)

10. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. The legs represent the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire. Although all elements are destroyed this does not indicate a uniting of powers. World scrambles as Russia tightens grip on Crimea Associated Press, March 2, 2014 Warning that it was "on the brink of disaster," Ukraine put its military on high alert Sunday and appealed for international help to avoid what it feared was the possibility of a wider invasion by Russia. Outrage over Russia's military moves mounted in world capitals, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry calling on President Vladimir Putin to pull back from "an incredible act of aggression.” A day after Russia captured the Crimean Peninsula without firing a shot, fears grew in the Ukrainian capital and beyond that Russia might seek to expand its control by seizing other parts of eastern Ukraine. Senior Obama administration officials said the U.S. now believes that Russia has complete operational control of Crimea, a pro-Russian area of the country, and has more than 6,000 troops in the region. EVENT This crisis has the potential to lead to war. Putin has defied calls from the West to pull back his troops. He is insistent that Russia has a right to protect its interests and those of Russian-speakers in Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine. Russia has long wanted to reclaim the lush Crimean Peninsula, part of its territory until 1954. Russia's Black Sea Fleet pays Ukraine millions annually to be stationed at the Crimean port of Sevastopol and nearly 60 percent of Crimea's residents identify themselves as Russian. Ukraine is in effect a country divided down the middle. The Western half are pro Europe. The Eastern half pro Russia. In effect we are looking at the division in the legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s image. Some expect Russia to control Europe. But this is not what the Bible says. The legs remain divided. They never join together. Ezekiel 38 war does not involve Europe. It is Russia, Iran, Sudan, Libya & Turkey. The European beast and Catholic war comes later when Christ has returned and is established in Jerusalem he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:33-34)

11. And in the latter time …., a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft [deceit] to prosper Putin mocks the West and threatens to turn off gas Daily Telegraph, March 7, 2014 Putin and Antiochus Epiphanes Daniel 8 horn power and king of the north EVENT Vladimir Putin has mocked diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis as Russia threatened to disrupt European gas supplies by cutting off sales to Kiev over its unpaid debts. The Russian president said through his official spokesman that, despite deep disagreements with the West, he did not want a confrontation over Ukraine to spiral into a “new cold war”. Nevertheless Dmitry Peskov ridiculed Western demands for direct talks between the Kremlin and the new Kiev government, claiming that the loss of credibility involved “puts a smile on our face”. Earlier, Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, said it would start to reduce deliveries to Kiev, a move that would disrupt supplies to Europe. Gazprom said Ukraine had failed to make payments on its £1.2 billion debts. Energy experts said Russia had the power to cause problems in markets across Europe, even though peak winter demand was past. It is amazing how deceitful Russia is being over events in Crimea. It flatly refuses to acknowledge that its soldiers have taken over the region. They say this because the troops are not wearing Russian insignia. However they are driving military vehicles owned by the Russia military and clearly following Russian orders. This week Russia deliberately sank three old war ships to block the harbour entrance to stop Ukraine navy ships leaving the port in Crimea. Russia is backing a referendum next week in Crimea on joining the Russian Federation. This could spark conflict. We read in Daniel 8 of a king of fierce countenance standing up in the “latter time”. He brings destruction and ultimately attacks the Holy people (the Jews). Through his policy he causes deceit to prosper. This man is a latter day Antiochus Epiphanes. The original king of the north. In fact Putin even looks like this ancient king. Putin fulfils these words COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:23-24)

12. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Gog is the ruler of the Russian people - Putin Russia and the West fail in last minute Ukraine talks Daily Telegraph, March 14, 2014 Russia and the West were on a collision course on Friday night after the failure of an 11th-hour attempt to settle the confrontation over Ukraine. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, gave warning that Moscow will now suffer “consequences” when six hours of talks with his Russian counterpart broke up without agreement. After this meeting at the US ambassador’s residence in London, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, described the Ukrainian region of Crimea as being “immeasurably more important for Russia than the Falklands for the United Kingdom”. The failure of the talks means that a referendum on Crimea joining Russia will proceed on Sunday. European Union foreign ministers are then expected to meet on Monday and impose travel bans and asset freezes on between 120 and 130 powerful Russians linked to the Kremlin. EVENT he Russia and the West are indeed on a collision course. Or more accurately Russia and America. Russia believes America stirred up the trouble in Ukraine and removed the pro Russian leader. This is why Russia has stepped in. It will not allow a country that it sees firmly in its orbit passing under European / US control. Like a bear deprived of her cubs Russia is rearing up and will go to ANY lengths to protect her interests. Russia said this week they don’t want war. But generally Russia says the opposite to the truth. All the signs are that Russia is gearing up for war. So what does the Bible say about this? We have shown that Magog included the territory of eastern Ukraine as well as southern Russia. The Bible says Gog (Russian ruler) is of the land of Magog. We are watching Russia begin take over Eastern Ukraine and therefore Gog will control the whole territory of ancient Magog . All this may be the spark to ignite world war… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3)

13. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: Russia Warns It Is Ready To Place Eastern Ukraine 'Under Its Protection' Reuters, March 14, 2014 Russia said on Friday it reserved the right to protect compatriots in eastern Ukraine after clashes in the city of Donetsk in which one person was killed. The Foreign Ministry said Thursday’s violence in the industrial city, where many people speak Russian, showed the Ukrainian authorities had lost control. Ukraine's acting president warned the country must be ready for a full-scale Russian invasion "at any moment" on Thursday as officials announced the emergency call-up of a 60,000-strong national guard force. Oleksander Turchynov, the acting president in Kiev, declared Moscow was "ready" to go much further than the annexation of the Black Sea territory of Crimea, which is expected to vote to secede from Ukraine in a referendum on Sunday. With tensions mounting across the region, Moscow also sent three fighter jets to Belarus at the request of its government. EVENT COMMENT So can we piece together events from here? Well with Bible in hand here is what may happen. There are lots of strands coming together. We could see America “push” Russia over Ukraine. This maybe some sort of military provocation. This would fulfill Daniel 11:40. This then sets the scene for Russia to descend against the king of the south into Israel. We also need to see Isaiah 17 fulfilled with conflict between Israel and Syria. This could come at anytime. We are also reaching the deadline for Israel to divide the land with the Palestinians. It is possible we see some deal endorsed by Israel’s government that agrees to divide the land. It is hard to know the exact order but each situation is reaching its climax and events could happen fast. Ultimately this will all lead to Russia, (with Turkey, Iran, Sudan etc) descending into Israel and beyond … BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 3:9-12)

14. the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold— The stone = Christ returning. The metals of the image = different world empires. The fact the stone grinds all worldly kingdoms to powder does NOT mean all the metals are united as one at the end. They remain divided. Crimea Goes East, Ukraine Goes West Associated Press, March 21, 2014 Two almost simultaneous signatures Friday on opposite sides of Europe deepened the divide between East and West, as Russia formally annexed Crimea and the European Union pulled Ukraine closer into its orbit. In this "new post-Cold War order," as the Ukrainian prime minister called it, besieged Ukrainian troops on the Crimean Peninsula faced a critical choice: leave, join the Russian military or demobilize. Ukraine was working on evacuating its outnumbered troops in Crimea, but some said they were still awaiting orders. With fears running high of clashes between the two sides or a grab by Moscow for more of Ukraine, the chief of the U.N. came to the capital city Kiev and urged calm all around. All eyes were on President Vladimir Putin, as they have been ever since pro-Western protests drove out Ukraine's president a month ago, angering Russia and plunging Europe into its worst crisis in a generation. EVENT he On Friday Ukraine signed a treaty with Europe while at the same time Putin signed to bring Crimea into Russia. Both sides are antagonising the other with no solution to this crisis even on the distant horizon. Europe said this week that they will bring forward a target date to finalise political talks with Moldova and Georgia. This will anger Russia. The division of Russia and Europe is made clear in the Bible. It begins with the 2 legs of Daniel’s image representing East and West. It is further detailed in Daniel 7 and 8. Daniel 7 tracks the West and the power of Rome. Daniel 8 tracks the East and the latter day power of Russia. Daniel 11 from verse 40 shows the conflict between East and West through the latter day powers of king of the north and king of the south. There are two distinct wars at the end. Ezekiel 38 is a war led by Russia (East). This war is about power and spoil. Then there is a religious war (Revelation 17) led by Europe / Rome. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:45)

15. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: Nato chief: Crimea invasion could be just the beginning EUObserver, March 20, 2014 Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned Crimea could be the beginning of a wider military campaign, amid Russia's veiled threats against EU and Nato member Estonia. He told the Brookings Institution, a think tank in Washington, on Wednesday (19 March): “I see Crimea as an element in a greater pattern, in a more long-term Russian, or at least [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin, strategy. So of course our major concern now is whether he will go beyond Crimea.". He added: “This crisis is not just about Ukraine. We see what could be called ‘21st century revisionism’: Attempts to turn back the clock; to draw new dividing lines on the map; to monopolise markets; shuffle populations.” He urged Nato members to increase defence spending. He pledged “further steps to reassure [Nato] allies” and to “step up assistance to Ukraine.” EVENT This was a very interesting speech this week from the NATO chief. He warns explicitly that Crimea may well be part of a longer term Russian strategy. In fact he clearly says it is Putin’s own strategy. This is one man’s ambition. This is one man’s desire and longing. Putin wants to redraw maps, turn the clock back (“I will return thee”) and challenge the “uni polar world” (one world superpower) and create a “multi polar world”. This is Putin language meaning two superpowers. The NATO chief says this is Putin’s STRATEGY. It is Putin’s PLAN. Amazingly this is exactly what the Bible says Putin will do. He will create a PLAN. In Ezekiel 38 v 10 we read that Gog (Russian leader) thinks an evil thought. This can be translated as “thou shalt devise an evil plan.” The word “thought” in the AV means “a plan” or “strategy”. Putin’s evil strategy and plan was thought of in advance. It has only just begun…. he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:9-10)

16. Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: These people from the north in ancient time were the Medes and Persians. In a latter day context – the Russians. Russian troop buildup now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border CBS News, March 21, 2014 The build-up of Russian troops now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border - with some soldiers as close as 50 kilometres away, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports. The build-up is raising serious concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine proper. The beefing up of Russian forces includes tanks and tactical aircraft but is also a very heavy logistical build-up which would allow for a sustained operation, Martin reports. The build-up is at least twice the size of what the Russians advertised when they announced the exercise. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the Ukraine defence minister but there were no immediate details reported from that conversation. On Thursday, Hagel called Moscow to ask Russia's defence minister directly about the troop movements. Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby said the Russian promised there would be no invasion. EVENT COMMENT The huge build-up of troops proves that all is not over with Ukraine / Crimea. Right now, there are as many as 20,000 Russian troops, complete with tanks and artillery, positioned just to the east of Ukraine. But other units deeper inside Russia appear to be on the move and could soon double the number of troops at the border. Russia has said they will not invade. But as we have said before the opposite is normally true. If Russia says their troops are not in Crimea it means they are. If Russia says its intentions are peaceful then they are not. When Russia was asked when these troops would return to their bases no timetable was given. We don’t know exactly what will happen next but conflict is highly probable. With each side increasing sanctions (and with no way to back down) war in this area might come very soon. BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 50:41-42)

17. Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech [Moscow] and Tubal [Tubolsk], and prophesy against him. Magog actually means “land of Gog”. Magog covered eastern Ukraine. Gog (ancient ruler of Magog) originally ruled that area. Putin a latter day Gog is making ancient Magog “his land”…. Russia's build-up near Ukraine reaches 40,000 troops Reuters, March 28, 2014 EVENT Russia's reinforcement of troops near Ukraine has brought the total forces there to as many as 40,000, U.S. officials estimated on Friday, as the United States voiced anxiety over the buildup and called on Moscow to pull back its military. The U.S. estimates of as many as 35,000 to around 40,000 troops are higher than the more than 30,000 total deployments reported earlier this week by U.S. and European sources familiar with official reporting. Some European sources remain cautious of increasing the estimates beyond 30,000. The military buildup is adding to concerns that Russia may again be readying an incursion into Ukraine following its annexation of Crimea, which has triggered the worst stand-off with the West since the Cold War. "The possibility of another Russian incursion is very real," a U.S. intelligence official said, echoing increasingly ominous statements by other Obama officials. NATO's top military commander said on Sunday that Russia has built up a "very sizable" force on its border with Ukraine. He went on to say that Moscow may have a region in another ex-Soviet republic, Moldova, in its sights after annexing Crimea. “Russia was acting more like an adversary than a partner,” he said. We don’t know if Putin will push further West. It possibly depends on what guarantees he can get out of Obama. One thing that does concern military commanders in the West is that the type of troops and vehicles placed on Ukraine’s border are the exact type that could quickly enter at a moments notice and take a great deal of territory. Ancient Magog certainly did cover the whole of east Ukraine and therefore it is possible Putin does invade and capture the entire territory. The Bible says that Gog is (of the land of Magog), ruler of Meshech and Tubal. Putin does rule Meshech and Tubal… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2)

18. Thou, O king, [Nebuchadnezzar] sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. NATO orders end to cooperation with Russia Associated Press, April, 2014 EVENT NATO's foreign ministers ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia on Tuesday and told their generals and admirals to quickly figure out ways to better protect alliance members that feel threatened by Vladimir Putin's Kremlin. The 28-member alliance, the keystone of U.S. and European security since the end of World War II, was reacting to its most serious crisis in years: Russia's unilateral annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which the U.S. and its allies have condemned as an illegal land grab. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the other ministers, meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels behind closed doors, unanimously agreed Tuesday on a number of measures. A civilian NATO official said the steps included the suspension of "all practical civilian and military cooperation" between NATO and Russia. Last week the G8 agreed that Russia could no longer meet with them while the current situation continued. This week NATO has ended cooperation with Russia. NATO is also considering the possible deployment and reinforcement of military assets in eastern NATO member states, such as Poland and the Baltic states. Air patrols and AWACS surveillance flights over Poland and Romania have been stepped up. NATO is a military alliance of America and European nations. The main aim of NATO was to counter the military power of the USSR which is why America was involved. Basically an attack on one of NATO’s members is considered an attack on them all. Like Europe, NATO has been expanding over the last 50 years. It has moved ever eastwards. Russia feels threatened by this and has drawn a line in the sand with Ukraine. The East West division is exactly what the two legs in Neb’s image symbolise. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:31-33)

19. the vision concerns the time of the end. v17. the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. v19 seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future v23. a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior Russia could take Ukraine in three days Daily Telegraph, April 2, 2014 Putin – Fierce looking, arrogant, deceitful, successful EVENT Russian forces are positioned and prepared to launch an invasion of Ukraine within 12 hours of the order being given, Nato's top general has said. Gen. Philip Breedlove, Nato’s top military official and the man in charge of drafting a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea, said in interviews on Wednesday that Russian forces on the border are poised for a three to five day operation. “It’s my opinion that they could move within 12 hours of a ‘go’,” Gen. Breedlove said in an interview with CNN. “So essentially they could move right away if given the ‘go’.” Gen. Breedlove said 40,000 Russian troops remain in border areas, despite earlier reports that Russia had withdrawn some elements of an earlier troop build-up in recent days. But he added: “40,000 doesn’t tell the story.”“This is a combined arms army with all of the pieces necessary should there be a choice to make an incursion into Ukraine,” he said. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he had ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian troops near the eastern border of Ukraine, according to the German government. However later on Wednesday the NATO military chief said they were not seeing any Russian troop pull-out. In fact as the article says above, Russia is ready to go into Ukraine at a moments notice. It’s not just the troops but all the logistical equipment as well that is now on the border on Ukraine. The Bible speaks about a man living at the time of the end who is associated with the ancient king of the north. We read in great detail of his character and even what he looks like in Daniel 8. He is of fierce countenance. He is deceitful. He is successful in whatever he does. He will be arrogant. He will destroy many and especially God’s people. The man in Daniel 8 is the exact same person as Gog in Ezekiel 38 – PUTIN. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:17, 19, 23-25 NIV)

20. For they.. go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Putin threatens to cut gas to Ukraine, EU countries Daily Telegraph, April 11, 2014 EVENT Mr Putin threatened the "extreme measure" last week of cutting off Russian gas for Ukraine unless the country pays in advance for all of its supplies. In a stark letter to 18 world leaders, Mr Putin acknowledged that, in such a "critical situation", gas deliveries to the European Union would also be jeopardised. The EU buys a third of its gas from Russia, about half of which arrives through pipelines running across Ukraine. But Mr Putin accused the EU of causing the current crisis, leaving Russia with "no alternative" but to toughen its approach. As Ukraine's economy foundered under a new government and threats from Russia last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a rescue program of £8-10bn to stabilise the country's crumpled finances and help restore growth. The IMF board will review the Ukraine financing plan, which requires tough reforms and austerity measures on the part of the government, at the end of April or beginning of March. Would Putin shut off the gas to get his own way? Answer YES. He has done it before and this time the stakes are so much higher. On Thursday European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wrote to Putin urging Russia to provide an early warning of any possible delivery disruptions. Russia’s biggest gas client in Europe is Germany. As one mainstream UK newspaper said this week “Vladimir Putin is striking at the heart of the West. If we choose to resist Putin, we will risk a terrifying military escalation. It may be no exaggeration to say this could bring us to the brink of nuclear war. Historians may look back and say this was the start of World War III.” We know that ultimately the final conflict will be centred on Jerusalem. But all these events in Ukraine are destabilising the world order to enable Armageddon to happen… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 16:14-16)

21. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! These are the thoughts of Gog (Putin) the anti-Semite Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation Daily Telegraph, April 18, 2014 The Chief Rabbi of Donetsk spoke with controlled outrage, holding up a piece of paper bearing an elaborate stamp with two crossed hammers. ”The last time in history that someone wrote a text like that was in 1939 in the Nazi time,” said Pinchas Vishedski. On the second night of Passover, three masked men arrived outside Beyt Menahem Mendal Synagogue, carrying bundles of these notices. The leaflet ordered all “citizens of Jewish nationality” to “register” with the Donetsk regional administration, now controlled by pro-Russian revolutionaries. They were told to bring a $50 fee to a “room 514” in the main government building, which was seized by separatists a fortnight ago. The Jews were also instructed to take a “passport for us to make a note about your religion” and “documents about your family composition”. The leaflet said they should furnish proof of ownership of all “property and vehicles". Any Jews who failed to comply would be deprived of their citizenship and expelled from the “borders of the Republic”, said the flyer. All their property would also be confiscated. EVENT he Donetsk is a city in eastern Ukraine being claimed by ethnic Russians. Putin all along has said the Ukrainian nationalist movement is riddled with neo-Nazi anti-Semites. But the truth is that it is the pro Russians who are anti-Semites. We know that Putin is chief anti-Semite. We know this because Gog (Russia ruler) makes a plan (an evil thought) to invade Israel and take a spoil from the Jews. Is this not the act of an anti-Semite? If the ruler of the Russians is anti-Semite is it any wonder his loyal henchmen are too? This conflict is rapidly evolving.. From Crimea’s self determination. Then bringing ethnic Russians back into the Russian fold. It is now possibly moving towards “racial purity”. All this is alarming but we know what must come to pass – we are at the time of the end COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:10-11 NLT)

22. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “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. Kiev warns of 'world war three' Daily Telegraph, April 25, 2014 EVENT Western powers led by US President Barack Obama have warning that Russia faces fresh sanctions over Ukraine, as Kiev accused Moscow of seeking to trigger a “third world war”. The threat came amid heightened tensions on the ground as the Ukrainian military launched a new offensive to besiege the rebel-held city of Slavyansk and insurgents blew up an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that EU ministers would meet soon to agree new measures targeting Russia. “Given the absence of progress, we have to think about - and not just think about, but act on - the option of new sanctions,” she said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities ratcheted up military operations against pro-Russian rebels in the east and called for support from the West. “The world hasn’t forgotten the 2nd World War and Russia wants to start a third world war,” said the prime minister. It is incredible as we near the 100th anniversary of the start of the first world war we read in our daily newspapers about the possible start of the third world war. The first world war, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914. More than 9 million combatants were killed. World War 1 brought about the end of several great empires. The British and the Ottoman empires. A key element was to remove the Ottoman power from Palestine. World War 2 brought about the reestablishment of Israel in the land of Palestine because of the 6m Jews that were killed in Europe. World War 3 will bring about the end of nations as we know them and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth centred in Israel. The 3 world wars then are 3 stages. Stage 1 – clearing the ground for Israel to be created. Stage 2 – the creation of Israel. Stage 3 – the establishment of the kingdom of God centred on Israel. World War 3 is coming…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:43-44 NIV)

23. I will drive away these armies from the north. I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea, and those at the rear into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things! This verse is speaking of the destruction of Russia troops in Israel by God Ukraine crisis: War of words offers little hope BBConline, April 25, 2014 Day by day the language of diplomacy is being replaced by words of confrontation and recrimination, as the US and Russia manoeuvre in the escalating crisis over the future of Ukraine. The statement by John Kerry on Thursday took the rhetoric to a new level as he accused the Russian government of failing to do anything to defuse tensions in eastern Ukraine, as required under the terms of the agreement reached in Geneva last week. "Having failed to postpone Ukraine's elections, having failed to halt a legitimate political process, Russia has instead chosen an illegitimate course of armed violence to try and achieve with the barrel of a gun and the force of a mob what couldn't be achieved any other way," Mr Kerry said. The US secretary of state went on to describe Russia's action as a "full-throated effort to sabotage the democratic process.” Not since the Cold War ended more than 20 years ago, have such angry words been fired at the Kremlin by the state department. EVENT It is hard to see any diplomatic solution with the situation in Ukraine. Russia will never let Ukraine out of its sphere of influence and America will never allow Russia to just get its own way without punishment. It is indeed an escalating crisis. In his first term Barack Obama attempted to reset relations with the Kremlin. The two countries even signed a treaty to cut their nuclear arsenals back in 2010. But that brief period of optimism that Russia and the United States could normalise relations, has now become a distant memory. It began to go wrong when the revolutions in the Arab world began. Russia was alarmed by NATO’s bombing of Libya. Russia then backed Assad in Syria and blocked every resolution against the regime. And now Ukraine is the final straw for Russia. The path to conflict has begun. It will end with Russia invading the Middle East. he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 2:20 NLT)

24. 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 on 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 Ukraine crisis: dozens killed in Odessa Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2014 EVENT Dozens have died in a building fire in Ukraine after a clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian protesters in the Black Sea port of Odessa. Ukrainian authorities said 31 people died in the blaze at the city’s trade union building on Friday evening. Twenty-three of the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning and eight died after leaping from upper storey windows to escape the flames, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. More than 50 people, including 10 policemen, have sought medical attention. The carnage came after a day of vicious street battles between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists in which both sides hurled cobble stones and molotov cocktails. Riot police largely stood aside as pro-Russian activists carrying bats and shields and distinguished by the orange and black St. George’s ribbon clashed with activists carrying the yellow and blue colours of the Ukrainian flag. COMMENT There is no doubt that Putin has caused this mayhem. This one man has stirred up Ukraine so that the nation has begun to tear itself apart. There was no violence, no rioting, no clashes until Putin sent in his special forces to destabilise eastern Ukraine. Human life means nothing to this man. His ambition, his plan, is to recreate the Russian Empire. He will stop at nothing to achieve this aim. Even if many lives are sacrificed he will not stop. In fact the Bible speaks of a Russian ruler (Gog) who lives at the time of the end. God knew all about Putin and the role he would play. Listen to these words from Ezekiel 38:17. This is God speaking….”You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.” The chapter goes on to say that when Gog does send his armies into Israel – he (Gog) and they (his armies) will be destroyed by God… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:21-22 NIV)

25. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince (ruler) of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal. And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth and all your army NATO Official: Russia now an adversary Associated Press, May 1, 2014 After two decades of trying to build a partnership with Russia, NATO now feels compelled to start treating Moscow as an adversary, the alliance's second-ranking official said Thursday. "Clearly the Russians have declared NATO as an adversary, so we have to begin to view Russia no longer as a partner but as more of an adversary than a partner," said Alexander Vershbow, the deputy secretary-general of NATO. In a question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Vershbow said Russia's annexation of Crimea and its apparent manipulation of unrest in eastern Ukraine have fundamentally changed the NATO-Russia relationship. "In central Europe, clearly we have two different visions of what European security should be like," Vershbow said. "We still would defend the sovereignty and freedom of choice of Russia's neighbors, and Russia clearly is trying to re-impose hegemony and limit their sovereignty under the guise of a defense of the Russian world." EVENT Interesting that NATO now talk of Russia being an adversary not a partner. NATO says that Russia is trying to reimpose hegemony. In the Greek the word “Hegemon” means a leader. Hegemony is where a more powerful state rules over subordinate states using the threat of force. This is exactly what Russia is now doing. Ezekiel 38 talks about God turning Gog back. It actually says ”I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army.” The original Hebrew means “I will return you” or “I will restore you”. Putin (Gog) has been returned and restored to power (in 2012). But we also see Russia itself turned back to an being an adversary. Returned to anti-west, authoritarian, totalitarian ways. God says that when Gog has been restored we will then see him descend into the Middle East… he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:3-4)

26. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. It possible we have still not seen this full development of 10 nations giving their power to Europe (the beast). The UK would not be part of this. 'UK should get out of the EU,' says former French PM Daily Telegraph, April 29, 2014 Britain should leave Europe because it is killing the European Union dream, a former French Prime Minister has said. In a blistering attack, Michel Rocard, a grandee of the French Socialist Party who served as premier under Francois Mitterrand, identified Britain as the source of all the EU's problems. "Britain is a great country that has always refused to allow Europe to interfere in its affairs. It has blocked any further integration," he told a French parliamentary magazine. "If they go, it becomes possible to respond to the needs of governing in Europe. Even Germany realises this and demands it. I hope for it a lot because they have prevented it from developing, they killed it.” Mr Rocard, 83, said that it was clear that the "British people want to end with Europe" and are only prevented from leaving the EU by Britain's political and financial classes. "British elites are afraid of the isolation that would result, that may weaken the City of London" he said EVENT Britain may one day leave the European Union. However it is not definite this needs to happen from a prophetical point of view. There are two arguments about Britain’s position in Europe. One is that (as we know) Britain is not part of the European beast system that stands against Christ. Britain is Tarshish and during the Gogian invasion stands with America (young lion) against the armies that invade Israel. Another view is that though all this is true it is possible for Britain to stay in Europe because from a military point of view Britain can still act alone. Isaiah 23 says the London will become like a harlot in the last days and become very wealthy. This is symbolic of Britain adopting European in thinking and becoming godless / obsessed with money. There is another view – a small group of nations could join together and leave Britain behind… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:12-13)

27. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. This is latter day descendant of the original king of the north – Antiochus Ephanese. Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea Daily Telegraph, May 9 , 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin made a triumphant visit to Crimea on Friday, as one of the bloodiest days of conflict in eastern Ukraine to date pushed the country further toward civil war. Mr Putin was met by jubilant crowds when he flew into Sevastopol after reviewing the annual victory parade on Red Square in Moscow on Friday. In a display of Russian military might, he sailed on a cutter to review flag-bedecked Russian warships anchored in the bay, greeting the sailors of Russia’s Black Sea fleet with a “hello comrades.” After the review, thousands thronged the shore to watch a fly-past of 70 military aircraft, including helicopters, MiG fighters, and Bear nuclear bombers, to mark 70 years since the city was liberated from German forces in May 1944.Crowds shouted “Russia!” and “Thank you!” as Mr Putin took to a stage to make a speech in which he praised Crimeans for “fidelity to historic justice.” COMMENT Putin arrived in military style. 10 grey Russian warships lined up behind him. As he drew along aside each warship, he yelled into a microphone, “Hello, comrades!” and the naval personnel, arrayed at least two deep on deck in their blue dress uniforms, shouted back a ritual greeting to their commander in chief, followed by a rousing “Hurrah!” This was Gog – the Russian leader – acting as the Bible said he would. Gog actually means “mountain” in Hebrew. When applied to a person it would indicate someone who thinks highly of himself – a proud, lofty and strong person. This is precisely what Putin is. Vladimir is two Russian words. Vlad = master. Mir = world / universe . Putin possibly means “people”. So we have “Master of the universe and people.” Interestingly when Gog is described in Daniel 8 it speaks of him being “master of deception” and becoming “arrogant”. We see this happening in front of our eyes… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:24-25 NLT)

28. And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Insurgents in eastern Ukraine declare independence Associated Press, May 12, 2014 EVENT Pro-Moscow insurgents in eastern Ukraine declared independence Monday and sought to join Russia, undermining upcoming presidential elections, strengthening the Kremlin's hand and putting pressure on Kiev to hold talks with the separatists following a referendum on self-rule. Russia signaled it has no intention of subsuming eastern Ukraine the way it annexed Crimea in March. Instead, Moscow is pushing to include eastern regions in negotiations on Ukraine's future — suggesting that Russia prefers a political rather than a military solution to its worst standoff with the West since the Cold War. Such talks are central to a potential path toward peace outlined Monday by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. But it's up to the Ukrainian government to take the next step. COMMENT When a woman gives birth she goes through contractions. There is severe pain and then respite, severe pain then respite. But each contraction is stronger and the gap between the contractions get closer. The Bible speaks of the world being in pain like a woman in labour just before Christ returns. This week has been a quieter week in the Ukraine – but be assured another contraction is coming. We know that Russia has encouraged weeks of unrest in eastern Ukraine in a possible attempt to grab more land. The Ukrainian government's room to manoeuvre is shrinking. With national presidential elections scheduled for May 25, the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk who declared independence Monday have asked to join their enormous neighbour Russia instead. These areas form Ukraine's industrial heartland. There is so much at stake. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukraine is on the brink of civil war, making it difficult to hold free & fair elections later this month. It is on the brink. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 13:8-9)

29. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. Putin is the master of deception and will cause sudden shocking destruction…. New Ukrainian president wants prompt EU trade deal Moscow Times, May 29, 2014 EVENT Ukraine's newly elected president, Petro Poroshenko, wants to sign a landmark trade deal with the European Union soon after his inauguration as head of state, his office said, after EU officials suggested there might be some delay. The proposed trade agreement with the EU has been at the heart of Ukraine's political crisis over the past six months since former Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych turned his back on the accord at the last minute. His decision to jilt the EU and seek a $15 billion bailout from Russia triggered protests that led to him being ousted. Poroshenko, a billionaire chocolate factory owner who won an unprecedented first round victory in Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday, has pledged to align his former Soviet republic of 45 million people with the EU. Since the election, Ukrainian government forces have mounted a major military offensive against pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk. The inauguration, but it is expected to take place by mid-June. Putin promised to work with the new president of Ukraine. But as we have said before – Putin’s promises are not to be trusted. In fact this new Ukrainian president is polar opposite to Putin in terms of the direction he wants to take Ukraine. Within hours of being elected he promised to sign up to the EU deal that sparked the crisis in the first place! He also launched a major offensive against pro Russian separatists. So far Putin has not even acknowledged the new Ukrainian president and today Ukraine accused Russia of unleashing a mass propaganda campaign to persuade global powers not to recognise an election that gave the presidency to a “pro-Western tycoon”. Russia on Friday accused Ukraine of breaching the 1949 Geneva Conventions protecting civilians in wartime by killing peaceful citizens. Far from being over the crisis continues…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:24-25 NLT)

30. The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, These verses tell us that 10 nations will form a European superstate in the future… Eurosceptic 'earthquake' rocks EU elections BBC News, May 26, 2014 Eurosceptic and far-right parties have seized ground in elections to the European parliament, in what France's PM called a "political earthquake”. UK Independence Party and French National Front both performed strongly. The three big centrist blocs all lost seats, though still hold the majority. The outcome means a greater say for those who want to cut back the EU's powers, or abolish it completely. UK PM David Cameron said the public was "disillusioned" with the EU. Mr Cameron said their message was "received and understood". French President Francois Hollande has called an urgent meeting of his cabinet, as Prime Minister Manuel Valls promised tax cuts a day after the results which he described as "a shock, an earthquake". Chancellor Angela Merkel - whose party topped the poll in Germany - described the far right victories as "remarkable and regrettable" and said the best response was to boost economic growth and jobs. EVENT Not only do we have a crisis on border of Europe we also have an internal crisis. The elections last week were called a “political earthquake”. The anti Europe parties all over Europe did extremely well in the voting that took place. However these anti Europe parties are generally right wing anti Semitic parties. In France the National Front party was the outright winner. They promote anti-immigrant and often anti-Semitic policies. In the UK local elections, UKIP (UK Independence Party) came first with 27.5% of the vote. This will certainly force the UK prime minister to become even more Euro-sceptic and will probably lead to Britain leaving Europe at some point if a vote on membership is ever taken. But is this the end of the European dream? NO! The rulers don’t listen to the people. The vision to create a European superstate will continue unabated… he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:12-13)

31. The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against Jerusalem. But when they saw it, they were stunned; they were terrified and ran away. They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labour. You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a powerful east wind. Russians launch surprise war games next to NATO Washington Times, June 11, 2014 NATO military officials were caught off guard by surprise guests as military exercises began in the Baltics last week — Russians. As U.S.-led exercises with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were under way, the Russian military began conducting its own training manoeuvres. The Russian exercises included marines, paratroopers, and long-range bombers. Russia Today posted a video of the exercises on YouTube Wednesday. The NATO exercises, which included B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, were then operating in a crowded region rife with Russian Su-34 Fullback attack planes, A-50 AWACS aircraft, the short-range surface-to-air missile system SA-9-N Tor, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other military hardware, the defence website The Aviationist reported Wednesday. EVENT COMMENT America has sent three B52 bombers to the UK this week. It is the first time the B-52s have returned to their European "home" for more than a decade. The last time they were in Europe was in 2003 - the year America launched "shock and awe" on Iraq. The B52 is seen as an offensive weapon of last resort. It is capable of firing nuclear missiles and cruise missiles. This is all about America flexing its military muscle in the light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Russia is responding, as we read in the article above, by literally lining up against Nato in their war game exercises! And so we see the continuing build-up of tension between the king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (America and Britain). How long before all these powder kegs explode into full blown conflict? It may not be too long in coming… The whole world is like a woman in labour – the painful contractions are coming thick and fast… BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 48:4-7)

32. No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Recession 'led to 10,000 suicides' BBC News, June 12, 2014 The economic crisis in Europe and North America led to more than 10,000 extra suicides, according to figures from UK researchers. A study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, showed "suicides have risen markedly”. The research group said some deaths may have been avoidable as some countries showed no increase in suicide rate. Campaign groups said the findings showed how important good mental health services were. The study by the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analysed data from 24 EU countries, the US and Canada. It said suicides had been declining in Europe until 2007. By 2009 there was a 6.5% increase, a level that was sustained until 2011. It was the equivalent of 7,950 more suicides than would have been expected if previous trends continued, the research group said. There were 4750 additional people taking their life in America. EVENT To end your life because your money has failed must mean one thing… you had put your trust, your hope and your faith in your money. Why else would someone end their life if they lost their wealth? Surely life is more than what we own, what we have, what we eat or what we wear? Jesus had nothing – not even one coin to show his disciples. We can imagine the weeping and wailing when the financial systems of the world finally do collapse forever. We are told in Isaiah 24 (the culmination of the ten tribulations) that both the borrower, the lender, the buyer and the seller will all be affected when God devastates the earth. The earth will be completely emptied. Only a few men will be left following this worldwide judgement. Even the most wealthy and powerful people on the earth will waste away. But we who have not put our trust in mammon (wealth) will shout and sing for joy - for Jesus will have returned and will restore the broken world…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Matthew 6:24-25 NLT)

33. The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided….But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances…But they will not hold together… Nato warns Russia over fresh military build-up Financial Times, June 19, 2014 EVENT Nato's secretary-general on Thursday called a fresh Russian military build-up along the western border with Ukraine a very regrettable step as the west escalated warnings that Moscow's refusal to sever support for eastern Ukrainian separatists could trigger a fresh wave of sanctions. We now see a new Russian military build-up - at least a few thousand more Russian troops deployed to the Ukrainian border and we see troop manoeuvres in the neighbourhood of Ukraine, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in London. Mr Rasmussen warned that further intervention by Russia would require the west to respond with sanctions. Jack Lew, the US Treasury secretary, made similar comments in Berlin, demanding that Moscow stop funnelling arms, rebels and other forms of support to rebels in eastern Ukraine.If Russia is not willing to reverse course the international community is prepared to increase the costs, he said
 As the world’s attention has suddenly and dramatically switched to events in Iraq, the Kremlin has been increasing its support for the insurgents in eastern Ukraine. It took months of persuasion to get Russia to move its troops away from Ukraine’s eastern border and yet within 2 weeks of withdrawing them – they are back! Also Putin has ordered forces in Russia's central military district to be put on full combat alert for a week. A truce was announced by the new Ukrainian president this week but the Kremlin dismissed it, saying it was "not an invitation to peace and negotiations but an ultimatum". More sanctions are coming on Russia and the conflict shows no sign of abating. We are seeing the image of Daniel 2 before us. The divided legs of Europe – East and West. The division of course is straight through the centre of Ukraine. It is not a uniting of the two sides we are looking for - but a dividing. Clay and iron don’t mix! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:41-43 NLT)

34. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power. Russia cuts gas supply to Ukraine Associated Press, June 16, 2014 EVENT Russia on Monday cut gas supplies to Ukraine as a payment deadline passed and negotiators failed to reach a deal on gas prices and unpaid bills amid continued fighting in eastern Ukraine. The decision does not immediately affect the gas flow to Europe, but could disrupt the long-term energy supply to the region if the issue is not resolved, analysts said. Ukraine's Naftogaz company head Andriy Kobolev said Russia had cut the supply of gas to Ukraine, but that Ukraine can manage without Russian gas until December. Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said that since Ukraine had paid nothing for the gas by Monday, from now on the company would demand that Ukraine pay in advance for any future deliveries. Ukraine was ready to accept a compromise in talks in Kiev of paying $1 billion now and more later, but Russia didn't accept the offer, the European Commission said in a statement. COMMENT The impact of Russia’s move this week will not be felt for a few months. Ukraine has enough gas supplies to last until the winter. The trouble is that the gas supply for Europe goes through Ukraine. The gas for Ukraine and the gas for Europe is the same gas in the same pipeline. Therefore when Russia says it has switched off the gas what it means is that it is only sending enough gas through for Europe’s demands. However if Ukraine’s supplies run out they could take the gas that was destined for Europe. Gazprom (the Russian gas supplier) announced this week it suing Ukraine’s state gas company. And Ukraine’s state gas company announced it was suing Gazprom! The Russian bear is playing hard ball. It is being goaded and provoked. It will just not tolerate Europe operating in a nation that was once part of the USSR. Putin the master of deception will destroy many without warning. He will invade the Middle East… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:24-25 NLT)

35. And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. Events in Ukraine could be part of the “push” from the king of the south. America is threatening more sanctions Ukraine signs historic EU pact amid Russia anger Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin has called for a long-term ceasefire in Ukraine while claiming the overthrow of its former pro-Russian president provoked a schism, a humanitarian crisis and a “flow of blood”. Speaking at a ceremony for foreign diplomats in the Kremlin, the Russian president made a sideswipe at today’s signing in Brussels of a trade deal between the EU and Ukraine. “The anti-constitutional coup in Kiev and the attempts to impose on the Ukrainian people an artificial choice between Europe and Russia pushed society towards a schism, a painful internal confrontation,” he said, in comments carried by news agencies. Mr Putin added: “In the south east of the country, blood is flowing, there is a real humanitarian catastrophe, tens of thousands of refugees are forced to seek shelter, including in Russia.” COMMENT This week Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko signed the very agreement with Europe that was almost signed last year. It was this event last year that was the final straw for Russia and Putin ordered the invasion of Crimea. This is why there is anger from Putin at events this week and hints at retaliation. But it wasn’t only Ukraine signing agreements this week…The leaders of Georgia and Moldova also signed EU “association agreements” at a ceremony in Brussels. So three former Soviet countries have signed up with Europe. So what Putin’s next move? Well perhaps we get some idea if we listen to the words of Putin’s senior adviser. “Europe organised a military coup in Ukraine, they helped Nazis to come to power.” Asked if Ukraine’s president was a Nazi he replied “of course”. We are seeing Russia being pushed and provoked. It is part of a series of events that will eventually persuade Russia to break forth and descend into Israel and beyond. The Russian bear will rise up as its cubs are taken… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

36. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. The beast = Europe The kings = national leaders Giving their power = giving up sovereignty • UK one step closer to quitting Europe Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2014 Britain has moved a step closer to leaving the European Union after David Cameron declared “war” on Brussels over the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker. Keeping Britain in the EU “has got harder”, the Prime Minister said, after he was outvoted by 26 to two in his attempt to prevent Mr Juncker becoming the European Commission president. The result emboldened Eurosceptic MPs and Ukip supporters who want to leave the EU. However, Mr Cameron said he would wage a “long, tough fight” to reform Brussels before campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU in an in-out referendum he has promised to hold in 2017. The Prime Minister said the decision to nominate Mr Juncker, an arch-federalist facing questions about his drinking habits, represented “a sad day for the EU”. Mr Cameron said: “The European Council know that I’m deadly serious about EU reform. I’ve said I’m not going to back down. I won’t. EVENT So who is the new President of Europe? And why does Britain oppose him so much? Jean-Claude Juncker was one of the main architects of the euro. As one UK newspaper put it he bares “considerable responsibility for the flaws in its design which led to the years of economic stagnation and mass unemployment in which the union is still ensnared. He has never shown any public regret or remorse for these problems, however: he appears convinced like the true believer in some arcane faith that Europe’s “ever-closer integration” must be driven forward relentlessly, whatever the political, social and economic costs.” And that is the issue for Britain. Europe’s vision is ever closer union – giving up sovereign power. For Europe its about an ideology – a uniting of the continent. For Britain its just about the money. If we can be more wealthy then being in Europe is a price worth paying. That price though as just gone up! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:12-13)

37. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Ukraine launches new offensive to rid east of rebels Daily Telegraph, July 1, 2014 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin promises to protect ethnic Russians with 'the entire arsenal of available means' amid clashes in key towns in Ukraine's east. Ukrainian forces launched a new offensive against pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country on Tuesday after President Petro Poroshenko ended a ceasefire and promised to purge the region of “dirt and parasites”. Both sides in the conflict reported clashes in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions bordering Russia. “After the President's speech, the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) went into action,” said Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkovsky. “We opened artillery fire, carried out air strikes at the strategic points of the terrorists and places where they are concentrated.” In a televised announcement early this morning, Mr Poroshenko said he had given orders “to attack and liberate our land” from “terrorists, insurgents and marauders”. EVENT he COMMENT And its not just the Middle East! Eastern Europe is also in trouble. The conflict in Ukraine continues with no one able to stop the killing. This week the Ukrainian president called an end to the ceasefire and has pushed back hard at the rebels in the eastern part of the country. President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance”. But he warned it was too early for celebrations. He is right to be cautious. Putin said on Friday that he would protect ethnic Russians with the entire arsenal at his disposal! In other words he will stop at nothing and do whatever it takes to keep hold of eastern Ukraine. Eastern Ukraine is part of ancient Magog. Gog (Putin) is taking control of the EXACT area of ancient Magog. God said that Gog (of the land of Magog) would invade Israel. With Putin taking control of Magog the next step will be invasion of Israel. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3)

38. For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: • Germany asks CIA chief in Berlin to leave country Daily Telegraph, July 10, 2014 Germany today asked the CIA's station chief in Berlin to leave the country in a dramatic rebuke to Washington after its security services uncovered two cases of alleged American spying in a week. The American intelligence official was told he was no longer welcome in a public signal of Angela Merkel's fury over US spying on Germany. It is highly unusual for a European ally to oust a CIA station chief and the move is the most dramatic response from Germany since it was disclosed last year that the NSA was monitoring Mrs Merkel's phone. "The representative of the US intelligence services at the United States embassy has been asked to leave Germany," a German government spokesman said. The two alleged cases of American espionage in Germany have added a new chill to the already-strained relationship between Washington and Berlin on intelligence matters. EVENT Relationships are breaking down around the world. We have Russia and America at loggerheads over Syria and Ukraine. We have Europe and Russia at loggerheads over Crimea. We have America and Europe (Germany) at loggerheads over the spying row. We have the whole of the Middle East in turmoil. Even out in the far east we have growing tension between China and Japan and North Korea and South Korea. Even without Bible in hand it must be clear to anyone who is watching that things are spiralling out of control. The whole of the world is on the brink. The vortex ultimately of course will be Jerusalem. But all the events described above lead us to Armageddon. War comes about when trust is broken and communication fails. If God was not in control the future of the earth would be total destruction. But God is in control. Although Armageddon is coming Jesus will intervene. Peace will come after the conflict... COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 62:1-2)

39. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; …among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, ‘Gas the Jews!’: European anti-Semitism during the Gaza crisis VOX News, July 21, 2014 EVENT Since the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, there's been a wave of street-level demonstrations rallying against the war. These protestors are generally highly critical of Israel and blame it for the current round of violence, but the vast majority want an end to the violence and are demanding it peacefully. But the peaceful demonstrators are not alone in turning out to the streets over the Israel-Gaza conflict. A small-but-disturbing fraction of the international anger over the war has escalated into outright anti-Semitism: shouting "gas the Jews!" during protests in Germany, attacking synagogues in France, and beating a rabbi in Morocco. These attacks are not new: they come at time when anti-Semitic incidents around the world are worryingly on the rise COMMENT This week the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, said that it was as if we were back in 1938. In France it is even worse. France has the third-largest Jewish population in the world. Eight synagogues in France have been targeted in the past week. Pro-Palestinian protesters in the French capital clashed with police, targeting Jewish shops, It’s got so bad that French authorities have banned protests in Paris. In Germany some protests have been chanting “Gas the Jews”. It's worth noting that German anti-Semitism isn't confined to a lunatic fringe. A sophisticated analysis of anti-Semitic hate mail sent to the Central Council from 2002 to 2012, much of which was Israel-related, found that 60 percent of the mail originated with "well-educated Germans, including university professors." Only three percent came from the right-wing fringe. The Bible speaks of Israel finding no ease in the nations it was scattered into. God says they will live in fear of their lives. Anti-Semitism is a sign we are near the end. BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:3-7)

40. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, Persia = Iran Thee = Gog / Putin Prepare = Get ready for war Russia introduces ban on food imports from EU & US Daily Telegraph, August 7, 2014 EVENT Russia has banned meat, fish, dairy and fruit and vegetable imports from Western countries in the most drastic retaliatory measures taken by the Kremlin to date. The measures, which are a response to sectoral sanctions designed to punish Russia for stoking the on-going civil war in Ukraine, affect all countries to impose sanctions on Russia and could impact up to ten per cent of Russia's food imports. Announcing the ban at a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning, Dmitry Medvedev, the prime minister, said the ban would not apply to children’s food or products bought abroad by private individuals. “Russia imposes a total ban on the import of beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, and dairy products from the countries of the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the kingdom of Norway,” said Mr Medvedev. COMMENT Far from backing down Putin is fighting back. The sanctions Russia has placed this week on Europe have a greater impact than the sanctions that Europe have placed on Russia. But the move has sparked fears of rising food prices as demand for domestic produce rises before new suppliers can be brought in to fill the gap in the market. But Putin doesn’t seem to care. Russia imports £25bn worth of food so it is a big gap to fill. On top of all this Putin has agreed a $20bn (£11.8bn) trade deal this week with Iran that will see Russia sidestep Western sanctions on its energy sector. And so Western sanctions are just driving Russia and Iran closer together. Meanwhile Obama is the leader of a war weary nation and is weak because of that. Europe is both too divided and too dependent on Russia to really push back at Putin. Which all leaves Putin in the driving seat. He will one day change direction and head south to Israel… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel38:5-7)

41. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: • Nato warns of Russian preparations to invade Ukraine Daily Telegraph, August 6, 2014 Russia is preparing to send troops into eastern Ukraine under the pretext of mounting a humanitarian mission to save separatist rebels, Nato and American officials have warned. The Kremlin has doubled the number of troops on its border with Ukraine to 20,000 and is conducting a week of military exercises. She said Nato was concerned Moscow could use “the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission as an excuse to send troops into eastern Ukraine”. Chuck Hagel, the US defence secretary, said the threat of a Russian intervention in Ukraine was now “a reality” after a meeting with his senior US commanders in Stuttgart. “When you see the build-up of Russian troops and the sophistication of those troops, the training of those troops, the heavy military equipment that’s being put along that border, of course it’s a reality, it’s a threat, it’s a possibility – absolutely,” he said. EVENT COMMENT There are reports today that Russian military vehicles have entered Ukraine. The UK and US governments have made a statement warning Russia not to send troops into Ukraine under the pretence of humanitarian assistance. As Time magazine put it this week “Putin the 21st century czar has mastered the dark art of stirring up problems that only he can solve, so that Western leaders find themselves scolding him one minute while pleading with him the next. And yet Putin will evidently keep going as long as each new crisis makes him stronger. Other world leaders try to avoid crises; Putin feasts on them.” The Bible makes absolutely clear that at the time of the end there would exist a Russian leader who would be in the mould of an ancient leader of the Magogites (Scythians) called Gog. The Scythian Empire covered southern Russia and eastern Ukraine. The Scythians were ruthless people headed up by a ruthless man…. he BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3)

42. This is what the Lord of Hosts says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions. v12 explains that this period of peace and rest had lasted 70 years. Ukraine destroys part of Russian armoured column Daily Telegraph, August 15, 2014 EVENT Ukraine said its artillery destroyed part of a Russian armoured column that entered its territory overnight and said its forces came under shellfire from Russia on Friday in what appeared to be a major military escalation between the ex-Soviet states. Russia's government denied its forces had crossed into Ukraine. It called the Ukrainian report "some kind of fantasy" and accused Kiev of trying to sabotage aid deliveries to eastern areas torn by fighting between pro-Russian separatists and the Western-backed government of Moscow's former satellite. Nato said there had been a Russian incursion into Ukraine, which is not a member of the Western mutual defence pact, but it avoiding calling it an invasion. Other European capitals accused the Kremlin of escalating a conflict that has revived Cold War-era animosities and chilled the region's struggling economies. COMMENT Just as the Israel / Palestinian contraction calmed for a few days the Ukrainian / Russian contraction started again in earnest. The Bible speaks of the world going into labour pains like a woman giving birth. The contractions occur as we lurch from crisis to crisis. If these reports today are true we are possibly seeing the first official shots of open conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Europe may soon be at war. Zechariah 1 speaks the world having 70 years of rest and peace. But at the end of this time period God decides to punish the heathen nations for what they had done to Israel 70 years before. The initial fulfilment was Israel being destroyed by the Babylonians but then after 70 years God punished Babylon. We have also seen a period of 70 years go by since the great persecution of the Jews in the second world war. That war came to an end in 1945. 70 years later God may be about to punish the nations – war is coming… BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 1:14-15 NLT)

43. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the destruction of all the metals at the return of Christ does NOT mean all those metals were united together. We are explicitly told they are divided not united. Russia v Europe is this division. • NATO sees 'high probability' of Russian invasion Reuters, August 11, 2014 NATO said on Monday there was a "high probability" that Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine, where the government said its troops have been closing in on Donetsk, the main city held by pro-Russian rebels. Kiev said it was in the "final stages" of recapturing Donetsk, by far the biggest city under the control of the pro-Russian rebels. The battle for the city could be a decisive turning point in a conflict which has caused the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. An industrial metropolis with a pre-war population of nearly 1 million, the main rebel-held redoubt rocked to the crash of shells and gunfire over the weekend and heavy guns boomed through the night into Monday from the outskirts of the city. Ukraine appears to be pressing ahead with its offensive, undeterred by the presence of 20,000 Russian troops massed on the nearby border for a potential ground invasion EVENT COMMENT So where does this major division between western Europe and eastern Europe (Russia) get mentioned in Bible prophecy? Surely we were expecting a Russian / Euro alliance against Israel? Well this is not what the Bible says will happen. Russia and Europe are symbolically the two separate legs of the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw. As legs remain divided – so do these two parts of Europe. Even if we look at the feet of the image we see division – between the iron (the military strength of Rome now residing in Russia) that does not mix with the clay (humanism now residing in Europe). They do not mix together – it is a divided kingdom. The two sides of this story are detailed out in the rest of Daniel. The little horn in Daniel 7 gives us the final picture of western Europe and the power controlling it there- the Pope. Daniel 8 gives us the final picture of the east (Russia) and the little horn power there which is Russian leader Gog. he BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:45)

44. a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: Ukraine conflict: Russian aid or Trojan Horse? BBConline, August 14, 2014 Russia's dispatch of a huge convoy of lorries carrying humanitarian aid to east Ukraine has raised suspicions about its intentions, given its support for the rebels fighting the Ukrainian government there. It is believed the aid is meant primarily for the rebel-held city of Luhansk, home to 425,000 people before the conflict erupted in April, and now under government siege. Attempts to admit the aid with Ukrainian government consent, and under Red Cross supervision, appear in doubt after the lorries left the scheduled route and turned towards a section of the border under rebel control. The Russian lorries pulled up in a field near the Russian town of Donetsk (not to be confused with the Ukrainian city of the same name) in Rostov region on 14 August. They had travelled south from Voronezh, where they made their first stop after leaving the Moscow. EVENT COMMENT As one BBC reporter said when speaking about this enormous convoy of white lorries taking aid to Ukraine – “there is a theatrical air about this whole operation.” There is indeed a theatrical air. A Russia orthodox priest sprinkled all 280 white army trucks with “holy water”. It’s all staged, all false, all with underlining motives that have nothing to do with people without water and food and everything to do with Putin’s land grab of Ukraine. In Daniel 8 (which speaks about the latter day Antiochus Epiphanies who was the original king of the north) we read about Gog and what he does and what he is like. We are told he has a fierce countenance. He causes deceit to prosper. He considers himself superior. And interestingly the AV says “by peace he destroys many.” How do you destroy by peace? Surely by pretending there is peace but by really planning war. Is this not what the headline is saying? Peace / aid but really it is Putin’s Trojan Horse. BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:23-25)

45. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Russia reduces gas exports to Poland BBConline, September 11, 2014 Russia's gas supplies to Poland have dropped by 45%, Poland's state gas firm PGNiG says, amid tensions over Ukraine. The news came just hours after Poland stopped providing gas to Ukraine through "reverse-flow" pipelines. The Russian gas volumes were 24% lower on Tuesday and 20% lower on Monday, according to PGNiG. That shortfall prompted Poland to halt reverse-flow. Poland and Ukraine rely heavily on Russian natural gas. Russia is in a pricing dispute over gas with Ukraine. Some analysts believe Russia, which stopped gas supplies to Ukraine in June over the pricing dispute, is punishing Poland for sending gas to Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have been fighting pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine since April, after the separatists declared independence in two regions. Russia has denied arming the rebels and sending soldiers across the border. EVENT COMMENT Russia is already reacting to the sanctions. It has switched off gas supplies to Ukraine and now is punishing Poland who is supplying Ukraine with gas by turning down gas supplies to them! On top of this Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered military forces in the country's east to carry out a major exercise to test their preparedness. This is a second major drill of combat readiness since June when the conflict in eastern Ukraine was already raging. That drill in the Volga region and the Urals involved 65,000 troops. In May, Russia and China held a joint naval exercise in the East China Sea. A BBC documentary this week called “Putin’s gamble” ended with a quote from a Kremlin insider who said .. “I think we are at the beginning of a series of crises that will change the landscape of the world.” The Bible says this as well. It calls it the time of trouble such as never was – and it is fast approaching… he BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 12:1-2 NLT)

46. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He = latter day Antiochus Ephanese / king of north • Putin 'privately threatened to invade Poland, Romania and the Baltic states' Daily Telegraph, September 18, 2014 President Vladimir Putin privately threatened to invade Poland, Romania and the Baltic states, according to a record of a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart. "If I wanted, in two days I could have Russian troops not only in Kiev, but also in Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn, Warsaw and Bucharest," Mr Putin allegedly told President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine, reported Süddeustche Zeitung, a German newspaper. If true, this would be the first time that Mr Putin has threatened to invade Nato or EU members. Any threat to send Russian troops into the capitals of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Romania would cause grave alarm among Western leaders. If Mr Putin were to act on this, Britain could find itself at war with Russia. All five countries mentioned in this alleged conversation are members of both the EU and Nato. They are covered by the security guarantee in Article V of Nato's founding treaty, which states that "an attack on one is an attack on all". EVENT he COMMENT Putin's alleged threat bears similarities to remarks he made to Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, in which he warned: "If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks". On Tuesday, Ukraine ratified a historic Association Agreement with the EU. This puts Ukraine on the path towards eventual EU membership. It was the refusal of the former president, Viktor Yanukovych, to sign this agreement last year that triggered the Ukraine crisis. Last week we reported that the EU was implementing further sanctions against Russia, focusing on the energy, financial and arms sectors. So despite an on-going ceasefire, behind the scenes the tensions are growing. Putin is not backing down. His rhetoric is increasingly aggressive. The Bible says a Russian leader will pretend to be peaceful but in fact bring shocking destruction… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8: 24-25 NLT)

47. Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! It is interesting that Magog is mentioned first on the list… Perhaps indicating its significance at the time Gog invades? Nato begins military exercises in Ukraine Daily Telegraph, September 15, 2014 For the first time one European country now contains both Nato troops and Russian combat units, although they are deployed at opposite ends of Ukraine about 700 miles apart. America and the leading Western powers began a military exercise in Ukraine on Monday after renewed fighting in the east claimed at least six lives in breach of a supposed ceasefire. About 1,300 troops from 15 countries joined Exercise Rapid Trident held in the Lviv region of western Ukraine. America sent 200 troops and Britain dispatched a reconnaissance troop from the Light Dragoons with 40 personnel. This multi-national force, which included soldiers from 11 Nato countries, carried out a "battalion-level field training exercise", said a US Army statement. The manoeuvres were held "at the explicit request of the Ukrainian government and military". EVENT COMMENT The two sides are coming ever closer together. Not to make peace but closer to conflict. Nato has its troops in Ukraine and so does Russia. Ukraine is being torn in two. There is increasing anxiety over energy. Ukraine could run out of gas in this winter, as Russia has stopped deliveries and is demanding that Ukraine repay its debts. EU members Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are re-exporting Russian gas to Ukraine - but this "reverse-flow" solution has angered Russia. So as we head towards winter the tension will mount. Russia is also building up forces in Crimea to counter NATO forces. So where does this Ukraine conflict fit in to Bible prophecy? It fits because Gog (Russian leader) is “of the land of Magog”. And the original Magog when Ezekiel wrote covered the eastern half of what we now know as Ukraine as well as southern Russia. Therefore Putin is indeed “of the land of Magog”. Eastern Ukraine is becoming his… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3 NLT)

48. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. It’s hard to imagine this in a world full of hatred for the Jew. But it will happen when Christ returns. • Angela Merkel: police will protect every Jewish institution in Germany The Times, September 15, 2014 Angela Merkel committed Germany to the fight against anti-Semitism yesterday after revealing that every Jewish institution in the country was under police protection after an alarming rise in hostility. Anti-semitic incidents have soared in Germany since Israel began its military incursion into Gaza, and outrage at the level of civilian casualties has fuelled increasingly hostile demonstrations. Germany’s far right has also been active, with the offices of the campaigning newspaper Lausitzer Rundschau daubed with threatening graffiti last week, including the Nazi salute Sieg Heil. The previous week the walls were daubed with “Jews, kill them” and “We’ll get you all”, leading to condemnation from European civil rights groups. More than half a million Jews lived in Germany when the Nazis took power in 1933. That number was reduced to about 30,000 by the Holocaust. EVENT “Many members of our community are very shaken, worried and absolutely shocked by the worst anti-Jewish slogans that some out-of-control crowds have shouted, calling for Jews to be ‘gassed’, ‘burnt’ and ‘slaughtered’,” said Dieter Graumann, head of the Central Council of German Jews. Mrs Merkel and her entire cabinet appeared at a rally to support Germany’s 200,000-strong Jewish population at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in a sign of the high level of concern. As we enter the time of the end we are seeing increasing anti-Semitism not only in Germany but around the world. A charity set up to protect Britain's Jewish community has recorded its highest-ever monthly total of anti-Semitic incidents in July. When Christ returns the gentiles will actually see the Jews for who they are – God’s people… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 8:23)

49. a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. • Russia and Ukraine fail to make progress in talks Washington FreeBeacon, October 17, 2014 Russia, Ukraine and European governments failed to make any progress towards solving the crisis in Ukraine on Friday in talks that the Kremlin said were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements.” Further discussions were scheduled later in the day, but there were few expectations of any immediate accord to strengthen a faltering ceasefire in eastern Ukraine or to end a row over blocked Russian gas supplies to Ukraine. “I cannot see a breakthrough here at all so far,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after top EU leaders met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on the sidelines of an EU-Asia (ASEM) summit in Milan. “We will continue to talk. There was progress on some details, but the main issue is continued violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” she added, clearly pinning the blame for the impasse on Moscow. EVENT As the days become colder and the nights shorter, the search for a deal to keep the heating on in Ukraine and safeguard the supplies of many of its neighbours is reaching a critical point. But the talks are struggling. The consequences if these talks collapse are huge. On 16 June Russia turned off the gas taps to Ukraine after complaining that Ukraine had failed to pay off its debts. Ukraine depends on Russia for half its gas supplies. Putin warned on Thursday that Russia would reduce gas supplies to Europe if Ukraine took gas from the transit pipeline to cover its own needs. We can see how this standoff could develop into a massive crisis in Europe. Putin holds many of the cards in this high stake game as he controls a huge percentage of Europe’s energy. We read of a latter day king of the north in Daniel 8. We read of a fierce, strong, deceitful Russian ruler – Putin fits the bill amazingly well! COMMENT he BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:23-24)

50. At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord. • Britain will not pay extra £1.7bn for EU budget Daily Telegraph, October 24, 2014 David Cameron has said Britain will refuse to pay a “completely unacceptable” bill of £1.7billion to the European Union. The Prime Minister hit out at the bill and spoke of his anger at the “appalling” way Britain has been treated by the European Commission. He said that “it certainly doesn’t help” the chances of Britain remaining in the EU after an in-out referendum due to be held in 2017. A visibly furious Mr Cameron said: “I'm not paying that bill on December 1. It is not going to happen.”The UK was on Thursday ambushed with a demand from the European Commission for the extra money because Britain’s economy has performed better than other economies in Europe since 1995. Speaking in Brussels, Mr Cameron said: "This is completely unacceptable. It is an appalling way to behave. I am not paying that bill on December 1. If people think I am they have got another thing coming. EVENT In January 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron promised an "in/out" referendum on British membership of the European Union in 2017, after a period of renegotiation with the EU, if the Conservative Party wins an outright majority at the next General Election, expected in 2015. Events this week widen the gap even further between Britain and Europe. This surprise (and shock) demand for nearly £2bn has angered even those who are fairly pro Europe. If Britain doesn’t pay, Europe can fine Britain millions of pounds every day. Europe is not an ideological project for Britain- it is purely about the money. Isaiah 23 speaks of Tyre coming to an end and passing over to Tarshish (Britain). But it says in the last days it will become like a harlot and join herself with the kingdoms of the world. This is a reference to the UK joining Europe. We wait to see if the UK decides to leave. COMMENT he BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 23:17-18)