End-Time.com Blog for October

What does Russia restarting flights to Egypt's tourist locations, plus helping them build a nuclear power plant, a peace treaty signed in Saudi Arabia, Iran's replacing the Sunni population in Syria with Shiites, and a healthy coral reef in Eilat all have in common? Besides being headlines from the past week's main stream media outlets across the world, one thing seems clear—all these events line up perfectly with Bible Prophecy.

Russia's influence in the Middle East, politically and militarily, are well known. We know from Scripture that Russia is going to invade Israel-click here for more detail. Back in 2016 Russia shocked the world by taking a key role in the Syrian civil war. Most believed it was not out of humanitarian charity or in support of a political ally, but, that Russia had its sights on something—but what? Russia has made military cooperation treaties with Lebanon (Feb 2018) and most Middle East countries including Turkey, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, the Arab Gulf States, Egypt and even Israel. Many of these treaties are for a five year period.

Russia's bond with Egypt seems more than just friendly. Russia has begun to supply Egypt with their S300 missile defense system, upgrade the Egyptian Air Force by selling them multiple Mig 29's, 35's and Su 30 fighter jets, not to leave out the Russian naval vessel, Molnia b32 that Russia gave to Egypt. This ship is ready for combat loaded with such features as a rapid and long-range sea-to-sea missile platform, advanced technology in military communications and modern defense systems. The two countries even have a preliminary agreement to allow the use of each other’s airspace and airbases. In the near future the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin is planing to lift the previously suspended flights between Egypt and Russia so Russians can once again enjoy vacations on the Red Sea. Russia is even funding and lending their technical expertise to the new Egyptian nuclear power plant in Dabaa. But Egypt is not the only country Russia is courting.

While Turkey already has and India is ready to buy the Russian S400 air defense system, Saudi Arabia appears not to have decided. They are riding the fence between the United States made THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and the Russian system. Only time will tell.

As you may remember Libya is included as one of the countries that attack Israel, but due to the political climate and war they are not in a position to do so at this time. It is considered a likelihood that Russia and Egypt could start to broker for a peaceful solution in Libya.

While on the topic of peace, Ethiopia and Eritrea (see our blog of 7/9/2018 for more history) signed a peace accord in Saudi Arabia this past September. This is of no particular importance other than Ethiopia is mentioned in the Bible as one of the countries that comes against Israel. It may be very helpful for them to reinstate their navy for such an invasion, but, they do not need too. Ethiopia can use it's air fields for such an invasion. Also interesting is why Saudi Arabia was so interested in the negotiations between the two countries? Perhaps they just want to see peace for the horn of Africa?

Iran, other wise known as Persia from the Bible, is continuing to spread it political ideology throughout the Middle East. There are many different fractions of Muslims, however, the two major groups are Sunnis and Shiites—each possessing great hatred for the other. To the Sunnis the Shiites are violent religious radicals. To the Shiites, the Sunnis are incorrect in their teachings and should be eliminated. Their intolerance for one another often leads to violence. What Iran is doing throughout the Middle East is moving Shiites to places where Sunnis once lived in abundance but have left due to war. These relocation's are reshaping the geopolitical fabric of communities particularly in Syria. With the addition of these Shiites so near Lebanon (Lebanon’s Bekaa valley and flowing into the outskirts of Damascus), the Hezbollah (Shi'a Islamist political party and militant group which fights against Israel and is based in Lebanon) has had a dominant presence. Hence, Israel and western intelligence have reported more activity between Iran and Hezbollah within Syria. Activity that includes shipping advanced weapons that turn rockets into precision missiles. You do not need to be a political science major to figure out who those missile are for—Israel of course. (Note, Israel is not going to stand by and be attacked by those missiles. The close proximity of the Shites to Damascus is very interesting. Remember, the destruction of Damascus could happen before the Russian invasion of Israel.)

Now we know Israel has a growing number of amenities that are desirable and according to the Bible that is why Russia is invading—to take a spoil, and to take a prey-ref Ezekiel 38:11-13. Israel exported world wide some (USD) 60.9 billion dollars worth of goods in 2017. Number one export—precious medals and gems equaling 25% of their total exports. But, Israel is not only interested in their exports they are also concerned with their country's environment. While 60% of all the world's coral reefs are already seriously damaged by local sources such as over-fishing, anchor damage, pollution and disease (that includes Egypt which is just below Israel), the reefs around Eilat are making a come back due to the efforts of the Israeli government. The importance of coral reefs are invaluable to aquatic life and man. For sea life the reefs provide a home and shelter. For man, local communities benefit through tourism—fishing trips, diving tours, not to mention the vast number of related items people need like hotels, restaurants and supplies. These all provide jobs and contribute to the community's economics.

The Bible speaks of war between the U.S. and Russia. As tensions between the United States and Russia increase, the latest is that the U.S. is threatening to pull out of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed some 30 years ago. Russia is sounding off the alarm stating this, “would be a very dangerous step.” But in fact, the U.S. insist the Russians have already violated terms of the treaty back in 2017 by setting off a cruise missile. According to U.S. Department of State's website the treaty specifies, “destruction of the Parties' ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles), their launchers and associated support structures and support equipment within three years after the Treaty enters into force.” Russia is denying any wrong doing. The treaty was designed to keep the U.S and Russia in line, but President Trump is saying the U.S. will begin developing new weapons unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop the weapons. China never made such a treaty, but it is sure President Trump wants them to be included. "If they get smart and if others get smart and they say 'let's not develop these horrible nuclear weapons,' I would be extremely happy with that, but as long as somebody's violating the agreement, we're not going to be the only ones to adhere to it," Trump said.

It is written, The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit-Pr 14:8. Do you understand your way? Do you understand your end? There really is a place called hell (click here for more detail). Jesus died a gruesome death that you may have eternal life (click here for more). The choice is yours. You may not have as long as you think to make a choice.

Sources: nationalinterest.org; rt.com; egyptindependent.com; strategic-culture.org; egyptianstreets.com; businessinsider.com; nazret.com; theguardian.com; israeltoday.co.il; thoughtco.com; foxnews.com; worldsrichestcountries.com; oceanhealthindex.org; jpost.com; oceanservice.noaa.gov; usnews.com; state.gov.