In mid-January Syria let it be known that Russian military bases and presence there would be permanent.  This includes Russian air force anti-aircraft systems like the S-400.  Its radar effectively covers over half of Israel.  The Israeli Air Force is now permanently under the gun . . .The Russian gun.  While the IAF is formidable, they do not want to incite Russian anger.  At the same time, they are reserving the right to function over Syria and have bombed near Damascus on several occasions in late 2015.  So far they have avoided running into Russian flights and casualties, but for how long?  It is only a matter of time before an escalation of forces on the Israel’s northern borders.

Mid-January also brought an interesting development with Jordanian sensibilities.  For years, northern Jordan has been a gathering point for U.S. special forces to lead the fight with ISIS in Syria and Iraq.  Some reports claim up to 10,000 U.S. military personnel there.  Israel was cautiously optimistic with this scenario but then Israeli news sources reported of a dust-up between King Hussein of Jordan and President Barak Hussein of the U.S.  They claimed a quick five-minute meeting on a tarmac outside of Washington D.C. seemed unusual and mysterious.  Then Jordan secretly joined with Russian tying into its war room in South Syria without letting Israel know.  The King was either switching sides or playing them both.

Most recently, Russian and Syrian government forces were joined by Hezbollah forces in the south where Syria, Israel and Jordan meet.  This was a treachery by Russian President Putin towards both Israel and Jordan.  When King Hussein protested, Syrian President Bashar Assad seemed to mock the situation.  Officials in the U.S. government and the White house then claimed Putin’s corruption.  Russia followed up by buzzing an American surveillance plane over the Black Sea with a fighter jet.  Things are definitely heating up.

American dominance is not so threatening under Obama, and Russian aggression seems to be increasing.  While this does not seem too great a threat toward the U.S. or Europe, Israel is standing up and taking notice.  It has decried the Iranian threat for years, but Russia continues to build Iranian nuclear facilities and defend it in International bodies.  Now the Saudis want in on Russia’s nuclear help.  Along with billion dollar arms purchases to Egypt, it seems Russia has been allowed back into the Middle East as a power player.  In fact, they have never had as much influence or actual boots on the ground as they do today.

The Russians are feeling pinched, by NATO, by low oil prices, by the tireless threats posed against them.  For this reason, they flexing their muscles before the next U.S. presidential election, claiming their space before the geopolitical chess board gets a reset.  This is a dangerous set of circumstances and a risky progression of events.  Israel knows of the historic needs of Russia regarding the levant, and they also know of the Old Testament prophecies of a northern aggressor allied with Persia or Iran coming down with sword raised to take the Holy Land by force.

One question is on everyone’s mind…is Russia knocking on the door or preparing to kick it down?  Misread intentions, terrorist madness. and a U.S. election could spark the conflict.  Israeli fears might cause preemption.  Iranian hubris may become a tipping point.  The similarities to prophetic Scriptural scenarios are cause for alarm.  Such alarms are simply reminders for Bible believers to walk right and be ready.

“For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.”  -Daniel 11:13

“And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:  And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 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, and be thou a guard unto them.” -Ezekiel 38:3-7

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