What is Happening with Russia?

Michael L. Ford, Th.D.

25 August 2008

“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:” Ezekiel 38:3-4

            A friend called to ask me what my opinion was of the Russia invasion of Georgia? I told him it was wholly consistent with Russian behavior from a historical perspective and with what we might expect of their behavior in The Last Days. Our conversation lasted about two hours so what I share with you today is of necessity abbreviated.

            At the time of the collapse of the USSR, many proclaimed Russian atheistic-communism dead. I remember my friend Arnold Saxton made the case it was not ended but merely going underground until the system could recover financially. And with the help of American drilling technology they had already began building the gas pipeline that an emasculated Europe would today become so dependent on they would never stand up for a beautiful little country like Georgia. After they built the pipeline, the Russians used the same drilling equipment to build storage caves in Lebanon to hold supplies for an army to eventually invade Israel.

            When the USSR collapsed, I got busy doing prophecy Sundays in churches showing why the new situation and realignments of relationships actually made the coming invasion of Israel more likely. I did not pretend then and do not claim now to have foresaw the collapse like some t.v. Preachers did. But with a little knowledge of history and geography the fact the world was not becoming a safer place for Israel was apparent. Still, I take no joy in seeing events more openly unfolding.

            The invasion of Georgia is to accomplish three major things for the Russians. The first is to give them more access and control over warm water ports. The second is to give them more control over the oil pipeline and its revenues. And, the third is to bolster the morale of the Russian army for things to come. It also displays the weakness of American forces whose numbers were gutted by politicians in the post Cold War build down.

            Finally, I must point out one important thing I think it is important to not lose track of. God says He will put hooks in their jaws, forcing them to come forth to invade Israel. This indicates that at the exact moment they come will not be on their timetable but Gods. I believe Scripture indicates the exact timing of the invasion is inconvenient for them. But with the invasion of Georgia we see Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, flexing his muscles for coming great events at the end of the age.