May 9, 2005
Gog Goes On A Scouting Mission
On May 2, Russian leader Vladimir Putin paid a 36-hour official visit to Israel.
No new diplomatic relations resulted from the visit; however, it was of major historical importance. No Russian or Soviet Union area leader has ever sojourned to the Jewish state.
The meeting did have a set agenda. Israeli President Ariel Sharon and Putin talked about the developments in bilateral relations. They also discussed the hot topic of the anti-aircraft missile batteries Russia plans to sell to Syria; the nuclear program Iran is developing with Russia's help; the Arab-Israeli peace process; and the fate of the Jews still living in Russia.
The proposed sale to Syria of 20 SA-18s missiles was the same continuous issue. Sharon expressed his displeasure with this deal. He considers them to be a direct threat to Israel and he fears they will get into the hands of Islamic terrorists operating out of Syria.
Putin was unconvinced that the missiles were a new threat. He had previously said, "We are making these sales in accordance with international accords."
He guaranteed that the batteries would not fall into other hands by saying the
missiles will be mounted on armored personnel carriers, hence preventing them from becoming shoulder-fired weapons, which would be ideal for terrorists.
"These missiles cannot pass into the hands of any terrorist group without our knowledge. We have the ability to monitor this," Putin said to Israel's Channel 1 television.
President Putin's visit has generally pleased the host country. The reaction of the average Israeli is one of optimism, with the general view that the visit will foster warmer relations between the two nations. Many Israelis had positive things to say about the visit. "That was a very, very good visit. We think we have managed to 'cement' ever more firmly the contacts between Moscow and Jerusalem. We had extremely fruitful talks with President Putin, and I can say Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has nothing but positive impressions of them," said Mark Regev, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman.
Terry and I do not share the same positive view of Putin’s visit to Israel. It should not be forgotten that Russia is still in the business of arming Israel’s Arab enemies. Putin’s willingness to drop by and personally declare his intention to provide advanced military hardware to Syria, Iran, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority should be viewed as a troubling pattern.
Some of his decisions regarding Israel seem to hint of a personal vendetta. While talking about missiles sales to Channel 1, Putin said to the correspondent: "Now it will be hard for you [Israel] to fly low over [Syrian President] Bashar Assad's palaces. Henceforth, it will be hard to fly low over Syria." He was referring to the low flights made by Israeli jets over Assad's palaces.
In the past, Russia never has been directly involved with Israel. It has always chosen to use the Arabs as a surrogate. Moscow has provided the funding and military hardware, and the Arabs have provided the labor.
The fact that Putin has shown an interest in Israel is trouble, in light of Ezekiel 38 and 39. In chapter 38, Gog decides that Israel is an easy target ripe for plunder:
"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:
And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places [that are now] inhabited, and upon the people [that are] gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" (Ezek. 38:9-13).
If Putin turns out be the Gog leader that attacks Israel, the “evil thought” will certainly come easier now that he has a first-hand idea of what his prey looks like.
-- Todd
Your Take on “Revelations”
I would believe in such a thing as a twist of fate if not for the fact that I know there is no such thing as coincidence with God. Maybe just plain “irony” is the proper term to define a project in which I’ve become involved within the past week or so. I’m going to include you in it to some extent, if you will be so kind and generous as to participate.
A gentleman who is part of the editorial hierarchy of a new publication scheduled to come to life within a month or so contacted me and, over the course of the past couple of weeks, we have mutually agreed to enter into a review of the new NBC TV series, “Revelations.” The editor has direct dealings with NBC’s publicity department.
Many of you, by now, are somewhat familiar with that mini-series that is now a regular series. I’m going to ask your assistance in the review process.
The irony, of course, is that they have asked me, a blind guy, to review the series. This, after I made it very plain that I am, indeed, a blind guy–and, a blind guy that is Pre-Trib, to boot.
Makes no difference. They still want me to do the analysis and review –by way of interviews with them-- according to the editor, whose offices are in New York City. I mention NYC because this means the publication doubtless will have significant impact, with the Big Apple being the media center of the world, etc. Thus, the opportunity exists to give the program a good going over from the Pre-Trib perspective –which, as I know we all agree—is the only view there should be…
The editor is sending me copies of the first three programs, which I haven’t “seen.” I am then to “watch” the next two programs while they are being aired, and will be interviewed in a week or so about my take on the program and how the series’ slant might differ from the view Christians hold on Bible prophecy yet future.
Now, I’m not sure just how much my new New York friends know about what the parameters that encompass the term “Christians” when it comes to prophecy. I will only say that the whole review thing should be a real “eye-opener” from an old blind guy who has been dealing with “Christians” and their perspective on Bible prophecy for 30-plus years.
Your part:
Upon reading this, and after several seconds of in-depth, gut-wrenching thought, I would like for those of you who have seen the episodes to this point, and who care to do so, to send me a review of no more than 250 words. This will help me to get some idea of how you view the series, as well as give my own take, after “watching” the five or six episodes myself.
Specifically, I would like you to give me your opinion on how the series differs from, or comes close to, what Bible prophecy actually presents, in your view. I’m not so much interested in a synopsis of the story line, etc. I’ll be able to judge that, I think. I just need your input about what NBC could do to make the series conform somewhat to what prophecy students would like to see.
Now, I’m not left out there all by myself, without my white blind-guy stick. My good friend, Phillip Goodman of “Thy Kingdom Come Ministries,” will be the eyes on the boob-tube, to keep me informed as to the spectacular video stuff, etc.
Also, my son, Terry, Jr., has agreed to review the episodes with me.
But, to make it a truly great opportunity to make somewhat of an impact with those who put the “Revelations” series together, I’m depending on you to put your 250 cents worth into the mix. I thank you, in advance, for your help in the project.
I will give you feedback at the end of the process, to see how we did…
Please send your reviews no later than Thursday, May 12. Send them to my e-mail address: wtjames1@swbell.net .
Again, I’m looking for your opinion on what the NBC producers can do to make the story line, etc., more along the lines that a Christian audience would want to watch.
***No attachments, please. Please paste your reviews in the body of the e-mail.***
Let’s make the most of this, in all probability, a supernaturally presented twist of irony!
-- Terry
