“And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh” (Daniel 7:5).
The Russian Bear – Daniel’s Second Beast of the End-Times
As of this date, February 24, 2022, the Russian Bear has made her move against Ukraine.
In Daniel 7: The Four Beasts of the End-Times, I had referenced the possibility that the three ribs in the mouth of the bear could represent the nations of Syria, Iran, and Turkey with regard to the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel in Ezekiel 38 and 39.
These “three ribs in the mouth of it [the bear]” are saying to the bear, “Arise, devour much flesh.” In Russia’s attempt to put back together her former glory of the Soviet Empire, she seems to be doing just that. Russia’s battles with Georgia in 2008 and the annexing of Crimea in 2014 come to mind, and now, we have Ukraine.
Although it’s always possible that more is to come, it does appear that the Russian Bear is fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy to “Arise, Devour Much Flesh.”
A Possible Link to Ezekiel 38 and 39
Ever since Russia, Iran, and Turkey have had fighting forces in Syria, directly to Israel’s north, we see the obvious set-up for the Gog/Magog invasion.
But there is a passage in Ezekiel’s prophecy that has caught my attention as of late and shows a potential link to the current events surrounding Russia and Ukraine.
“Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, 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 leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:1-2). (emphasis mine)
[Note: The phrase “leave a sixth part of thee” is not in the original Hebrew.]
“… turn thee back,” from where? Maybe from another invasion – namely, Ukraine?
When I see the Russian Bear’s focus on Ukraine, I can’t help but wonder if her attention will soon be drawn back to the Syrian theatre with an eye on Israel.
With troops, hardware, and Russia’s new common allies – Iran and Turkey – still at the ready in Syria, my mind considers that the hook in the jaw is but one event away.
“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 38:4).
(For a study on this verse and these war terms, please see Prophetic Hebrew Words of Warfare.)
There’s no doubt as to this invading alliance coming for a spoil – most certainly Israel’s energy resources. It seems all I have been uttering lately when it comes to current events and prophecy is, “It’s all about the energy!”
But it does seem there could be an event that might be involved as well.
In my two articles on the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel, Possibilities: The Ezekiel 38 Invasion and Possibilities: The Ezekiel 39 Aftermath, I do suggest just such an event.
Here’s what I wrote:
Timing of The Invasion
I’m in the camp that believes this end-time war will happen after the rapture of the church. To be more specific, I suggest it will happen immediately after the rapture.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally in the world, will be greatly impacted by the body of Christ being taken from the earth. More than that, it is because of these believers in Jesus Christ that keeps the United States the best friend of Israel. Once these lovers of Israel and the Israeli people have gone, who is left to protect Israel from her enemies? The answer is, obviously, nobody. Nobody, that is, but God!
This would be the absolute perfect time for the Gog/Magog invasion to occur. Israel’s enemies will know it when they will see it, and they will capitalize on the situation when the opportunity arises.
Conclusion
Am I predicting anything here? No, I’m not that presumptuous. But I am making some observations and attempting to connect some dots of future prophecy with the current events we are witnessing.
It will be fascinating to see where these events will take us.
Along with the Russian Bear, we need to keep an eye on the Leopard of China – the ‘Third Beast of the End-Times’ – and watch the moves that she will make, in particular with regard to Taiwan. After all, this beast will have its dominion as well.
“After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it” (Daniel 7:6).
May the Lord give us wisdom to traverse these last of the last days and that we all are Answering the Call of The Great Commission. Therein lies our mandate: To spread the gospel to every creature.
“And [Jesus says unto us], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
May the love and light of our Lord and Savior shine brightly through us, His servants, in this dark and dying world.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
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