Russia's Interest in the Mideast

It has be a regular pattern for Russia to align themselves with the Islamic nations in the Mideast. And now, for the first time since 1944, a Russian head of state is visiting Syria. Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, will meet Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, in Damascus during a three day visit to the region.

Those who think Ezekiel 38 describes the next war in the Mideast and that Russia is Magog are keenly watching these developments. I do not think that Russia is Magog, nor do I think that Ezekiel 38 describes the next war in the Mideast, but I do think Russia's interest in the Mideast will play a key role in what happens next.

Russia is certainly aligning themselves with the Mideast Islamic nations to increase their political power in the world. But these alliances also promises to boost the two main sources of hard currency benefiting the Russian economy: oil and weapons. The tensions in the Mideast are good for Russia's weapons business since most of the Mideast Islamic nations are armed with Russian-made equipment.

It is also important to note that Russia's oil business will benefit from a war in the Mideast. A war there would at least threaten to disrupt oil supplies causing the price of oil to go up. The amount of oil Russia can supply is pretty well fixed so this would be a sure way to increase their oil revenues. Thus I would expect Russian President Medvedev to convey all sort of assurances to Syrian President al-Assad they they will support them if there is war with Israel. This encouragement may be all Syria needs to join with Hammas, Hezbollah and Iran against Israel.

I'm convinced that the next war in the Mideast is described by Psalm 83...

"Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more'" (Psalm 83:1-5, NKJ).

Russia is not named among the nations God allows Israel to overrun in Psalm 83 but that doesn't mean they don't play a role in encouraging Israel's enemies.

It should also be noted that the U.S. economy will be harmed by the price of oil going up. This is icing on the cake to Russia since they are competing with us for influence in the world. And as the U.S. is less able to exert our will in the world, it makes us more willing to cooperate with the world community of nations... a condition necessary for a world government to emerge.

No-doubt there are many even in this country who are cheering-on Russia because they want to see the price of oil go up. Besides forcing the U.S. to be more of a team player in the world, higher oil prices will reduce consumption of oil and the man-made carbon dioxide emissions they think is causing global warming. God is giving us over to this debased thinking so that mankind will get to experience the results of these objectives. It will not be the Utopian vision they imagine it to be. Jesus called it the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.

I thank the Lord that the most literal interpretation of Scripture makes it clear that true followers of Jesus will not suffer God's wrath.