The real "spoiler" in the whole prophetic equation is Russia. When the Soviet Union imploded and collapsed, the West became delirious with the idea of a permanent world peace. Once again, our liberal congressmen, under the battle cry of "peace dividend," stripped our armed forces of bases and weaponry replacement. This opened the door for Muslim and Russian adventurism later.

Critics of Bible-prophecy interpreters like myself were ridiculed by prophecy-rejecting "Christian brothers." They charged us with being totally wrong about our interpretation of Ezekiel 36-39 – an interpretation that was at least 300 years old. They felt the fall of the Soviet Union completely disproved the teaching that the power from the uttermost north of Israel – predicted by Ezekiel chapter 38 – was Russia.

According to our teaching, Russia will arm and lead a coalition of Muslim nations, headed by Persia, into an all-out attack against Israel. This attack will escalate and draw all the nations of the world into global war. Zechariah makes it clear that it is the issue of Jerusalem that triggers the conflict.

Recent events make it clear that this interpretation is alive, well and right on target.

The Russian shift back to the Soviet policy of arming and siding with the Muslim Middle East began in 1996. This is when Boris Yeltsin appointed Yevgeny Primakov as foreign minister. His goal from the beginning was to return Russian Middle East Foreign Policy to its pre- 1991 orientation.

During the Soviet Union´s 1950-1989 policy of arming the Muslim nations to the teeth, Primakov became the KGB´s expert on communication with the Arab leaders. He is fluent in Arabic and familiar with their culture. So it was natural that he would be tapped again to re-establish the old relationships with such radical Muslim nations as Syria and Iran (Persia). Just in the last few months, Primakov´s handiwork has become obvious.

This is all extremely ironic. Yevgeny Primakov was born "Pinchas Finkelstein" of Jewish parents. He changed his name in order to be more accepted by the Communist Party. The irony is that a Jew has engineered a situation that brings grave danger to Israel and the United States. He may be also instrumental in setting up the fulfillment of Ezekiel´s prophecy.

According to DEBKAfile´s intelligence report, Russia has agreed to arm both Iran and Syria with some of their most advanced weapons. These weapons change the entire equation of power in the Middle East.

It is now known that Russia has installed the advanced 36D6 radar system around Iran´s nuclear facilities. This is coupled with the deadly SA-10 surface-to-air missile system that is superior to the U.S. Patriot system. It can engage several targets at once. It can not only intercept and destroy the best Western aircraft, but it can also bring down cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The same system is to be installed around key places in Syria.

Here is a list of the deadly weaponry Russia has agreed to furnish Syria and Iran:

The SA-18 shoulder-fire missile. It is deadly accurate against the fastest jets and cruise missiles. In the hands of terrorists, the danger would be unimaginable.

The lethal Kornet AT-14 anti-tank missile. Supplied to both Iran and Syria. This poses a threat so great the United States warned Syria we would attack them if one AT-14 showed up in the hands of terrorists in Iraq.

The sale to Syria and Iran of advanced version of SS-26 road-mobile ISKANDER-E ballistic missiles. This highly accurate missile carries 480 kilos of multiple warheads that can evade air defense systems. This missile can carry nuclear warheads and has the range to hit Israel´s Dimona Nuclear Center, as well as all of its cities.

According to DEBKAfile:

These recent developments mean that Russia has undertaken to secure all of Iran´s nuclear industry from top to bottom – from the installation of sophisticated equipment to military planning and operational cooperation – against American or Israeli attack. Moscow has thus placed a serious impediment in the path of any American and Israel military action to curb Iran´s nuclear armament.

The Russian bear that was hibernating for a decade is now awake and back to its old ways.

President Vladimir Putin, under pressure from the old hardliners, is through sitting on the sidelines of power. He has evidently decided to throw Russia´s future on the side of the Muslim world. Russia´s alliance with and arming of Iran and Syria is a portent of greater expansion in the Muslim world. Russia still has some of the most advanced and deadliest weapons in the world. And they have now taken sides against God´s stated will.

No wonder Ezekiel prophesied of these days:

Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, "Thus says the Lord God, ´Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal ... You will come from your place out of the [extreme] remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.´"

– Ezekiel 38:2-3; 15-16, NASB

How do we know that this applies to Russia today? First is the time clue. It is when the Israelites are returned from a long exile and become a nation again. That officially started June 15, 1948. Second is the geographical clue. The power known as Gog will come from the "extreme north" of Israel. Only Russia is there. Third is the ethnic-origin clue. Gog is descended from Magog, Meshech and Tubal. All of these tribes migrated to the far north and later became known as the Scythians. The Scythians are the modern ethnic Russians.

As predicted, Russia is once again arming the Muslims for war. It has asserted itself as their political defender and friend.

We are at the threshold of the final events of prophecy that lead us to the Second Coming of Christ. Thank God His coming for the believer known as ´the Mystery´ is even closer. Make sure that you have received His blood-bought gift of pardon. Even so, come soon LORD Jesus. (© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com, Inc. 01/27/05)