Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WARM WATER PORTS FOR RUSSIA

After six thousand years of human history, the events spoken of by the ancients are happening like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle coming together to form the completed picture. Almost nothing occurring on the international scene is unimportant. Of recent attention is the invasion and annexation of a coastal part of the Ukraine known as Crimea by Russia. This ancient country was a forced part of the old U.S.S.R. as was Poland, Albania, and other countries freed from Nazi occupation during WWII only to live under the oppression of communism as the iron curtain descended in the late 1940s. They were freed at last to live and operate under their own governments with the collapse of the Soviet system several decades ago. However, Ukraine had something the Russians needed to have under their sole authority, and that is the warm water ports of Crimea. Acquiring this would give Gog and Magog, the countries of the north an open sea route to the Mediterranean. This, among other things, allows mass naval passage; thus, the facilitated ability to make war in that region. Of course, the Ukrainian government was not about to say, “Here it is, it is our gift to you,” although they may as well have done so.

The amazing thing about what has just happened here is the ease with which it occurred. This land has known ancient wars throughout history. Here many have fallen, and soaked the soil with their blood at various times and from different countries. Yet, Russia has, in blatant violation of international law simply marched in and took the coveted country without firing a shot or having any of its soldiers suffering so much as a scratch while the weakened West looked on, and promised to close their bank accounts if they did not behave. Oh, brother!

Ancient Daniel spoke of nations lending their power to an aggressor for a time, and Ezekiel spoke of how the forces of Gog and Magog, Eze. 38, would come into play as the present age rushes to its climax and subsequent end.

But, just what does all this mean? Well, there is no shortage of religionists, who have pushed themselves to the forefront for a short time, that are more than willing to detail these things, even to the cycles of the moon. However, the wise study the Word, and keep it, and these events in their heart and mind. It is fodder for meditation as the Day of the Lord approaches. All of God’s people should be aware of these things: they are significant.

FOR THOUGHT: The forces of gog and magog are those generally to the north and east of the land of the ancient prophets. Do you see how forces from that general region will play a major role in the last days of this age? After reviewing a map of the middle east, how do you evaluate the importance of Crimea to those forces?