Prophecy Watch
Eastern Ukraine Independence – Bible Prophecy
Two Eastern Ukrainian Oblasts (the Ukrainian name for province or state) have declared their independence from Ukraine. Ukraine continues to destabilize. The previous Ukrainian president refused to sign the European Union agreements last year. The Russians invaded Crimea just after they hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The events of this week will have long-ranging effects. Will Eastern Ukraine enter more of Russia’s orbit of influence? Many of the people living in Eastern Ukraine already speak Russian as their primary language. Will the European Union and the United States respond to protect Kiev? Only time will tell. The European Union will have to become stronger to overcome Russia’s influence. If that is true, then we could now start to see the world set up for a war that was prophesied in Ezekiel 38.
There are different interpretations about that war prophesied in Ezekiel 38. Some say that it will be the Battle of Armageddon in which Jesus Christ finally defeats Satan. Others (including Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum in the Fall 2013 Ariel Ministries newsletter,) however, claim that this war in Ezekiel 38 will happen before the Tribulation period. As Dr. Robert Congdon notes on a blogpost earlier this year, Ukraine is literally on “the edge” of the countries which will participate in that war.
If a war is to break out before the Tribulation period, then Ukraine could be the tipping point that leads the world in that direction. We are called to “watch and pray for the hour is near”. As Christians, we need to watch the events unfolding in Ukraine and pray for the people. God is still moving in the lives of people there, even as the country is being torn apart.
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