Daily devotion – the Ukraine events – a bigger picture
The events in the Ukraine bare striking resemblance to those that occurred under Adolf Hitler which led to war in Europe and the rest of the world being drawn to what is known as World War 2.
Hitler was driven to reclaim land what Germany had surrendered as a result of WW1. Kyev, the capital of the Ukraine, was initially the capital of the old Russia before Moscow assumed thereafter and so Putin is in his thinking, seizing back what he believes is still Russia’s land.
However, moving on from this land seizure and its ownership, we must remember that the Ukraine rightfully and democratically has its own democratic identity. Putin sees it vastly different and is ignoring what’s legal and what is democratic and is bullying his way into the democratic land of the Ukraine with total disregard to anybody, especially the poor people of the Ukraine.
There is a bigger picture occurring here. The Ukraine has some 200,000 Jews residing in its borders and there has begun a trickle of migration of some of them back to Israel. Pending on the ongoing conflict and Russia’s invasion expanding, could lead to many more Ukrainian Jews seeking the safety of Israel their homeland.
In addition, the alliances that Russia has been developing at this time are significant in Bible prophecy – Russia now partnering with Iran and Syria.
Jewish Bible commentator – Joel Rosenburg, says this about Putin’s move on Ukraine at the moment and Putin’s background – “At his core, Putin is a mafia boss, obsessed with power and wealth, and willing to rob, kill or destroy to obtain both.
Using the Red Army, he already seized control of 20% of Georgia, all of Crimea, the eastern section of Ukraine and all of Syria. And murdered and imprisoned Russian dissidents. And co-opted Belarus. The list goes on and on.
At the same time, Putin sees himself following in the tradition of the Russian czars, believing he has a divine right to rule with an iron hand and is permitted to use any means necessary to rebuild the glory of Mother Russia.”
Let us not miss the forest for the trees – the bigger picture here is the nation, Israel. Its enemies are preparing for an attack on God’s people and His land as is prophesied by the Ezekiel in chapters 38 – 39.
All this conflict is leading up to an invasion to seize Jerusalem and to annihilate the Israelites.
We as Christians and His Church are to be praying for the people and land of Israel as God’s Word commands us. The bigger picture is Christ’s return (the rapture of the Church), the realization of the rule of the Antichrist, the 7 year period known as the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming of Jesus to establish His throne in……Jerusalem – and He will!
Let us keep our eyes on our Lord, His Word and the sign that Jesus said would be the one we were to watch for – Matthew 24:32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Let us be about the Lord’s work – let us be diligent in praying, in gathering together – Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
We are living in the times of Bible prophecy and the hour is late.
Peter said, 2 Peter 3: 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
Jesus is coming…