Good morning on this Saturday, December 18th, exactly one week before Christmas. Last week I wrote about some significant revelations contained in the recently released intelligence cables by WikiLeaks. Of particular interest was information about the vanishing freedoms in Russia. Russia has not reverted to a communist system such as they endured for so many years while part of the old Soviet Union, but to an iron-fisted form of fascism under President/Prime Minister Putin. He has led a regime which has silenced the opposition, curtailed freedoms, eliminated enemies, resumed arms build ups, rejuvenated the military, restored dictatorial ways, and provided support to many of the world's rogue threats. He was able to accomplish this by a massive infusion of capital produced by gains through the sale of Russia's fuels because of the high demand and pricing of oil, the overthrow or marginalization of Russia's oligarchs, the positioning his political proteges in positions of authority and power, the curtailing the media's freedoms, and the crushing of threats to his leadership. In Ezekiel 38-39 Russia is depicted as a strong nation who will lead an alliance of nations in an future attack on Israel. Russia's return to prominence on the world stage clearly makes this scenario more achievable in both the immediate and distant future. Their support of Iran's nuclear program and provision of armaments to many of the countries mentioned as future allies in Biblical prophecy are noteworthy as well. The WikiLeaks material has confirmed what many students of prophecy have been saying about Russia in recent days. The Russian Bear is back and its predatory threat has been restored.
Tomorrow is Edgewood's Christmas musical Drama. You won't want to miss this very special Christmas service and our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service this year. I hope I'll be seeing you in these services. Merry Christmas!
Mel Brown