/
RSS Feed
SHOW NOTES:
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun.
Indeed, it’s no longer a rumor of war. Europe could be on the brink of World War III.
According to the BBC, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognizing them as independent states. The BBC reports footage released overnight appeared to show Russian military vehicles heading towards the Ukrainian border.
Russia said the troops would be “peacekeeping” in the breakaway regions, which it has backed since 2014.
This is Jennifer LeClaire, on today’s Praying the News podcast we’ll take a prophetic look at the latest developments in Russia and Ukraine.
Today’s broadcast is sponsored by Awakening Prayer Hubs, a prayer movement that’s contending for awakening in revival in the nations of the earth. There’s never been a more critical time to pray. You can be a prophetic solutionist in your city. Join the movement at www.awakeningprayerhubs.com.
World leaders are offering their insights on the low-key invasion the day after Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a decree recognizing areas of Ukraine as independent.
The US said calling them peacekeepers was “nonsense.” US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Putin is attempting to claim Russia has a rightful claim to all territories from the historic Russian Empire. That she said, not only includes Ukraine, but also Finland, Belarus, and parts of Poland and Turkey for starters.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Russia has violated Ukrainian sovereignty and “completely torn up” international law. He sees Putin “bent on a full-scale invasion,” and promised a “barrage of sanctions”.
Russia has supporters. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said “I’m sure that if a referendum is held there, as was done in Crimea, people will vote for their regions to be included in Russia. This is a Russian population and it’s not subject to the dictates of NATO, the EU and the U.S.”
But Beijing—one of Russia’s closest allies—is holding its cards close to the vest. China is calling for all parties to “avoid any action that may fuel tensions” but sources say Beijing is secretly cheering Russia on.
It’s a dark day in Europe. It’s been seventy years since the region saw a World War, and this new era war could come at a higher cost than anyone anticipates.
What’s going on behind the scenes here?
Jesus said before His coming there would be wars and rumors of wars. Putin is testing the waters, but his demonic desire for power is driving him to destruction. With NATO standing strong against Russian aggression in neighboring nations, we are certainly on the brink of what could be the most devastating war in the earth’s history.
Even if this does not become World War 3, it’s certainly a foreshadowing of what will most certainly come in the future.
Ezekiel predicted specific events would occur in the nation we now call Russia. Ezekiel 38:2 mentions a nation called Rosh, which many Bible scholars believe is modern-day Russia. Beyond the linguistics, the position of Rosh as far north of Israel makes it obvious the end time watcher that this ancient land is the Russia we know today.
Ezekiel 38:1-3: “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, [a]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, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.”
Ultimately, all of this is heading toward a coordinated attack on Israel deeper into the end times. But the time is not yet.
Russia will not succeed against Israel, but Russia may succeed in the short-term in doing serious damage in Europe and the rest of the world through energy prices, since Russia is the second largest oil-exporter after Saudi Arabia. Supply chains would likely to be further disrupted. Businesses can be taken off line. Cyber attacks could take down financial institutions.
How should we respond?
I’ll offer some prophetic insights right after this break.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:6, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
First, we are not supposed to be troubled. Other translations say “alarmed” and “don’t panic.” God saw all this from before the foundation of the earth. This is no surprise to Him. God has not given us a spirit of fear. Don’t have a knee jerk reaction.
It’s clear that everything that can be shaken will be shaken, but we are citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Scripture says if we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small. Your strength is not small. The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you.
Prophetically speaking, we need to understand the times and seasons. We need to understand how important it is to redeem the time because the days are evil. Even if sanctions hold Russia back from a larger scale invasion of Ukraine and its neighboring nations, it’s only a matter of time before this blows up.
Prophetically speaking, ask God for more time for the sake of the souls affected. A war in Europe would be costly in terms of lost lives, lost architectural treasures, and much more.
Prophetically speaking, understand that Ukraine is one of the most Christian nations in Europe and that, ultimately, is why the enemy is raging against her. What’s more, about 200,000 Jews still live in Ukraine. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
Prophetically speaking, Putin may be the forerunner to the antichrist. No, he’s not the antichrist. But someone with the same dominating spirit will arise and deceive the nations, even Israel, with a peace treaty that will last only three and half years.
This is where we are ultimately headed. Until then, we will continue to see wars and rumors of wars. But the Russo-Ukraine situation is one of the most volatile events Europe has seen since World War II and could indeed lead to World War III.
Ignor Bandura, senior vice president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, has the heart of Jesus in the conflict. Describing the front line, he told Christianity Today, “Pastors in the gray area are not leaving the area. Christians are determined to take an active part in the needs of the people around them.”
You may not live in or near Ukraine, but you can take an active part in the needs of the people in the region through prayer. Commit to pray for God’s peace in Europe, for God’s intervention in what would surely be a bloody war, for God’s angel armies to array themselves to fight for God’s cause in Europe. Watch and pray.
Thanks for listening. To learn more about the Praying the News Podcast and to get access to today’s show notes and exclusive content from jenniferleclaire.org/prayingthenews. Be sure to subscribe to you can get every podcast delivered to your inbox. Give us that five-star rating and a review wherever you listen to podcasts.