Who Will Be Russia's Allies?
4. Who Will Be Russia's Allies?
Ezekiel 38:5-6 In Ezekiel 38:5-6, five allies of Russia are given. We will examine them separately.
Togarmah. From History and ancient Geography we learn that Togarmah was ancient Armenia (Asia Minor). This area is now known as modern Turkey. In 1975, Turkey deported our military from its borders and closed 20 of our air bases. Prior to this, Turkey had opened the Dardanelles, allowing the Russian fleet to sail out of the Black Sea into the Mediterranean Sea. Her ships were then in the Mediterranean for the first time since 1918. In 1975, Russia matched the U.S. fleet ship for ship; and now, in spite of the reverses suffered in the break up of the former Soviet Union, Russia is still a force to be reckoned with. During the Gulf War and the conflict with Kosovo, the U.S. and NATO had to beg for some use of Turkish airbases. Turkey will be with Russia when she invades Israel.
Persia. In 1935, Persia changed her name to Iran. She has always been associated with Russia, except during the reign of the Shah. The Shah endorsed Christianity and was a friend to the United States. We poured millions of dollars into this country. After the Shah was disposed of, Iran again showed her favoritism toward Russia. Yes, Persia (Iran) is leaning heavily toward Russia and will be with Russia when she invades Israel at the beginning of the Tribulation.
Back in 1979, a friend of mine was speaking on prophecy at a Bible conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. After the service a man came to him and introduced himself as a certain U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, Retired. He went on to say, "I was in Libya, as an officer, when they kicked us out several years ago; and I was in Turkey when they kicked us out there. Our "brass" could not understand why these two countries, which had been befriended by the United States with substantial financial aid, could do this. Here the answer was in the word of God all the time."
Libya. The Hebrew is "Phut" (Genesis 10:6) or "Put" (1
Chronicles 1:8), and refers to the third son of Ham. Put migrated to the land west of Egypt and became the source of the North African Arab nations such as: Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. The Septuagint translates "Put" as Libya. In 1972, Libya kicked the U.S. Air Force out of her borders, to the astonishment of our military leaders. Libya embraces Russia and will be with her when Russia invades Israel.
Ethiopia. The Hebrew is "Cush" and is always Ethiopia. According to the Bible, Cush was born black and represents the black Africans, while Libya represents the African Arabs. A few years ago, when Haile Selassie (who professed to be a Christian) was the king of Ethiopia, they were a friend to Israel. Unfor- tunately, he was dethroned and died in exile. The country of Ethiopia then broke off the relationship with Israel. Today, Russia has equipped an army of thousands from among the Ethiopians and labels them as her "Army of Africa." Who is Ethiopia with today? Russia, just as God had said 2600 years ago.
Gomer. Going back to Genesis 10:2, we find Gomer was the firstborn of Japheth. He and his descendants settled in the area now known as Germany. Jews today call Germany by the Hebrew "Gomer." At the end of World War II, in 1945, Russia was in control of Germany. In 1949, Germany was divided and became East and West Germany. West Germany became a parliamentary democracy with strong ties to Western Europe, while the East became a communist dictatorship associated with Soviet Russia. In 1989, there was political unrest and reform movements that set in motion a chain of events that brought about the unification of East and West Germany. The Unification Treaty was signed October 3, 1990, and, in December, the first national elections were held. This was an important event, as God's word says Germany will be with Russia—not a divided Germany. At the moment, she is free from Russia; but, watch for Russia to "come in the back door" and befriend her with aid and supplies (military and otherwise) to win her confidence. God said in Ezekiel that Germany will be with Russia in the latter days. Keep watching your paper for the news, as you see this develop!