Russia-Iran: Key Players in the Nuclear Countdown

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

October 2009

For centuries many churches discarded Israel as ‘old news.’ Major denominations embraced what is known as ‘replacement theology’which left the biblical curses with Israel but accepted the promised blessings to the Church.

Such theological gymnastics overlooked the fact that Jesus is Jewish and will return to Jerusalem as the Lion of Judah. There we are told, He will ‘judge the nations.’ Hmmm! I wonder what THAT means?

In modern times millions of Christian believers are observing end times events happening at an amazing pace. They are studying Ezekiel 37, 38 and 39 and also aware of Matthew 24, 25 and 26.

There is much happening to shout “Wake up!” to all who choose to be on the Lord’s side.

For instance old tensions between Russia and the United States have returned with a vengeance, as pressure mounts from the Russian-Iran nuclear connection. Could this connect with Ezekiel 38 and the whole Gog and Magog scenario?

In the past few days the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) has advised, Iran it is further along the nuclear road than previously thought, a situation long-held by Israeli intelligence.

In spite of the October 1 Geneva talks with the P5 + 1 Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksey Borodavkin has announced Russia intends to continue its military-technical cooperation with Iran. This announcement came in spite of demands Russia quit the Iranian deal.

Britain’s Sunday Times reported Israel had evidence Russian scientists were assisting Iran with development of its nuclear weapons program, that story was rejected by National Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev.

The US is concerned Russia could be the stumbling block when ‘extreme sanctions’ are applied to the Iranian administration. Those sanctions are critical to stopping Iranian nuclear weapons aspirations and there is little time for any delays caused by Russian political grandstanding.

The Obama administration is taking another look at its intelligence estimates on Iran.

Russia is now under serious pressure. If it is to go forward in any effective, productive, relationship with the USA or the EU it will have to be seen as co-operating and not hindering progress with the mounting Iranian predicament.

The key to this tension is the Russian passion to once again be restored to superpower status. Vladimir Putin longs for the USA to recognize Russia’s Eurasian power.

Weapons on Display

Stratfor advise, Russia through its state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is planning to show off its lethal capabilities in Libya soon. A wide range of aircraft, air defence systems and high-precision guided missiles will be on parade including the S-400 Triumf air defence system.

The deputy-general director of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheyev said his company expects to sign several breakthrough deals. It was reported last week Saudi Arabia will spend $2 billion to obtain the S-300’s specifically for defence against Iranian aggression.

In another interesting strategy US vice president Joe Biden is touring Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania to declare the USA has not deserted the Russian backyard.

The Obama administration recently discontinued plans for the BMD Weapons Shield program George W. Bush had promised in the region. Poland in particular felt slighted and exposed while many thought the decision was a suck up to Russia by Obama.

Biden has been charged with changing that opinion. His visit is heavily slanted towards a Russian audience but is also an attempt to heal a wound created between the USA and particularly Poland.

There is little doubt Warsaw felt abandoned by the Obama decision and Biden will seek to restore confidence. Poland is vital to US military aspirations. Middle East and even Russian locations are accessible from valued Polish sites.

The fact that the Biden visit was announced after Russia showed determination to continue its Iranian relationship, is not coincidence.

The USA recently allocated $51.9 million to create four huge bunker-busting bombs. These are ideal for destroying key Iranian nuclear sites and the order suggests Obama or at least his defence strategists are thinking ahead.

Israel recently took delivery of two German-made submarines both capable of firing nuclear-powered missiles. These developments suggest a more serious approach to Iran may be ahead.

Iran in typical macho Ahmadinejad style today threatened those who refuse to sell gas to them in response to the forthcoming sanctions will never do business with the Iranian regime again, this according to the Iranian Oil Minister Massoud Mirkazemi.

Not everyone in Iran supports the regime.  Only 100 members attended the second joint meeting of parliament – the Majlis. 190 stayed away. The missing included the speaker and two vice-speakers. The presidential authority of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is under challenge and the Lord may yet intervene there.

In the midst of these developments,  the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must decide his deadline.  When does the Iranian nuclear program reach the point of no return? 
The security of the Jewish state is his priority and the date of decision continues to close in.

The prophecies we have from the Lord continue to be reported by media around the world, one headline after another. Events foretold take place on a daily basis.

The promise-keeping God told Israel, “I will never leave you or forsake you!” Has God changed His mind? Will He stand by and watch the annihilation of those He has called back to Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel 37?

Do you think He has changed His mind?

I think it is time to realise ‘Replacement Theology” actually replaced God and that’s not where I want to be these days.