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I've been so consumed by the events in Ukraine for the past week that I haven't had time to blog. Far too much time and attention has gone into comment threads all over the internet and contending with people from various nations who are ignorant and apathetic.
 
There are some who would call themselves 'conservatives' or 'libertarians' who see Putin as the "good guy" because of his stance against homosexual and Muslim pressure groups in Russia. They also claim that he has limited abortion. I don't have information on that, but the good he may do in some areas does not constitute a pass on others. To give him a pass where he is wrong is not consistent with a conservative worldview and we must not do it lest we find ourselves promoting a villain.
 
These opinionated ignoramuses refuse to see that Putin is out of line for interfering with, undermining and threatening a separate and sovereign nation. They are content to see Ukraine go into the Russian Empire because, in their imaginations, 'it never really left.' Ask the Ukrainians what they think about that one. They arrogantly proclaim that Ukraine is, "as Russian as the day is long," in the same breath that they claim, "it is the breadbasket of Russia" as if this were its only legitimate role.
 
Most of all they oppose the desires of Ukraine to join the EU because they believe that stopping this will thwart "the New World Order." This is the ultimate good in their fevered imaginations.  Don't confuse them with facts, especially if they have read a whole book on the subject. One guy claimed that having done so meant that he knew everything there is to know on the subject!
 
Russia's aggression has people mouthing the ancient names of "Gog and Magog" just as they did when Russia picked a fight with the nation of Georgia in 2008.  I've recently read through the major prophets of the Old Testament (except Daniel, which I start reading tomorrow). As I have done so I've discovered that Ezekiel 38 is not the lone scriptural mention of the names of the nations who will line up for a major battle against Israel in the last days.
 
When seen in the context of other scripture it becomes clear that Russia is not indicated specifically in Ezekiel 38. It may prove to be among the "many peoples with you" that God mentions in His prophecy to "Gog (person) of the land of Magog (location)." Gog was the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Due to the specific geographical locations indicated in scripture for Meshech and Tubal (within the areas conquered by Nebuchadnezzar) and their trade activities in the ancient Middle East, they cannot be the unsettled wilds that were later to become Russia.
 
That is a preview for another post which I'll try to publish this weekend.
 
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Thanks for those who prayed for my work on Predestination and Free Will. I was sick the day I did the presentation and feel that the notes were helpful and may be a good resource for the ladies who were there. That said, I don't think the notes are quite ready for the blog. Maybe I'll post them in few weeks- if the Lord tarries and Russia doesn't invade Ukraine.
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