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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by Russia, The New Threat To Global Security An editorial which appeared in the Pueblo Chieftain on August 13th stated the following: “Russia’s incursion into Georgia this week is proof once more that the Russian bear is a dangerous beast.” The words ‘bear’ and ‘beast’ caught my attention because they are Bible language attributed to Russia and satellite allies. The Savanna Morning News on August 11th reported: “The old Russian bear, it appears, is waking up from hibernation. Its claws are sharpened, and a pro-Western and democratized Georgia is its first blood.” According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the Russian bear is a national personification for Russia used in cartoons and articles at least since the 19th century, and relating alike to Tsarist Russia, the Soviet Union and the present post-Soviet Russia. We all applauded when President Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall,” but serious students of the Scriptures knew that which is apparent now….the bear would awaken from a time of sleep. One of two things is true; a multitude of writers and cartoonists are Bible readers, or God just got lucky 2500 years ago when He utilized present day terminology and predicted latter day events so accurately. Or perhaps a third option should be considered. The Scriptures may be the revelation of a divine source with an uncanny ability to predict the future. The prophet Daniel saw in a vision a beast likened unto a bear, raised up on its side with three ribs in its mouth. (Daniel 7:5) Clearly, this is a dominating kingdom (vs. 17) which has little regard for the freedom of others. Daniel 11 labels this federation the king of the north and begins to narrow the focus until identification is obvious. Ezekiel continues the theme by devoting two chapters (38 and 39) to the prophecy. His observations forecast a confederation of northern countries led by Russia that will one day organize a military assault against Israel. This is met with a feeble protest offered by western countries (38:13) which have no muscle to provide a major barricade. Sound familiar? Two questions are begging answers. First, how does Russia gain its allies (including Germany, called Gomer in Ezekiel 38:6) for this invasion? A headline dated November 30, 2006 in the Washington Times reads: “Russian Bear Sets a Trap.” The story continues….”Unfortunately for the Europeans, a number of their governments are cementing a relationship with Vladimir Putin’s Russia which, in effect, will make them hostages of the Russian bear. Russia already accounts for 26 percent of Europe’s gas imports. It accounts for 44 percent of Germany’s gas imports, 60 percent of Poland’s, 63 percent of Austria’s and 100 percent of Finland’s. Russia in now building a new gas pipeline from Russia through the Gulf of Finland and down through the Baltic Sea directly to Germany, bypassing the existing pipelines that go through Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. As European natural gas sources are depleted, Europe will depend increasingly upon Russia.” Secondly, how will the resurgence of a huge military machine be financed? The June, 2008, issue of National Geographic has a lengthy article devoted to the Siberian oil industry. Accordingly, the Kremlin is awash in money with little appetite in using much of it to benefit its citizens. The American Spectator in a column written by Ben Stein entitled “A Scary Russian Bear” summarized the situation well in submitting…”Everyone is worrying like mad about the Moslems taking over Europe. It may well be that Russia has beaten them to the punch. Europe is now in chains of oil and gas, marked ‘Made in Putin’s Russia.’ NATO is meaningless. The pride of France and Germany and Italy is in vain. Energy trumps all else, and Putin sure looks like he has won a very, very big prize.” Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether I am reading a newspaper or the Bible. They seem to be on the same track!
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