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Today’s Audio Devotion:
Mountain Peaks of Pearl

In Streams in the Desert, James Smetham is quoted as saying, “I suspect that the source of every bit of sorrow in my life can be traced to simple unbelief. If I truly believe the past is totally forgiven, the present is supplied with power, and the future is bright with hope, how could I be anything but completely happy?”1

Could it really be as simple as that? Yes, but we must grow in faith. Jesus looked at some people and marveled at the weakness of their faith; others impressed Him with their great faith. As we spend time in His Word connecting His promises to our problems, we grow in faith. As the trials of life drive us to His throne in prayer, we grow in faith. As we learn to look to Him rather than just at our circumstances, we grow in faith.

If you’re in trouble, acknowledge God’s reliability and admit fear. Then take your burdens to the Lord, knowing He is encamped around you. He will fortify you to rejoice in the past, the present, and the future He is overseeing for your good.

[God’s] faithfulness stands firm and is prominent as mountain peaks of pearl splitting the clouds of eternity.
James Smetham

Since 2018, Turning Point has partnered with TBN Russia to bring the Gospel to our Russian brothers and sisters worldwide. Turning Point's Russian broadcasts have a potential viewership of over 200 million people spread across 100 countries. Turning Point also started a YouTube page in 2018 that will allow Russian speakers to access Bible-based teaching at their convenience. Join us in praying that Turning Point's Russian ministry will bring many people to Christ and strengthen believers through the teaching of the Word.

There are more than 10 million Russian-speaking people currently living in the U.S.

Russian is the 5th most spoken language in the world.

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— Tatiana from Moscow

In Ezekiel 38, the Lord revealed a ten–nation coalition that will assemble in the Last Days. The names and places that Ezekiel describes are foreign to us today, but a closer look at Scripture and history will help us translate these into modern times.

You will not find the name Russia anywhere in the Bible. But the nation we know as Russia figures prominently in prophecy. In Ezekiel’s list of ten names, the third name, Rosh, is most likely the territory we know as Russia. Not only do the two names bear phonetic similarity, but Ezekiel’s description of the location also points to Russia.

Biblical prophets assumed Israel to be the center of the world. Whenever we find compass points or geographical directions in prophecy, they are given in relation to the position of Israel.

Ezekiel and Daniel both describe Israel’s End Times aggressor as descending from the north. Daniel used the phrase “king of the North” to describe the commander of the alliance (Daniel 11:5-35). Ezekiel’s prophecy lends support to Daniel’s, indicating the invading armies will arrive in Israel “from the far north” (Ezekiel 38:6, 15). Russia is the only modern nation to match this description.

Here is a glimpse of what the future Russian alliance will look like:

Map of Russia

The Commander of the Alliance:

Gog (Ezekiel 38:1–2, 7)

  • The name of a person rather than a nation.

  • Some scholars believe Gog is a title rather than a personal name.

Nations in the Alliance:

Magog

  • Modern-day “–stan” countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and perhaps Afghanistan)

  • Home of Gog

  • Noah's second son (Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:5; Revelation 20:8)

  • Today, these nations are predominantly Muslim.

Rosh

  • Modern–day Russia

  • Ruled by Gog

Meshech and Tubal

  • Many experts identify these as territories in modern Turkey

  • The fifth and sixth sons of Noah (Genesis 10:2)

Persia

  • Changed its name to Iran in 1935

  • Fiercely opposes Israel today.

Ethiopia

  • Modern–day Sudan and Ethiopia

  • Founded by Cush, grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:6)

  • Sudan is one of Israel's greatest enemies

Libya

  • The same as modern–day Libya

  • Founded by Put, the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:6)

  • Has current ties with Russia

Gomer

  • Modern Germany (theorized because the name sounds similar to "Gomer")

  • First son of Japheth, grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2)

Togarmah

  • "From the far North" (Ezekiel 38:6); possibly modern–day Turkey

  • Third son of Gomer, great grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:3)

These are the nations that will form a coalition and march against Israel, setting the stage for this gigantic world war focused on the Holy Land. Though the northern armies of Russia and Turkey will lead the coalition, they will be joined by Iran from the east, Sudan and Libya from the south, and (possibly) Germany from the west in the form of a revived European coalition of nations.

To darken the picture for Israel, these likely represent the chief allies in the invasion. In Ezekiel 38:9, the prophet added that the nation will have “many peoples” on its side.

When Russia is ready to move against Israel, its allies will include the Arab states of the Near East and likely the nations in the former Soviet Bloc.

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