Putin has made his intentions known and they were not confined to the rebel enclaves of Donetsk and Luhansk in the far-eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. Troops are moving in from multiple sides and there are currently explosions in Kiev. It should also be noted that smaller Belarus, to the north, has essentially become a client state and may be absorbed by Russia as well. In a recent statement, Putin apparently declared Ukraine and Belarus part of historic Russia.

In addition to this monumental news, earlier this morning Chinese state media issued this genocidal threat indicating that an invasion of Taiwan may be on the near horizon:

Taiwan’s sovereignty has never existed. It’s only a matter of time that your secessionist regime will be eradicated.

There is much speculation of what this entails for the world and Bible prophecy. Many are connecting the dots with the common interpretation of Ezekiel 38–39. Intriguingly, if Russia absorbs Ukraine, that may explain the inclusion of Gomer among the listed nations in the anti-Israel coalition (Ezek. 38:5–6). Gomer is often presumed to be located in central or east-central Europe.

Below is a tweet showing locations of current attacks, presumably airstrikes in the areas west of Donbas. Troops have also invaded from Crimea.

Updated: Map with some of the Russian attacks being reported across Ukraine pic.twitter.com/K26BdDBa1x

— BNO News (@BNONews) February 24, 2022

As this is happening, it was speculated a nuclear deal with Iran would be reimplemented next week, but Israel has been shouting it down and saying it will not restrain military action. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it is completely unknown what will happen next week in terms of a deal. Iran may literally be days from sufficient enriched uranium for a bomb anyway. Israel may have to strike.

This is big. Very big. But I would caution everyone to remain prayerful and patient and see how this plays out in the coming days. Remember that all of this is suddenly happening as we reach a possible limit in the May–June timeframe related to the fig tree generation. I doubt that's a coincidence. Furthermore, this can't easily be separated from what we're all seeing with our own eyes: the sudden rapid development of global Orwellian statism, worldwide supply shortages, uncontrollable inflation, and a global economy on the very brink.

And it seems yesterday's extremely rare palindrome and ambigram date of 22/02/2022 (most common format worldwide) was indeed some sort of inflection point. The rumor going around that Pluto was back in the same spot as July 4, 1776 is basically false, but the rumor that a perfectly-formed rod or shepherd's staff formed, featuring all five of the visible planets plus the Sun and Pluto, was indeed true. Yesterday was important.

I mentioned before that I've been working on some thoughts regarding this Spring and where we are in light of what we're seeing, but given the news in Europe, I think it best to share a couple of these thoughts that are weighing heavily on me now:

1. This could really be it. But as other times before, we exercise caution and let God be God. There is no need for sweeping assumptions, but, rather, cautious and patient expectation, letting the pieces fall where they may. But again, this could really be it. The general presumptions seem to be finding some confirmation. The ball is rolling.

2. The fig tree prophecy is totally related to Israel. Not everyone agrees, and many have referred me to material from several pastors who have expressed other views, but believers can agree to disagree and let that be that. I've given some of my reasons here, here, and here. Jeff adds powerful weight to the arguments here. But our brilliant brother over at End Times: Darkness Descending made one of the strongest arguments of all from Jeremiah 24. Check out his article here.

3. At the moment, I have my Eyes Focused on March 16–17, which is the very last festival of the biblical year (Purim). The Feast of Purim, literally the "Celebration/Festival of Lots," is the commemoration of Israel's victory over the genocidal plot of Haman in Persia (ancient Iran). Given it's the last festival of the year and has many Revelation 12 undertones, there could be a very real connection here with the last trumpet. And right now Iran is preparing it's modern-day gallows against the Jews in the form of nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. On both the modern Rabbinical/Jewish calendar, and the proposed "Nisan 1 Must Fall in the Spring" calendar, Purim is on the right dates this year. And how ironic is falls on 3/16–17:

. . . for God so loved the world that He gave the only begotten Son, that everyone who is believing in Him may not perish, but may have continuous life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through Him . . . (John 3:16–17)

I also have my eyes focused on June 5–6, which is Pentecost this year, and also falls on the right dates regardless of the calendar. The theoretical cutoff which allows for the full Tribulation period of seven years to transpire before Israel exceeds 80 years of age is in mid-June.

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