The fallout from the conflict between Russia and Georgia continued today, as NATO officials called for a freeze in relations with the former communist state. The conflict began after pro-Moscow militias clashed with Georgian troops in the break-away province of South Ossetia. The Georgian government responded with military force, which in turn triggered the Russian invasion of South Ossetia and Georgia as a whole. High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, brokered a ceasefire between the Georgian and Russian forces, and has called on Western leaders to help rebuild the shattered country. But so far Russian forces have been reluctant to withdraw. Intelligence analysts believe that the Russian invasion of Georgia may be less to do with politics and more to do with who controls the oil and gas flowing through the country. While Georgia has little oil and gas supplies of its own, it is a key transit point for the transportation of oil from the Caspian Sea to Western nations. If Russia can control the state of Georgia, they can control the flow of energy through the region and thus the foreign policies of Western nations. The United States and Israel have pumped millions of dollars into equipping and training the Georgian military in order to secure these vital pipelines, and Israel's support for Georgia seems to have angered the Russian bear.

Quote: "More importantly and with immense strategic implications, Russia is also trying to send Israel a clear message that Tel Aviv's military support for Tbilisi in organizing, training and equipping Georgia's army will no longer be tolerated. Private Israeli security firms and retired military officials are actively involved in Georgian security. Further, Israel's interest in Caspian oil and gas pipelines is growing and Russia seeks to stop this activity at this time. Intense negotiations about current and future pipelines between Israel, Turkey, Georgia, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan are tied to receiving oil at the terminal at Ashkelon and on to the Red Sea port of Eilat. Finally, Russia is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate US influence in Georgia nor Tbilisi's interests - supported by the pro-US Georgian President Mikhal Saakashvili - in joining NATO. Overall, the military crisis will push Moscow to punish Israel for its assistance to Georgia, and challenge the US to do more than voice rhetoric.

And it's not just intelligence analysts that are warning of a conflict of interests between Russia and Israel. During a recent press conference, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian military revealed the extent of co-operation between Israel and Georgia, claiming that Israel armed the Georgian forces.

Quote: "General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of staff of the Russian Military revealed Tuesday the extent of the military assistance Moscow claimed Jerusalem had given Georgia. "Israel armed the Georgian army," he told reported at a press conference held in the Russian capital. According to Nogovitsyn, Israel provided Georgia with "eight types of military vehicles, explosives, landmines and special explosives for the clearing minefields." Since 2007, he continued, Israeli experts have been training Georgian commando troops; and Israel had planned to supply Georgia with heavy firearms, electronic weapons and tanks, but that plan was eventually scrapped.

Despite the ceasefire, it is easy to see how this situation could grow out of hand. The Bible prophesies that during a future Arab conflict with Israel, the Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal will make a move against the Jewish state with the goal of taking a spoil. 

Ezekiel 38:2
Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

Some Orthodox Jews have claimed that the Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal is the most prominent leader of the world at any point in history. They interpret the names of Meshech and Tubal to be titles of this Chief Prince and not geographical locations over which he rules. And based on this interpretation they created the Megillat Bush - the Bush Scroll, which identified US President Bush as the Chief Prince who would come against Israel. But Bush cannot be the Chief Prince, because this prophecy is limited in scope to the "the land of Magog". Where is the land of Magog? According to Genesis 10:2 Magog was one of the sons of Japheth, and his descendents settled in the region now known as Russia.

Quote: "[1] Gomer - Progenitor of the ancient Cimerians and Cimbri, from whom are descended the Celtic family. [2] Magog - From Magog are descended the ancient Scythians, or Tartars, whose descendants predominate in the modern Russia. Ezek 38:2 39:6 Rev 20:8. [3] Madai - Progenitor of the ancient Medes. [4] Javan - Progenitor of those who peopled Greece, Syria, etc. [5] Tubal - Tubal's descendants peopled the region south of the black Sea, from whence they spread north and south. It is probable that Tobolsk perpetuates the tribal name. A branch of this race peopled Spain. [6] Meshech - Progenitor of a race mentioned in connection with Tubal, Magog, and other northern nations. Broadly speaking, Russia, excluding the conquests of Peter the Great and his successors, is the modern land of Magog, Tubal, and Meshech. [7] Tiras - Progenitor of the Thracians.

So as we can see, this conflict between Russia and Georgia, and Israel's involvement in it, could be one of the hooks that will bring the Russia nation against Israel in the latter days (Ezekiel 38:4). And as the price of oil continues to increase, so will the desperation of world powers to control the flow of energy in this world. Praise God that Christ's Kingdom is not of this world. We seek another country (Hebrews 11:4). A heavenly country for a heavenly people, where there is no more war, no more pain, no more tears and no more death. Do you seek such a country? The Bible declares that as Christians, we are ambassadors of this heavenly country, and we bring a message from the King of that country (2nd Corinthians 5:20). That message is, be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ loves you. He died for you on the cross so that your sins could be forgiven and you could have a home in heaven. He left earth to receive His Kingdom (Luke 19:12), and He is coming back again to establish it (Daniel 2:44). Turn away from your sins. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Source YNet News, Earth Times, Daily Star, YNet News, Bible