Signs CHRIST'S RETURN is Near SIGN 5 RISE OF RUSSIA & VLADIMIR PUTIN

SIGN # 5 -- RISE OF RUSSIA & VLADIMIR PUTIN

With the iron-fisted  Vladimir Putin  reclaiming Russia's Presidency in 2012  &  a mandate of ' supreme power ' of Russia until 2024 - a resurgent Russian economy , rapid growth & advancement of Russia's military machine has emboldened Mr Putin , who continues to re-shape the international political landscape with his aggressive foreign policy , often challenging & defying US , European & United Nations initiatives - particularly in the Middle East - by supporting pariah states Iran , Syria , Lebanon & the Palestinians.   Mr Putin has signaled his quest for ' world dominance ' by his plan​ to create a ' Eurasian ' axis of powers ( extending from Portugal to China ) to rival the US & European alliances.  Russia's stealthy acquisition & control of energy pipelines provides a formidable stranglehold over most European nations  &  is key to Russia's strategic plans & consistent with her  increased involvement in the Middle East  as she ' eyes ' huge energy reserves discovered recently near Israel



Daniel 8 v 23-25

IN THE LATTER TIME  of their [ man's ] kingdom ,  when the transgressors [ sinners ] are come to the full ,  A KING  of  '  fierce ' countenance  &  understanding dark sentences , shall stand up.  And  his power shall be mighty , but not by his own power  & he  shall destroy wonderfully  &  shall prosper  &  practise  &  shall destroy  ' the mighty '  [ USA ? ]  &  ' the holy people ' [ ISRAEL ]  Through  his policy also  he  shall cause craft to prosper in his hand  &  he  shall magnify himself  in his heart   &  ' BY PEACE '  shall destroy many :  he  shall also stand up against  the Prince of princes [ Christ ]  but he shall be broken  without hand