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When the Cold War ended, Russia looked to establish new relations with the West. But it has since grown frustrated with Western foreign policy. “Russia is determined to veto any UN resolution… it fears that, as happened during the 1999 Kosovo crisis and the 2011 Libya showdown, the US and its Western allies would misinterpret these resolutions as a blank cheque to do as they please” (BBC News, June 19, 2013). Russian President Vladimir Putin, “hammered home his point that arming Syrian rebels was reckless by zeroing in on an incident from last month in which a rebel fighter was filmed biting on the entrails of an enemy” (Reuters, June 19, 2013).
Many see Russia dependent on the West for its economic support, but Russia has a well-kept secret weapon, located in the Siberian wilderness. “Siberia is being touted as a beacon of light by the Russian government as it looks east, rather than west, for growth potential. Mineral and metal-rich Siberia is already home to oil, diamonds, gas… and… enables Russia to capitalize on Asian countries’ growing demand” (CNBC News, June 18, 2013). Russian geologists have discovered “enough iron ore to build hundreds of millions of cars… For resource-starved China, overland supply of Russian metals and oil is an important diversification away from seaborne shipments” (New York Times, June 9, 2013). According to the CIA World Factbook, Russia is already a leading national producer of crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products.
The Bible prophesies that at the end of the age an Eastern power will marshal a 200-million-man army that will threaten a European Beast Power (Revelation 9:13-18; Daniel 11:44). These forces will meet to battle at Armageddon just before Christ’s return (Revelation 16:12-16). With Siberia holding trillions of dollars in mineral resources, Russia may very well become the leader and the supplier for this great coming Eastern superpower. The pieces are falling into place for the fulfillment of end-time prophecies. For more on this topic, be sure to read our informative booklet, Armageddon and Beyond!