Russian intelligence sees U.S. military buildup on Iran border

The scene continues to be set for Ezekiel's War (Ezekiel 38 and 39):

RIA Novosti - Russia - Russian intelligence sees U.S. military buildup on Iran border: 17:31 | 27/ 03/ 2007

"MOSCOW, March 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russian military intelligence services are reporting a flurry of activity by U.S. Armed Forces near Iran's borders, a high-ranking security source said Tuesday.

"The latest military intelligence data point to heightened U.S. military preparations for both an air and ground operation against Iran," the official said, adding that the Pentagon has probably not yet made a final decision as to when an attack will be launched.

He said the Pentagon is looking for a way to deliver a strike against Iran "that would enable the Americans to bring the country to its knees at minimal cost."

He also said the U.S. Naval presence in the Persian Gulf has for the first time in the past four years reached the level that existed shortly before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Col.-Gen. Leonid Ivashov, vice president of the Academy of Geopolitical Sciences, said last week that the Pentagon is planning to deliver a massive air strike on Iran's military infrastructure in the near future.

A new U.S. carrier battle group has been dispatched to the Gulf.

The USS John C. Stennis, with a crew of 3,200 and around 80 fixed-wing aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and Superhornet fighter-bombers, eight support ships and four nuclear submarines are heading for the Gulf, where a similar group led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been deployed since December 2006.

The U.S. is also sending Patriot anti-missile systems to the region."

How does this relate to Ezekiel's war?

1. Many analysts believe that Iran may achieve nuclear weapons capability this year, 2007.
   
2. Iran has vowed to destroy Israel.
   
3. Israel can not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. One single nuclear bomb could completely destroy Israel.
   
4. For several years, Russian and Iran (which was known as Persia until early in the 20th century) have had mutual defense treaty. Last year, Syria joined that mutual defense pact.
   
5. If the US, or Israel, attacks Iran in an attempt to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons development, there is a significant likelihood that Russia will be compelled to be drawn into the conflict.
   
6. Ezekiel 38:3-6 says "Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes— many peoples are with you."
   
7. Scholars have identified the leader as Russia, and the other countries mentioned as the Muslim middle east and North Africa, with the notable exception of Iraq.
8. The phrase "put hooks into your jaws" in this passage refers to compelling Gog to do God's will, perhaps even against Gog's own wishes, perhaps as in being forced to honor a treaty.
   

Again, no one knows God's timetable for when this war will occur, but events seem to be accelerating in that direction.