Chemi Shalev: “FYI: Putin = Gog, Crimea = Magog, the Apocalypse is here and the Messiah is coming”

    Israeli newspaper observer Chemi Shalev discovered parallels between the Ukrainian events and the Bible doomsday prophecies.

    The Second coming of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the end of the world are not too far off, since Crimea seizure by the Russian army is very similar to biblical prophecies of the Apocalypse. In Israeli edition Haaretz Chemi Shalev writes about the likeness of the recent events in Ukraine with the biblical doomsday episodes. In particular, the author refers to the story of Gog and Magog peoples whose invasion’s to shake the world before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Antique historian Josephus Flavius considered that Scythian lands, i.e. the territory of contemporary Ukraine including Crimea, represented Magog. The observer also refers to the Book of Ezekiel, where Gog is mentioned. According to traditional translations of the Bible, Gog is the “chief prince of Meshech and Tuval”, ancient kingdoms near the Black Sea. But the term used for “chief prince” in Hebrew is nesi rosh which could also mean the “ruler,” “president” or “prince” of kingdom Rosh. "So Gog is the prince of Rosh, or the President of Rosh, or, with a little bit of help, the President of Russia,” the article author suggests.

    According to the Book of Ezekiel, Israel will live safely until Gog (who could be Vladimir Putin) together with Persia and, possibly, Syria will come and start attacking Israel. “If you are a Christian, the fun is just beginning,” Shalev writes, reminding of John’s revelations regarding the Apocalypse. At that, Jews believe after the war between Gog, i.e. Putin, and Magog, i.e. Scythian Ukraine, messianic days will come at once. The observer further states there was a recent message in Israeli press about the appeal of Gaon Rabbi Shternbuch to prepare for the Messiah’s advent. “According to said Shternbuch, he is privy to a closely guarded secret handed down from the 18^th century Vilna Gaon through generations of revered rabbis", Shalev writes.

    “When you hear that the Russians have captured Crimea, you should know that the times of the Messiah have started, that his steps are being heard. And when you hear that the Russians have reached the city of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul), you should put on your Shabbat clothes and don’t take them off, because it means that the Messiah is about to come any minute,” the observer quotes Jewish sage Vilna Gaon.

    Chemi Shalev’s original article may be read here: http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/.premium-1.582663