Joel Rosenberg: What is Putin planning? Massive Russian war game set to launch Thursday on borders of three NATO countries & Ukraine.

What is Putin planning? Massive Russian war game set to launch Thursday on borders of three NATO countries & Ukraine. Here’s the latest. by joelcrosenberg

(Jerusalem, Israel) -- Is Russia preparing to invade another European country, or simply training its forces to do so in the future?

That's the big question as Vladimir Putin prepares to launch a massive series of war games on Thursday dangerously close to the borders of three NATO member states -- the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- as well as Ukraine, which Russia has invaded and occupied portions of twice since 2014.

While it sounds eerily similar to the plot of my forthcoming political thriller, The Kremlin Conspiracy, the exercise -- code-named "Zapad-2017" (Zapad in Russian means "West") is all-too-real. It is set to begin on September 14 and conclude on September 20th, and tensions in the region are high.

The Economist calls this "Russia’s biggest war game in Europe since the Cold War."

Moscow says only 12,500 troops will take part, most of which will operate in the country of Belarus, just south of the Baltics and just north of Ukraine. But "some Western analysts, and Baltic State governments...have expressed concerns that the exercise will in reality be significantly larger, involving between 60,000 and 100,000 military personnel," notes Janes Intelligence Review.

"According to the Baltic States, the last Zapad-series exercise in 2013 involved 75,000 military personnel, six times higher than Russia disclosed," says Janes.

Have the U.S. and other NATO commanders positioned enough forces, tanks, fighter jets and other defenses of their own to protect against a Russian blitz? I pray yes, but I'm not so certain.

According to a recent RAND Corporation analysis: "As currently postured, NATO cannot successfully defend the territory of its most exposed members. Across multiple games using a wide range of expert participants in and out of uniform playing both sides, the longest it has taken Russian forces to reach the outskirts of the Estonian and/or Latvian capitals of Tallinn and Riga, respectively, is 60 hours. Such a rapid defeat would leave NATO with a limited number of options, all bad: a bloody counteroffensive, fraught with escalatory risk, to liberate the Baltics; to escalate itself, as it threatened to do to avert defeat during the Cold War; or to concede at least temporary defeat, with uncertain but predictably disastrous consequences for the Alliance and, not incidentally, the people of the Baltics."

Estonia's Defense Minister Margus Tsahkna says NATO has intelligence suggesting Moscow may leave Russian soldiers in Belarus once the exercises are over, Reuters reports. He said Russia will use 4,000 railway carriages to transport its troops and equipment to Belarus, perhaps to establish a new Russia military base.

“For Russian troops going to Belarus, it is a one-way ticket,” Tsahkna told Reuters in an interview in Malta. “This is not my personal opinion; we are analyzing very deeply how Russia is preparing for the Zapad exercises."

Meanwhile, "Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has described Russia's build-up for the exercise as 'preparations for an offensive war on a continental scale,'" reports the BBC, and Ukrainian defenses are being bolstered.

According to the BBC, Poroshenko believes Russia is "using the pretext of an exercise to mobilize and position forces to conduct offensive operations" and that "he could not rule out the possibility that the drill 'may be used as a smokescreen to create new Russian army assault groups to invade Ukrainian territory.'"

I'll definitely keep you posted as events unfold. In the meantime, please pray for safety and security for the people of the Baltics and Ukraine. Please also pray for wisdom for their leaders and the commanders of NATO.

>> To pre-order a copy of The Kremlin Conspiracy (which releases March 6th), please click here.

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• I’ll be speaking in Denver on Sept. 30 on the latest threats from Radical Islam, Russia & North Korea. Ticket required. Please register today.
• I’ll be speaking at the 2017 Epicenter Conference this October 6 & 7 in Southern California — “What Does The Future Hold For Israel & Her Neighbors?” Ticket required. Please click here to learn more and to register
• Learn more about our 2018 Epicenter Prayer Summit, and Joshua Fund tour of the Holy Land

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joelcrosenberg | September 12, 2017 at 8:36 am | Categories: Epicenter | URL: http://wp.me/piWZ7-8gQ

The secret escape from the Nazis that has finally been uncovered - ISRAEL VIDEO NETWORK

In the heart of Lithuania, a Holocaust secret lies buried... A team of archaeologists probes the ruins of a Nazi death camp to find the truth behind tales of a tunnel dug by desperate Jewish prisoners and their daring escape.

Bonnie Jones: Bob's 1980s Prophecy About Russia Is About to be Fulfilled - BOB ESCHLIMAN CHARISMA NEWS

Bonnie Jones, widow of the late Bob Jones, has prophesied that God will raise up a "Red Army" out of Russia to advance His kingdom. (Submitted and Reuters photos)

Bonnie Jones: Bob's 1980s Prophecy About Russia Is About to be Fulfilled

1/13/2017 BOB ESCHLIMAN  CHARISMA NEWS

With all of the recent headlines focusing a negative light on Russia, one has to wonder if God has a plan for that nation that Satan is foolishly trying to interfere with.

Bonnie Jones, widow of the late Bob Jones, recently shared a vision she had for many nations with The Elijah List. But much of the word she shares from the Lord is focused on Russia—including a recap of a vision her husband once shared in the 1980s.

She wrote:

I saw a large solid, blood-red heart and to its immediate right, in large bold print, was written "POWER." I knew this was Bob Jones' Russian Red Army prophecy from the 1980s. Below is a portion of the transcript from that prophecy. The full prophecy can be found in the 2015 Shepherd's Rod.

In the early 80s, God said He was going to change the Soviet Union. The greatest awakening of all time was going to be in the Soviet Union. Four nations would begin to have open doors into Russia, and the fifth nation would be Sweden. Also Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland. He also said that like Israel was in captivity for 70 years, Russia would be in captivity for 70 years also.

In the late 80s, He began to speak to me about releasing the Russian Jews and Christians and providing an open door for them. I saw 50,000 Christians being released, and I saw the wall coming down.

In 1991, the Lord began to speak really powerfully about Russia again. Kansas City took up an offering of $1.4 million and gave it to Terry Law to finance the work in Russia.

There was a Red Army angel general; he was the angel over Russia. He was the captain of the hosts in Russia. The Lord was standing with him, and he was totally red like blood. He had the power of the blood; he was like blood and fire. It was the blood of Christ, all the power of the blood. The Lord didn't speak to me, He just nodded, and what the angel said to say, it was right. He was one very powerful angel; he was an archangel over Russia. He brought me a white piece of paper, and on the paper was written, "Would you be interested in joining the Russian Army of God?" I said, "No, because the door to Russia is going to close." The angel said, "You're a liar!" And the Lord nodded to agree.

I said that Russia was going to be equipped and that it would attack the South. The angel said, "That's right, but did you ever see what the army was?" I said that it was the Red Army. He said that was right, but he said to look, and I looked, and behind them was a red cross. They are going to carry the cross into the cell, into the Muslim nations and into Europe. He said that some of the greatest evangelists in the world will come out of Russia. In the last days, it will not be the door to Russia that will close, it will be the door to the USA, and Russia will send evangelists to the United States.

I said that this was totally different from anything I've heard prophesied, and he told me that a lot of American prophets had prophesied patriotism instead of the truth. I asked him if any prophets had prophesied this beforehand, and he told me that they had before 1910, and we will begin to send literature to you right away about these prophecies. He said that in the next three months, I would receive confirmation that these prophecies had come beforehand.

Following my vision of the red heart and power, the Lord spoke to me, saying, "Russia is a backdrop to future events. I've held them in reserve for such a time as this. It's time for My army to arise and move forward. You see, many years ago, I spoke this prophesy through Bob, and he made it famous worldwide, yet many did not believe him. Why would I choose Russia? And I said, ''Why would I not choose them? They've been under persecution long enough, yet their heart has always been toward Me.'"

He went on to say, "I'm sending ones into Russia and the Ukraine to awaken their spirit to love. That's all they need to spark the fire of revival there. Love, love, love! My love abounds to them, and the rest is history."

I believe it's time for God's Russian Red Army to march forward in resurrection power. Bob said the angel over Russia had the power of the blood as well as fire. It had all the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, and there's nothing that can stop them once they are called to action. Get ready for the greatest awakening of all time to begin in the Soviet Union. Keep an eye on Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland. They will catch the spark of fire to ignite revival in their nations as well.

The prophecy also included Japan, Slovakia and Israel. Click here to read the entire article at The Elijah List. 

3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Go deeper!

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'Japanese Schindler' Film Tells of the Unsung Hero Who Saved Thousands of Jews - CBN NEWS

'Japanese Schindler' Film Tells of the Unsung Hero Who Saved Thousands of Jews

01-25-2016

CBN News

A new film about an unsung Japanese hero who saved the lives of some 6,000 Jews during the Holocaust is set to be released.

The dramatization "Persona Non Grata" highlights the story of a Japanese diplomat named Chiune Sugihara (Toshiaki Karasawa).

Sugihara's understanding of multiple languages including English, Russian, German, and French took him to multiple posts during his career.

During World War II, Jews began arriving in Kaunas, Lithuania and to the Japanese consulate seeking visas and safe passage to countries out of the reach of the Germans.

While stationed in Lithuania during World War II, Sugihara defied the orders of his superiors in Tokyo by issuing visas to Jews who were fleeing the Nazis.

Sugihara, who is often called the "Japanese Schindler," is estimated to have saved over 6,000 Jews before he left the country.

Cellin Gluck who is best known for his work on "Remember the Titans" and "Transformers," directed the film.

"Persona Non Grata," is playing in Japan and is scheduled to premiere in the United States Jan. 31.

Israel recognized Sugihara in 1985 for his amazing sacrifice to save the lives of all those Jewish people. It awarded him the designation of being "Righteous Among the Nations."

It is a title only given to a handful of non-Jews who didn't stand-by and do nothing during the Holocaust.

Hill of Crosses - Kryziu Kalnas, in the city of Siauliai, Lithuania

Hill of Crosses

Kryziu Kalnas, in the city of Siauliai, Lithuania

Thought this was so interesting and amazing... something I had never heard of before. Hope you enjoy looking at the pictures and reading the explanations.

The Hill of Crosses, Kryziu Kalnas, in the city of Siauliai, Lithuania stands on a small hill, about 10 meters tall. The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising of the Polish and Lithuanians against the Russian tsar was squelched in 1831. Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen.

Today there are about 200,000 crosses at the site, excluding carvings and shrines, made out of everything from wood to metal.

During the Soviet occupation of Lithuania from 1944 to 1991, the Hill of Crosses became a symbol of defiance against the Communist regime.

Three times the Soviets bulldozed the hill, but after each time both locals and and pilgrims once again would erect crosses on the hill.

Today, the crosses number in the hundred of thousands. This place attracts both locals and tourists.

Walking among numerous crosses, some decorated with devotion to loved ones, one
can hear the rosaries rattle in the wind. This little hillock has long been a potent symbol of suffering, hope, devotion, and the undefeated faith of the Lithuanian people.

  

Prayers:
Vygandas Drazdauskas with a cross asking for health for his father, success for his girlfriend for her exams, and a peaceful life.

Plea for divine help: Some of the crosses bear messages to God.

Modesta Vaisvilaite ties a cross to the hill:
When the Russians again occupied Lithuania during the Soviet period, religion was forbidden

Defiance:
When crosses continued to appear, the soviet authorities stationed KGB
agents around the site to stop people sneaking through the forest to plant crosses.

In the mist: Some stand as much as three meters tall, while there are also
countless tiny examples hanging upon the larger crosses

In 1991, when Lithuania acquired its long awaited independence, the hill
became a dual symbol of Lithuanias Catholic faith and her national identity.

  

Silhouetted in red: Pilgrims arrive at all times of day and night to pray to God

Will it come to this again, only in America? This is sad reminder.. if we don’t fight for our right to be Christian.. it will be taken away from us.

Mark Obama, Barack's Jewish Brother

Monday, January 06, 2014 |  Tsvi Sadan  

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America

Barak Obama’s autobiography seems to be as complex as the president himself. Tzach Yoked, writing in Maariv this week, exposed to Israelis, perhaps for the first time, that among the American president’s eight half-brothers is one, Mark Obama Ndesandjo, who is Jewish.

Obama’s father had four wives – two Kenyan-born women and two white American women, the Christian mother of Barak Obama, Ann Duham, and the Jewish Mother of Mark Obama, Ruth Baker. Ruth was born to a Jewish family that immigrated to the United States from Lithuania. She married Obama Sr. in 1964 and moved to Kenya. Ruth divorced her husband after seven years of abusive marriage.

Though by no means religious, Mark Obama is proud of his Jewish identity. “My mother is a liberal person who did not keep the religious rituals,” he said. “However, she always taught me to be proud of the fact that I am Jewish … as far as I am concerned, the main aspect of my Jewish identity does not stem from performing the religious rituals and prayers, but out of a strong sense that I am Jewish. It is something that you simply feel, a strong sense of secular Jewish identity that my mother gave me … she is the woman who taught me what’s important in life, who helped me to understand Torah, taught me music, helped me with my studies.”

Mark Obama recounts that contrary to what President Obama has said, they first met in 1988, and not in 2007. Asked why the president hadn’t told the truth about their meeting, the Jewish sibling said his older brother was probably ill-advised by political advisers. Nevertheless, it would seem that Mark adores Barack, even though, as he claims, the president has failed to be in touch with his brother for several months now.

Mark Obama went on to marry Liu Xuehua and has been living in China for the last 12 years. He is an accomplished pianist and published the semi-autobiographical novel “Nairobi to Shenzhen: A Novel of Love in the East.”

Mark, who has adopted China as his home country, is a vivid testimony of the complexity of Jewish identity. Born to a black Muslim father and a white Jewish mother, raised in Kenya but educated in the United States, half-brother to a president whose own religious identity is far from clear, Mark Obama is no less Jewish than any other child born to a Jewish mother. If anything, he well represents the crisis of secular Judaism.

This form of Judaism, as can be found also in Israel, wants to maintain Jewish identity apart from the Jewish faith. In America, where society is overwhelmingly non-Jewish, secular Judaism is on the decline due to a high rate of intermarriage. If anything can be learned from it is, as Israeli President Shimon Peres said just recently, that as far as Jews are concerned, state and religion cannot be separated.

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