Mth 24:6 "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet." News article "Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the misnamed Liberal Democratic party, urged Putin to destroy Turkish capital of Istanbul, killing over nine million people. Zhirinovsky said Turkey was stupid to shot down a Russian fighter jet on Tuesday, when it violated Turkish airspace. “A nuclear attack can destroy Istanbul very easily. Just one nuclear bomb in the Istanbul Strait will wash the city away,†the Russian MP told Moscow Speaking Radio, according to the Daily Star."
Russia blames US over downing plane. News article "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said it’s America’s fault that Turkey shot down a Russian jet. “The American side, which leads the coalition that Turkey belongs to, knew about the location and time of our planes’ flights, and we were hit exactly there and at that time,†Putin said. “Why did we pass this information to the Americans? Either they were not controlling what their allies were doing, or they are leaking this information all over the place.â€
Matthew 24:4-8 was an anti-sign for the first century disciples. Jesus said, starting at verse 4 "Look out that nobody misleads you,". Superstitious people have always believed in junk religion. In the first century, Jesus was presented with junk religion (superstition) as seen at John 9. People believed that a sin on the part of a parent caused a birth defect. Jesus corrected it. In the same way, people believed then, and many believe today, that an earthquake is an "Act of God" and your insurance company and bank makes liberal use of superstitious slavery to derisk their portfolios and enrich themselves. People accept it. Likewise famine, plague, war, eclipses comets and meteors, all mentioned by Jesus and discounted by saying "do not be misled"... "the end is not yet"... "do not be terrified" and finally false alarm (beginning of birth contractions) these things to be rejected by Christians of the first century. We have these events today. The educated today do not believe that an earthquake is of divine nature. It is the result of tectonics. Astronomy teaches the inquiring mind that it's not 'the gods' but rather science that brings an eclipse or a meteor shower. And wars... Wars have always been with us. They had no meaning for the Christianized Jews that were to flee during the Roman vacation. And they certainly have even less meaning for followers of Jesus today. Choose Jesus. Reject superstition.
1854 brings more memories of war. When I attended High School, I was introduced to a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. I was given this poem as an assignment, to learn, memorize, and report. It was titled: Charge Of The Light Brigade. As I learned about it, I realized it was not just a poem, but a true story. The charge took place on 25 October 1854, near the city of Balaclava in Crimea. (Now known as Yalta, Sevastopol. Just south of Ukraine, on the Black Sea. The Light Brigade was English. The Crimean peninsula was held, at the time, by Russian troops. It was known as the Crimean War. What makes this site and event so interesting today? The Yalta Conference was held February 4-11, 1945, and was the second wartime meeting of leaders from the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Upon arriving at the Crimean resort of Yalta, Allied leaders [Churchill, Roosevelt, & Stalin] hoped to define the post-World War II peace and set the stage for rebuilding Europe. In the pictures of that conference, Stalin is the only one wearing a soldier’s uniform. After the conference, Stalin broke his promises regarding Eastern Europe. It should not be surprising that Russia is still fighting to control Crimea/Ukraine. In the bible they are called rosh. They were from the sons of Japheth. ( 1 Chr 1:5, Eze 38:2 ) And, they are associated with Gog and Magog. ( Rev 20:8 )They were well known for their horsemanship. They could ride and shoot arrows from their bows accurately. They devastated the 600. The Charge of the Light Brigade By Alfred, Lord Tennyson I Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. II “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. III Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell Rode the six hundred. IV Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wondered. Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. V Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. VI When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!