Meanwhile the UK is already being hit by soaring energy prices and fuel shortages. The crisis is  producing long lines at petrol stations and fist fights have been witnessed as customers fight over fuel. In an article entitled "What caused the UK’s energy crisis?”, the Guardian says that, "From moves by China and Russia to changes in UK regulation, these are the factors that created the perfect storm.” The article says that, "The UK’s energy system has been plunged into chaos by a perfect storm of market forces which threatens to rip through the economy from home energy suppliers to heavy industry, and from factories to farmers.” The two main reasons noted for the crisis are, "China’s post-Covid bounce back”, and "Russian gas games”.

The European Union is increasingly dependant on Russian energy supplies.

The original title page of John Thomas' exposition of Daniel.

The original title of John Thomas’ exposition of Daniel comes to mind, which sums up the current situation perfectly, "Anatolia; or Russia Triumphant and Europe Chained!!!” The author looked for, “The formation of a Russian Latino-Greek confederacy”. This was the image empire of Daniel chapter 2 and Gog's confederacy described in Ezekiel 38.

Daniel chapter 2 informs us, as it informed Nebuchadnezzar, “what shall be in the latter days”. The latter days spoken of are the days in which the God of heaven will will set up a kingdom — verse 44. In those latter days an image empire will stand up, which will have its roots in Babylon, embracing Persia, and the Greek east and Latin west of the Roman empire. It was revealed that this image empire will be “broken to pieces together”. In order to be broken to pieces together, it must stand together. It is this empire that we see arising in the earth. It is this empire that will be broken by the little stone power, which is the kingdom of God with Jesus Christ at its head.

In Ezekiel 38 the same contest is described, as a battle between the “son of man” and Gog. Verse 2 reads, "Son of man, set thy face against Gog”. By examining some of the other prophecies of restoration that dovetail with Ezekiel 38, it is easy to see that the “son of man” is representative of the Messiah — the Lord Jesus Christ. This is important, as it demonstrates for us, that when we see the emergence of the “image empire”, we are on the verge of the coming of the Lord Jesus to the earth, to establish His kingdom and bring righteousness to the earth.

Meanwhile the western democracies are in a state of ideological crisis. Having turned their back on their Biblical roots and tolerating “cancel culture” and “wokeism”, they are left culturally weak and vulnerable. The underpinnings of society have been eroded and as a result, freedoms taken for granted are disappearing. Without any belief in a Creator, and nowhere to turn, they are still reeling from the panic of the pandemic. Turning to draconian measures to enforce restrictions on an unwilling populace. Events in Melbourne, Australia over the last week have highlighted this. These nations have no ideological strength to stand up to an emerging “image empire”! The recent chaotic disastrous retreat from Afghanistan by America demonstrated this.

Today Russia is rising in triumph and the cold chains of energy dependance are beginning to grip Europe. The reality of surging inflation and low energy supplies are set to cause a political crisis across Europe, of which there is little alternative. The self-loathing west will be unwilling and unable to come to their aid. This winter is shaping up to be a winter of discontent. But while this cold iron grip descends on the nations of the world, it is a clear sign that the sun of righteousness will soon arise, with healing in his beams (Malachi 4:2).

Come back next week God willing to www.bibleinthenews.com. This has been David Billington with you.