WASH—Aug 3—MNA— One of the most significant pre-end-time events will occur August 18 through the 25th in Gog and Magog. Amassing on the border between Eastern Russia and Western China will be some ten thousand soldiers of the Russian and Chinese armies, ready to conduct joint military exercises for the first time in modern history.

Bitter enemies throughout the last three hundred years, China once claimed that much of the Russian far east rightfully belonged to Beijing and this territorial rivalry, along with competing brands of communism in the 20th century, resulted in many a bloody battle along their common border. But this is the very land of Gog and Magog described in the Bible.

And the military exercises are also reflective of this area that scholars debate as to the true identity of Gog and Magog. Russia and Moscow are commonly accepted as Gog. Magog, however, is disputed as to whether it is part of Russia or part of the former land roamed by the Scythians, which would put the area in both the hands of Russia and China. Irrespective of the debate, it is agreed that this is the general area prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel of those who will come against Israel in the last days.

In typical propaganda jargon, the official Chinese state media has named the operation “Peace Mission 2005.” The exercise includes land, air and sea forces in addition to paratroopers and crack troops. They are targeted at improving each country’s ability to “jointly strike international terrorism, extremism and separatism.”

The two traditional bitter enemies have been building a cordial military relationship over the past 15 years. Currently, Russia’s flagging military economy is the primary supplier of high-tech weaponry to the Chinese, providing the Russians with badly needed currency for its military industrial complex.

Chinese state media, in shedding a bit of light on the military exercises said, “The drills mainly aim to deepen Sino-Russian mutual trust, promote mutual friendship and enhance the co-operation and co-ordination of the two armed forces in the areas of defense and security.”

Already the United States is on edge about this very visible flexing of military muscle. Defense Department officials have testified before Congress that the Chinese military represents a threat to the United States, and even more directly to the renegade Chinese property, Taiwan, whose freedom the U.S. is obligated by law to defend.

The words of import in this announcement were those that said these exercises would enhance the army’s abilities to jointly strike international terrorism, extremism and separatism. We know what terrorism is, but their Islamist allies think Israel defending itself is terrorism. Extremism from a communistic perspective could be Capitalism. And separatism means Taiwan. Warnings all!

Any respectable intelligence agent would have never thought possible that Russia and China would be holding joint military operations. During the U.S. cold war with the Soviet Union, China and the Soviets, although both communistic, sported different brands of communism that made them both economic and military rivals. Indeed, China had been a relatively closed society and limited showings of its military power to the Western world to rare parade appearances and small strategic demonstrations.

The prophecy of Ezekiel some 2,500 years ago described this relationship: “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him…And the Lord said He would bring them, along with Persia, Ethiopia, Libya and other nations against Israel.

This military exercise will practice the cooperation needed to come against Israel, and both China and Russia are assisting Iran and other nations in their preparation for this cataclysmic battle. It is happening before your eyes…See. Believe. Seek Christ.