In an earlier Signs of the Times we commented on Russian readiness to invade other countries and the current economic pressures that might tempt her to invade Israel – as Bible prophecy leads us to expect.  These expectations have been further strengthened recently by Russia’s military activities in Syria.

At first, Russian officials claimed that their motive was to join in the attempts to defeat Islamic State terrorists (IS), but it soon became clear that they had a much wider agenda – to shore up the government of President Bashar al-Assad and fight all terrorist groups opposed to it, including those supported by the West.  This has caused considerable consternation to western leaders who argue that Assad must step down or be defeated.  It is of most concern to Israel who has in the past intercepted weapons sent to Syria from Iran that could be used by Syria and its ally Hezbollah against Israel.  There is now the risk of an unintended clash between Israel and Russia, or that Syria and Hezbollah will be emboldened to attack Israel.  A prophecy in Isaiah 17 foretells of Syria ceasing as a self-ruled country, her capital Damascus being ruined (as has already begun) and Israel (referred to as Ephraim and Jacob) being greatly weakened at the same time:
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap…
3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
 4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
Isaiah 17 does not say precisely how this comes about but the destruction wrought by the civil war in Syria during the last four years suggests that its fulfilment has started.  The end of the chapter tells of other nations getting involved and God intervening on Israel’s behalf:
12 ¶ Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
It is clear is that the Russian foothold in Syria is expanding from the lease of a small naval facility in Tartus to a much bigger military presence with fighter aircraft operating from Latakia airport and other facilities under construction.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/why-russia-is-expanding-its-syrian-naval-base/531986.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34330151
From a Biblical prophecy viewpoint this development could be extremely significant.  Syria was once a part of the Seleucid Empire and the succession of their rulers are referred to in Daniel 11 as “king of the north”.  There were a number of wars between the Seleucids and the Ptolemy “king of the south” based in Egypt with Israel caught in the middle.  As we have long believed that the final king of the north refers to Russia, it is fascinating to see Russia now defending the ancient Seleucid territory.  We believe that the final “king of the south” will be Britain, the United States and other allies and we watch for any indication of their role in opposing Russia; for in Daniel 11:40 we read … at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
We wonder if Russian involvement in Syria will result in this latter-day king of the south “push”.  There are now reports of US and British Special Forces operating against IS in Syria and Russia warning of a proxy war:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34685183
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/616084/Syria-war-SAS-join-US-special-forces-raids-on-ISIS-Raqqa
There is another question about Daniel 11 which seems to have been answered recently; it concerns Egypt.  Two verses tell us that us that when the king of the north invades Israel he will continue into Egypt and have power over their wealth:
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Until a few months ago this didn’t seem to fit with modern Egypt.  Far from being a wealthy country, the civil unrest of the Arab Spring had kept its economy in a parlous state and reports spoke of its deep economic crisis.  Then, at the end of August this year, we learnt of a massive natural gas field discovered in Egyptian waters.  So, just as we commented of Israel’s natural resources as a temptation for Russia to invade and solve its economic problems, the same temptation may soon apply in regard to Egypt.
http://www.cfr.org/egypt/egypts-solvency-crisis/p32729?cid=ppc-Google-grant-egypts_solvency_crisis&gclid=CI-Q_KXi8cgCFVZAGwodMz8JQw
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/gas-field-discovered-coast-egypt-150830172919161.html
How suddenly and unexpectedly things can change!  In Matthew 24, when Jesus was asked by his disciples what signs there would be of his return to the earth, he said that the rebirth of Israel (the fig tree putting forth shoots) was a sign that we are getting close and people being unprepared, as they were before the Flood, was another.  He went on to warn his disciples, Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 
Matthew 24:42-44
If today’s disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are in danger of being unprepared for his return, what hope is there for those who remain indifferent to his offer of salvation?