We have never seen anything quit like this.
Where governments have stopped individuals and groups of people have taken up "soft-war" against Russia and President Putin.
What is a 'soft war"?
Individuals and groups have started opting into a cultural-economic quasi-war between Americas society and the Russian government. Many other countries/societies that are opposing Russia are doing similar things!
Like What?
First of all we all know in our world today money seems to take precedence over everything.
Companies at financial risk were among the first to pull out of joint ventures in Russia like Exxon and British Petroleum. Boeing announced that it would discontinue all activity in Russia, no new planes, spare parts, repair manuals etc.
On the entertainment front Warner Bros. announced that its new movie, The Batman, won’t be released in Russia. YouTube has blocked channels belonging to Russian Television(RT)/ Sputnik, Google has also dropped the Russian propaganda networks from its news and entertainment services.
Among the many other companies responding were Renault, FedEx, UPS, Maersk, Bain, Boston Consulting, McKinsey, Apple, etc. and the list grows.
Interestingly all of theses companies have declined a market of over a 140 million people even as America is not directly involved in this conflict.
This morning brings word that Airbnb is suspending all bookings in Russia and Belarus. Putin has been blocking some U.S.-based media platforms from Russia
The Hacking Group "Anonymous has also announced a campaign of disruption against Russia.
Can the Russian government at some point in the future retaliate against American civil society and the society of other nations in a similar or worse way?
The next question is does the American government have any duty or obligation to protect these individuals/groups from retaliation if they violate American or international law?
In our lawless and Godless age isn't this exactly what those following Trump have asked and presumed that they be allowed criminal behavior for a perceived injustice?
All of us a culpable.
Fake News and The Truth
We all seem to thrive on lies and disinformation, our new entertainment.
Not many know what the truth really is anymore or they just plain out deny truth in favor of self-delusion.
Russia's intelligence services have developed enormous knowledge about how to corrupt their own people and others like American citizens to believe lies. The rise of the internet has seen powerful disinformation machines that have caused millions of people in the western world to believe and act on lies/disinformation that are designed to divide and sow discord. Indeed they have been very successful in causing countries and people to act in ways that are dangerous and harmful to themselves.
Many countries including the United States participate in theses types of deceptions.
None are righteous, no not one!
Not All Russians are Evil
We know that the majority of Russians are opposed to this madness. We have seen some of the protests on the news and no doubt many others feel the same way. There is no good reason for Putin to do what he is doing, yet he is doing it.
We must pray for the Russian people as we pray for Putin (and all the worlds leaders) to have a change of mind and heart.
Spiritual Warfare is Increasing
Could we see the unseen/invisible realm we would be able to see a vast many of spiritual creatures involved in influencing and nagging humans to do evil.
Humans who are not protected by the Holy Spirit are even susceptible to Demon Infestation or possession.
Even though Putin claims to be a Christian his actions speak otherwise, just as those in our government like Trump and Biden claim to be Christians but act the opposite.
Demon activity is being manifested in such things as UFO's and Aliens coming to save humanity from itself.
New Age religions have formed and Satan's Great Deception grows ever stronger as unbelievers have no clue they are participating in Demonic activities.
The Economics - The Ruble is Turning to Rubble
List of sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine:
"As attacks continue in Ukraine and Russian forces press their advance on the capital Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for help from the international community.
Canada, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States unveiled a series of sanctions against Russia targeting banks, oil refineries, and military exports..." from the article: List of sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine
And the ruble has lost about 40 percent of its value against the dollar in the last month. The Bear is getting angry!
Every Government is Put in Place by God
Jesus answered Pilate, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11)
There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1b)
God Uses Sinful Governments to Do his Will
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD, and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. (Jeremiah 25:8-9)
Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you God anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (Acts 4:27-28)
All Human Governments End and Jesus will Reign Forever.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. … From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11, 15-16)
Poking the Bear and End Times Concerns
When Putin called America and its allies an "Empire of Lies" he was correct.
But so is all the empires of this fallen sinful world.
We are all the worst of sinners, including our leaders.
The concerns about the End-Times are valid yet we have been in the end times since Christ walked the earth. It has been imminent and yes we may or may not be close.
Even so it is not a time for Christians to panic but to worship God, read scripture and be obedient.
The world has jumped on the bandwagon to cancel Putin yet our virtues are in question. As individuals we all know deep down what is right and wrong. God put that into us. yet our sin nature is prone to overtake our Holy Nature at every turn.
Only when we are walking with Christ, filled by the Holy Spirit can we oppose our "flesh" our actions in the world apart from God.
Pray, confess, repent and join other Christians in praying for and helping those in your neighborhood and around the world!
The End will come but are we ready?
That old phrase "Repent for the End is Near!" may be more urgent now than at any time in history!!