As the conflict between Russia and Georgia unfolded, it became clear that there was an "Israeli factor" in the conflict. This was evidenced by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) training of the Georgian military and much of the armament used by Georgia being purchased from Israel.

There was a large Jewish community in Georgia that was airlifted by Israel's national airline El Al out of the war-zone and into Israel - somewhat of a forced immigration to the Jewish state.

It is now also known that much of the oil that Israel uses domestically and militarily comes through the oil pipeline that comes from the Caspian Sea through Georgia and Turkey to the port city of Haifa, Israel.

The Russian-Georgian conflict and its impact on both Europe and the Middle East is a precursor to a scenario found in Bible prophecy.

The world watched as the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took charge of the Russian military, which seemed to come alive in the Blitz they made into Georgia. There is no one who believes that this conflict just happened - but instead it was orchestrated by Russian leaders to reassert their nation as a major player on the world stage.

The conflict has caused ripples across Eastern Europe and the Middle East as one reporter put it, "This is Russia 'back to the future'." But don't forget the Israeli factor in this conflict. Bible prophecy reveals that Russia will lead a coalition of Arab and Islamic states against Israel at the very onset of the Tribuation period, (Ezekiel 38, Daniel 11). Ezekiel 39:2-6 states that this Russia-lead coalition will be wiped out by a heavenly invasion, leaving only 1/6 of the Islamic world intact. Until then, Russia and the Islamic nations will be major players on the world scene.