BREAKING: A Turkish (NATO) F-16 Shot Down a Russian Su-24 "Fencer" Bomber This Morning
UPDATE 24 November 2015:
A Russian Su-24 (NATO Name: Fencer) flying out of Basel al-Assad Air
Base near Jableh, Syria was shot down this morning by a Turkish Air
Force (NATO) F-16 fighter after ignoring ten warnings by the Turkish air
defense to acknowledge his location and to depart Turkish airspace
immediately. The Russian pilot and his weapons officer reportedly bailed
out after being hit by an air-to-air missile fired by the Turkish
(NATO) F-16.
According
to sources on the ground the Russian aviators have likely been captured
by a faction of Islamic jihadist rebels, possibly the Al-Qaeda aligned
al-Nusra Front which is known to operate in this region, or a local
Turkmen tribal militia. Heliborne Russian forces also from the same air
base near Jableh were reportedly engaging in attempting a rescue of the
downed aviators who were last seen attempting to evade jihadist rebel
capture in the area of Yaylidagi, Hatay Province, Turkey and Latakia
Province in Syria.
We
now have the expected direct clash between NATO and Russian military
forces as a direct result of Russian intervention in the Syrian civil
war, and directly from Russian bombing of Turkmen villages in Syria
which the Turkish government views not as jihadist rebel forces, but
civilians defending their homes during a civil war. Turkey has
previously warned Russia against attacking these Turkmen villages citing
severe consequences if the bombing attacks continued. NATO's governing
North Atlantic Council also warned the Russians of "extreme danger" in
flying their aircraft within Turkish airspace. Clearly this was an
impetus for the Turkish (NATO) shoot-down of the Russian Su-24 bomber.
Russian Federation President
Putin has called the Turkish shoot-down "a stab in the back" and "a crime." Both the Russian pilot and the weapons officer are now confirmed dead. Turkey's foreign
ministry in Ankara has summoned the Russian, French, British, American
and Chinese ambassadors. NATO has convened an emergency session to deal with this emergent crisis.
23 November 2015: Russian bombers flying direct from southern Russia, and with Iranian Air Force fighter escort, have over the past couple of weeks undertaken the wholesale carpet bombing of southern Syrian towns from Daraa in the tri-border region of Israel, Syria and Jordan (Bashan and the cities of Aroer region) to the Israeli Golan border. The city of Nawa, with its population of just under 60,000 souls and lying just 10 miles east of the Israel-Syria border in the Golan, has been literally wiped off the map; nothing is left of Nawa but heaps of ruins. Another town of perhaps 25,000 known as Sheikh Maskin is today in the process of being annihilated in the same manner.
One would think the movement of possibly as many as 100,000 refugees towards the Jordanian border might elicit reporting in some media. I have yet to locate such reporting, so the assumption is that the refugees are sheltering in other regional towns, or large numbers of them are dead. Since the spring of 2015 Nawa and the immediate region of southern Syria west of Daraa has been a hotly contested battlefield between a three-way free-for-all of combatants that includes Syrian government troops, the Free Syrian Army, and the Army of Jihad which is a combination of Al Qaeda and Islamic State forces. It appears that the Russian Air Order of Battle planners decided to "island hop" by systematically wiping out the cities which dot the countryside of southern Syria and the factions of fighters which are based in them. The risk of an engagement with Israeli forces is now higher than it has ever been.
Also, according to Breitbart News Daily (Sirius XM Radio) this morning, in Belgium, Italy and the UK heavily armed combat troops are patrolling the upscale downtown areas of Brussels, Rome and London in a manner not seen since the end of World War II. The troops are conspicuously absent from the predominantly Muslim populated areas from which the terrorist threat is emergent.
19 November 2015: If my Indications & Warnings (I&W) had a meter needle it would be pegging right now as condition red. Above is a recently released BOLO image (WTTG-TV Fox affiliate in Washington) of four, over-dressed for the weather, Middle Eastern males captured on a Pentagon Metro Station surveillance camera. This image is a screen capture from Sunday evening. These four are suspected of conducting pre-attack terrorist surveillance of the Pentagon. This is at the top of my rapidly populating I&W list today. Being succinct as always, be aware and alert of your surroundings, see something-say something. Flood waters are rising rapidly.
Related: A Stressed FBI Braces for IS Holiday Attacks - WashTimes, 17 NOV 15
18 November 2015: This should come as no surprise to Eschatology Today readers. The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its Carrier Strike Group Eight has just begun an expedited deployment from Naval Station Norfolk to the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea where they will soon join the on-station NATO fleets known as Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Two (SNMG1 and SNMG2) and the French Navy nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91). CSG-8 includes the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio, and guided missile destroyers USS Bulkeley, USS Gravely and USS Gonzalez and one or more unidentified nuclear fast attack submarines, as well as nine carrier air wings collectively known as CVW-7 embarked. CVW-7 has five wings of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F/A-18G Growlers. The SNMG1 and 2 includes surface and subsurface combatant ships from all NATO countries. Also to join in this build-up of forces in the Mediterranean Sea is the independent British Task Group Cougar.
The NATO naval operation known as Operation Active Endeavor was resumed on 11 November and CSG-8 will join it after transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually the Truman CSG will transit the Suez Canal and Red Sea to continue its deployment into the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf/U.S. 5th Fleet. Please keep the several thousands of these Sailors, Airmen and Marines in your prayers as they join the battle against Islamists who seek to exterminate our civilization by murdering defenseless civilians.
While not directly related to these military movements, Breitbart has posted a report on Pope Francis delivering a sermon to 10,000 pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square on the Sunday after the 13 November Islamic assault Paris. This was a sermon unlike any I have seen coming from the lips of a Roman Catholic Pope in a very long time, if ever, because he included a direct reference to the Harpazo/Rapture.
In his sermon, which was laced with end times Scripture - such as Jesus' Olivet Discourse - the Pope used the carnage of Paris, upon which he squarely and rightfully based on the ideology of Islam, as a back-drop in urging Christians to be prepared for the end times and to be ready at any moment to meet the Lord face to face.
~~~
While not directly related to these military movements, Breitbart has posted a report on Pope Francis delivering a sermon to 10,000 pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square on the Sunday after the 13 November Islamic assault Paris. This was a sermon unlike any I have seen coming from the lips of a Roman Catholic Pope in a very long time, if ever, because he included a direct reference to the Harpazo/Rapture.
In his sermon, which was laced with end times Scripture - such as Jesus' Olivet Discourse - the Pope used the carnage of Paris, upon which he squarely and rightfully based on the ideology of Islam, as a back-drop in urging Christians to be prepared for the end times and to be ready at any moment to meet the Lord face to face.
„and to be ready at any moment to meet the Lord face to face.”
ReplyDeleteHow interesting and exciting! Thank you for keeping us updated about such interesting developments! I have the feeling that instead of the Rapture the Pope meant the nearness of the Second Coming or he meant it so that we live in perilous times and anyone can meet their end very quickly and unexpectedly like the victims of the Paris terror attacks. However… I could be wrong but I think it is possible that unknown to the Pope, the Lord messaged us, sending us encouragement about nearness of the Rapture, using the Pope as an unlikely source for such an encouragement, since he has a very different agenda than the Lord, but God has His own powerful ways and an apparent sense of humor too.
Nora
Nore,
ReplyDeleteI'm drilling down a little further on this news item just to see if there's more there. It's something I never expected to read about the Pope addressing thousands in St. Peter's Square. I'll post more if I find what I'm looking for.
Nora,
ReplyDeleteWhat the Pope said last Sunday appears to have a direct relationship to this observation from earlier this year.
Apocalyptic beliefs may explain why Francis is a pope in a hurry
Here's an excerpt I found quite interesting:
"Shortly before his retirement last November, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said in a Crux interview that he’d like to ask Francis about his “eschatological vision that the anti-Christ is with us,” and whether that explains the pope’s intense pace.
(In Catholic theology, “eschatology” is the study of the end stages of human life and history, featuring what are sometimes referred to tongue-in-cheek as the “final four” – death, judgment, heaven, and hell.)
“Nobody seems interested in that, but I find it fascinating,” George said. “I hope before I die I’ll have the chance to ask [Francis] how you understand your ministry, when you put the end-times before us as a key.”
In effect, Francis may already have answered George’s question.
Monday’s comment about “Lord of the World” suggest his reply might boil down to: “Yes, Virginia, there’s a devil, an anti-Christ, and an end time … and if we want to avoid the worst of it, we’d better get cracking.”"
Keep an eye on Pope Francis, he may have more in common with us regarding the end times than most of us have realized previously.
I wasn’t aware of the Pope’s eschatological views until now. (Thank you for the links to the articles!) I guess it’s somehow connected to his stance on the UN’s Agenda 30. This is another topic I was wondering about, namely the year 2030 seems so far away! It could be said 15 years is not a long time but given the neck-breaking speed how current prophetic events are unfolding, it seems far away. Maybe they agreed to “publish” 2030 for certain reasons and behind closed doors changes are planned for much sooner.
ReplyDeleteNora
I strongly suspect that the year 2030 is too far into the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm of the opinion that the 70th Week will have arrived in approximately 6 years or so from now.
Marana'tha!
I'm of the same opinion. I think 6 years sounds about right. At least 3-4 years for psalm 83 and the recovery prior to Ezekiel 38 & 39, but no more than 5-6 years when considering the "fig tree generation".
DeleteOn a related note, I'm skeptical of anything the pope says, especially when it comes to his eschatology positions.
I think we all need to be very cautious here! I did not read or hear the pope's sermon but since I've been studying, watching and listening to all that is "end times", it was my understanding the pope helps the Antichrist rise to power because of all of his influence. Think of all the Catholics around the world that would listen to him. He is their "holy see" is he not? Maybe this sermon was getting the people ready to watch for a charismatic leader that could bring peace and safety.
ReplyDeleteThe pope will be right there to tell the world, yup, this is our guy, follow him. I do think it is another telling sign of the late hour. Remember the enemy is smart and very crafty but as we see today alive and well seeking those he can steal, kill and destroy.
„I'm of the opinion that the 70th Week will have arrived in approximately 6 years or so from now.”
ReplyDeleteI truly hope so myself! Maybe a month ago I’ve read an article on a prophecy site (Rapture Ready) and the author speculated what if a global government headed by the AC is established by the year 2030. He calculated that 2030 plus the 7 years Tribulation period means the Second Coming is in 2037 and here comes his main point, he realized that between 1967 and 2037 is exactly 70 years. For the author this is enough reason to consider 1967 (the recapturing of Jerusalem) as the starting year of the final generation. I was thinking about that a lot. Maybe I’m biased because I wouldn’t like this author’s assumption to be right, but I still think Israel’s rebirth in 1948 couldn’t be looked over as a major sign of the End Times. If we think about it, Jerusalem is still “trampled by the gentiles” and this will be the case during the Tribulation period until the Second Coming. At least I hope that it’s enough to refute that the year 1967 is the starting point of the final generation.
Nora
Nora,
ReplyDeleteWhat if the generation in Matthew 24 isn't the rebirth of israel at all, as some have suggested? Some have suggested that Jesus was simply saying that those alive when the abomination of desolation occurs will see the 2nd coming....I hope they're wrong with that interpretation
Hartdawg,
ReplyDelete“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
I think they’re wrong in their interpretation. It’s true that Jesus talks about the abomination of desolation in these passages BUT he also includes the birth pangs (among other things), naming all of them which started to happen before the 7 years tribulation period. I think when he said “all these things” he really meant all the signs not just the abomination of desolation. Plus, if we think about it, why would Jesus feel the need to state such an obvious fact that some of those who witness the abomination of desolation will be alive 3,5 years later at the Second Coming?
Nora
I am 100% certain in my belief, as convicted by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus explicitly referred to modern Israel when He gave the parable of the Fig Tree during the Olivet Discourse. Isaiah 66:8 confirms that the rebirth of Israel would occur as it did on a single day. The prophecy of Ezekiel 37 is another confirming fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteThe first sentence of Israel declaration of Independence reads:
"WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May, 1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the People's Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ, the People's Administration, shall be the Provisional Government of the Jewish State, to be called "Israel"."
Therefore, 6 Iyar 5708/15 May 1948 is the day the generation that Jesus referred to commenced and is the day that the Lord's prophetic clock began the final countdown to the start of the 70th week. Israel's 70th year will occur in a little over 3 years from today. A 80 generation of strength will conclude in the year 2028, yet the Lord has also promised that the 70th Week will be shortened so as to prevent the extinction of life upon this earth.
Sean, I'm a recent reader of The Market Ticker. This guy assesses correctly, IMO, the ISIS problem in a blog today. "Are we Serious or not?". Now, he's secular but nevertheless, makes salient points about this.
ReplyDeleteNora and Sean
ReplyDeleteI'm in total agreement with both of you. In Matthew 24 Jesus mentions birth pangs. In the old testament there are many passages connecting the rebirth of Israel to a woman in travail
Nora,
ReplyDeleteIt may not be this Pope of the RCC who will be the "beast coming up out of the earth" of Revelation 13:11-18, and who is one and the same as the one identified as the "false prophet" in Revelation 16:13, Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10.
These verses, which came directly from God the father, to His Son Jesus Christ to John the apostle on Patmos are the sum total of what the Bible teaches about this man who will be "second beast." This is how is is to be identified; these descriptions are given in order for people to understand implicitly less they suffer the fate John was told to describe in Revelation 14:9-11.
Yes, the current Pope probably just paves the way for the FP. Only the Lord knows (for sure) his role.
ReplyDeleteNora
Interesting "war game".
ReplyDeletehttp://apnews.myway.com/article/20151121/ml--iran-israel-802f84ed57.html
Ken B
Interesting that the Iranian commanders do not have or completely reject the requisite OSINT situational awareness that the vast majority of such an invasion force will be blown out of the sky and be dead before their corpses hit the ground.
ReplyDeleteStupid is as stupid does.
Sean, I have a question about something, I'm not sure if the antichrist or false prophet will be a pope, I'm more inclined to think that the pope will be neither, but will be the harlot of revelation 17. I'm also certain that the antichrist will NOT be a muslim, that said, do you think the king of the north and king of the south in Daniel 11 who come against the antichrist be muslim armies attempting to regain dominence after being all but destroyed 3 and 1/2 to 7 years prior in the psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 & 39 war?
ReplyDeletehartdawg,
ReplyDeleteI'm of the same mind as you. I'm thinking that both the A/C and the FP will not be of any religion (Not Jewish per se or RCC, obviously not Islamic, and not Protestant either) as we know it today, but of their own religion which is likely to be "Abrahamic" in nature in order to absorb and deceive Judaism, apostate Christianity and what's left of Islam. These two men, and the image created by men thereof, will be all about the worship and veneration of the A/C, who will become Satan incarnate during the Megas Thlipsis (42 months of the Great Tribulation). In the first half of the 70th Week, I do believe the Orthodox Jew's of the Sanhedrin will accept the A/C as their expected mortal "Mashiach ben David" as Jesus prophesied they would in John 5:43.
I also think you are spot on with respect to Daniel 11's northern and southern kings. Those directions are as relative to Israel in our day as they were in ancient times. I think this is also tied in with the prophecy of Isaiah 19 (which is about Egypt). In the final verses of Daniel 11 the A/Cs armies conquer Libya and Egypt, which has me thinking both of those countries are part of the "king of the south" before the attack occurs.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that Iran (the Iranian forces which are in Syria) will attack Israel soon? Are their preparations serious (concerning that mosque on the Temple Mount) or is it fear mongering, a kind of demonstrative threat (or both)? I wonder if the US (fear of US retaliation I mean) keeps them away or it doesn’t keep them away anymore (since your president doesn’t want to engage in wars till the elections, not that this fact in itself would be encouraging enough to them, I don’t know).
Nora
I'm wondering if Turkey should leave NATO in the future, at the time when when she joins the Gog-Magog coalition with Iran and Russia (or prior to that).
ReplyDeleteNora
Nora,
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure that Turkey is a part of the Ezekiel 38/39 attempted invasion of Israel. Here are some notes I just sent out; the last paragraph deals with the eschatological issue.
NATO-Russia Crisis Notes
The shoot down of the Russian Su-24MK (NATO: Fencer-E) bomber by a Turkish (NATO) F-16 has instantly exacerbated the NATO-Russia crisis that began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both members of the Su024MK (pilot and weapons officer) are now confirmed dead.
Turkey's foreign ministry has summoned the Russian, French, British, US and Chinese ambassadors. NATO has convened an emergency session of its North Atlantic Council. Putin speaks of the shoot-down as "a stab in the back" and "a crime."
What I would like to make note of, and this was also discussed at length in other media, is that even with the robust and vaunted Electronic Warfare (EW) suite of systems the Russian's brought down into Syria, they were unable to determine if their aircraft was shot down by a SAM, anti-aircraft artillery. They appear surprised to learn from NATO that it was a Turkish F-16 which targeted and shot down their aircraft. The Su-24MK was being "painted" by numerous NATO air defense radars in Turkey and possibly by combatant ships off-shore.
Turkey is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country. Turkey represents one of the "iron and clay" toes on the right foot (Europe is the left foot - Asia the right) of the image interpreted by the prophet Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2).
Thank you for the info! I really hope that this "tension" won't lead to war between NATO and Russia. The whole world is in such a volatile state, some even say that WW3 has already started, I don't know what to think or expect anymore. I'm just hoping that the Lord will come for us soon.
ReplyDeleteNora
Nora,
ReplyDeleteWhat is occurring right now will lead to an entire series of sequential prophetic fulfillments. War between NATO and Russia will be an integral part of that process, right up through Ezekiel 38/39 and into the 70th Week.
But don't fear. Jesus said these things must take place, but the end is not yet.
He will come for us and that could occur in any given microsecond!