Now, in a recent video released on YouTube, ISIS is calling for its followers to commit acts of terrorism in the name of jihad in Russia.

Reuters quoted part of the video in covering the story: “‘Listen Putin, we will come to Russia and will kill you at your homes . . . Oh Brothers, carry out jihad and kill and fight them,’ a masked man driving a car in the desert yelled while wagging his finger in the last couple of minutes of the video” (Ali Abdelatti and Amina Ismail, “Islamic State Calls on Members to Carry Out Jihad in Russia,” July 31, 2016).

Russia has been militarily supportive of Syria’s leader Bashar al-Assad against Islamist elements that seek his overthrow, including ISIS. Retaliation by ISIS in Russia, however, will not drive Russia out of the Middle East. It will only give more impetus to Russian involvement there.

While Bible prophecy of the end time has major focus on the Middle East and Europe, the book of Revelation says that the final conflict leading up to the return of Jesus Christ will actually involve peoples and nations from all over the world, influenced by demons: “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14, emphasis added).

As more world attention is focused on the Middle East, specifically the area surrounding Jerusalem, we should keep a close watch on world events—and on our personal conduct, striving to do right and repenting where we fall short. Jesus followed up Revelation 16:14 by saying, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments [here representing righteousness], lest he walk naked and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15). (Source: Reuters.)