Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to find that the entire United States Government resigned; what would your first thoughts be? It sounds like the opening scene of a science fiction techno-thriller movie.
As crazy as it sounds, something along those lines happened this past week as the entire Russian government led by former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned. It happened after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech on bringing about constitutional reform in Russia.
The Russian PM Medvedev stated that this was “to give President Vladimir Putin room to carry out the changes he wants to make to the Russian constitution.” He said that the constitutional reforms presented by Putin would make significant changes to the country's balance of power and so it made it necessary for the current government structure to be dissolved. Medvedev also added that “All further decisions will be taken by the president”.
The announcement came during Putin's annual state of the nation address during which he proposed changes to the Russian constitution that would give Parliament a more powerful role.
The changes Putin proposed to the Russian constitution will give more authority to parliament, including the power to choose the prime minister and senior cabinet members, instead of the president as under the current system.
Proposed changes would also include enhancing the role of regional governors, tightening the residency requirements for presidential candidates and other top officials, and giving the Federation Council, Russia's upper chamber, powers over the appointment of security officials.
The package of reforms will be presented sometime in the future to allow the citizens to vote for or against it. However, considering that the whole government has now resigned, it appears that a vote may be for appearance sake.
The move is intended according to many, for Putin to retain power after the end of his presidency in 2024. Putin is suffering a drop in public confidence as a recent poll revealed that two out of five Russians would not like to see President Vladimir Putin stay in office after his current term ends in 2024.
Alexey Chesnakov, a political analyst who previously served as a Kremlin aide, told The Wall Street Journal, “It's not clear what role he will play, what will his status be. The only thing which is clear is that he will keep his role as the No. 1 person”.
The former KGB operative has been in power for more than 20 years, longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin, who led from 1924 until his death in 1953.
Some political insiders believe that the proposed reform is a way for Putin to continue ruling Russia after his fourth Kremlin term, perhaps as a behind-the-scenes role. This could make Putin Russia's President or shadow leader for life.
It is clear that Putin is sharpening the claws of the Russian Bear; for what reasons, only time will tell. But the Bible does tell us that a powerful leader from the North will lead an invasion into the land of Israel. The names of the nations involved in it clearly point to Russia and a confederacy of nations.
Israel’s recent discovery of oil and gas make it a prime target. With the current Middle East situation heating up and with Putin’s hand right in the middle of it, one has to wonder how long before the Russian Bear will make its move?
This is one more sign pointing to the fulfillment of biblical prophecies that point to the ultimate sign—the return of Jesus Christ to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords!
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