Vladimir Putin begins another term: How will he affect world events? Is he the ‘prince of Rosh’?

Vladimir Putin (Kremlin.ru)

Russia’s Vladimir Putin began a new term in office today:

May 7, 2018

Vladimir Putin, who has been either president or prime minister of Russia since 1999, was sworn in for a fourth term as president Monday at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s ornately-decorated Andreyevsky Hall. With his hand on a gold-embossed copy of the constitution, Putin said, “I consider it my duty and my life’s aim to do everything possible for Russia, for its present and for its future.” https://www.voanews.com/a/vladmir-putin-begins-fourth-presidential-term/4382622.html

While many in the West have major issues with him, in Russia and other parts of the world he is very popular:

7 May 2018

Thanks to Vladimir Putin’s resolute decisions the Chechen people have defeated terrorism and restored the economy in the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov said ahead of the Russian Presidential Inauguration ceremony.

“Chechnya has transformed. We all remember that 18 years ago we had no schools, no roads and no infrastructure, the economy was on the lowest possible level and unemployment rate was at 100 percent. And the main problem we faced was international terrorism. Thanks to the Russian President and his resolute decisions we have won the fight with the international terrorism, restored our economy and are now solving the social issues,” Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said in his comments with Russia 1 TV channel on Monday, shortly before Vladimir Putin’s fourth swearing-in ceremony. https://www.rt.com/politics/426029-kadyrov-praises-putins-role/

Russians, themselves, are pleased that Crimea is again part of Russia, and that Russia essentially heads the Eurasian Economic Union–which is something that Vladimir Putin pushed for and continues to promote. They are also, generally, pleased with his attempts to strengthen Russia’s military.

As far as his personal role in prophecy, it needs to be pointed out that Vladimir Putin will NOT be the ‘Prince of Rosh’ of Ezekiel 38 like PCG claims (see also PCG continues to push the false position that Vladimir Putin is the ‘prince of Rosh’ of Ezekiel 38). Why? Because the prophecies in Ezekiel 38 are for a time AFTER Jesus returns (watch Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? and/or Iran & Syria vs Israel? Russia?).

Nor is Russia the King of the North Beast power like certain Protestants teach (see also Is Russia the King of the North?). The Bible is clear that the “Great Sea,” where the Beasts of Daniel 7 come from, is the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Joshua 9:1, 23:4; Ezekiel 47:15). The Beast power is not a place like Russia, which does not border the Mediterranean Sea, but Europe which does (see also The King of the North and Europa and the Beast–you can also watch the video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

As far as Vladimir Putin is concerned, I believe he wants to expand the Eurasian Economic Union, further strengthen Russia’s military, and work to break the US dollar’s hegemony as the world’s primary reserve currency. Vladimir Putin also wants to make more deals with Europe and wants to improve the economy of Russia.

That being said, the peoples of Russia are directly and indirectly mentioned in many biblical prophecies.

Prior to the formation of the Babylonian European Empire, Russia will receive the witness of the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Notice what the Bible records:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

The “end” being discussed above is the end of this church age, as the time of tribulation begins (see vs. 21) then. What this means for the Russians (and all other peoples) is that they will have had a witness just prior to the tribulation. This witness will ultimately help them understand what really will be happening in the world and will set the stage for the ultimate conversion of nearly all the Russians.

Interestingly, the Bible identifies the ancient ancestors of the Russians as traders in the future:

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules (Ezekiel 27:13-14).

Today, Russia is a major trader of commodities such as oil and gold. It also exports copper, which is the major component of bronze. Vladimir Putin wants to strengthen Russia’s economy and work closer with Europe and China.

Note that the Bible says that all trading nations will have become wealthy trading with Babylon (the restored European Empire), which really prospers in the beginning of the great tribulation:

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury (Revelation 18:3).

Thus, Russia is prophesied to attain wealth from the coming restored European Empire, but Russia will not then be the most powerful block of nations in the world (but it will lead a powerful block later).

Despite international issues related to Ukraine and Crimea, the Russians do want a closer relationship with the European Union. Notice something from Dr Alexander Yakovenko, Russia’s Ambassador to the UK from a few years back:

June 21, 2015

As Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, we have always proposed a serious relationship to Europe. For a long time we have been talking about the need to deepen Russia-EU ties. ..

Traditionally, the EU has been our main economic partner. Bilateral trade exceeds €300 billion a year. Russia is the third biggest trading partner of the EU. The EU is the largest consumer of our energy exports. Russia firmly holds the position of EU’s No. 1 supplier of natural gas, satisfying one-quarter of the EU’s overall demand. It also remains the second most important exporter of crude oil and oil products to Europe. European businesses are broadly represented virtually in all areas of Russian economy. …

Moscow is ready for an even closer cooperation with Brussels and other European capitals. This is why Russia strongly supports eventual economic integration between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the EU. That will be an integration of the two blocs’ integration processes. We believe that there are no contradictions between the two models of cooperation, since both of them are based on similar principles and norms, including those of the WTO. The two unions could effectively complement each other. Direct dialogue and practical cooperation between the EEU and the EU would contribute to the resolution of many urgent global and regional issues. (Yakovenko A. Supporting closer ties between the EU and Eurasian Economic Union. Russian Times. June 21, 2015. http://rt.com/op-edge/268594-eu-economy-ties-putin/)

The Russians clearly want to cooperate with the Europeans. And yes, this is partially because the Russians would like USA influence reduced–and Europe will do that more than most Russians probably think is possible (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:3-4).

Back in 1962, notice something that the old Radio Church of God published:

Germany, those living in Germany, even the German government, may not yet know that they are going to join in a treaty with the Russians to destroy the United States and bring it to its knees-it is not in his “heart” to think so, but on the other hand it IS in his “heart” to destroy-the very characteristic of the Assyrian, the modern German, is a harsh, cruel, iron, dedication to militarism and destruction! (Hill DJ, God’s Destiny for Germany. Plain Truth, March 1962, pp. 28-29)

Yes, I, too, expect that Russia will make a deal with the Europeans. Some have been hinted at this century (see Greece begs Germany’s Merkel not to throw them ‘overboard,’ while it makes deals with Russia; see also Vladimir Putin allegedly helped stop a Grexit).

I believe that Russia will one day provide support to Europe when it takes over the USA.

But prophecies also show that it will turn against the Babylonian Beast power that will arise in Europe:

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

Thus, the European empire (the “daughter of Babylon”) is to be destroyed by a power of the FAR NORTH–this is a Russian led confederation.

Strengthening Russia’s military will be a factor in that.

For more on prophecies involving Russia, including positive ones, see Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?