Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future

By COGwriter

Who are the Russians? How about those in Ukraine? Does the Bible give us any clues into their origins?

What is prophesied for Russia and Ukraine in the future? Do these peoples have any future military role? Will God call all the Russians and Ukrainians? Will most Russians and Ukrainians who ever lived be saved?

The Hebrew Scriptures and the Origin of the Russian Peoples

The Bible discusses the births of many people and many nations in Genesis chapter 10. Actually, many people refer to this chapter as the origin of nations. And it is here that we get some insight into who the Russian peoples are:

Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood. The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras (Genesis 10:1-2, NKJV throughout unless otherwise indicated).

Starting with Adam (the first man), the above is basically repeated later in the Bible:

Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. (1 Chronicles 1:1-5)

Some believe that Meshech is the Hebrew term from whence came the name Moscow. Tubal is considered by some to also be associated with the Russian peoples.

Regarding Meschech, notice:

...the Muskai, or Moschians, who are probably identical with the Meshech of Holy Scripture (Rawlinson G. The Five Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World. Published 1881 by Dodd, Mead, and Company, New York Original from Harvard University (Google Books) Page 64).

Some 1000 years ago an ancient Slav tribe, the Meshchera, settled in these parts, not far from present-day Moscow. Since then the region has been called Meschera (Sputnik. Published 1997 by Novosti Press Agency Original from the University of California, Page 96).

Three times the Old Testament uses the expression "the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal" (Ezekiel 38:2,3;39:1). Here is one of them that also mentions Gog and Magog:

Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal (Ezekiel 38:2).

Notice also the following:

The Scythian Tauri in the Crimea were so called. The Araxes also was called "Rhos." The modern Russians may have hence assumed their name, as Moscow and Tobolsk from Meshech and Tubal, though their proper ancient name was Slavi, or Wends. Hengstenberg supports English Version, as "Rosh" is not found in the Bible. "Magog was Gog's original kingdom, though he acquired also Meshech and Tubal, so as to be called their chief prince. (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

The late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

"Gog" in the land of "Magog" is the vast regions of the U.S.S.R. in northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. "Meshech" is Moscow, "Tubal" is Tobol 'sk (Armstrong HW. Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, reprint 1980, p. 8).

The same reprint booklet states:

Rosh is the ancient Hebrew name for the Russ ("blonds") who settled in the plains of Eastern Europe in the ninth century A.D. They gave their name to the Russian nation. The people of Rosh are among the White Russians of Byelorussia today. Living next to the people of Rosh are Meshech and Tubal...Josephus calls them the Moschevi and Thobelites...Together, the Caucasian branches of Meshech and Tubal form the two distinct branches of the Great Russians of today (pp. 10,11).

It may be of interest to note that the official name of the Russian Federation is Rossiyskaya Federatsiya and hence bears a similarity to the Hebrew word Rosh.

Hally's Bible Handbook teaches:

Rosh is thought by some to mean Russia...Meshech is thought to mean Moscow; or Muscovy...Whatever may be the exact identification of these peoples, (Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and Rosh) Ezekiel speaks of them as dwelling in 'the uttermost parts of the north' (38:6, 15; 39:2), and there can be little doubt that he means nations beyond the Caucasus (mountains). A glance at the map makes it plain that he has in mind that part of the world known as Russia (Halley H.H. Halley's Bible Handbook, 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids (MI), 1962, p. 333).

Another book teaches:

The Hebrew lexicographer Gesenius says, "Rosh is the proper name of a northern nation mentioned along with Tubal and Meshech; without much doubt the same as the Russians, who are described by the Byzantine writers of the tenth century under the name, the Rhos, as inhabiting the northern parts of Taurus; and also by Ibn Fosslan, an Arabian writer of the same period, under the name Rus, as dwelling upon the river Rha, that is, the Volga." Koeppen says that "the Russians appear for the first time in the Byzantine historians of the ninth century under the indeclinable name Rhos. Later they were known as Russniacks, Ross, or, now, Russ-ians." The "Ross" were at first "among the many Sclavonian tribes who were driven northward from the Black Sea on the advance of the Chazars," Though at first a single tribe, the Ross at length gave name to that vast Sclavonian empire whose territory comprises the " north parts" of Europe and Asia...

It is worth remarking here that in ancient records the spelling of proper names varies so much that it need cause us no surprise to find Rosh turning into Rhos, Rus, and Russ. Nor are we to wonder to find Meshech of the Hebrew text changed into Moahok in the Samaritan, and Mosoch in the Septuagint. The people of Meshech were known to the ancient Greeks as Mosffhoi.

In the Assyrian inscriptions lately deciphered by Sir Henry Rawlinson, the same people are named Muskai, It is said that at one time the Muskai, in conjunction with their neighbors, the Tibareni, kept the inhabitants of Syria and Mesopotamia in continual dread of their ravages. One memeuto of this fact may be that exclamation in the 120th Psalm, ''Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech." By the advance of the Median and Persian powers the Moschoi were afterwards, about 700 to 650 B. C., compelled to cross the Caucasus and take refuge in that immense steppe region in which they had their origin. The descendants of the Moschoi figure in history as Muscovites. They built the old capital of Russia, Moscow, on their river, Moskwa, and from them Russia is still known as Muscovy throughout the east. Tubal has been identified with the Tibareni of Herodotus (Craig A. Writings and Addresses of Austin Craig. Published 1913 by The Christian Publishing association, Dayton Ohio:Pages 147-149).

The American Cyclopaedia of 1873 states:

Japheth Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah, by most critics regarded as the eldest. It is said of him (Gen. ix. 27): "God shall enlarge Ja-pheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant." He was the progenitor of extensive tribes inhabiting the northern parts of the Mosaic world. His sons (Gen. x. 2) were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. Gomer is now generally identified with the Cimmerians of the ancients; Magog probably represents Turanian Scyths about the Caucasus; Madai is the Hebrew name for Media; Javan for Ionia and Greece; Tiras probably for Thrace. Meshech and Tubal, who in the Scriptures always appear coupled together, are identified with the equally associated Moschi and Tibareni of the Greeks, and Muscai and Tuplai of the Assyrian inscriptions (or Muski and Tabali, as Schrader renders the names), the former of whom, according to Rawlinson (Herodotus, book i., essay xi.), "are regarded on very sufficient grounds as the ancestors of the Muscovites, who built Moscow, and who still give name to Russia throughout the East; and these Muscovites have been lately recognized as belonging to the Tchud or Finnish family, which the Slavonic Russians conquered, and which is a known Turanian race." This statement is made still more probable by the Hebrew text of Ezekiel xxxviii. 2, 3, and xxxix. 1, which connects Meshech and. Tubal with Rosh; the latter word, rendered "chief" in the English version, being now regarded by Gesenius and others as a proper noun corresponding to the Pws of the Byzantine historians, and the people Rus (on the Volga) of the Arabian Ibn Foslan, and thus containing the earliest historical trace of the Russian name. Thus Japheth, as a family name, embraces a large number of primitive nations, in modern ethnology partly designated as Turanian and partly as Indo-European. This agrees with the tradition of the Arabians, which assigns to Japheth 11 sons, progenitors of as many nations, among whom are Jin (the Chinese), Gomari (Cimmerians?), Turk (Turks), Khozar (Khazars), and Ros (Russians). The name Japheth is from a Hebrew root meaning expansion, wide-spreading (Gen. ix. 27). Another derivation, meaning fair, comely, denoting the white-colored races, is less pertinent. It has also been compared with the Japetus of Greek mythology. Japhetic is often used by ethnologists instead of Indo-European. (Ripley G, Dana CA, eds. The American Cyclopaedia- Popular Dictionary Of General Knowledge. Vol6. D. Appleton And Company, 1873)

An Islamic legend seems to identify Ros as a son of Japheth:

There are numerous Oriental legends about Japheth. According to Mohammedan writers he was the eldest son of Noah ... They call him Aboultierk, and ascribe to him eleven sons, among whom are ... Ros of the Russians—nations wholly unknown to the ancient Hebrews. They ascribe to his sons great wisdom (Kitto, John; Alexander, William Lindsay. A Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, 3rd Edition. Black, 1876, p. 465).

In the first century, Josephus wrote:

Japhet, the son of Noah, had seven sons: they inhabited so, that, beginning at the mountains Taurus and Amanus, they proceeded along Asia...they called the nations by their own names...Now as to Javan and Madai, the sons of Japhet; from Madai came the Madeans, who are called Medes, by the Greeks... Thobel founded the Thobelites, who are now called Iberes; and the Mosocheni were founded by Mosoch...And so many were the countries that had the children of Japhet for their inhabitants. (Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews. VI, 1).

Those in the Ukraine seem to have some ties to the Medes. It may be of interest to note that the nation of Georgia is made up of peoples who were called the Iberes above (and Iberians below). Also, speaking of Georgia, it may be of interest to note that its capital is Tbilisi, which sounds like it ultimately may have been derived from the word Tubal. 

The people of Georgia themselves claim to be descended from a great grandson of Japheth named Kartlos (whose father has been claimed to be Togarmah of Genesis 10:3; Togarmah. Wikipedia.):

Georgians call themselves Kartvelebi...and their language Kartuli ... According to legend, the ancestor of the Kartvelian people was Kartlos, the great grandson of the Biblical Japheth. Ancient Greeks (Strabo, Herodotus, Plutarch, Homer, etc.) and Romans (Titus Livius, Cornelius Tacitus, etc.) referred to early eastern Georgians as Iberians (Iberoi in some Greek sources) and western Georgians as Colchians (Georgia (Country). Wikipedia. viewed 03/09/08).

As far as the Medes go, they were once in a land called Media, which was near Persia (modern Iran). The Bible uses the terms "Medes" and "Persians" together five times in the NKJV (e.g. Daniel 5:28). The ancient empire of Media contained Persia, but did not go all the way to the land now known as Ukraine.

The Median empire, around 600 B.C. stretched west from the southern center of the Black Sea (Crimea would have been north of that empire, but would have been accessible by a boat that would head straight north in the western portion) and went east almost to India. But there were also various migrations of peoples, which is why it is believed that at least some made it into the area of Ukraine and/or Crimea (and likely Russia itself as well as some of the nearby states).There were also descendants of Israel who were living in the land of the Medes at the time of Jesus. Notice the following account from the New Testament, circa 31 A.D.:

8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:8-11)

So, there were contacts from the descendants of Israel and the Medes in New Testament times.

Herodotus Said there were Six Tribes of the Medes

The Medes and the Russians seem to have shared some history. But it is not clear to many. Notice the following:

The history of the Medes is dark and unknown. -- Dmitri Ivanovich Ilovaisky ...

In linguistic terms, the Russians are identified as East Slavs, that is, speakers of East Slavic, which eventually evolved into three distinct languages: Greater Russian, often simply called Russian; Ukrainian; and White Russian, or Belorussian (Belarus).

(Riasanovsky NV. Russian Identities : A Historical Survey: A Historical Survey. Oxford University Press, 2005, p.7)

The above is at the beginning of the first chapter in the book cited on the origins of the Russians and Ukrainians. The author, a professor of history emeritus from UC Berkeley.

It should be noted that part of the reason that Dmitri Ivanovich Ilovaisky and others are unclear about the connection is because of multiple migrations or peoples with differing names.

As far as names go, the historian Herodotus claimed that there were six different tribes/families of Medes. Herodotus identified the tribes of the Medes as Busae, Parataceni/Paratakeni, Struchates/Strukhates, Arizanti, Budii, and the Magi (Herodotus: A New and Literal Version with a Geographical and General Index by Henry Cary. Histories, book 1, chapter 101. Translated by Henry Cary. Harper, 1896. Original from the University of Virginia, Digitized Jan 23, 2009, p. 46).

Here is one report about the six tribes:

As far as the Russians and Ukrainians go, the late John Ogwyn and the late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:

The Origins of the Russian People

     We need to understand who the Russian people are and where they came from. In order to recognize Biblical prophecies about them, it is necessary to know their origin. Actually, several related tribes anciently migrated into European Russia and became the ancestors of the three branches of the Russian peoples: the Great Russians, the Little Russians and the White Russians. History, culture and language unite these people, though they initially sprang from different ancestors.
      In earliest times we find two nations, identified in the Bible as Meshech and Tubal, dwelling in the easternmost part of Asia Minor along the southeastern shore of the Black Sea. These closely related nations were called Mushki by the Assyrians and Moschi by the Greeks. To their east were a related people, the ancient Medes, who dwelt between the Black and Caspian Seas. These peoples, under the leadership of the Medes, played a prominent role in the destruction of the Assyrian capital, Ninevah, in 612BC.
      The fifth and fourth centuries BC saw increasing conflict between the Persian and Greek realms, with peoples such as Meshech, Tubal, Lud (Lydia), Medes and Elamites being drawn into the fighting. By the close of the fourth century BC the Greeks, under Alexander the Great, had triumphed over Persia. It was the subsequent Greek invasion of eastern lands that resulted in pressure on people living between the Black and Caspian Sea to migrate north into the Scythian plains. Many different peoples, including remnants of the exiled northern ten tribes of Israel, inhabited the vast plains of Scythia during the coming centuries.
      According to the Cultural Atlas of Russia and the Soviet Union, by the second century BC an "...Iranian nomadic people...[whose] federation of tribes eventually seems to have included a strong Slavonic element..." (p. 34) were settled north of the Black Sea. This confederation of peoples was drawn from Elamites and Medes, together with Meshech and Tubal. By this time they must have been speaking a common language, proto-Slavic, akin to Old Persian. The name the Slavs call themselves comes from slovo, which means "word," and stresses the sense of a linguistic community that is distinct from "non-understanders," the meaning of nemets, the general Slav designation for Germans.
      From north of the Black Sea the Elamites gradually spread west and south, giving rise to the Slavic population in central and southern Europe. The tribes who traced their descent from the ancient Medes moved a little north and west to lay claim to the rich farmland of Little Russia, the Ukraine. From Meshech and Tubal came the Great Russians, who spread north and east, eventually establishing Moscow and the principality of Muscovy. The River Moskva, named for the people of Meshech (called Mushki or Moschi anciently), gave its name to the city and principality (Ogwyn J. What's Ahead for Russia? TW Magazine, May-June 2000).

Origin of Word "Russia"

   What is the origin of the word "Russian" — the "Rosh" of Ezekiel 38:2 (when properly translated)?
   The INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPAEDIA gives the answer. Here, under the article "Rosh", we find that a vast area of the Mesopotamian Valley was called "the land of Rashu!" The word "Russ" or "Rosh" means blonde. And in ancient Mesopotamia lived the blonde children of Keturah and Abraham mentioned in Genesis 25:1-6. They founded the Kingdom of Mitanni, named after Midian and Medan.
   In modern times the name "Russ" was first applied to Russia because of the blond people of White Russia who live next to the people of Meshech and Tubal. (See ENCY. BRIT., art. "Russia".) These blonds are quite different from the Great Russians. The White Russians are related to the Asshurim of North Germany and to the Letushim and other Abrahamic tribes along the Baltic. They are the main body of the people of Medan and Midian who proceeded north into Russia centuries ago! Herodotus mentions that the "Matienians" from the land of Rosh were associated with the people of Meshech and Tubal! (Thalia, 94.) And Pliny the Roman natural historian speaks of the "Matiani" as moving into Russia through the Caucasus (BK. VI, sec. xviii of NATURAL HISTORY). That is the true origin of the word "Russian".

And Little Russians, too!

   Not all Russians are Great Russians and White Russians. Some are called "Little Russians". They live — in the Ukraine and the eastern parts of Romania and Poland. They are often called Ukrainians or Ruthenians. There are about 50 million of them! Who are these people?
   The MEDES! The sons of Madai! Here is the proof!
   In Genesis 10:2 we have Madai, the son of Japheth listed. Now check in an exhaustive concordance. You will find the original Hebrew word translated into English as "Mede" or "Median" is always Madai. Madai is the father of the Medes. The Medes used to be associated with the Persians. You will read about them especially in the book of Daniel. But by the time of Nehemiah the Persians were much more prominent. Today there are no Medes left in Persia. The Medes are gone. Certainly a great branch of the human family could not suddenly vanish from the earth!
   Indeed they did not. Throughout South Russia — in the Ukraine — four centuries before Christ the Medes were beginning to settle. Here is what the historian Herodotus wrote of these people: "They say that they are a colony of the Medes. How they can have been a colony of the Medes I cannot compehend; but anything may happen in course of time" (Terpsichore, 9).
   Herodotus, like many moderns, was prone to believe that the people who inhabited Mesopotamia and the "Bible lands" must be living there today. But they are not. The Arabs have taken their place!
   The fact that the Medes are the Little Russians today is further amplified by Pliny in his NATURAL HISTORY, bk. VI, sec. xi. He mentions "the river Don, where the inhabitants are... said to be descended from the Medes"!
   Media is pictured along with Elam in Eastern Europe as attacking Western Europe in World War III (Isaiah 21:2). (Hoeh H. The TRUTH about the Race Question! Plain Truth, July 1957)

It should also be noted that some others do not believe that Russia or Moscow are close enough to the words in the Bible that some believe they came from. But, the Russian people did descend from one of the sons of Noah and the lands that they possess are mentioned in certain scriptures.

Some of the Russians themselves appear to have been from the Medes. Notice the following account:

But how are we to explain the name Russia? The old-fashioned view was to derive the word from the Rhoxolani. This, however, has long been abandoned. One thing is certain, namely, that these Rhoxolani were of Oriental descent, a Medic or Iranic tribe. They disappear from history, having, like so many other tribes — as, for instance, the Pechenegs and the Khozars—been swallowed up by the huge waves of immigration which overflowed the country (Morfill WR. Russia. Published 1890 by T.F. Unwin, London).

There are many disputes among academics as to who derived from whom, thus it is not completely clear, for example, that the Rhoxolani were Medes who went to Russia. The Bible has several end time prophecies concerning the Medes (Isaiah 13:17-19) and the kings of the Medes (Jeremiah 51:11, 28-29) that involve military action. Various ones in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russia, and elsewhere are part of the descendants of the Medes, as likely are some in Moldova.

However, if the Rhoxolani were Medes, then it would seem to be consistent with certain biblical prophecies.

Herbert Armstrong wrote in a co-worker letter dated November 16, 1961:

Right now, it may appear on the surface that tension has relaxed. The Kremlin method, in this cold war of nerves, is to blow first hot, then cold, then hot again. These repeated apparent lulls in his war of nerves are always temporary. New tensions will soon mount.

Actually, the very last thing Khrushchev wants is the explosion of real nuclear war with the United States. There are reasons—and it is the very nature of the Russian BEAR. I have said repeatedly that the Russians in nature are like their ancient predecessors, the Medes and Persians—represented in the prophecy of Daniel 7 as a “Bear”. They lumber ponderously along, the “Bear’s” massive feet kicking on doors. If the door caves in or swings ajar, the Bear lumbers on in—and never leaves unless driven by a stronger power. But, if the door holds firm, the Bear waddles away. And if a fierce, snarling lion attacks with a roar, the Bear retreats on the dead run!

As far as Russia acting like a bear, back in 2014, Vladimir Putin made a comment about his country and actions of a bear:

Putin Slams West for Refusing to Accept Legitimacy of Crimea’s Reunification With Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented on the West’s position on Crimea’s reunification by likening it to the Latin proverb, “What is permissible for Jove is not permissible for an ox.”

Putin pointed out that Western countries consider Kosovo’s declaration of independence legitimate, while refusing to accept Crimea’s right to self-determination, granted to any nation by the UN charter. The decision to hold a referendum in Crimea was made by a legitimate representative body of power, the Crimean parliament, following a coup in Ukraine, the Russian president reiterated.

Crimea’s reunification with Russia is in accordance with international law whatever some might say. In that respect, the Russian president recalled the saying “Quod licet Jovi (Iovi) non licet bovi”, stressing that “we cannot agree with such definitions”.

“Maybe it is not permissible for an ox, but I have to say a bear will not ask anyone for permission,” Putin said in response to a question during the 11th meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi. The president added that a bear is considered “the master of taiga” and does not intend to give it away.

Vladimir Putin also stated that Western countries had decided Russia is no longer a force to reckon with after the collapse of the Soviet Union, emphasizing that the West had“started doing anything they wanted with no regard to any rules.”  http://en.ria.ru/world/20141024/194576713/Putin-Slams-West-for-Refusing-to-Accept-Legitimacy-of-Crimeas-Reunification-With-Russia.html

So, Vladimir Putin was acknowledging that Russia tends to act like a bear, which is something that Herbert Armstrong pointed out.

Russia is cautious, but also has strength that it is willing to use.

In that co-worker letter, Herbert Armstrong also mentioned Russia acting like the ancient Medes. The old Worldwide Church of God, under his direction, published the following:

5. What else can we know about the superarmy as it attacks the armies of the beast power? With millions being slain by nuclear war, how will a man’s life be valued? Isa. 13:12-16. Will this destruction be wrought by the descendants of the Medes and their allies, who are living to the northeast and east of modern Babylon? Verses 17-18.

COMMENT: The Medes and Persians under King Cyrus captured Babylon in 539 B.C. The descendants of the Persians are in Iran and the Medes in the Ukraine today.

5. Is Babylon (God’s name for the political and religious system that has sprung from the ancient city of Babylon and has been perpetuated by Satan in the Roman Empire and its restorations) prophesied to fall a second time? Rev. 18:2; Isa. 21:9.

COMMENT: The counterattack by the modern-day Soviet-led descendants of the Medes and their allies will contribute in a major way to the fall of the beast, spoken of here as “Babylon.” (Lesson 28 – Feast Of Trumpets – Why World Won’t End in Cosmocide. Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, 1984)

Change will happen and at least some in Ukraine will one day support Russia against the coming European Babylonian beast power.

Notice also the following:

Today the people who constituted the empire of the Medes may be found in western Russia, specifically the Ukraine and Volhynia. (White C. The Great German Nation: Origins and Destiny. AuthorHouse, 2007, p. 285)

Yes, while some/many in Ukraine descended from the Medes, so have some/many in Russia.

Russia believes that Ukraine is part of it, and its "Special Military Operation" into Ukraine in 2022 shows it is willing to expand a lot of military might to acquire at least part of Ukraine.

More on Medes and Ukraine and Europe

Wikipedia has the following about various peoples being in the area now called Ukraine:

During the Iron Age, the land was inhabited by Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians. Between 700 BC and 200 BC it was part of the Scythian Kingdom, or Scythia. Later, colonies of Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire, such as Tyras, Olbia and Hermonassa, were founded, beginning in the 6th century BC, on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea, and thrived well into the 6th century AD. The Goths stayed in the area but came under the sway of the Huns from the 370s AD. In the 7th century AD, the territory of eastern Ukraine was the centre of Old Great Bulgaria. At the end of the century, the majority of Bulgar tribes migrated in different directions, and the Khazars took over much of the land.

Kievan Rus' was founded by the Rus' people, Varangians who first settled around Ladoga and Novgorod, then gradually moved southward eventually reaching Kiev about 880. Kievan Rus' included the western part of modern Ukraine, Belarus, with larger part of it situated on the territory of modern Russia. (Ukraine, viewed 03/03/2014)

Certain ancient historians wrote about the Medes:

Herodotus wrote that the Medes were beginning to settle in the Ukraine even in his time. He main-tained that there were people who 'dressed in Median fashion' that live 'north of Thrace . . . beyond the Danube.' (Slytie P.  The Three Edens. Xulon Press, 2011, p. 784)

Pliny mentions “the river Don, where the inhabitants are ... said to be descended from the Medes” (book 6, sec.11) (UKRAINE). (Hunt K.  The Biblical Prophets for Today. iUniverse, 2011, p. 7)

Isaiah mentions a chariot drawn by asses, xxi. 7 ; and Herodotus, that the Medes used wild asses to draw their war-chariots ; both apparently referring to the dun variety, which can be traced even now in the Ukraine, (Lizars WH. W.H. Lizars, 1866. Original from the New York Public Library, Digitized Dec 4, 2009, p. 110)

Herodotus lived in the fifth century B.C. and has been called "the father of history."  Pliny was a first century A.D. Roman nobleman and historian. Isaiah 21:2 is a reference to the Medes, hence there seems to be a tie into at least some part of Ukraine.

It should be pointed out that at least one historian, George Rawlinson, identified those in Ukraine as not necessarily descended from the Medes, but from the Gimri or Alani, who were possibly Medes or possibly not:

The nations of Japhetic stock which were developed at an early date are:

1. The Gimiri, (Gomer) or Kiramerians, who possessed the Ukraine ; 2. The Saka (Scythians), called in Scripture Magog; 3. The Mada (Madai) or Medes ; 4. The Yafones (Javan), the Ionians or Greeks ; 5. The Tuplai (Tubal) or Tibareni; 6. The Muskai (Meshech) or Moschi; and 7. the Thracians (Tiras) (Rawlinson G. Ancient History Volume 1 of A sketch of universal history. C.W. Deacon, 1887. Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Jun 2, 2007, p. 21)

The Alani...in the south of Russia in Europe, in modern Ukraine...Some regard them as Medes, others as Teutons...(Rawlinson G. The sixth great Oriental monarchy; or The geography, history, & antiquities of Parthia. Spottiswoods, 1873. Original from Oxford University, Digitized Jun 28, 2006, p. 291)

Now, as I do not agree that the Scythians are Magog, there are problems with the above. But it is possible that the Ukrainians in the western portion of that country are not predominantly Medes.

Notice something I wrote in this article, prior to the Crimean, Donetsk, and Luhansk elections for separation:

If most of those in western Ukraine are not descendants of the Medes (and I have not seen DNA or specific genetic evidence on this, mainly reports from historians related to the general region), look for a split in Ukraine, with the western portion attempting to be part of the European Union--although Russia could stop this militarily.  Even if those in the west are Medes and even if they do end up in the European Union, note that Bible prophecy teaches that the Medes will turn against the end time Babylonian power that will fully arise in Europe.

As far as Ukraine goes, it is in in a very strategic location. Ukraine borders Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. All but the first two and Moldova are currently in the European Union–and Moldova applied in 2013 (see Georgia and Moldova sign up to join European Union, Ukraine does not). On June 27, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia signed trade and political deals with the European Union (see Ukraine, Moldova, and George sign deals with European Union; Russia not pleased).

The European Union has demonstrated a history and willingness to enlarge--and it is interested in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.  This may also be consistent with biblical prophecy.

The Bible prophesied that a little horn would develop into what apparently is becoming a European entity. Actually what is now the EU began as a small organization involving three small countries located in the northern and western regions of Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, called the Benelux nations)--they then helped form the European Economic Community. Which expanded into the European Union.

The late Dr. Herman Hoeh while in the old Radio Church of God taught that the little horn of Daniel 8 would expand and become the power that would become the final European King of the North:

Turn in your Bible to verse 9: "And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land." ...

The King of the North

The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander's Empire. He is, in fact, the final "King of the North" described in Daniel 11. ... A great European Church-State union will be in control of Palestine and the whole Western World. (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)

A power in Europe is rising up, despite the fact it is prophesied to have problems (e.g. Daniel 2:41-43). 

Notice that, in Daniel 8, the Bible prophesied that a little horn would mainly expand South and East:

And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered (Daniel 8:9-12).

And while the above has had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). Anyway, the European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations. Now, approximately 500 million people are now under a new, single (though not completed united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels.  Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU–thus its geography is consistent with being part of the EU.  And Moldova and Georgia are south and east, which is also consistent.

Consider also the following:

27 Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar,
Burning with His anger,
And His burden is heavy;
His lips are full of indignation,
And His tongue like a devouring fire.
28 His breath is like an overflowing stream,
Which reaches up to the neck,
To sift the nations ... (Isaiah 30:27-28)

From a prophetic perspective, we appear to be seeing some sifting/separation between some of the peoples that live within the borders of Ukraine as well as Georgia and Moldova. According to Bible prophecy, those that appear to have descended from the ancient Medes will mainly ultimately align with Russia.

This does not mean that some or all of Ukraine, etc. will not be part of the European Union, at least for a time.

The European Union has demonstrated a history and willingness to enlarge–and it is interested in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.  The USA keeps encouraging all of this, but this will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).

Not all in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia want to be part of the European Union, some prefer to be in Russia's upcoming Eurasian Union. Those that become disillusioned/disappointed by the EU may ultimately back out of it.

Biblically (because of prophecies involving the Medes, some of which are in Ukraine, and some in the “north and east” in Daniel 11:44), it would seem that Russia would be closer to at least parts of Ukraine (like some of the eastern portions of it) in the end than many realize. There is also a YouTube video available titled Ukraine in Prophecy?

Some Russian Church History

Russia is a large, primarily Gentile nation. And while it is basically known religiously as being "Russian Orthodox" (hence has many of the same teachings as the Eastern Orthodox churches), it is not always the same and seemed to tolerate seventh-day sabbath-keeping longer than other branches of the Orthodox Church.

For example, Sabbath-keeping was reported in Russia in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.  And most likely began much earlier than that. Here are two fifteenth century reports:

One crisis developed as of the year 1492 approached.  Byzantine and Russian society had been taught that the world would end 7,000 years after the time of creation.  The year 7000 in the Orthodox calendar corresponded to the year AD 1492.
 
Anticipation of the apocalypse was mixed with confusion, dread, and doubts about the veracity of Orthodox teachings.  In this atmosphere a group of religious dissidents known in the historical literature as Judaizers, gained momentum and new adherents, especially among the clergy of Novgorod... From Novgorod they spread to Moscow when Ivan III having annexed Novgorod in 1478, transferred two Novgorodian priests who had espoused the heretical views...to Moscow...Ivan's daughter-in-law, the mother of his grandson Dmitry, and the state secretary (d'iak) and the diplomat, Feder Kuritsyn, were among those influenced by their beliefs.

In 1487, Gennadii (Gennadius), the second archbishop to be appointed by Moscow to lead the still discontented Novgorodian church, launched an aggressive campaign to root out dissidents, whom he labeled as heretics for their alleged iconoclasm, anti-Trinitarianism, Sabbatarianism (i.e., observing the Sabbath on Saturday rathern than Sunday), and rejection of the year 7000 (1492) as the date of earthly destruction.  Using torture among other inquisitorial techniques, he identified the heretics and convinced the grand prince and the new metropolitan, Zosima (1490-94), to convene a Church council to suppress their movement.  The council of 1490 found nine accused Novgorodians guilty. (Martin J.  Medieval Russia: 980-1584, 2nd edition.  Cambridge University Press, 2007, pp. 290-291)

Ivan Kuritsin a prominent Russian theologian, and a leader of the religious uprising was arrested and locked in a cage. The tsar - Ivan the Great - found this movement already well established in Novgorod when he seized control of that city around 1480. Gennadii, Russian Orthodox archbishop of Novgorod was a zealous, even fanatical, enemy of the Sabbath-keeping reformers. He calls for extreme measures. In some of his letters addressed to the Russian tsar, Gennadii venerates the methods of Spanish Inquisition and insisted that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state should apply these methods towards the Russian Sabbath-keeping movement. Russian Orthodox church leaders met at the Council of Moscow and condemned the reformers as heretics. The Sentence of the Council details the charges: "... some of you said blasphemy against many holy icons, and some of you cut the holy icons and burned them with fire... And you have all honored the Sabbath more than the Resurrection Day of Christ." Council of Moscow, 1490. (Sabbath Rest for Weary Russia. Light of Hope International Television Ministry, Copyright 2011  http://www.lightofhopetv.com/sabbath.shtml viewed 03/31/12)

...1503...the leader of the Possessors was Abbot Joseph of Volokolamsk...a rather severe ascetic who imposed...the burning at the stake...the sect of the Judaizers...Judaizers...in Russia in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries...denied the Trinity (Fanning S. Mystics of the Christian Tradition. Routeldge, New York. 2001, reprinted 2006, pp. 49, 255).

Whether or not the persecuted Russians were part of the COG is uncertain, but being anti-trinitarian, Sabbath-keeping, iconoclasts that did not agree with aspects of Russian Orthodox eschatology hints that perhaps some of them could have been.

Notice this nineteenth century report:

The ancient Russian name for this people was Strigolniks. Dr. Murdock says of them:--

"...The earliest of the schismatics first appeared in Novogorod, early in the fifteenth century, under the name of Strigolniks. "A Jew named Horie preached a mixture of Judaism and Christianity; and proselyted two priests, Denis and Alexie, who gained a vast amount of followers. This sect was so numerous that a national council was called, towards the close of the fifteenth century, to oppose it. Soon afterwards one Karp, an excommunicated deacon, joined the Strigolniks, and accused the higher clergy of selling the office of the priesthood, and of so far corrupting the church, that the Holy Ghost was withdrawn from it. He was a very successful propagator for this sect."

...What was the origin of these Russian Sabbath-keepers? Certainly it was not from the Reformation of the sixteenth century; for they were in existence for at least one century prior to that event. We have seen that the Waldenses, during the Dark Ages, were dispersed through many of the counties of Europe. And also, were the people called Cathari, if indeed, the two were not one people. In particular, we note the fact that they were scattered through Poland, Lithuania, Sclavonia, Bulgaria, Livonia, Albania, and Sarmartia. These countries are now part of the Russian empire. Sabbath-keepers were numerous in Russia before the time of Luther (Andrews, p. 469).

"There is a sect of Greek Christians in Siberia who keep the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday)..."(Semi-Weekly Tribune, May 4, 1869. Cited in Andrews J.N. in History of the Sabbath, 3rd edition, 1887. Reprint Teach Services, Brushton (NY), 1998, p. 505)

What the Adventist scholar failed to mention, however, is that those who kept the Sabbath and were called Judaizers did not believe in the invented doctrine of the trinity (see also Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning):

Judaizers...in Russia in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries...denied the Trinity (Fanning S. Mystics of the Christian Tradition. Routeldge, New York. 2001, reprinted 2006, p. 255).

Sadly there was persecution of Sabbath-keepers in Russia back then:

Russia...
"The accused [Sabbath-keepers] were summoned; they openly acknowledged the new faith, and defended the same. The most eminent of them, the secretary of state, Kuritzyn, Ivan Maximow, Kassian, archimandrite of the Fury Monastery of Novgorod, were condemned to death, and burned publicly in cages, at Moscow; Dec. 17,1503." Geschichte der Juden" (Leipsig, 1873), (Cited in Andrews pp.117-122).

However, I believe that knowledge and observance of the Sabbath was in Russia long before that.

Why?

One reason is that the Russian language, like many others, essentially uses a term for Sabbath to mean what we in English term Saturday.  Notice the following two reports:

105 Languages: In over 100 languages the name for the day that we call “Saturday” is "the Sabbath." For example, “Saturday” in the Spanish language is "Sabado," which means “the Sabbath.” In Italian, it is "Sabbato," which also means “the Sabbath.” In Russian it is, "Subbota." In Polish, "Sobota,” etc. Interestingly enough, in Ghana the day for Sunday, literally translated, means “White man changed this day!” (Wohlberg S. Can We Know What Day is the Sabbath? White Horse Media)

Some believed that Monday is the first day of the week. I showed them from the Spanish, Swahili and Tagalog that Saturday in all those languages can be identified with the word “Sabbath.” In Spanish the word for Saturday is “Sabado.” In Swahili the word for seven is “sabad” (though Saturday is called “Jumamosi” or “Moses’ Day”) and in Tagalog the word is the same as in Spanish, “Sabado”. (King, R. United Kingdom Update. World Ahead Update, August 16, 2007).

суббота is how the Russian word Saturday was translated by two online dictionaries for me--but this is using “Russian” characters—using our characters it comes out as Subbota.

There simply is no serious reason to use a term that means Sabbath for Saturday unless there was knowledge of the Sabbath in Russia.

Notice the following:

The reign of Vasily (1505-1533) was characterized by cruelty and a return to ignorance. His son and successor Ivan IV (1531-1584) turned out to be a bloody ruler who terrorized all Russia, earning from history the infamous title, Ivan the Terrible. Even during his reign, there were people in Russia who were true to the teachings of the Bible, especially the Sabbath. The “One Hundred Head” Church Council, called in 1551 during the reign of Ivan IV, adopted a resolution which until today has not been annulled by the Russian Orthodox Church. This regulation states that the people, besides worshiping on Sunday, could also worship on Saturday in the confines of the Russian Orthodox Church—a statement which was recognized by the church council as authorized by the Apostles Peter and Paul (Kozhachnikov, D. E. ed., Stoglav [Source: One-Hundred-Head Council] (St. Petersburg: Tipografiia Imperatorskoi Akademy Nauk, 1863), pp. 270, 271. As cited by Zhigankov, Oleg. Ahead of their time? The 15th century Reformation in Russia. College and University Dialogue Journal).

Notice that the practices of Peter and Paul are mentioned. They kept the Sabbath. But one still may wonder how the Orthodox Church could possibly condone Saturday. Well, because Saturday had been observed by those in Asia Minor for centuries, and even after the area mainly became part of the Greco-Orthodox confederation of Catholics, in Constantinople (the primary see, "first among equals" in its words of the Orthodox Churches) the Sabbath often was kept along with Sunday. And since the Russian Orthodox had historical ties with Constantinople, apparently it was felt that Sabbath observance would still be tolerable.

Interestingly, The Catholic Encyclopedia admits that some of the Paulicians did end up in the Russian controlled area of Armenia:

There were Paulician communities in the part of Armenia occupied by Russia after the war of 1828-29 (Fortescue A. Paulicians. The Catholic Encyclopedia).

But the reality seems to be that the Sabbath-keepers in Russia to a great degree probably compromised to become part of the Orthodox church.  Though some faithful probably remained in Armenia (more information is in the article The Pergamos Church Era).

Related to the Church of God, Seventh Day:

1922: Activity Expands...Some 150 letters were sent to prospective ministers in foreign fields forty-two to Germany, twenty-eight to Russia, three to Denmark, and others to Norway, Sweden, China, Africa, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Japan, Philippines, western and eastern India, South America, and other places...These were Sabbath-keeping ministers...(Nickels R.C. History of the Seventh Day Church of God. 1988, p. 98-99)

So, there were Sabbath-keeping ministers and presumably members in Russia in the early portion of the 20th century.

Throughout the centuries, the Russian Orthodox Church has tended to have a close relationship with the Russian government. This carries forward to this day as many believe that Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill assisted greatly in Vladmir Putin's 're-election.' Furthermore, as far as the situation in Ukraine goes, notice the following from April 20, 2014:

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended a Russian Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow where Patriarch Kirill led prayers for Russians in Ukraine and called for - in his words - an "end to the designs of those who want to destroy Holy Russia." (http://www.voanews.com/content/christians-celebrate-easter/1897124.html)

Essentially, Patriarch Kirill was praying that the government in Kiev as well as the EU and USA will let Russia take control of as much as Ukraine and other areas as it can get.

Well, the Ukrainian government did not like that, so in 2018 it asked Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to grant it independence from the Russian Orthodox Church and that was granted on October 11, 2018 (see Schism between the Orthodox rises as Constantinople endorses Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly; ROC says “catastrophic decision”).

Based upon biblical prophecies, I believe any split between the ROC and parts of Europe will be temporary.

The Russian Orthodox Church, for a time, will support the power that will rise up in Europe (cf. Revelation 13:1-10).

But later, it will turn against that power as prophecies in Jeremiah 50 and other scriptures quoted elsewhere in this article show. Because of its political influence, it is likely that the Russian Orthodox Church will be a factor in getting Russia to take military action against the coming European Beast power.

The Millennium and the Russian Orthodox

Interestingly, while the Orthodox Church formally denounced millenarianism (also called chiliasm) at the Second Ecumenical Council in 381, it is still believed by many Russian Orthodox.

Notice that news reports confirm that millennial beliefs are found within Russian Orthodoxy:

Marat Shterin, an expert in Russian religion at Kings College London, said, says: "The Russian Orthodox Church tends to be quite anti-sectarian, but on this occasion there seems to be a degree of understanding that while this manifestation of millenarian beliefs - belief that we live in 'the end time' - is extreme, some the group's views are shared by many within the Church."

He says that millenarian beliefs are fairly widespread in Russian Orthodoxy, both within the formal structures of the Church and outside it (Waiting for Armageddon. BBC - Nov 21, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7101727.stm).

The Continuing Church of God also believes in millenarianism.

The Russian Orthodox, even though they seem to have the most members, is not considered to be one of the main leaders of the Orthodox as the Orthodox church there is of a much later origin and no one seems to claim that it was founded by one of the apostles or their immediate successors. While it has many of the same beliefs as the other Orthodox churches, it does not always act as they do and teach everything the same as the others do.

Interestingly, the Russian Orthodox, while earlier indicating a desire for more closeness with Rome, may be distancing itself:

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican, which has been accused of aggressively seeking souls in Russia and some other countries, said Friday it has every right to spread its message and accept converts but that non-Catholics must never be forced to embrace the faith...

With the fall of Communism and subsequent end to bars on religious practice across Eastern Europe, the Russian Orthodox Church has accused Catholics of improperly seeking converts in traditionally Orthodox areas — a claim the Vatican has always rejected (Vatican Defends Right to Spread Message. Associated Press - Dec 14, 2007).

(Also, please see the 11/16/07 news item Orthodox Closer to Accepting Papal Authority).

Here are some statements of interest by Metropolitan Kyrill, former foreign minister of the Russian Orthodox Church (and now its Patriarch):

Less than 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, the number of churches has quadrupled, we now have twice as many dioceses, and the number of monasteries has grown by a factor of 32 -- to 700 -- today. Fifteen thousand young people are studying theology. On the other hand, even though 80 percent of newborns are baptized in Russia, only 60 percent of Russians call themselves Orthodox Christians, and less than 10 percent attend church regularly -- even fewer in some provinces...

We, as the Orthodox Church, are opposed to all attempts to establish a unipolar world. It would constitute the introduction of a forced entity that would level the differences among religions, cultures and civilizations (The Bible Calls it a Sin'. Spiegel. Interview was conducted by Martin Doerry, Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp in Moscow. January 10, 2008. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,527618,00.html).

I hope and pray that the Russian Orthodox will still oppose "a unipolar world" when the European Beast power arises.

Furthermore, note the following comments:

Likely Moscow patriarch stresses differences with Catholic belief

Moscow, Jan 23, 2009 / 07:03 am (CNA).- An Orthodox prelate considered to be the most likely successor of Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II has said that while Orthodox Christianity shares similarities with Catholicism, there are a “great number of differences” on which “there is no room for compromise.”

...Metropolitan Kirill said: “unfortunately, differences in religious doctrines and practices have increased between orthodoxy and other confessions.”

...While noting that the social positions of Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic Church are “more close,” the metropolitan said, “nevertheless, we have be accountable for a great number of differences in doctrine and practice between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches and, in this regard, there is no room for compromise.” http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14865

Hence, there is hesitation about accepting the authority of Rome by the Russian Orthodox. But, this may temporarily change (and indeed, this has changed since I originally wrote this).

An article that also may be of interest is Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God; this article also has some specific quotes and comments related to the Russian Orthodox Church.

USA Pushing and Russia Has Hoped to Take Over Alaska and Finland

The Associated Press reported the following:

September 3, 2022

MOSCOW (AP) — A top Russian official accused the U.S. and its allies on Saturday of trying to provoke the country’s breakup and warned that such attempts could lead to doomsday.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, warned the West that an attempt to push Russia toward collapse would amount to a “chess game with Death.” …

After attending Saturday’s farewell ceremony for former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Medvedev published a post on his messaging app channel, referring to the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to engineer Russia’s breakup.

Medvedev alleged that some in the West would like to “take advantage of the military conflict in Ukraine to push our country to a new twist of disintegration, do everything to paralyze Russia’s state institutions and deprive the country of efficient controls, as happened in 1991.”

“Those are the dirty dreams of the Anglo-Saxon perverts, who go to sleep with a secret thought about the breakup of our state, thinking about how to shred us into pieces, cut us into small bits.” Medvedev wrote. “Such attempts are very dangerous and mustn’t be underestimated. Those dreamers ignore a simple axiom: a forceful disintegration of a nuclear power is always a chess game with Death, in which it’s known precisely when the check and mate comes: doomsday for mankind.” https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-mikhail-gorbachev-dmitry-medvedev-6d21d606fdbcc45c128120796b0d8307

The “perverts” comment is probably related to the promotion of the LGBTQ+ agenda.

This actually was a major factor that caused a rift between leaders in the Obama-Biden Administration from Russia years ago. In her 2014 book, Hard Choices, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote:

When I pressed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to do more to protect the rights of LGBT people, the normally cool and restrained diplomat turned nasty. …

Meanwhile, I looked for ways to make progress closer to home, by better supporting LGBT members of the State Department. . . . I supported the State Department’s annual Pride event, hosted by a group called GLIFFA, Gay and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies. (Clinton HR. Hard Choices. Simon & Schuster, 2014, pp. 577-578)

Sergey Lavrov basically told Hillary Clinton that the USA was not to dictate internal policies for Russia. He was offended at how hard Hillary Clinton was trying to push Russia to promote homosexuality.

USA-Russian relations have gone downhill since the State Department pressed the LGBTQ agenda and Russia would not go along with it.

From then on, that Administration turned against Russia, and that is part of what has been a reason for the distance between Russia and the USA.

Vladimir Putin, prior to his ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine, declared:

“If someone thinks men and women are the same thing, let them think that, but let us think about common sense.”

“I believe that the traditional approach is correct. Male is male, female is female, mother is mother, and father is father. I sincerely hope that our society has the moral armor to protect us against this,” Putin added.

(see also NP: President Putin: I Will Never Allow the ‘New World Order’ To Pervert Nature – There Are Only TWO Genders).

Now, the fact that Dimitry Medvedev specified the Anglo-Saxons was interesting. He looks to have been specifically pointing to the United Kingdom and United States.

Various ones in Russia want Alaska back and are getting more and more upset with the USA.

Although Russia sold Alaska to the United States in the 1800s, there have been reports that it wants it back.

Apparently, even Stalin may have wanted to regain it according to the following story:

Atlanta Journal Constitution - Aug 7, 2010   excerpt...

Nearly 60 years ago, Alexander Vitebsky was a young Soviet officer stationed in Siberia, part of a massive force assembled to try to fulfill Joseph Stalin’s dream of invading Alaska.

“It was very secretive,” said Vitebsky, who, for decades afterward, also carried a secret — he dreamed of coming to America. “We didn’t buy what we were told about America.” (http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlantas-public-housing-is-587310.html)

Furthermore, notice:

Offshoot of Russian Orthodox Church Thrives in Alaska

August 5, 2017

Alaska is the biggest – yet one of the least populated American states. There are just over 741,000 people living there – oil industry workers, adventurers from all over the U.S., Native Alaskans, immigrants. Within this complex cultural mosaic there is a group known as Russian Old believers. Nearly 50 years ago, they established a village called Nikolaevsk on Alaska's Kenai peninsula. https://www.voanews.com/a/offshoot-russian-orthodox-church-thrives-in-alaska/3973089.html

Oddly, even Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff voiced concerns that Russia could end up with Alaska:

February 3, 2020

Adam Schiff of California claimed during closing arguments in the Senate impeachment trial Monday that President Donald Trump will sell a U.S. state to the Russian government if not removed from office.

If “abuse of power” was not impeachable, Schiff argued, “then a whole range of utterly unacceptable conduct in a president would now be beyond reach.”

“Trump could offer Alaska to the Russians in exchange for support in the next election, or decide to move to Mar-A-Lago permanently and leave Jared Kushner to run the country, delegating to him the decision whether they go to war.” https://thefederalist.com/2020/02/03/schiff-trump-will-sell-alaska-to-russia-if-we-dont-impeach-him/

Now at that time I wrote that Donald Trump was not about to give Alaska to Russia. But the fact that Congressman Schiff brought it up shows that at least he thinks that Russia still wants Alaska back.

Those who thought that the Biden-Harris Administration was going to smooth over diplomatic matters with Russia were probably disappointed in March of 2021:

March 18, 2021

President Joe Biden must apologize and take back “boorish” allegations that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is a killer, a top Russian official said, a day after Moscow recalled its ambassador in protest.

Biden’s remark is a “watershed” in relations and “unacceptable in any circumstances,” Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, wrote on Facebook Thursday. Moscow’s initial reaction — recalling its U.S. ambassador — “won’t be the last, unless there is an explanation and an apology from the American side.”

In the first public response from the Kremlin, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the comments were “very bad.” Calling the statement unprecedented in the history of U.S.-Russian ties, Peskov said it shows Biden “clearly doesn’t want to develop relations.” https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/biden-putin-russia-killer/2021/03/18/id/1014240/

Joe Biden undoubtedly thinks that he has the upper hand in this and that nothing Russia will do will hurt him enough to matter.

While that may or may not be personally true for Joe Biden (as he may not live until the time the USA is taken over), he does not seem to realize that since he is pushing Russia to be seriously opposed to the USA, that the time will come when Russia will support the military end of the USA. Russia will end up in support of Europe, for a time.

The sanctions, etc., from the Biden Administration related to Ukraine has upset Russia even more.

Furthermore, notice something Newsweek reported:

July 7, 2022

Billboards proclaiming "Alaska Is Ours!" have been spotted in Russia one day after a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the country could reclaim the territory that was sold to the U.S. in 1867.

Multiple billboards bearing the slogan surprised residents in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk after being spotted on Thursday, according to Krasnoyarsk news agency NGS24. One day earlier, Putin ally and State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin suggested that Russia could "take back" Alaska in retaliation for economic sanctions imposed on Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine. ...

"Let America always remember: there's a piece of territory, Alaska," Volodin said during a State Duma session, according to The Moscow Times. "When they try to manage our resources abroad, let them think before they act that we, too, have something to take back."

Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the State Duma, also reportedly proposed that "referendum" be held for Alaskan residents to vote on joining Russia.

While Alaskan support for joining Russia is far from widespread, WhiteHouse.Gov petitions titled "Alaska Back to Russia" gained tens of thousands of signatures in 2014 and 2015. https://www.newsweek.com/alaska-ours-billboards-appear-russia-after-threat-reclaim-state-1722761

Over a decade ago, a Russian Professor has forecast that Russia would end up with Alaska:

MOSCOW -- For a decade, Russian academic Igor Panarin has been predicting the U.S. will fall apart...Prof. Panarin, 50 years old, is not a fringe figure. A former KGB analyst, he is dean of the Russian Foreign Ministry's academy for future diplomats...

When the going gets tough, he says, wealthier states will withhold funds from the federal government and effectively secede from the union. Social unrest up to and including a civil war will follow. The U.S. will then split along ethnic lines, and foreign powers will move in...

"It would be reasonable for Russia to lay claim to Alaska; it was part of the Russian Empire for a long time." A framed satellite image of the Bering Strait that separates Alaska from Russia like a thread hangs from his office wall. "It's not there for no reason," he says with a sly grin.

(Osborn A. As if Things Weren’t Bad Enough, Russian Professor Predicts End of U.S.  Wall Street Journal, Dec 29, 2008 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html).

It is certainly possible that if Russia makes a deal with the rising European Beast power that it may end up with Alaska.

Notice the following prophecy:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39).

The "he" is the European King of the North (cf. Daniel 11:40). The power with the strongest military in the 21st century is the USA. Since Bible prophecy points to Anglo-lands being divided in various scriptures (for more than Daniel 11:39, see Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?), Russia may well end up with some of all of Alaska and maybe even parts of Canada.

It has been claimed that Russia wants more than Alaska:

After annexing Crimea and with troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will not stop trying to expand Russia until he has “conquered” Belarus, the Baltic states and Finland, one of his closest former advisers has said.

According to Andrej Illarionov, the President’s chief economic adviser from 2000 to 2005, Mr Putin seeks to create “historical justice” with a return to the days of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Soviet Union under Stalin.

Speaking to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Mr Illarionov warned that Russia will argue that the granting of independence to Finland in 1917 was an act of “treason against national interests”.

“Putin’s view is that he protects what belongs to him and his predecessors,” Mr Illarionov said.

“Parts of Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States and Finland are states where Putin claims to have ownership. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vladimir-putin-wants-to-regain-finland-for-russia-adviser-says-9224273.html

The desire for an expanded empire is part of the reason for the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union, which Belarus is now part of.

Furthermore, Russia has taken some steps to try to connect with Alaska.

Notice the following:

The TKM-World Link (Russian: ТрансКонтинентальная магистраль, English: Transcontinental Railway) also called ICL-World Link (Intercontinental link) is a planned 6,000-kilometer link between Siberia and Alaska providing oil, natural gas, electricity, and railroad passengers to the United States from Russia. Proposed in 2007, the plan includes provisions to build a 103-kilometre (64 mi) tunnel under the Bering Strait which, if completed, would become the longest tunnel in the world.The tunnel would be part of a railway joining Yakutsk, the capital of the Russian Yakutia republic, and Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in the Russian Far East, with the western coast of Alaska. The Bering Strait tunnel was estimated to cost between $10 billion to $12 billion, while the entire project was estimated to cost $65 billion.

In 2008, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved the plan to build a railroad to the Bering Strait area, as a part of the development plan to run until 2030. The more than 100-kilometre (60 mi) tunnel would run under the Bering Strait between Chukotka, in the Russian far east, and Alaska. The cost estimate was US$66 billion.

In late August 2011, at a conference in Yakutsk in eastern Russia, the plan was backed by some of President Dmitry Medvedev's top officials, including Aleksandr Levinthal, the deputy federal representative for the Russian Far East. It would be a faster, safer, and cheaper way to move freight around the world than container ships, supporters of the idea believed. They estimated it could carry about 3% of global freight and make about US$7 billion a year. Shortly after, the Russian government approved the construction of the US$65 billion Siberia-Alaska rail and tunnel across the Bering Strait.

Other observers doubt that this will be cheaper than container ships, bearing in mind that the cost for transport from China to Europe by railroad is higher than by container ship (except for expensive cargo where lead time is important).

In 2013 the railway Amur Yakutsk Mainline connecting Yakutsk (2,800 km or 1,700 mi from the strait) with the main rail network was completed. However, this railway is meant for freight and is too curvy for high-speed passenger trains. Future projects include the Lena–Kamchatka Mainline (ru) and Kolyma–Anadyr highway (ru). The Kolyma–Anadyr highway has started construction, but will be a narrow gravel road. (Bering Strait crossing. Wikipedia, accessed 08/06/18)

The part of above project to connect to Alaska has also been called the Interamerican Railroad Line and claimed to be a Russian project.

This is similar to aspects of China's "Silk Road" project. The Chinese reportedly also have interest in this rail connection:

In 2014, reports emerged that China is considering construction of a "China–Russia–Canada–America" 350 km/h bullet train railroad that would include a 200-kilometre-long (120 mi) undersea tunnel crossing the Bering Strait and would allow passengers to travel between the United States and China in about two days.

Although the press remain skeptical of the project, China's state-run China Daily claims that China possesses the necessary technology, which will be used to construct an underwater tunnel connecting China's Fujian province with Taiwan. ...

In 2015 it was reported another possible collaboration between China and Russia that will be part of the Trans-Eurasian Belt Development; a transportation corridor across Siberia that would also include a road bridge with gas and oil pipelines between the easternmost point of Siberia and the westernmost point of Alaska. It would link London and New York by rail and superhighway via Russia if it were to go ahead.

China's Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative has similar plans so the project would work in parallel for both countries. (Bering Strait crossing. Wikipedia, accessed 08/06/18)

Anyway, there is Russian interest in Alaska. The railroad project ideas are consistent with that. Sanctions, the LGBTQ+ agenda pushing, and other USA positions are solidifying Russia's resolve against the USA.

Russia In Prophecy

Is Russia mentioned in biblical prophecy? (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?)

The peoples of Russia are directly and indirectly mentioned in many biblical prophecies. However, since it is NOT the prophesied King of the North, it is NOT about to takeover the tiny nation of Israel. 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 nation 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?).

Prior to the formation of Babylonian European Empire, Russia will receive the witness of the gospel message. 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.

The old Worldwide Church of God taught about the identity of Togarmah:

Togarmah, in part, settled ancient Armenia. Descendants of Togarmah also migrated eastward into Mongolia, where they are today found mixed with elements of Magog. Togarmah's modern-day descendants are also found in China's Sinkiang (Xin-giang) province and in Russian Siberia or Tartary.

Ezekiel, however, speaks specifically of Togarmah "in the uttermost parts of the north" (38:6, Amplified). This is a clear reference to the Siberian branch of Togarmah. (Stump K. South Asia in Prophecy. Plain Truth, May 1980, pp. 13-14)

So, Siberia is pointed to for part of Togarmah. The "far north" must include Russia as Siberia is part of it.

Note that the Bible says that all trading nations will have become wealthy trading with Babylon (the restored European Empire--not Asia) that 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 it will not then be the most powerful block of nations in the world. The Russians do want a closer relationship with the European Union. Notice something from Dr Alexander Yakovenko, Russia's Ambassador to the UK:

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. It seems today nobody objects.

In practice, we face many obstacles created by our European partners and EU bureaucracy. For us it is absolutely clear that the relationship should be built on a long-term basis, not in an atmosphere of confrontation, but in a spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Being the largest geopolitical entities on the European continent, the Russian Federation and the European Union are naturally interdependent in many ways, linked by their common civilizational roots, culture, history and future. Russia and the EU are two major political and economic power centers on the continent. The development of a strategic partnership with the EU has always been one of Russia's foreign policy priorities.

It’s true that Russia and the EU now have different positions on some international issues, including the Ukrainian crisis. But that does not mean that the sides should limit their political dialogue, diplomatic contacts and practical cooperation.

We believe that the "point of no return" has not been passed yet and will never be, and we are ready to work together with the EU and all of its member states on topical international issues, provided that the principles of equality, respect for each other’s interests and truly collective action are observed.

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. ...

We believe that the "point of no return" has not been passed yet and will never be, and we are ready to work together with the EU and all of its member states on topical international issues, provided that the principles of equality, respect for each other’s interests and truly collective action are observed.

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/)

Now, in 2021, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin penned the following op-ed that ZeroHedge titled Putin Pens Op-Ed Encouraging “Partnership” With Europe, Urges Openness “Despite The Past” (and I included its bolding):

June 22, 2021

I would like to emphasize that the historical reconciliation of our people with the Germans living both in the east and the west of modern united Germany played a huge role in the formation of such Europe.

I would also like to remind that it was German entrepreneurs who became ”pioneers“ of cooperation with our country in the post-war years. In 1970, the USSR and the Federal Republic of Germany concluded a ”deal of the century“ on long-term natural gas supplies to Europe that laid the foundation for constructive interdependence and initiated many future grand projects, including the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

We hoped that the end of the Cold War would be a common victory for Europe. It seemed that just a little more effort was needed to make Charles de Gaulle’s dream of a single continent – not even geographically ”from the Atlantic to the Urals“, but culturally and civilizationally ”from Lisbon to Vladivostok“ – become a reality.

It is exactly with this logic in mind – the logic of building a Greater Europe united by common values and interests – that Russia has sought to develop its relations with the Europeans. Both Russia and the EU have done a lot on this path.

But a different approach has prevailed. It was based on the expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance which was itself a relic of the Cold War. After all, it was specifically created for the confrontation of that era. …

We are open to honest and constructive interaction. This is confirmed by our idea of creating a common space of cooperation and security from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean which would comprise various integration formats, including the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union.

I reiterate that Russia is in favour of restoring a comprehensive partnership with Europe. We have many topics of mutual interest. These include security and strategic stability, healthcare and education, digitalization, energy, culture, science and technology, resolution of climate and environmental issues.

The world is a dynamic place, facing new challenges and threats. We simply cannot afford to carry the burden of past misunderstandings, hard feelings, conflicts, and mistakes. It is a burden that will prevent us from concentrating on the challenges at hand. We are convinced that we all should recognize these mistakes and correct them. Our common and indisputable goal is to ensure security on the continent without dividing lines, a common space for equitable cooperation and inclusive development for the prosperity of Europe and the world as a whole. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/65899

Yes, Russia is interested in more cooperation with Europe.

One recent major area of cooperation has been the Nord Stream projects (see also Nord Stream 2 and other European moves away from the USA: USA too damaged to lead? and Ukraine’s President upset about Nord Stream 2 as Russian influence to Europe increases).

More cooperation will happen.

Notice the following:

June 23, 2021

According to the new FT report on Wednesday: “Diplomats stated that German Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes that the European Union will consider inviting the Russian President to participate in a summit with EU leaders, an initiative supported by French President Emmanuel Macron.”

The report cites diplomatic insiders who say “at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, ambassadors representing Berlin and Paris put forward new proposals on relations with the Kremlin, which made other EU capitals untenable.” https://www.zerohedge.com/political/germany-france-urgently-seek-eu-russia-meeting-after-positive-putin-op-ed-black-sea

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:

United within the ancient boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire; united by the common spiritual bond of universal Catholicism; united in a burgeoning and booming industrial economy that dominates today's world; united geographically in the most productive and industrial complex of all the earth — at least TEN NATIONS OF MODERN EUROPE WILL MARCH ONTO THE SCENE OF WORLD HISTORY AS THE GREATEST SINGLE HUMAN FORCE EVER SEEN BY MAN! This United Europe will form a nonaggression pact or political alignment of some sort with the Soviet East. ...

Modern Europe is counseling and making treaties and alliances and agreements to conquer this earth! ... 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! ...

MAN'S ONLY HOPE LIES IN TURNING TO HIS CREATOR GOD!

"At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom. to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, TURN FROM THEIR EVIL, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them... Behold, I frame evil against YOU, and devise a device against YOU: return ye now EVERY ONE from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good!" (Jer. 18:7, 8, 11).

The case of America and Great Britain is hopeless! (Hill DJ,What is Germany's Destiny? Plain Truth, March 1962, pp. 28-29)

The German people are now asking themselves: "Can we rely on the Americans and British?" ... These questions lead to the logical conclusion that maybe the only people the Germans can rely on themselves. They are now thinking: "Perhaps we can strike a better bargain with the Russians ourselves." ...

Once a German-dominated Europe is fully established, Germany will be ready to negotiate and bargain with Russia- and behind the backs of the Western Allies if necessary. ...

When will a Russo-German deal be made? Here is a quotation from a circular letter issued in September, 1950 by the Nazi Geo-political Center in Madrid:

"However long we may continue to milk the Americans of millions of dollars, there must come the inevitable moment when we shall have to make it crystal clear to them that we are not willing to join the fight against Russia for American interests ... (Germany Plots with the Kremlin by T H. Terens, p. 15). ...

Most Americans and Britons are not aware of what Germany and Europe are planning against them. This is partly due to the cunning of German. politics. ...

World events are moving swiftly toward the climax when Great Britain and the United. States will be attacked, conquered and DESTROYED! (Boraker R. Are the Germans Secretly Dealing with Moscow? Plain Truth, May 1962, pp. 45-47)

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 als0 Vladimir Putin allegedly helped stop a Grexit).

Notice that after Jesus returns, the following will be fulfilled:

7 For thus says the Lord: "Sing with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O Lord, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!' 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there. 9 They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn. 10 "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' (Jeremiah 31:7-10)

While the 'land of the north' has to do with end time Babylonian Europe (cf. Zechariah 2:6-7),  the "end of the earth" comment indicates that Russia will also have been involved. Some of the descendants of Jacob, which includes the Anglo-American nations (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel), will end up in the "ends of the earth" (this includes Russia, cf. Jeremiah 50:41) and will later be freed as Jeremiah 31 points to (for more details see Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

That being said, when people in Russia and elsewhere see the Beast power first rise up they will marvel:

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is (Revelation 17:8).

3 ... And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:3-4)

They will marvel because of the great wealth, because they did not think Europe would gain such prominence or military success, and because its leadership will have performed various signs and wonders. Hopefully, those of you reading this article will not be among those who will be deceived. Note the following:

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).

Because of these actions, people throughout the world, including in Russia will (to some degree) worship a false leader.

In the fourteenth century, "Sergius, the patron saint of Russia" (an Orthodox saint), also claimed to have seen Mary (Fanning, p. 47). It was after seeing an apparition that he claimed was Mary that the Orthodox saint Sergius became “the real architect “ of getting Russia to embrace the Orthodox Catholic faith and who “helped spread through Russia“ the “importance“ of "icon painting" (Tradigo A.  Icons and saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  Getty Publications, 2006, p. 355), and hence getting the Russians to accept something the Bible warns against (1 John 5:21)--an icon-based religion. Furthermore, it has been reported that "an icon representing the appearance of the Virgin to Saint Sergius always accompanied the Russian armies" (ibid, p.47).

It is therefore quite possible that some apparition claiming to be Mary may be a sign that some in Russia will follow. The Catholics of Rome have a prophecy that an apparition of Mary help getting the Russians to accept the pope and the Roman Catholic Church:

Mary apparition in Fatima (20th century): But in the end my Immaculate Heart shall triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, she will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be in the world (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 14).

Mary apparition in Hrushiv, Ukraine (20th century): The conversion of Russia will save Christian culture in the West and will be a push for Christianity throughout the world. But the Kingdom of Christ the King shall establish itself through the reign of the Mother of God (Flynn T & L. The Thunder of Justice. Maxkol Communications, Sterling (VA), 1993, p. 34).

The Bible shows the universal acceptance (though it will be temporary) of a false leader:

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:1-8).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Catholics of Rome have other prophecies that those all over the world, and specifically those in Russia will become part of the revised ecumenical "Catholic" Church:

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century). Whole nations will come back to the Church and the face of the earth will be renewed. Russia...will come into the Church. (Dupont Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.45)

Elizabeth Canori-Mora (19th century)."...All men shall become Catholics, and they shall acknowledge the Pope as Vicar of Jesus Christ." (Dupont, p.35)

But this acceptance of the "Catholic" leaders will not last. Perhaps I should mention that even many Catholic writers have warned that one that they call an "antipope" will lead a changed church calling itself "Catholic" that will be an ecumenical world religion that many all over the world will follow, but should not follow (see also Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

In order to provide light to people, such as the Russians, God will provide a strong witness to the entire world at that time:

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth... 7 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves (Revelation 11:3-4,7-9).

Hence when you see the two witnesses rise up performing miracles and preaching against the future European Beast power, you personally should resist. The Bible is clear that people of "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" (Revelation 7:9) will respond to God during this time. And even more Russians will respond to God after they are resurrected from the dead.

The Russians and Medes Will Be Among the First to Recognize the Falsehood of the Beast

Lest any have the misimpression that the Russians and their end time allies are not discerning, it needs to be understood that even if they temporarily accept the authority of Rome, they will be among the first to recognize the falsehood of this European power. And they will apparently cooperate with others in Asia.

Interestingly, one of the reasons may include a 20th century Russian Orthodox prophecy:

Archbishop Theopan of Poltava (1930): The coming of the Antichrist draws nigh...But before the coming of Antichrist, Russia must yet be restored - to be sure, for a short time (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, p. 54).

Well, Russia as its own nation was restored in the late 20th century, hence Russians should realize that according to one of the Orthodox bishops, the time for the final Antichrist power to emerge is very soon. The reason I mention this is that according to Bible prophecy, this leader is due quite soon. So once he does, relatively soon, the Russian peoples will realize (before many others) that he represents something truly opposed to Jesus Christ.

But before then, Russia may increase ties to other nations like China and India, and it has been doing so (see also The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy).

It may be of interest to note that Russia is the largest supplier of arms to India (Foreign military observers laud Indian military war game Sify, India - Mar 20, 2008).

Apparently the Russians, and nearly certainly the Chinese and Indians will finally see that the European Beast power, also called "the King of the North" in the Bible, is not something to be worshiped or trusted.

This may happen once a “loathsome sore” (Revelation 16:2) and the other bowls affect those who either worshipped the Beast or had his mark (Revelation 16:2-11)—and this would affect some in Asia.  It will likely be that the Asians will realize that once this and the other events in Revelation 16 come to pass, that the “great” Western leaders that they have been following do not have the power to stop this and thus finally conclude that they do not really represent God.

Perhaps I should add here, that contrary to the claims of people such as Hal Lindsey, Russia is NOT the King of the North?

Why do we of the Continuing Church of God teach that? Because there are certain verses in both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation that appear to be discussing Asia and the European Beast power.

Notice from the Book of Daniel:

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel11:40-45).

Notice that the end time King of the North (the European Empire) will overwhelm the King of the South (a Moslem empire), but that those from the east and the north shall later trouble the King of the North. This appears to be referring to China and Russia, and possibly other Asian nations like India. And notice that they will be used to help cause the King of the North to come to his end. There is no major power north of the King of the North (the European Empire) except the Russian Federation and the major powers east of the European Empire are Russia, China, and India (Japan and other nations may also play a role).

The Catholic Priest Paul Kramer reported that a Marian apparition to "Sister Elena Aiello, who died in 1961" stated (bolding in source):

Our Lady revealed to her that Russia would wage a sudden war, would overrun all of Europe. (Kramer P. World War III and Worse?  The Fatima Crusader Interviews Father Paul Kramer.  The Fatima Crusader, 82, Spring 2006, p. 57)

And this is consistent with biblical prophecy (though others will also support this).

More on the Leaders from the North and the East

Russia also will apparently lead a type of Eurasian union and has taken steps to make this happen. An agreement was signed by three nations in May of 2014 for the formal start of the Eurasian Union on January 1, 2015. For some details, please check out the article: The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy. More nations will ultimately align with Russia, whether or not they join this union.

The Bible uses terms like kings of the sunrise (Revelation 16:12), kings of the Medes (Jeremiah 51:11), and "many kings" associated with of the north (Jeremiah 50:41). More than one nation is involved.

In recent years, Russia has been repeatedly trying to become stronger and gain more influence and military cooperation throughout Asia (see also Russia Strengthening Ties to China and India, Russia Strengthening Ties to Pakistan, Russia Strenthening Military Ties with North Korea, and Russia’s Putin Still Working for Eurasian Union). The final time of the Gentiles is rapidly approaching (Luke 21:24) and a group involving eastern leaders is prophesied to form.

While some believe that Russia will start World War III (WWIII, see also World War III: Steps in Progress), actually it will be part of something that could be called World War Four (WWIV)--it will be involved in the destruction of Europe and the gathering at Armageddon.

Notice the following:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 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. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

Here we see that the kings of the East are those that need to cross the Euphrates. Russia, China, India, Japan, and others are from the north and east and also probably "kings of the East." And others Asian nations, as well as possibly Ukraine, may also be involved. Destruction will follow.

There is a Russian prediction made a over century ago that Russia and China will take over Europe:

... one of the causes which will eventually lead to a regenerated China attacking Europe will be the predominance of males over females in the Celestial Kingdom ... for China is bound to make a memorable appearance on the world’s stage , and it is indispensable that Russia bind herself in close unison with China until China “overflows her shores and pours down in a torrent on Europe.” (DR. MENDELEYEFF'S STRIKING PROPHECY, Dead Chemist Foretold the Attack of Europe by a Regenerated China. WILL FIRST FIGHT INDIA Preponderance of Males the Cause -- Japan, Not an "Originator Power," Can Never Be Great.  New York Times, August 11, 1907. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B03E1DF103EE033A25752C1A96E9C946697D6CF viewed 04/21/09 August 11, 1907 ).

There is also an interesting Orthodox prophecy that suggests that the Russians will turn on the City (probably "new Babylon," a term that some Orthodox use for Constantinople and some fewer, Rome):

Orthodox St. Andrew Fool-for-Christ (4th century): I personally believe that some day the City will be invaded by the Blond Nation, whose name begins with the 17th letter of the Alphabet (P). Well, the Blond Nation will enter the City and it will cut down its inhabitants (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, p. 112).

The 17th letter of that alphabet, "P" is the Greek letter "rho"--it is an "r" sound. Hence, this might suggest that at least one Orthodox prophet believed that the Russians would turn against the coming Beast power.

The Catholic Priest Kramer also predicted that Russia, along with China, will attack Europe:

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): Unanimously, in all the prophecies of the saints down through the ages, and in the most secure and certain apparitions of Our Lady, it is revealed that there is going to be a tremendous great World War. It will break out suddenly, from East to West...The Russians already have an army of Special Forces and Arab terrorists that they have trained, along with the Communist Red Chinese. They have a vast army, secret armies, who are waiting for the day when the signal is given...And they will attack Europe. In the morning it will appear that the world is at peace. By the evening, the entire world will be plunged into war. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 05/13/10)

Other parts of the Bible also show that this "Babylonian/European" empire will be destroyed by a northern power (apparently Russia and its allies as Russia is really the only powerful nation north of 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 northern (apparently Russian led) force. And probably one that cooperates with nations in the East, maybe Iran, and possibly the Ukraine. Ukraine will likely have some European cooperation, but because of prophecies related to groups like the Medes, it is more likely that it will be allied with Russia and not the Europeans in the end. Similarly, Belarus is nation of those that primarily support the Russian Orthodox Church, whose Patriarch Kirill is based out of Moscow.  Since there are religious, cultural, military, and economic ties between Russia and Belarus, Belarus will also seem to be a supporter of the end time apparently Russian-led confederation.

Serbia, which has ties to part of Elam as well as possibly the Medes, may also be a supporter. Consider, also, that the Serbian Orthodox Church still maintains ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Notice that both Russia and Iran (one part of Elam below) are apparently going to terrorize, and this would seem to include the end-time Europeans (cf. Jeremiah 51:43):

24 "There is Elam and all her multitude,
All around her grave,
All of them slain, fallen by the sword,
Who have gone down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth,
Who caused their terror in the land of the living;
Now they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit.
25 They have set her bed in the midst of the slain,
With all her multitude,
With her graves all around it,
All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword;
Though their terror was caused
In the land of the living,
Yet they bear their shame
With those who go down to the Pit;
It was put in the midst of the slain.

26 "There are Meshech and Tubal and all their multitudes,
With all their graves around it,
All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword,
Though they caused their terror in the land of the living.
27 They do not lie with the mighty
Who are fallen of the uncircumcised,
Who have gone down to hell with their weapons of war;
They have laid their swords under their heads,
But their iniquities will be on their bones,
Because of the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
28 Yes, you shall be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised,
And lie with those slain by the sword. (Ezekiel 32:24-28)

Jeremiah 50:1-3 and 51:7–11 indicate that a northern nation or northern nations (Jeremiah 50:9,41) (those Ezekiel 38/39 refers to those of the"far north"; only Scandinavia, Inuit areas, or countries once in the old Soviet Union are north of the King of the North) will destroy Babylon and could be in the forefront of what may be a nuclear attack on Rome itself (cf. Revelation 18:9–10). And although many nations are north of Jerusalem (and most prophetic biblical directions seem to be centered in Jerusalem), it would seem that the expression "far north" is pointing to those that inhabit the northern extremes of Eurasia. The Scandinavian nations, such as Finland, would be expected to be hit quite hard, but so will much of end-time Europe.

The fact that verses related to the destruction of end time Babylon mention the Medes (Jeremiah 51:11,28), this shows that the Medes must be associated with a northern power--which thus shows that the Russians are biblically considered to be Medes.

Notice also that the Bible shows Babylon tied together with birth pains/pangs to a group from a far country and the Medes:

1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

2 "Lift up a banner on the high mountain, Raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger--Those who rejoice in My exaltation." 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, Like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts musters The army for battle. 5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven--The LORD and His weapons of indignation, To destroy the whole land. 6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man's heart will melt, 8 And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames (Isaiah 13:1-8).

17 "Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. 18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:17-19)

Thus, both the accounts in Jeremiah and Isaiah seem related to the same invaders. This is referring to an end time confederation that has a distance to travel--apparently a type of union of powers from the east including Russia, who is also the major power of the far north.

Furthermore, a "far country" also seems to be tied to the powers of the east elsewhere in Isaiah:

11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:11)

Those called Medes are also shown to destroy the final Babylon according to both Isaiah and Jeremiah:

1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw...

17 "Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver;
And as for gold, they will not delight in it.
18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces,
And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb;
Their eye will not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldeans' pride,
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)

11 Make the arrows bright!
Gather the shields!
The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,
The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)

The fact that there are multiple kings of the Medes indicates that multiple powers involved in this end time confederation represent multiple governments. Perhaps, such as Russia, Belarus, Crimea, etc.

Roman Catholics may find it of interest to note that even among their scholars, it is taught that the "Babylon" of Jeremiah 51:11 is referring to a European power: "the Roman Empire" (Kurz W. What Does the Bible Say About End Time? A Catholic View. Nihil Obstat: Hilarion Kistner, Imprimatur: +Carl Moeddel, July 19, 2004. Servant Books, 2004, pp. 48-49)

Notice that the Bible clearly states there is a group from the far north:

3 O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal...6 from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you (Ezekiel 38:3,6).

14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog...15...you will come from your place out of the far north... (Ezekiel 38:14-15).

1 O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north (Ezekiel 39:1-2).

A Russian confederation is that only place on the planet that is in the far north and currently has massive military power. A northern confederation (that appears to be led by Russia and probably includes the far north and far east/Pacific coast portion of Asia) will destroy the European Babylon.

Yes, a Russian-led power will destroy end-time European Babylon.

The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, concurred with this as he stated:

Russia to Destroy This Babylon

Now, God is going to use Russia to destroy this Babylon; we’ve been seeing that, we’ve been going through a lot of the prophecies about it.

Now let’s see, let’s get back here right to the place where we were winding up in the preceding program, in verse twenty-five, I think that’s the last verse we had, let me just read that one verse over again:

“I strike at you, says the Eternal, you volcano, ruining the world! I will lay hands on you and level you, and leave you all extinct; (Jeremiah 51:25 Moffatt).

Now the ancient city Babylon has been extinct. Of course Babylon was a city that ruled as an empire over a number of other peoples; it ruled over the Medes and the Persians and the Assyrians and a number of other people — in fact the whole world at that time. Actually it ruled pretty much over Egypt at that time, and it ruled over the world. And the city Babylon was destroyed and has not existed.

But now Babylon becomes this whole dictatorship that is coming up, a combined dictatorship of ten dictators, probably all in Europe …

“Raise your standard [God says of ancient Babylon, raise your… or this modern daughter of Babylon really…] raise your standard on the earth, blow the trumpet among the nations, open the campaign against her, summon the realms — Armenia, Mannai, Ashkenaz; muster your troops against her, cavalry swarming like locusts. Open the campaign against her with Media’s king, his satraps and his regents, and all his domain.” (Jeremiah 51:27, Moffatt).

Media’s King

Now, who’s He talking about? Media’s king — his satraps, his regents and all his domain. Who is that? It’s a number of nations. Well I’ve been showing you my friends that Media in prophecy refers today, where it’s mentioned, to USSR, the Soviet Communist Russia. Now we read back here in verse eleven:

“Polish your arrows, scour your armor — the Eternal is stirring {2} up Media’s king, planning to ruin Babylon. This is the Eternal’s vengeance…” (Jeremiah 51:11, Moffatt). …

Now verse nine;

“…For here I am rousing against Babylon a horde of nations from the North, to battle with her mightily until they master her, shooting like expert archers, who never go empty handed;” (Jeremiah 50:9 Moffatt)

Now they were not any horde of nations that came against the ancient Babylon 600 years before Christ, but this is talking of the time now. (Armstrong HW. Prophecies for the Future. Radio broadcast. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1393256340)

Let me add that until 11/11/23, I had not seen that from Herbert Armstrong. But shared his comments here to show all that what I have been warning for years is consistent with how he viewed some of the same scriptures I referred to related to Russia and the King of the Medes.

The following passages seem also to apply to Russia:

8 "Move from the midst of Babylon,
Go out of the land of the Chaldeans;
And be like the rams before the flocks.

9 For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon
An assembly of great nations from the north country,
And they shall array themselves against her;
From there she shall be captured.
Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior;
None shall return in vain. (Jeremiah 50:8-9)

Notice the following about a Russian-led military confederation:

Russia wants CSTO to be as strong as NATO

RIA Novosti – May 29, 2009

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) – Russia is planning to build a strong military contingent in Central Asia within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) comparable to NATO forces in Europe, a Russian business daily said on Friday.

The CSTO, a post-Soviet regional security bloc comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, has already agreed to create a joint rapid-reaction force, but Russia is preparing a new, larger-scale project.

“The work is being conducted in all areas, and a number of documents have been adopted,” the Kommersant newspaper quoted an unidentified source in the Foreign Ministry as saying.

“It will be a purely military structure, built to ensure security in Central Asia in case of an act of aggression,” the source said.

Russia already has joint military contingents with Belarus and Armenia in the CSTO framework.

The new force will comprise large military units from five countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

“It will include armored and artillery units, and a naval flotilla in the Caspian Sea,” CSTO press secretary Vitaly Strugovets said earlier.

The creation of a powerful military contingent in Central Asia reflects Moscow’s drive to make the CSTO a pro-Russian military bloc, rivaling NATO forces in Europe. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090529/155118377.html

Thus, there is currently a growing Russian-led military confederation. And more are likely to support Russia in the future. It may be of interest to note that Armenia is part of CSTO. Armenia (called Ararat below) and others are also referred to below as part of the confederation that goes against end time Babylon:

27 Set up a banner in the land, Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her, Call the kingdoms together against her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a general against her; Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts. 28 Prepare against her the nations, With the kings of the Medes, Its governors and all its rulers, All the land of his dominion. 29 And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 51:27-29)

Herbert Armstrong commented that the confederation is associated with the 200 million-man army--which means also that it will include nations not currently confederate with Russia (like apparenly the Chinese and other Asians):

The second woe, with its symbols of horses and horsemen...and is also referred to as an event in the Day OF THE Eternal in Joel 2:4. This refers to a tremendous military power--also to the NORTH--due north! They come with an army of two hundred million! Think of it--an army of two hundred million! (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last! 1972 edition. p. 38-39).

Notice something else from Joel that is related to this:

6 Before them the people writhe in pain;
All faces are drained of color. (Joel 2:6)

20 "But I will remove far from you the northern army,
And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land,
With his face toward the eastern sea
And his back toward the western sea;
His stench will come up,
And his foul odor will rise,
Because he has done monstrous things." (Joel 2:20)

This is related because the northern, King of the North army of Europe, will be facing forces from the east--these would be forces most likely led by Russia.

Also the Hebrew word translated "writhe in pain" in Joel 2:6 is the same basic word used in Jeremiah 51:29 and translated as "and sorrow." This also seems to tie all this together.

Back in 2017 I posted that it was that it possible Vladimir Putin could be the leader of the prophesied 200,000, 000 man army (see Russia’s Putin denies hacking, PCG again claims he fulfills Ezekiel 38, and Russia has a hypersonic missile). Vladimir Putin has been pushing to increase the power of Russia's military and wants to lead much of Eurasia.

On March 10, 2020, Russia announced a constitutional change that could allow Vladimir Putin to remain in office until 2036. We will see whether he will or not.

Since I strongly suspect, and can almost absolutely guarantee, that the 200 million man army matter will be before 2036, it is certainly possible that Vladimir Putin could be the leader of that army.

When Will Russia Fulfill Daniel 11:44 and Jeremiah 50?

While few aspects of biblical prophecy come with a clear date of fulfillment, there are several reasons to suspect that Russia is likely to fulfill its role in Daniel 11:44 and Jeremiah 50 within the next 10 or 11 years.

We in the Continuing Church of God accept the belief of many associated with the early church that God has given humanity 6000 years to rule itself, followed by a 1000 year millennial reign of Christ (Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?). According to biblical chronology, this 6000 years is likely to be over by the end of the next decade if not sooner (for specific calculations, with biblical support, please see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

Currently, Russia is intending to have new, more powerful, military in place. Notice also the following

Putin reveals Russia’s ‘invincible missile’

1 March 2018

Russia has developed a new cruise missile that is invincible, according to President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Putin made the revelation as he laid out his key policies for a fourth presidential term, ahead of an election he is expected to win in 17 days’ time.

He showcased a range of new weapons, including the cruise missile that could “reach anywhere in the world”.

Using video presentations, he said the missile could not be stopped by the US shield in Europe and Asia.

It was “a low-flying, difficult-to-spot cruise missile with a nuclear payload with a practically unlimited range and an unpredictable flight path, which can bypass lines of interception and is invincible in the face of all existing and future systems of both missile defence and air defence”. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43239331

The BBC article failed to identify the missile, but USA Today reported more about it:

March 1, 2018

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted Thursday that his country has developed a nuclear-powered missile with an unlimited range that is also completely immune to enemy intercept.

Speaking during an annual state-of-the-nation speech in Moscow, Putin said the cruise missile is capable of penetrating any missile defense and can reach virtually any target around the world. “No defense systems will be able to withstand it,” he said.

NATO has nicknamed this missile — an RS-28 Sarmat rocket — “Satan 2.” Russian media has claimed it could entirely wipe out an area the size of Texas or France. …

Putin also unveiled what he said was Russia’s new advanced weapons technology — his two-hour address included video clips of underwater drones and intercontinental missiles — while delivering a warning to the United States over its pursuit of anti-missile defense systems. “Efforts to contain Russia have failed, face it,” he said.

“Nobody listened to us. Well, listen to us now,” Putin added, referring to accusations by Moscow that Washington has been violating non-nuclear proliferation agreements by assisting countries from Poland to Japan to establish global anti-missile systems.

It follows claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday that the U.S. is training armed forces in Europe on how use nuclear weapons against Russia. In his address in Moscow on Thursday, Putin said its new nuclear rocket effectively renders U.S. missile defense systems around the world meaningless.

“No one in the world has anything like (this weapon),” Putin said. “It may appear someday, but by that time we will develop something new.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/03/01/russias-putin-boasts-all-powerful-nuclear-missile/384142002/

As far as ‘Satan 2’ goes, the Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel: Will Russia’s ‘Satan 2’ destroy Texas or France?

In that Vladimir Putin also mentioned underwater weapons. Here is something about that:

The Doomsday Weapon

01/28/18

While we agonize over such life and death questions as clumsy men groping women and the crucial need for gender and racial ‘inclusion,’ let me spare a few seconds thought to something really important and scary: Russia’s doomsday nuclear torpedo.

Code-named by NATO ‘Kanyon,’ it’s reportedly something new and terrifying, a ‘third strike’ weapon designed to obliterate the US east and west coasts in a nuclear war. US intelligence seems to think this doomsday weapon is very real indeed. …

Now, the Russians appear to have responded to a new, trillion dollar US program to develop and deploy an anti-missile system that would negate their ballistic missile system: the ‘Kanyon.’ …

‘Kanyon,’ according to the right-wing Heritage Foundation, a cheerleader for military spending, is a mammoth 100-megaton nuclear device carried by an unmanned submarine. This monster weapon is designed to detonate on the US west coast, destroying the ports of San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The device is reportedly covered with cobalt, for maximum radioactive effect.

A similar device launched from the Atlantic Ocean would devastate the US East coast, leaving it under a lethal shroud of radiation for generations. https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/01/28/the-doomsday-weapon.html

The Russian doomsday torpedo recently acknowledged by the Pentagon appears to be a multimegaton “third strike” weapon designed for maximum radioactive fallout. Described by the Defense Department as a “new intercontinental, nuclear-armed, undersea autonomous torpedo,” its development was first revealed in 2015 when a diagram of an ocean-going vessel leaked to the press. The “multi-purpose Status-6 system,” codenamed Kanyon by NATO, http://aviationweek.com/defense/russia-s-doomsday-torpedo-third-strike-weapon

The Status-6, also known as Kanyon, is a purported nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed unmanned underwater vehicle developed or being developed by the Russian Federation. It would supposedly be able to deliver a thermonuclear cobalt bomb of up to 100 megatonnes against enemy’s naval ports and coastal cities. “Kanyon” is the name given this drone by the Central Intelligence Agency. (Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System. Wikipedia, accessed 01/29/18)

Russia has a lot of military power.

People who are trusting in the US military, instead of looking to trust God and striving to be in His Kingdom, are deceiving themselves.

Both biblical prophecy and current Russian military plans indicate that by the latter half of the next decade, that Russia will be prepared to fulfill its role in Daniel 11. Recall that the Bible shows that the leader of the final Babylonian European Empire will be called "the King of the North" and that he will be troubled by those from the north (Russia) and the east (China and other Asians):

40 ... the king of the North ... 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Dan 11:40,43-45).

This fulfillment of Daniel 11:44 is likely to occur about 3 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation begins. Also note that this seems consistent with Jeremiah 50:41-43 quoted earlier.

For several biblical reasons, since the Great Tribulation cannot begin prior to 2021 (see When can the Great Tribulation Begin?), this would indicate that the earliest that Russia could fulfill Daniel 11:44 would be 2024 or after.

So, while a few years are left. There may only be a relatively few.

The old Worldwide Church of God wrote the following related to Daniel 11:

The next leader to unite the peoples of Europe will constitute the “beast” mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. He will also be the “king of the north” mentioned in Daniel 11:40-45. … the “king of the north” is going to hear some alarming news — probably a military threat from Russia and those nations allied with her. “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many” (verse 44). (Watch the Middle East. Ambassador College, 1974)

Enter Russia

But all will not go well for Europe. Daniel 11:44 notes that eventually “tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him [the king of the north or the beast].” Threatening news from the Soviet Union — long covetous of the strategic oil-rich Middle East — and the Orient will distress the European dictator. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979)

Russia, despite how some dismiss it, is destined to be a major military force until Jesus returns to establish the Kingdom of God.

Here is something that the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught a Russian-led alliance would do to Europe related to Jeremiah 50:

Now then, that Roman Empire is to be revived and is coming out of what is called the bottomless pit. It is going to be resurrected and it is going to last just a short time, and it'll be with ten dictators and in the territory of the ancient Roman Empire, Europe and around the Mediterranean. There isn't any definite territory because the Roman Empire continued for many centuries, and at one stage, it occupied one geographical location and at another stage, another geographical location. There isn't any definite geographical outline that it must occupy but it will be the old Roman Empire. Essentially, it will be fascist; you can be sure of that. And, it is now rising and it's going on underground and we seem too stupid somehow to see it. We don't realize what's going on in the world. God says that it's going to come up. But this, my friends, is the final resurrection of this whole system of Gentile empires and Gentile governments. ...

The Eternals message for the prophet Jeremiah about Babylon. Now this part of it is about Babylon, but you'll see there's a connection with Russia. Alright, listen. In the land of the Chaldeans, it the land of the ancient Chaldeans, tell the nations and proclaim it, and let the news go free. That Babylon is captured. Her idols are disgraced. Now here's the prophecy that begins with the fact this modern Babylon is to be captured. This is the modern Babylon. It's not speaking of that ancient Babylon; it's something that is yet to happen. It coming to pass in our time. Her idols are disgraced, her blocks of gods are in dismay. A foe from the north has attack her to lay waste her land until not a man dwells there; till man and beast are gone — (Jer. 50: 1-3). There's the prophecy. ...

Now, a foe from the north means from the north, not of this nation, but from the north of Palestine. Remember that the Bible is always speaking from the point of view of Palestine, from the point of view of Israel. Now Israel is, except for the Jewish people that have gone back over their now and they are Judah, Israel is not in Palestine now except for that. But, this is speaking geographically and it's means the north of Palestine. ... This then, my friends, is introducing Russia right here! ...

This foe from the north then is communist Russia and her allies. And they're going to finally raise an army bigger than this revived Roman Empire is going to have!

Now, here you are, a foe from the north has attacked her. That's this resurrected Roman Empire. To lay her land waste! Until not a man dwells there. Until man and beast are gone! That's speaking of this territory of the Roman Empire in Europe, my friends. And that is their destiny! That is what is going to happen. Let me tell you that as certain as the rising and the setting of the sun. And you are going to see it this very century. It's going to happen in your lifetime. I'm not sticking my neck out. I'm not taking any chance, my friends. This is the very word of God. This carries authority! And when that's written, it's in your Bible! I'm reading the Moffet translation just now. I have authorized and the modern revised right here in front of me but it's a little plainer right here in the Moffet translation and so I prefer to read it; it's in your Bible, I don't care which translation you have. The same message is there. But it's a little plainer English here and I think you'll understand it better. I'm reading it from this translation. Now, listen,

"Then, says the ETERNAL, at that hour, [now that's the hour when this modern fascist system in Europe is to be destroyed, and the whole land laid desolate, of southern Europe and over in there, then] at that hour, the Israelites return, they, and the men of Judah; winding their way weeping in search of the ETERNAL their God" — (Jer. 50:4). [That's the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ]. ...

And so, my friends, at the time of the second coming of Christ, Communist Russia will have invaded this land..., in turn, to punish and annihilate them! (Armstrong HW. Outline of Prophecy 13 - Russia's Coming Attack On Europe! World Tomorrow telecast. Prior to 1986)

Of course, Russia not currently communist--but was when Herbert Armstrong made those declarations. While there may be some hyperbole in what he said, the Bible shows that a Russian-supporting alliance will eliminate Europe.

Repentance for the Nations or You?

Since the Asian nations, like Russia and its allies, are prophecied to be involved with Babylon and various wars, what about you?

Does this mean that you are doomed?

No. God does not require "group salvation." The Apostle Paul wrote:

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... (Philippians 2:12)

Thus, your personal relationship with God is not determined by what your fellow countrymen do.

Can, will, God help you during the coming tribulation?

Notice the prophecy for this latter time tribulation in the Hebrew scriptures:

29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

Thus, help from God during these hard times will be available to the truly sincere who really strive for it.

In late 2015, we made arrangements to get some materials translated into the Russia language. And here is a link to the first item we got back: Библия Новости Пророчество, Январь – март 2016.

We hope to get more materials out in Russian to better reach those who know that language.

Russians and Ukrainians After Babylon Falls

In Revelation 16, we also see that God will issue punishment to nearly all of humanity after Babylon (the European Empire) falls:

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great (Revelation 16:17-21).

God sent the punishments to get all men, including the Russians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians, to repent, but they refused at first:

And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:9).

Apparently Russia and its Asian allies will be involved with the 200 million man army (Revelation 9:16) at least part of which will gather at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Those who are persuaded by demonic signs and wonders (Revelation 16:13-14) and fight against the returning Jesus will be destroyed (Revelation 19:19-21).

What Happens After the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord?

After the battles and punishments, the tribulation and Day of the Lord will end. And Christ will return:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).

Christ's return will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

This is the millennium that many Russians and Ukrainians are even now looking forward to.

And people of many nations, including those of Russia and Ukraine, will be part of this kingdom. Notice:

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).

John Ogwyn wrote:

      There are other prophecies, in Ezekiel 38 and 39, which describe an alliance of the Russians with the Mongol-descended nations of China and the Far East. The timing of this particular prophecy, with its description of an invasion of regathered Israel, is actually...after Christ’s return, NOT before it. This is made plain when we see in Ezekiel 38:11–12 that Israel (all 12 tribes, not just the Jews) is described as having been regathered from the nations. They are settled in a land of prosperity and peace without any apparent defenses, or for that matter, even locks on the doors.
      After the returning glorified Christ destroys the armies that had gathered at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16, 19:19–21). He will regather the remnant of captured Israelites and bring them back to the ancient land of their fathers. He will establish a Kingdom headquartered at Jerusalem, which will ultimately spread out to the whole earth...
      The Russian people have had a long and turbulent history. Ground down and exploited by oppressive, autocratic rulers and hollow and bankrupt ideologies, they have had to struggle to endure and survive. The time will come when, like all nations, they will no longer be deceived, but will finally experience the good news of the Kingdom of God. Not until that time will the Russians undergo a real religious, cultural, political and economic rebirth. Finally, Russia’s sad and difficult history will have a happy ending! (Ogwyn J. What's Ahead for Russia? Tomorrow's World Magazine, May-June 2000).

Eventually, sadly, Russia and apparently Iran, certain African powers, certain Asian powers and others will fight again:

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you.

7 "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you."

10 'Thus says the Lord God: "On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, 'I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates' —  12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?'"' (Ezekiel 38:1-13)

Perhaps it should be mentioned here that certain Protestant writers/preachers claim that Ezekiel 38 will be fulfilled either now or prior to the time that the seven-year deal of Daniel 9:27 is fulfilled. This is not the correct time period. Amongst other reasons, the tiny modern nation of Israel simply does not have enough gold or silver that Russia and its allies would want to attack it to take away "great plunder." Furthermore, Israel is not now a "land of unwalled villages" with "a peaceful people" who "dwell safely" (Ezekiel 38:10-11)--nor will it be until after Jesus' Kingdom gets established on the earth.  As far as more information about Ezekiel 38 & 39 and the timing of this, please check out the article Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?

It may be of interest to note that around 414 A.D., the Roman Catholic saint and doctor of their church, Jerome wrote in his commentary of Ezekiel 38 about the "Judaizers" (meaning Nazarne Christians who held what appear to have been Church of God doctrines) view:

38:1-23 ... Judaziers ... They say that after the kingdom of the thousand years, these nations are incited by the devil to come to the land of Israel and fight against the saints, with many nations gathered together with them. (Jerome. Commentary on Ezekiel. Translated by Thomas P. Scheck. Newman Press, New York, 2017, p. 428)

Notice something from the late Hebert Armstrong decades ago, during the time of the old Soviet Union, titled Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States:

For decades now, the prospect of war between Russia and the United States has continually heightened and lessened.

Many who claim to be authorities on prophecy assure people a war involving Russia and the United States, Canada and England is prophesied in Ezekiel 38.

The United States, Britain and other democracies of north-western Europe, they recognize, are nations descended from the lost Ten Tribes. Therefore, they conclude, the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 foretells a military invasion of the North American continent from the Soviet Union. But this is not what prophecy says...

But this very fact - that this invasion will not come until after the Second Coming of Christ - will seem preposterous to many, at first thought.

That is because we have been accustomed merely to assume things that are not true. We have blindly assumed that when Christ comes, there will be no opposition. Every person and power on earth, we have thought, will simply submit meekly and instantly to him and his power. But that is not true!

Some gentile nations understandably shall not submit until forced to. The final restoration of the Roman Empire shall be subdued and conquered at a battle commonly called “Armageddon." But the populous nations of Eurasia that the Almighty God up to this point has not dealt with shall still have to be brought to submission.

“Gog” Identified

"Gog in the land of "Magog" is the vast regions of the U.S.S.R. in northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. "Meshech" is Moscow, "Tubal" is Tobol'sk.

Notice the allies who come with them in this future battle. You will find "Gomer” “Togarmah," "Magog," "Meshech” “Tubal" identified in Genesis 10 as the sons of Japheth, father of the Eurasians. Ethiopia and Phut (mistranslated Libya) are descended from Ham.

Therefore, this prophecy of Ezekiel 38 shows who shall finally succeed in marshaling peoples of each major race into a gigantic invasion upon our people.

When God begins to rule the world, through Christ - with His chosen people restored to prosperity in the land of Israel, the very center of the land surface of the earth (verse 12, Moffatt translation) - this, great Eurasian union of nations shall finally be tempted to use their mighty air force. (Armstrong HW. Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, article).

Some Bible scholars assert falsely that these prophecies of Ezekiel were fulfilled anciently. They never were. Others believe they are about to occur but some years before Armageddon. Both views are erroneous. The events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 are without question still future - for the "latter days" (38: 16) and "latter years" (38:8). Moreover, Ezekiel 38:14 describes the time setting as being "in that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely." This is certainly not the situation in the State of Israel to- day! The Israel described by Ezekiel is a nation that dwells in security, in unwalled villages, totally unprepared for war (38:8, 11, 14). Read it for yourself! (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States. WCG booklet)

Ezekiel 38 is for the distant future--and right at/after the millennium (cf. Revelation 20:7-9; see also Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?; a related video is also available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?).  But that does not mean that there cannot be military conflict between the USA and Russia now (and there may be some). 

So what is the basic time frame for Ezekiel 38?

After the thousand years of the millennium are over, but prior to the second resurrection, apparently a Russian-led confederation will rebel and attempt to attack God's people (apparently in Jerusalem)--but they will not be successful--this is the fulfillment of much of Ezekiel 38 and 39 that many erroneously teach happens prior to the 1000 year millennium. The Russian invaders and their allies will be destroyed, but will be raised in the second resurrection. This will be the last battle by the Russians and anyone else as Satan, who deceives the whole world, will be taken away:

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:7-10).

But then all the people who ever lived will be resurrected:

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:11-13).

It is important to note that all remaining humans are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are condemned. If they are not condemned, then what happens?

Is God going to offer salvation to all the Russians and their Allies?

However, war is not the ultimate destiny for most Russians and their allies. Deification is.

But how?

The mainstream "Christian" view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (vs.12).

But what happens to the multitudes in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and elsewhere who have not even heard the true name of Christ? What about those who do not respond per Deuteronomy 4:29-31? And what happens to those born before Christ's earthly ministry? Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22-24).

Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the genuine Church of God, that Protestants tend to label Church of God groups as cults.

The Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God, as represented by the Continuing Church of God, teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).

Jesus and the real Church of God teach, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). And that will be few at this time, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14), "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).

Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear. In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,

"Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate".

In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation.

Furthermore, the Bible reveals that God has prohibited idolaters to have proper understanding:

And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!" They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand... 22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. (Isaiah 44:17-18,22).

They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20).

Thus, is God going to condemn those who worship before idols, like the Orthodox often do, for what He has not let them understand?

Protestant and Catholic theology tends to say yes.

Those in the Continuing Church of God say no (cf. Isaiah 47:22).

Unless the idolater has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged as other uncalled people are. Perhaps it should be mentioned that many Russians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians are Russian Orthodox--and the Russian Orthodox, like all of the Eastern Orthodox, have many idols (which they call icons) as part of the religious religious worship practices. (There are also Roman Catholics and others involved with idols in Russia.)

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation will be offered to all. And that includes the Russians. Notice the following scripture:

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:6).

Those who were uncalled in this age (including most people and nearly all of the Russians, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation (two related articles of interest may include Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis and Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants).

And nearly all of them will accept it. The Continuing Church of God teaches that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation--and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity. The vast majority of human beings will ultimately be in God's family.

This means that ultimately that nearly all Russians will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice some of the descriptions from the Book of Revelation:

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4).

Conclusion

Russia has been an important nation throughout history. In the 21st century, its wealth and influence is prophesied to increase. The Russians will most likely be among the first to benefit from the coming European Empire, as well as be among those who see that it is not what it pretends to be.

God apparently plans to use Russia and others in Asia as part of a coalition of kings of the East to put an end to the King of the North's military ambitions. However, war is not their ultimate destiny.

Just because the whole world (and not just Russia) will be deceived by the rising European Beast power, you do not have to be. Hopefully this article has given you some reasons to look at the world and your life and will motivate to come to God now on His terms. To learn more about what happened to Christianity, a good place to start may be The History of Early Christianity page. May God call you today and grant you the understanding so that you will "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Sadly, because most in Russia do not strive know the true God now, God will punish them as well as the other inhabitants on the Earth. And apparently many will also rebel at the close of the millennium, but will not succeed.

Since God is a God of love, we in the Continuing Church of God realize and teach that He ultimately intends to resurrect the Russians, Ukrainians, Belarussians, Georgians, Moldovians, and all others and offer them salvation. A salvation that nearly all will accept as nearly all the Russians/Ukrainians/Belarussians who ever lived will be in the kingdom of God. A kingdom without fear or death or sorrow. A glorious kingdom. Deification is to be obtained by most Russians. And that is the prophesied future for nearly all of Russians, Belarussians, Moldovans, Georgians, and Ukrainians.

Back to home page

Thiel B. Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future. www.cogwriter.com/russia_in_prophecy.htm 2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/ 2018 /2019/2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023 2024 0227

Note: There are daily news, doctrinal, and prophecy updates at the Church of God News page for those interested in how world events are fulfilling Bible prophecy. And this sometimes includes updates involving Russia at that page. There is also a YouTube video available titled Ukraine in Prophecy? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Is Russia the King of the North?

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God's plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account? Is there eternal torment?

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.

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?

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?