Martin Armstrong predictions for Ukraine, WWIII, the collapse of the European Union, Russia, and investing in gold and silver

Martin Armstrong
(Picture from his ‘X’ page)

COGwriter

Martin Armstrong (no direct relationship to the COG Armstrong family) made some predictions:

Perfect Storm for Debt, Economy, War, Gold & Silver – Martin Armstrong

Legendary financial and geopolitical cycle analyst Martin Armstrong says everywhere you look there is big trouble bubbling out of control.  Armstrong sees the perfect storm closing in from all sides.  Let’s start with the war in Ukraine.  It looks like peace was possible until Russia claimed Ukraine attacked Putin’s residence.  …  Armstrong says, “I don’t see this turning into a real sustainable peace.  What they are trying to do is get a ceasefire so NATO can send in their troops pretending to defend Ukraine, and what’s going to happen is a false flag.  They are going to say, oh, they shot one of our guys in the foot, therefore, that’s World War III.” …

Armstrong points out, “Europe is so concerned with this idea of social justice.  You can go on the Fed website and look at Europe’s miniscule quarterly growth rate and compare it to the United States.  It’s a tiny fraction compared to the US.  Europe is committing economic suicide.  That’s what this war is about.  If they don’t get war with Russia, the people are going to rise up with their pitchforks and go after parliament. . ..  The EU is not going to survive.  It’s going to collapse.  The computer says we are going into a stark global recession between 2024 and 2028.  The US will be the least affected, where Europe will probably be the worst.”

When it comes to metal, Armstrong says, “People who know war and crisis are coming are buying metals. . .. We have creative destruction.  You have AI coming in and you have unemployment rising and you have GDP rising. . .. You have shortages in commodities on top of this. . ..  Then you have geopolitical nonsense. …  Now, you have China putting in a ban on exporting silver as of January 1, 2026.  This is rather important.  China controls about 60% of the supply of silver. . .. This is one of the reasons why silver jumped up dramatically.  This is a perfect storm. … Socrates is still saying Europe will lose badly in a war with Russia.”

Armstrong sees a bull market for gold, silver and other metals for years ahead. 12/30/25  https://usawatchdog.com/perfect-storm-for-debt-economy-war-gold-silver-martin-armstrong/

Martin Armstrong has a computer program called Socrates which he claims is very accurate in its predictions.

But he and his program do not seem to rely on, nor properly understand, biblical prophecies–particularly related to Europe.

Now, while there will be problems in Europe (cf. Daniel 2:41-43; Matthew 24:4-8), an even more united Europe will TEMPORARILY emerge.

Let’s briefly examine some of his predictions in the light biblical understandings.

Russia will end up with parts of Ukraine, however this is NOT going to be WWIII. WWIII will be the conquering of the USA and its British-descended allies by the coming European King of the North Beast and those allied with him (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Will the European Union collapse?

Perhaps with the entity with that name will. But that is not assured (see also The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17).

What is assured is the after facing various crises, Europe will go through two reorganizations and a strong leader will emerge:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

The final European Beast leader, who is also known as the final King of the North, will ultimately destroy the USA (Daniel 11:39) and its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:24-25; 11:24), as well as conquer a coming power from the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43). The world will marvel when Europe, a power dismissed as basically dead, does this:

Continuing Church of God rendering of the Beast that rises
from the sea (Revelation 13:1-2 and 17:3)

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 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 13:1-4)

The sea referred to above is called the “Great Sea” in Daniel 7 associated with the Beast. The “Great Sea” that bordered the ancient lands of Israel (Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4; 9:1; 23:4; Ezekiel 47:13-16) is the Mediterranean Sea–and that is the sea that Daniel was referring to.

The prophecy in Revelation 13 is referring to a rearmed European power, who will be TEMPORARILY successful.

Let me add that Martin Armstrong is correct that a Russian-led force will one day defeat Europe.

Several parts of the Bible also show that this “Babylonian/European” empire will be destroyed by a northern power (involving Russia and its allies as Russia is really the only powerful nation north of Europe):

2 “Declare among the nations,
Proclaim, and set up a standard;
Proclaim — do not conceal it —
Say, ‘Babylon is taken, Bel is shamed.
Merodach is broken in pieces;
Her idols are humiliated,
Her images are broken in pieces.’
3 For out of the north a nation comes up against her,
Which shall make her land desolate,
And no one shall dwell therein.
They shall move, they shall depart,
Both man and beast. (Jeremiah 50:2-3)

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, likely including 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 at least part of 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 terrorizing 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.

However, that will not be until years AFTER the European Beast power conquers the USA.

Now, what about metals like silver and gold?

While prices will fluctuate (meaning that they can drop or rise dramatically), the Bible shows that after the USA is destroyed, gold and silver will still have value:

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. …

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. (Daniel 11:39, 43)

Some may wish to see what the old Worldwide Church of God taught would begin the Great Tribulation and World War III, as taught by the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

The Next World War

Now, all the pieces that have divided them over there, are beginning to fall into place, and it’s very shocking news. You’ll find it prophesied in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation and many other prophecies in the Bible. And it is going to trigger World War III, the feared, the unthinkable nuclear World War III. I want to read you what the Bible says about this World War III coming on; it’s in Matthew 24 and I’m going to show you how the time is now. And it begins, I’ll just begin in verse 21, it’s a prophecy of Jesus Christ Himself when He was here on earth and speaking of this time that we are in now He says:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be [that’s the time of trouble in the world, that’ll be far greater than World War I and World War II, much greater]. And except those days should be shortened [unless God Almighty Himself intervenes supernaturally to cut it short], …no flesh [should] be saved [alive]…”: (Matthew 24:21-22)

It’s talking not of spiritual salvation but saving humanity alive. In other words; every man woman, child on earth would be snuffed out. You, your children, myself, all of us. Humanity would be erased.

Matthew 24:     “…except those days should be shortened, no flesh should be be saved [alive]…That great tribulation that is the nuclear World War III, (Armstrong HW.  Tribulation. Radio Broadcast, 20th century. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1567869049)

Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15 … From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” … We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beast’s armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

Herbert W. Armstrong referred to “the seventeenth chapter of Revelation.” In it, Mystery Babylon is mentioned along with two reorganizations in Europe–one which turns power over to the beast. The armies of the beast are prophesied to destroy the strongest military in Daniel 11:39. So, for WWIII to happen in the next decade or less, that would point to the USA itself getting destroyed–and that is consistent with what Herbert W. Armstrong was warning would happen.

The late Herbert W. Armstrong also taught:

World War 3 brings with it THE GREAT TRIBULATION. That is now next in order. But Jesus, in foretelling this chain of world events, said the GREAT TRIBULATION would be preceded by the world-wide proclaiming of HIS Gospel. “The GOSPEL must first be published among all nations,” said Jesus (Mark 13:10), or, as recorded by Matthew (24:14): “This Gospel OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto ALL NATIONS; and THEN shall the END (of the world) come.” (Armstrong HW. Brethren and Co-Worker Letter, May 22, 1953)

Yes, Matthew 24:14 must first be fulfilled. And while we in the Continuing Church of God are working on that (and even have had our English-language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 300 languages). This is not yet fulfilled, but that is something that all true Philadelphian Christians realize that they need to support.

Of course, some believe that despite WWI, WWII, and previous massive wars, that Europe would never start WWIII. Yet, this overlooks a biblical prophecy:

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? (Isaiah 10:5-11, KJV)

The USA is sometimes prophetically referred to as Samaria (and sometimes as Manasseh) in biblical prophecy (for details, watch USA in Prophecy: Samaria). So, even though Germanic-led Europe (referred to as Assyria above) does not seem to wish to do this (Isaiah 10:7), according to biblical prophecy it will come to pass. The USA will be defeated (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

But Russia is not about to start a real war now to defeat Europe.

But changes will come to Europe.