(Illustration by ChatgPt for COGwriter)
Martin Armstrong (not direct relationship with the COG Armstrongs) put out the following:
Should Europe start talks with Russia? The President of Lithuania responds
June 21, 2026
The press keeps insisting Russia is preparing to invade all of Europe as if Putin wakes up every morning dreaming about inheriting Germany’s industrial collapse and France’s pension protests.
The propaganda has become so absurd that perhaps we should finally discuss the REAL reasons Russia would supposedly invade Europe:
- To acquire Germany’s energy policy expertise and finally learn how to shut down functioning nuclear plants while importing expensive energy from everyone else.
- To seize Britain’s world-renowned knife-control strategy where criminals ignore the laws while grandmothers get arrested over tweets.
- To capture France’s revolutionary spirit, which now mostly consists of setting garbage piles on fire and blocking highways every few months over retirement age increases.
- To inherit the European Union’s debt structure because apparently Russia looked at its own sanctions and recession risks and thought, “You know what we really need? Italian debt too.” …
- To save the euro before Brussels itself finishes destroying it.
The reality is that the political class in Europe needs Russia psychologically more than Russia needs Europe economically. Fear justifies military spending, centralized power, censorship laws, surveillance expansion, debt issuance, and political unity around failing leadership. https://www.activistpost.com/the-real-reason-russia-would-invade-europe/
Although many in Europe currently point to Russia as a threat, the reality is that Russia is not about to invade Europe.
But that will change.
Of course, not for the silly mocking reasons that Martin Armstrong listed.
Here are some comments from the COGwriter article :
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 Russia is NOT the prophesied Beast 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. We have had our English language booklet, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God translated into Russian–here is a link: Евангелие Царства Божьего. One of our pastors visited Russia in 2025 and met with interested people–and we have supplied some small amount of literature to Russia (and previously to Ukraine).
Interestingly, the Bible identifies the ancient ancestors of the Russians as traders in the future, and they will prosper with trading with end time Babylon:
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).
2 … Babylon … 3 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 18:2,3)
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:
3 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. …
More cooperation will happen.
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). …
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 temporarily in Russia (to some degree), will 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 c ome 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 Roman 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). …
Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
Now, then in the 17th chapter of Revelation, you find this lady, this daughter of the ancient Babylon described … This is the daughter of the ancient Babylon …
47th … chapter… of Isaiah … {verse 11} Desolation shall come upon thee suddenly when thou shalt not know.
And that desolation and that thing is on this newly revived Europe that is coming up, it’s coming from Russia (Armstrong HW. Russia in Prophecy. Radio broadcast HA234A. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1339588315)
Jeremiah 50:1-3 The word that the (Eternal) spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet. (Now let’s see. I want the first four verses.) (2) Declare ye among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. (3) For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her… Now this is against Babylon. And this is speaking of the … countries finally coming against what-you-would-call Catholic Europe. And Russia is to the north, and they are to the south. “Out of the north there cometh up a nation against her.” (Armstrong HW. United States of EUROPE IS COMING! Sermon: November 27, 1982)
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.
Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
50th and 51st chapters of Jeremiah, showing what God is then going to do to this evil power that he calls under the symbolic name of Babylon, which is not the ancient Babylon of 600 years before Christ, but the daughter of that ancient Babylon, and it’s this modern power that I say is now rising up. …
God is going to send a horde of nations from north of Jerusalem, which means the territory that today is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In other words, … from the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, the hordes of … Russia are going to come, a horde of nations to battle her mightily, this modern daughter, the ancient Babylon. Now it’s the time of the Eternal’s vengeance just exactly as you read in Revelation 18, just prior to the second coming of Christ. The time that climaxes in the second coming of Christ. …
Now, Verse 11 (Jeremiah 51:11), Polish your arrows, scour your armor. The Eternal is stirring up Medes king planning to ruin Babylon it is the Eternal’s vengeance. It’s the time of the day of the Lord. It’s the time that climax is in the second coming of Christ just ahead of us. …
Who is this? Media and Medes king? Let’s go back a little bit. The Medes and the Persians conquered the Ancient Babylon and my friends, the people of Media moved on farther north and the most populous part of Russia and the Ukraine area today is pretty much composed of those people, the descendants of those people. … it’s the Medes who moved up into the USSR today that are going to conquer them just as ancient Media conquered Ancient Babylon, (Armstrong HW. False Prophet. The World Tomorrow Radio Broadcast https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1337302916).
Anyway, this northern power is seemingly 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 Isaiah, as well as Jeremiah:
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 …
Thus, there is currently a 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?).
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 2030 (see When can the Great Tribulation Begin?), this would indicate that the earliest that Russia could fulfill Daniel 11:44 would be 2033 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.
The Bible shows that a global military alliance will ultimately support Russia against the coming European Beast power.
But it also teaches that Jesus will return shortly thereafter to to establish the millennial portion of the Kingdom of God.
We also have the following video:
Here is a link to the video: Is a Russia Europe War Prophesied?
Some items of possibly related interest would include the following:
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in 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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? Three related sermons are available Let’s Talk About the Earthly Millennium, Millennial Utopia, and The Millennium.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? Here is a link to a related sermon: Asia in Prophecy. Two YouTube video are Is China THE Threat to the United States of America? and China: A King of the East.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.