Desk of Dennis Piller
2/25/2022
Russia in Bible Prophecy – Ukraine
As of last night, Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
I woke up last night about 3 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I prayed for 45 minutes and then got up and turned on Fox News and saw the invasion coverage of Ukraine.
An official said “Russia is attacking not just Ukraine, but all the rules of normal life in the modern world. What will be left of the security system on the continent? Zero.”
I subscribe to Jimmy Evan's Turning Point emails and his comments were riveting. Here are some excerpts to read and pray about.
“As of this morning, China refuses to condemn the attack on Ukraine and instead is asking both nations, Russia and Ukraine, to “exercise restraint.” Meanwhile, China has accused the United States of “fueling fire” and allowing the situation to get out of control.
Those “deepening ties” worry me. The Russia-China alliance is very troubling. Both countries are expansionary—they are trying to grow their borders, Russia with Ukraine and China with Taiwan. Both are also anti-West and anti-democracy.
I believe China has a role to play in Bible prophecy, just as I know Russia is extremely important in the events of the end times. Currently, both nations are defying the world. Russia is taking action, and China seems to support them.
Russia in Bible Prophecy
From a Bible prophecy standpoint, Ukraine alone is not that important. But Russia definitely appears in Scripture:
"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.”—Ezekiel 38:1-4
This passage about the coming Gog-Magog War identifies Russia—”the prince of Rosh”—as one of the leading nations in a northern coalition that rises up as an invading force against Israel. Could Russia’s invasion of Ukraine be the match that lights up this coalition? We already know Syria and Iran are aligned with Russia against Israel. Could China become part of this coalition? We will see.
More than anything, Putin’s attack is a challenge to global stability and democracy. Some experts see it as having little to do with Ukraine and everything to do with challenging Washington and the West. That Russia may be aligned in this challenge with another authoritarian state, China, does not bode well for future peace.
Former senior CIA officer Paul Kolbe, an expert on Russia, said this recently:
“This is a conflict that is going to extend over months and years whether the invasion goes well for Putin or not. He is going to change the shape of Europe and is going to set enduring lines of conflict within Ukraine and on the borders of Ukraine with the West.”
Every time violence erupts on a large-scale basis, I wonder if it will lead to the deceptive peace treaty that will eventually be orchestrated by the man who becomes the Antichrist.
It is Time to Pray
You may feel helpless in a time of war, especially when that war is taking place on the other side of the world. You may also think the violence is inevitable, given that it feels like Bible prophecy is playing out before our eyes.
First, I want you to understand that God is in control. He knew this would happen. He is not surprised by Vladimir Putin. The West may occasionally be caught off guard at Russian aggression, but God knows the future and knew this was coming.
Second, you can pray for the people of Ukraine.
Nevertheless, my goal has always been not just to educate and inform you but also to comfort you. While others may be confused or frightened, you can be calm and comforted because you know what the Bible says, and you are able to contextualize the events happening in the world with what is predicted in Scripture.
If this is the start of the Gog-Magog War or if it will someday lead to the events of the Tribulation, take comfort in knowing that we will not be here when those things happen. We will be rescued from the judgments mentioned in Bible prophecy. Jesus will be returning to take us to be with Him forever.
The news may be grim today but take a deep breath, trust in Jesus, pray for peace, and remember that God is in control.
Lauren Daigle Dry bones come alive
