Russia is a country that is rich in Christian history. It is one of the primary countries where the Orthodox Christian Church flourished until the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and creation of the Soviet Union (USSR) which was an atheistic Communistic Dictatorship. For several decades after World War II the Soviet Union was a formidable world power with great nuclear stockpiles. A "Cold War" existed between the USSR and the United States, representing two philosophies of government: Communism versus Democracy. Nuclear war was avoided by the concept of "Mutual Assured Destruction" (MAD), which meant that neither super-power would dare attack the other since both would surely be annihilated in the exchange. The USSR was disbanded in 1991 with the so-called "Fall of the Iron Curtain."
There has been progress toward a stable democracy in Russia since 1991 with free elections and greater freedom of religion. However, the politics of Vladimir Putin have undermined confidence in their democracy. It is possible that the country will revert to old dictatorial practices.
Prophecy scholars have wondered for more than a century if Russia would be the End Times leader of the war of Gog and Magog, prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39. We relate this to the war of the Second Seal in Revelation 6:3-4, a major conflict near the beginning of the Tribulation Period. Some respected scholars apply it to The Battle of Armageddon later in the Book of Revelation.
The Aggressors of the War of Gog and Magog - Ezekiel 38:1-4
According to Ezekiel, an alliance of enemies will attack Israel in the end-times. The leader will be Gog of the
land of Magog (most likely Russia), who is the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. He is assisted by Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia),
Put (Libya), Gomer, Beth Togarmah and other nations (possibly Turkey and/or other Islamic nations like those once
part of the Soviet Union). Most of these names are listed in the genealogies of Genesis 10.
God will bring a quick end to this future war. He may use literal fire and brimstone, as in the days of Sodom, or he might pit nation against nation, the way he often did in the Old Testament, to precipitate a nuclear exchange.
There has been a surprising resurgence of faith in Russia, but the will of the people may not be able to deflect the governments's direction when this war is fought.
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Go To Bible Gateway | Go To Blue Letter Bible |
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NIV & Other Versions | Includes Commentary |
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Matthew 28:18-20 | Further Study |
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Matthew 24:6 | Further Study |
Mark 13:7 | Further Study |
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Ezekiel 38 | Further Study |
Ezekiel 39 | Further Study |
Revelation 6:3-4 | Further Study |
Revelation 20:7-9 | Further Study |