Russia in Bible Prophecy | The Hengoed Bereans

Russia and Ukraine – Signs of the Times

This article has been submitted because of the war that has engulfed Ukraine with the question “Does the Bible say anything about this.”

We hope the following remarks will be of interest.

Is Russia and Ukraine mentioned in the Bible?

The answer to the above question is “no”. Ukraine is not referred to in the Bible – well, not directly.

Russia on the other hand is most certainly referred to as the Biblical references below show.

The Prophecy of Ezekiel – chapter 38

This is a remarkable chapter for more reasons than one.

First of all, we need to note that the prophecy refers to the “latter years” (verse 8) This is an expression that relates to a period of time that will see great judgements in the earth culminating in the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Secondly, it refers to the people of Israel, and the land of Israel (verse 8,16). This is also remarkable as the prophecy could not take place until the people of Israel were actually in their ancient homeland. On 14 May 1948, this became a reality with Israel being declared by the United Nations as a country in its own right.

Thirdly, we have Russia mentioned along with other modern nations that can be identified as shown below.

The Prince of Rosh

Ezekiel 38 and verse 2 states:

“Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal”

Gog does not appear to be the name of an individual, or a country. The context of the chapter would suggest that an authoritative power is being referred to; an autocrat, or an Emperor.

The name Gog is of uncertain origin, but the meaning of it seems to be “a roof” or “one at the top.” This is significant when we add together the following details.

While Gog does not appear to identify a country, the other names in this chapter can be traced to countries today. Those who have studied the historical geography of the Scriptures have indicated that the following modern counterparts are being referred to:

Magog = a Scythian race - migrated to Central Europe

Ros = Russia. A historian by the name of Bochart stated that Ros is the (“most ancient form under which history makes mention of the name of Russia.”

Meshech = Moscow

Tubal = Tobolsk (this is the second oldest Russian settlement east of Ural mountains)

We have therefore a very clear identification with Russia. The prophecy is identifying an autocrat who is Prince of Russia.

It doesn’t take much imagination to see the similarities with the current leader of Russia!

The prophecy goes on to say:

“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.” (verses 8, 9)

This is not talking about Ukraine of course. However, if a map is consulted, it will be seen that Ukraine and Moscow are north of Israel. Verses 15 and 16 of Ezekiel 38 reads:

“And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days”

We will return to this aspect of the “north.”

Who are the many people with Gog?

This is an interesting question and tells us what to expect at “the time of the end”. The nations listed as being with Gog are not in support of Russia at this point in time, but will be in “the latter days”. The modern equivalents of the nations listed are as follows:

Persia (Iran) (v5)

Ethiopia (v5)

Libya (v5)

Gomer (France) (v6)

Magog (Central Europe – Germany) (v2)

Togarmah (area around the Caspian Sea (v6)

So a change of some sort will occur to align these nations with Russia and against Israel.

But to come back to the reference to the geographical location of “north”.

The King of the North

There is a similar prophecy to Ezekiel 38 at the end of Daniel chapter 11, and a comparison of the details will indicate that the same power of Gog is being referred to. In this prophecy, the power is referred to the King of the North. The eleventh chapter of Daniel speaks at length of the antagonising powers of the Kings of the North and South – north and south of the Holy Land (Israel). It would be a study in itself to go through the details of this chapter. Suffice it to say, that the great historical wars between the powers north and south of Israel find a final outplay in the latter days. In Daniel 11, the period of time is described as “the time of the end” (verse 40).

The verses reads as follows:

“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.” (verses 40,41)

Note how the same type of descriptions are used. In this chapter the advance of the King of the North is likened to a whirlwind (as opposed to a storm “cloud”).

In particular, we are told that this King of the North shall “enter into the countries.” This may well be a reference to what is happening in Ukraine, with the promise of the same fate happening to other countries (Note – it's plural).

So, it is safe to assume that both Ezekiel and Daniel are referring to Russia, and they both prophecy of this northern power entering into the land of Israel.

“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain” Daniel 11:45)

This is tomorrow’s news today! News which has been forecast for well over two thousand years!

Will Russia be opposed?

The simple answer to this question is “yes.”

In Ezekiel 38 and verse 13 we read of the following nations who oppose Russia.

“Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?”

Who are these nations? Who are the modern-day nations?

Again, we turn to those who have studied ancient geography and who tell us that:

Sheba & Dedan = refer to Saudi Arabi and (some) of the Gulf States

Tarshish = is an ancient name for Britain (Baratanac – the land of tin, where ancient Tyre used to obtain the metal)

Who are the “young lions”?

In World War I, Britain was depicted as an old lion calling to her whelps for assistance in the war against Germany. The young lions who heeded to the call, were countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. In short, they are the current Commonwealth countries, who (despite the apparent criticisms of Britain) will undoubtedly rise to the support of Britain in the time of crisis and in a bid to defend the free world.

“A time of trouble such as never was”

The details in the above prophecies portray a great conflagration. A time when the nations of the earth will be drawn to the battle of the great day of God Almighty (as Revelation 16:14 describes it).

Zechariah 14 verse 2 tells us:

“I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle”

This is what the book of Revelation calls “Armageddon” (chapter 16 and verse 16)– a Hebrew word meaning “a heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment.” This is a fitting description of the nations of the world being represented as sheaves being reaped in a harvest.

Joel in his prophecy (chapter 3, verses 9 to 14) referring to the same time says:

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Daniel in chapter 12 verse 1 describes it as “a time of trouble such as never was.”

What can be done at such a crisis?

With such a crisis impending – and we may well be witnessing the beginning as the events unfold in Ukraine – we might well ask the same question as the Philippian jailor in Acts 16 and verse 30:

What must I do to be saved?

When the crisis arrives, nothing can be done. The opportunity for salvation will have passed and the judgments of God will have begun.

But we can do something now – right now! We can learn of the Gospel of Salvation, and learn what we must do to be saved.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

“To day if ye will hear his voice” (Hebrews 3:15)

Today is eternally appealing – tomorrow may be too late!

[See what the Bible teaches here]