RUSSIA

VICTIMIZED BY ANTICHRIST

Appendix A – Rise or Fall of American Empire?

By

Doug Krieger

Nothing like a tabloid-style headline to grab your attention—and it’s about time someone whose relatives who stayed behind in Russia and were traumatized by Stalin, sent off to Siberia no less (most of whom perished), and some 2.5 million (a.k.a. Aussieler) who somehow survived, then staggered back into Germany, having been repatriated – ransomed for cash – (are still thought of in Germany as a “bunch of Russians”)—spoke the truth when it comes to Russia’s place in Bible prophecy in the Last Days…why shouldn’t a distant victim sound off? 

Rather, why is it that one of Volga Deutsch descendants (living in Norka some 200 miles north of Stalingrad in the Volga Basin) on my father’s side (thanks to the German-born Tsarina, Catherine the Great’s 1763 invitation to populate the “hinterlands” of the Russian Steppe by her hard-working Volk) and German colonizers around the Black Sea on my mother’s side, decides to exonerate his former relatives not-so-nice hosts (many of whom suffered intolerable conditions for nigh a hundred years)?

Why?  Because the apocalyptic Scriptures are utterly clear as to the victimization of Russia by Antichrist – that’s why?  And, no, I’m not conflicted – nor do I bear a grudge against Russia nor animosity against the USA – nor do I consider Vladimir Putin a sociopath - I’m just having a hard time with Antichrist!

RUSSIA TO DESTROY ISRAEL?

O.K. – let’s get it on…where did we get this notion – especially we Americans and those affected by the Anglo-American evangelicals – that Russia or Rosh/Rus, is all wrapped up in the Gog-Magog confederation of Ezekiel 38-39 (even leading them somehow against Israel, while involved in America’s destruction)?  Really, is Mother Russia the chief of that evil alliance, who in the Last Days, shall descend upon the Mountains of Israel to destroy the apple of God’s eye?

You certainly didn’t get it from Benjamin Wills Newton of the Plymouth Brethren – a man whose original formulation of the base of Antichrist originating from Ten Nations comprising an end-time’s Revived Roman Empire (1849); to wit:

“…and the nations mentioned in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38-39) as in confederacy with Gog:  I believe these to be the nations which are now occupying the districts in the centre of Asia north-east of Persia—Bokhara, for instance.  I do not regard Russia as coming within the description.  I believe the right translation of Ezekiel 38:3 to be “chief prince,” as given in our version (i.e., the Darby Version); nor do I recognize any affinity between Meshech and Tubal, and Muscovy (Moscow) and Tobolsk.” (B. W. Newton, Thoughts on the Apocalypse)

So . . . how is it that a vast swath of American Evangelicalism has for literally over a century proclaimed the evil intent within the Russian Bear?

First of all, let me clearly articulate modern-day proponents of Russia’s aggressive actions by some of America’s leading Premillenarians—all of whom harbor this immense distain – nigh hatred – toward Russia’s alleged major role in Bible prophecy…all the while America is “nowhere mentioned in Bible prophecy” (please see the EPILOGUE to this text).  Let’s start backwards through time, beginning in 2009.…

“Russia, in addition to Israel, is key to end-time prophecies.  Russia is destined to present some of the most fearsome trials and tribulations for Israel.  Gog, ‘chief prince of Rosh,’ is the leader of Russia described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.  In ancient language, Gog means ‘leader.’ ‘Rosh’ is the ancient name for the land of Russia.  In the last days, Russia will lead the Gog-Magog coalition that will move against Israel only to be defeated by a supernatural act of God.  These days, the Russian government is moving back toward a type of governance more like that of the Soviet system before it fell in 1989.  Note especially the regathering of power under a single, authoritarian leadership, and the movement away from the parliamentary system meant to serve the people.  It is more than a point of fascination to observe KGB-like secrecy and methodologies redeveloping in the country.  The nation’s increasing attempts to influence developments in the Middle East are of particular interest to those who watch for the Gog-Magog foreshadowing of things to come.” (The American Apocalypse…Is the United States in Bible Prophecy, Terry James, Harvest House, 2009, p. 217).

Terry James is a member of the Pre-Trib Research Center, cofounded by Dr. Tim LaHaye, and is a partner in raptureready.com, one of the most visited Bible prophecy Web Sites in the world.  Now, let’s consider Dr. John Walvoord’s critique on Ezekiel 38-39…

“Ezekiel 38:1-39:24.  Included in the section dealing with Israel’s blessing is the description of the deliverance of Israel from the invaders from the north in Ezekiel 38-39 led by Gog.  The prophecy against Gog is one of the most dramatic predictions of Ezekiel.  Many details of the prophecy are not entirely clear, but the main thrust of the prediction is not difficult to understand.  The passage predicted an invasion of Israel by a great army that will attack Israel from the north…In the quarter of a century since World War II Russia has risen to be one of the great military powers of the modern world (Note: Walvoord’s edition to this text was in 1999).  To a far greater extent than ever before Russia has become a prominent nation, especially in its influence on the Middle East.  The possibility of Russia attacking Israel is a modern concern of the United States and other nations.  With both Russia and Red China constituting a major political bloc, the question of a future war between Russia and Israel becomes a possibility.”

“The word ‘Russia’ never occurs in Scripture, but the description of this war connects these two important chapters of Ezekiel with the future outcome of Russia as a world power…If Ezekiel 38-39 is studied carefully, it reveals a future invasion of the land of Israel by the armies of Russia and five other nations.  Though sometimes confused with the battle of Armageddon, which will be a world conflict before the Second Coming, this war will be distinct, both in its objectives, its character, and its outcome.” (Every Prophecy of the Bible, John F. Walvoord, Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999, pp. 188-190)

Incidentally, Walvoord very clearly (Ibid., pp. 190-191) distinguishes the Gog-Magog War from the Armageddon Campaign for numerous reasons—to which I wholeheartedly concur.

I can remember in the late ‘50s – after accepting Christ as my Savior and Lord – that I purposefully blanketed by own neighborhood with broadsides relative to the coming invasion of Israel – and America – from Russia…so entrenched was the Gog-Magog doctrine within American evangelical fundamentalism!

SCOFIELD’S ANTI-RUSSIAN BIAS AND INTERPRETATIONS…

This brings us to at least C. I. Scofield, and his Scofield Reference Bible of 1909 and revised in 1917:

“[1] Gog - That the primary reference is to the northern (European) powers, headed up by Russia, all agree. The whole passage should be read in connection with Zech. 12:1-4 14:1-9; Mt 24:14-30; Rev 14:14-20, 19:17-21, ‘Gog’ is the prince, ‘Magog,’ his land. The reference to Meshech and Tubal (Moscow and Tobolsk) is a clear mark of identification. Russia and the northern powers have been the latest persecutors of dispersed Israel, and it is congruous both with divine justice and with the covenants (e.g. see Scofield Note: ‘Gen. 15:18’ and see Scofield Note: ‘Dt. 30:3’) that destruction should fall at the climax of the last mad attempt to exterminate the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem. The whole prophecy belongs to the yet future ‘day of Jehovah’ Isa. 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21 and to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14; see Scofield Note: ‘Rev. 19:19’ but includes also the final revolt of the nations at the close of the kingdom-age - Rev. 20:7-9).

Scofield greatly influenced Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder of Dallas Theological Seminary, who in turn influenced Walvoord, who in turn influenced Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye, who in turn…and Russia’s had a bad eschatological rap ever since.

PROBING THE EVANGELICAL ORIGINS OF RUSSIA AS GOG

But, can we go back further…I mean, the Communist Revolution in 1917 certainly set the stage as far as Scofield’s Revision of 1917 and subsequently fixated its aggressive role throughout Stalin’s Reign of Terror, then the Cold War – really, what reasonable American would not recognize Russia as Gog’s supreme leader of this Israel-hating power – ready to lead the Islamic hoards against Israel?

By the way, let’s get one thing perfectly straight – many American apocalyptic expositors affirm that America’s demise could still be an invasion from Russia—making America nothing more than a babbling prophetic twit; therefore, America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy…anyway, America’s demise via Russian destruction, goes something like this:

“One image in the Bible people associate with America is that of Babylon. Is the Babylon of the last days the ancient site in Iraq? Is it the apostate church? The world system? America? The free market system based on greed, as found in America?”

“There are many similarities between America and the descriptions of Babylon in Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 18. It is possible there will be multiple fulfillments of those passages, with America being only one. If America is the Babylon of Jeremiah 50, a vicious attack from the north will destroy the country (Jeremiah 50:3, 9, 41 and 51:48). The only countries north of America are Canada and Russia, and the latter is the better candidate for military aggression against us. If Russia will invade America in the future, it must be before God destroys the Russian army in Israel!” (America in Bible Prophecy, foxven.com)  

Or, something akin to this:

“America is disclosed to be the target of a nuclear attack conspiracy by Russia & China & the Islamic Arab world, leading to World War III.”

“Top defected Russian spy Col. Stanislav Lunev, investigative journalist Bill Gertz, and other experts on national security and foreign policy have released alarming research on the Russia and China threat to the U.S.A.”

“This research along with news reports about international defiance (e.g. communist and rogue or terrorist states) to U.S. hegemony and U.N. sanctions, are showing trends that incredibly coincide with prophecies in the Bible...”

“U.S.A. has been revealed to be the ‘Mystery Babylon’ of Revelation (chapter 17), also known as ‘the great harlot/whore,’ hated by a group of ten nations who will ‘burn her up with fire’ and make her ‘desolate.’ Hated for her moral degeneration and prideful dominance in international affairs, she is destined to receive the fiery judgment of a nation turned shameless & unfaithful to God.”

“America is viewed by the Islamic and culturally/religiously orthodox world as a major source of worldwide moral contamination and destructive materialism.”

“As Israel’s only unconditional ally, hatred towards America is also growing in direct proportion to hatred towards Israel. And Russia and China are the only military superpowers with the technology to empower Israel’s enemies and unite with them in removing the U.S. roadblock to the obliteration of Israel.  America is destined to be brought down in order for Armageddon to come about....” (America Facing Surprise Nuclear Attack, @ http://www.angelfire.com/rant/watchman2001/summary.html)

Or, again, the well-respected Dr. David R. Reagan, who has for years rallied the faithful in the study of the prophetic Scriptures, speculates: 

 “I personally believe that the reason the U.S. is not mentioned in end time prophecy is because we will suddenly cease to be a world power and will therefore play no significant role in end time events.” (Dr. David Reagan, America the Beautiful?  The United States in Bible Prophecy, Lamb & Lion Ministries) 

Dr. Reagan, as we have discovered in most of our research of American Premillenarian evangelical prophecy stalwarts, must, therefore, dispense with the insurmountable American presence now encircling the globe; to wit: 

“The destruction of American power is most likely to occur in two stages.  The first could be an economic catastrophe that will result from our out of control debt situation.  Our god is the dollar, and the Lord is going to destroy that god when the weight of our debt collapses our economy.” 

“The second stage could occur when Russia launches its invasion of Israel (prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39).  I believe it is very likely that they will launch a preemptive nuclear attack against our nation . . . This attack may be hinted at in Ezekiel 39:6 where it says that fire will fall on ‘those who inhabit the coastlands in safety.’” (Ibid.) 

Dr. Reagan suggests that the Russian attack “will probably come from submarines deployed off our East and West coasts . . . each Russian sub carries more fire power than all the bombs dropped in World War II . . . such an attack would give us only seven minutes warning, not even enough time to launch a counter attack.” (Ibid.) 

He then goes on to conjecture that with America’s destruction, Russia will then “come down” upon Israel in the infamous Gog-Magog War against Israel only to be supernaturally destroyed “on the mountains of Israel.” 

Then, with the vacuous political instability created by these conflagrations, a “charismatic European political personality, who will be energized by Satan,” will step into the fray to stabilize this confusion by proposing “brilliant proposals for world peace.” 

Dr. Reagan’s analysis includes the strategic affirmation that Russia “is far more dangerous to the world today than before the Soviet collapse . . . The increased danger is rooted in the instability of the (Russian Federation) government.” 

Therefore, instead of the Ten Confederated Revived Roman Empire States (e.g., the Western European Union (WEU) now comprised of ten such states – a.k.a. the Beast) who will turn on the Mother of Harlots, Mystery Babylon, in Revelation 17, to devour her – now, Gog (a.k.a. Russia) will do the honors.

But, getting back to the origins of the Russian bogyman in Bible prophecy…just where did this stuff come from?  I mean, just before Russia tries to take out Israel, she takes out the USA?

ARNO C. GAEBELEIN – TUTOR OF C.I. SCOFIELD

In returning to C.I. Scofield, it appears that he was greatly influenced by Plymouth Brethren writings, especially on Dispensationalism, and at least we do know that Arno C. Gaebelein’s text, The Harmony of the Prophetic Word (New York:  Francis E. Fitch, Pub., 1903), p. 59 (or Revell, 1907 – p. 67)– a text read by Scofield, wherein Gaebelein wrote, “Rosh certainly reminds one of Russia”… “Gog and Magog occupied the territory of Russia of today.”  Indeed, the foreword to Gaebelein’s text was written by C. I. Scofield!

Gaebelein is somewhat relentless in his prosecution of Russia’s complicity:

“…the land of the north and the immense territory acquired by that land—we mean Russia—will be in that confederacy is obvious…Rosh certainly reminds one of Russia; Meshech of Moscow; Tubal of Tobolsk; and Togarmah of Turcomenia. 

Gog, Gomer, Meshech, etc., are first mentioned in Genesis 10.  They settled in a northern direction.  Gog and Magog occupied the territory of Russia of to-day, while Gomer was west of Gog and Magog, covering the territory of Austria and Germany.  It is a most interesting fact that Russia is aware of this prophecy.  Many intelligent Russians believe Ezekiel 38-39 to mean their land.  When the first edition of this volume was published (1903), a Russian princess ordered a copy.  It was returned to the publisher, being refused by the Russian censorship, the above passage being the objectionable feature.  Russia is the great Jew-hating country.” (p. 67 Revell Edition of 1907 with allusions to the initial edition in 1903 – The Harmony of the Prophetic Word, Arno C. Gaebelein)

For a rather thorough history on the identification of Rosh with Russia (and subsequent denials of such an outrageous association that Rosh=Russia) one can read the works of Paul Boyer, When Time Shall Be No More:  Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1991, pp. 154-57, and Dwight Wilson’s, Armageddon Now!  The Premillenarian Response to Russia and Israel since 1917, Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, c1977).  Likewise, a fairly well researched text by Jon Mark Ruthven, Ph.D. with Thah Griess entitled, The Prophecy That Is Shaping History – New Research on Ezekiel’s Vision of the End (Xulon Press, 2003).

Again, in Gaebelein’s writings…he speculated in the prophetic magazine Our Hope (pp. 143-4 – as found in Fundamentalism and American Culture by George M. Marsden, 2006) on his commentary on Ezekiel that Germany might “become united to Russia and march under the prince of Rosh into the land of Israel.”  He also predicted that a Revived Roman Empire would oppose such an alliance.

DR. J. VERNON McGEE’S COLD WAR PRESUPPOSITIONS

Probably one of the most convincing arguments in the common vernacular that Rosh=Russia is given by Vernon McGee of the once vibrant Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, California – I quote Dr. J. Vernon McGee at length because his Cold War presentation punctuates the intensity of American animosity towards Russia in no uncertain terms:

 “Chapter 38 — That Gog and Magog may be identified with Russia is supported by a threefold reason:

“1. Linguistic phenomenon — (vv. 2, 3) “Gog” is a word for ruler, meaning “roof” (the man on the top). Dean Stanley, in his exhaustive History of the Eastern Church, published a half century ago, has a note, founded on Gesenius, to the effect that the name ‘Russ’ (Hebrew ‘Rosh’) occurs in v. 3, mistranslated ‘chief’ in the English version. Thus, says Stanley, it is the only name of a modern nation found in the Old Testament. Bishop Lowther says, ‘Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom the modern Russians derived their name.’”

“Josephus said that Magog (Genesis 10:1, 2) ‘founded those that from him were named Magogites, but who by the Greeks were called Scythians.’ Russia was called Muscovy, derived from Meshech, until Ivan the Terrible (1530-84) assumed title of ‘Czar of Russia.’”

“2. Geographic phenomenon — (v. 6) ‘North quarters’ means north of Israel. Directions in Scripture are in relationship to the land of Israel. Russia is north of Israel and fills the entire area. Assyria in ancient times is a type of Russia (as Babylon is a type of the restored Roman Empire) in the ‘latter days.’”

“3. Philosophical or ideological phenomenon — God’s mercy was extended to all nations of the past which were polytheistic: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, etc.  But here it is stated from the beginning, ‘I am against thee, O Gog’ (v. 3). Russia is the first nation of the world to adopt an atheistic philosophy of life and government. ‘It is possible,’said Plutarch, ‘to find cities without walls, without kings, without wealth, without letters, without theaters, but a city without a temple or that practiceth not worship no man ever saw.’”

“Stalin boasted, ‘We have deposed the czars of the earth, we shall now dethrone the Lord of Heaven.’ Also from Moscow has come this:  ‘Our rocket has bypassed the moon. It is nearing the sun, and we have not discovered God. We have turned out lights in heaven that no man will be able to put on again. We are breaking the yoke of the Gospel, the opium of the masses.  Let us go forth and Christ shall be relegated to mythology.’”

“v. 4 — ‘Put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth’ indicates that God will bring Russia down into Israel at the proper time.  He is baiting hooks for them. Several are evident today….”

“1. Russia needs a warm water entrance into the waterways of the world. Israel offers that.  2. The oil deposits of the Near East are essential for the survival of modern nations. 3. The mineral deposits in the Dead Sea are so great that they cannot be evaluated on today’s market.”

“vv. 5, 6 — There are many allies with Russia — Ethiopia, Asian Cush, Gomer (in the Talmud, Gomer is stated to be the Germani, the Germans), Togarmah (Turkey). ‘And many peoples with thee’ indicates that this is not an exhaustive list.”

“When will Russia come down? - v. 8 —

‘In the latter years’ and ‘in the latter days’ (v. 16) places the time of this event in the Great Tribulation period. Probably in the midst of the 7-year period (Daniel’s 70th week, cf. Daniel 9:20-27), Russia will trigger the Great Tribulation by invading Israel and thereby breaking the false peace made by Antichrist.”

“What will be the results?

The defeat of Gog is described in great detail in Ezekiel 38 and 39.  The slaughter is graphically given in Ezekiel 39:1-24.” (Notes and Outlines on Ezekiel, J. Vernon McGee)

THE SOURCE OF RUSSIA’S CONTENTION – WILLIAM KELLY

This immediate research, though perfunctory, has, nevertheless, discovered the culprit and Gaebelein’s eschatological tutor – the source of the Russian Conspiracy, William Kelly (cir. 1876 – another Plymouth Brethren), who took the research of J. von Hammer's Origines Russes, drawn from Oriental MSS. (St. Petersburg, 1825) and extrapolated it into the Russian Bear, galvanizing, as chief, an Islamic constellation of latter-day nations, who pounces upon a regathered and unsuspecting Israel at the End of Days.  (Note:  Although the Brits may have started the “Russian Equation” rolling, the Americans expanded Russia’s antagonism to include, not only Israel, but America herself!)

I quote Kelly’s interpretive research at length (found in his Notes on Ezekiel) for its foundational importance to Premillenarian eschatology and its fascination with Russia’s End of Days involvements – hopefully, it shall not bore you to tears, but these Plymouth Brethren spared no intricacies in their abilities to exegete voluminous amounts of commentary from the Scriptures – and what’s of major import are these findings which have had an horrendous affect upon American geopolitical efforts to isolate and blame Russia for her ultimate plan and purpose to assert her influence in Eurasia, at America’s expense!

“But it may be well to clear away some mistakes which have long, and for most readers, overhung the translation of verse 2 (Ezekiel 38:2) to the detriment of the sense. Happily the oldest version (the Septuagint) gives the true meaning; and the Greek versions of Theodotion and Symmachus did not abandon but confirm it. It is impossible on any just principles to deny that the Septuagint and those who hold with it rightly give ἄρχοντα Ῥώς κ. τ λ. for ‘nasi rosh’. I am aware that the Chaldee Targum of Jonathan and the Greek version of the Jew Aquila take it, like our English Bible, as ‘the chief prince,’ the Vulgate as prince of the head or chief (like our margin), the Syriac as ‘ruler and chief,’ the Arabic as ‘prince of the princes,’ etc.”

“But none of these affords a tolerable or even intelligible meaning, save the latter two which desert the text. It is true that ‘rosh’, when the context requires it to be a common appellative, means ‘head’ or ‘chief;’ but it is this sense which in the present instance brings in confusion. There can be no doubt therefore that it must be taken as a proper name, and here not of a man as in Genesis 26:2, if the common reading stand, but of a race. This at once furnishes a suitable sense, which is strengthened by the term which precedes it as well as by those that follow. For, as ‘nasi’ regularly means the head of a tribe, or a prince in general, so Meshech and Thubal fix ‘rosh’ as meaning a Gentilic name (Rosh). They were in fact three great tribes, by the ancients called Scythians, the first of them apparently deriving its name from their proximity in those days to the river Rha, or Volga (though some think the Araxes), and supplying that of the modern Russ, as the others are reproduced in Moscow or Muscovy, and in Tobolsk.* There is of course no difficulty in supposing migrations northward from the original seats, supposing that they may have been the races in the north of Asia Minor during the days of Ezekiel, and familiar to us as the Moschi, Tibareni, and perhaps other tribes named in later authors of Greece.”

“* Those who wish to go farther into the evidence may see it more fully in the Appendix to a volume of mine containing Lectures on the Second Coming and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. They will find there the more important extracts and interesting discussion in J. von Hammer's Origines Russes, drawn from Oriental MSS. (St. Petersburg , 1825) — a work which few can see for themselves. The author tries to make out that the Tiraz of Genesis 10 was the progenitor of the Ros or Ras of the Bible and the Koran, that is, of the Russians.  Meshech and Tubal are undoubtedly given there. Prefixes and suffixes were often thus added, and hence the same name appears in more than one form. It was very common in the East, and we find it also in the Bible. Gomer appears to be the head of the Cimmerian or Celtic race, as Togarmah of the Armenians. Cush and Phut are those translated Ethiopia and Libya. It only needs to be added here that part of Cush settled on the Euphrates, part on the Nile, being thus Asiatic as well as African. Compare Isaiah 18 for Cush.”

“The great questions are, what, where, and when, they are viewed when the vision applies, not when it was written. And of this the place it occupies in the prophetic series, the precise language of the vision and the character of the judgment pronounced, ought to leave no doubt for any believer. It can apply only in the last days when the chosen nation are peacefully restored to their land, and it speaks of such a judgment on their enemies, countless though they may be, as has never been witnessed since Ezekiel prophesied, nor anything approaching to it. The Grotian (i.e., Gordian?) effort to merge it in Antiochus Ep. (Note:  Antiochus IV Epiphanes) is of course a pitiable failure. Equally unsatisfying is the very vague ‘ideal’ of Fairbairn and the modern German school. Nor are the Futurists more right who confound with the beast and the false prophet this great leader of the north-eastern nations, not without followers from the south.”

Here – may I insert, William Kelly’s insights that Gog and his war must not be confused with the doings of Antichrist—the two are utterly incompatible—i.e., Gog is not the Antichrist.

“Let us now look into the opening of this remarkable prediction. Who can deny that the rapid and immense development of the Russian empire bears its unmistakable witness to the judgment that is coming, as here declared so long before?”

 “‘And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold I am against thee, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and I will turn thee back, and put my hook into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed elegantly, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords; Persia, Cush, and Phut with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his bands; the house of Thogarmah (Togarmah) of the north quarters; many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare thyself, thou and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days shalt thou be mustered; in the latter days thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples 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 wilt ascend and come like a storm; thou wilt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou and all thy bands, and many people with thee.’ (Ver. 1-9)”

“Here the case stands clearly defined in all but the name, which seems to be probably symbolic. It is the last enemy of Israel who confronts us. He dwells in the land of Magog, that son of Japhet who overspread in due time the vast steppes of what was anciently called Scythia. He is autocrat of all the Russias (sic ? or Russians), prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Thus we have himself, his land, and his people. But the Lord Jehovah is against him who, instead of seeing when good comes to a long-troubled people, would fain aggrandize himself, and thus finds himself in array against not merely the Israel of God but the God of Israel. Cursed must he be who thus trusts in man and makes flesh his arm; and so does Gog prove. For Jehovah declares that He will turn him back, put hooks in his jaws, and cause him to go forth, him and all his host.”

“Then will it appear as a final lesson that no king is saved by the multitude of his host, that a mighty man is not delivered by much strength, and that a horse is a vain thing for safety. Israel at length are poor in spirit; and Jehovah brings the counsel of the heathen to naught, whilst His counsel stands for ever. There they come clothed to perfection, a great company, with shield and buckler, all of them grasping swords; Persia too is there, obliged to follow the train of the mighty northern leader, Cush and Phut with them; Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah from the sides of the north, and all his bands: many people indeed with Gog! With grave irony he is told to be prepared and prepare himself, and he and all his vast confederacy, and be their guard — if he can!”

 “Long, long ago had been the prophetic warning. No great nation in the old world had been so slow to take up the leadership of the populous East. But, delayed as it might be, the epoch is seen vividly by the seer of the Chebar. ‘After many days thou wilt be mustered; in the last of the years thou wilt come into the land’ of Israel, where they are then dwelling safely. As a storm Gog comes, as a cloud he covers the land. But no weapon formed against Israel shall prosper. Such is their heritage, when their righteousness is of Jehovah. They may as yet be few, their adversaries countless; but what is this to the Lord but an opportunity for showing Himself the enemy of His people's enemies? This Gog finds out, as we shall see, too late not only for himself and his enormous following, but for those he had left quietly at home. It is the day of just retribution and of divine government on earth, when the manslayer, so long estranged yet preserved, returns to the land of his possession. And shall not God avenge His own elect when he whose trust is in his numbers numberless casts his greedy look on the land where Jehovah's eyes rest continually?”

“The prophecy then supposes the return of the people as a whole to their land, not of a remnant only, as after the Babylonish captivity. But there is more. It supposes a condition of unsuspected quiet such as differs from any period of Israel’s history in the past. Of this Gog is to take advantage, but to his own ruin. He has no faith in God’s love for His people, and never thinks of His taking His place in their midst for their defense against their foes.” (Taken from: Blackheath, London, January, 1876. Notes on Ezekiel by William B. Kelly or the same from Stem Publishing.)

GAEBELEIN’S RUSSIAN FIXATION IS NOW UNDERSTOOD

Now, it becomes most recognizable that Gaebelein’s tutor had a profound influence upon Arno’s extrapolations relative to Russian concupiscence for spoil as she allegedly descends upon Israel in the Latter Days.

 “The leader is the prince of Rosh (not as the Authorized Version has it ‘the chief prince’) of Meshech and Tubal. This prince is the head of the confederacy and with him allied are Persia, Cush, Phut, Gomer and Togarmah. They come out of the north, or, as it is in Hebrew, ‘out of the uttermost north’ (verse 15). Inasmuch as the Prince of Rosh is addressed in verse 3 as Gog, we take it that Gog is the name given to this prince and leader of these nations. His dwelling place is in the land of Magog. We know from Genesis 10:2, that Magog was the second son of Japheth. Gomer, Tubal and Meshech were also sons of Japheth; Togormah (a.k.a. Togarmah) was a grandson of Japheth, being the third son of Gomer. Magog’s land was located in what is called today the Caucasus and the adjoining steppes. And the three, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal were called by the ancient Scythians. They roamed as nomads in the country around and north of the Black and the Caspian Seas, and were known as the wildest barbarians. We learn from this that the invading forces, which fall into Israel's land in the future, when Israel has been regathered, come from a territory north of Palestine which today is in the hands of Russia. And here we call attention to the prince, this northern leader, or king, who is the head of all these nations. He is the prince of Rosh. Careful research has established the fact that the progenitor of Rosh was Tiraz (Gen. 10:2), and that Rosh is Russia. All students of prophecy are agreed that this is the correct meaning of Rosh. The prince of Rosh, means, therefore, the prince or king of the Russian empire. (My emphasis.) But he also is in control of Meshech and Tubal, which are reproduced in the modern Moscow and Tobolsk. Russia, we may well conclude from this, will furnish the man who will lead this confederacy of nations. We write this at a time when Russia is passing through horrors upon horrors. A revolution changed the autocratic government into a democracy, and that gave way to anarchy, produced by satanic powers. From what is written in this chapter, we learn that Russia will ultimately return to the old regime, and will once more become a monarchy to fulfill her final destiny as made known in this sublime prophecy. Well known it is that Russia has been in the past the most pronounced and bitterest enemy of the Jewish people. What she passes through today is but a fulfillment of what the Lord has spoken: ‘I will curse them that curse thee.’ Today, the Jews in Russia may have bright hopes of getting their rights and complete emancipation at last. For a time this may come to pass, but ultimately Russia will turn against them; and, as Pharaoh did, when Israel had left his domain, so this coming king of the north, the prince of Rosh, when Israel is back in the land, will turn against them.”

 “With him come the other nations. Persia, which is even now in part occupied by Russia, will finally be a vassal to this prince of Rosh. Ethiopia and Phut are also in this confederacy. There also is Gomer and all its bands. Gomer, says Delitzsch, ‘is most probably the tribe of the Cimmerians, who dwell, according to Herodotus, on the Maeotis, in the Taurian Chersonesus, and from whom are descended the Curmi or Cymry in Wales and Britain, whose relation to the Germanic Cimbri is still in obscurity.’ Valuable information is given in the Talmud; Gomer is there stated to be the Germani, the Germans. That the descendants of the Gomer moved northward and established themselves in parts of Germany seems to be an established fact. All this is of much interest. Germany did not belong to the Roman empire, at least the greater part of Germany was never conquered by Rome. She will therefore not participate in the Western confederacy. Will she then become united to Russia and march under the prince of Rosh into the land of Israel? We cannot be sure about all these things. This, however, we know, that a powerful confederacy of nations, under the leadership of the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, will come up against Immanuel’s land, when Israel has been restored and dwells safely.” (The Prophet Ezekiel, Arno Clement Gaebelein, 1861-1942)

PRINCE OF ROSH – RE-ENERGIZED BY VLADIMIR PUTIN?

In her thesis, Dr. Christina Y. Lin, suggests an incriminating title to Russia’s resurgent “imperial pursuits” using energy as the bear’s platform for foreign policy:  The Prince of Rosh:  Russian Energy Imperialism and the Emerging Eurasian Military Alliance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In her introduction she projects Putin as somewhat of a Russian prophet:

“After the end of the Cold War and a period of Perestroika, the post 9/11 world ushered in once more a period of Realpolitik in the international security environment. However, Russia’s prime minister and former president Vladimir Putin appeared to have the foresight that Perestroika would not last: his 1997 Ph.D. dissertation at the St. Petersburg Mining Institute viewed the demise of the Soviet Union as the ‘greatest catastrophe of the 20th century’ and argued for utilizing the Russian resource sector to once again reassert Russia’s imperial status.”

Her footnote to Russia’s ROSH entitlement found in Scripture is all the more fascinating:

“This title (Rosh) is taken from the Bible’s Book of Ezekiel about a coalition of countries from North Africa and Eurasia that invades Israel over spoils (possibly oil & gas). Ezekiel 38:1-6—‘Son of Man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal…Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meschech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothes, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops, the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.’ This coalition has an uncanny resemblance to countries currently aligned to Russia via its ‘arms for energy’ policy:  Magog=Russia; Meshech=Turkey; Tubal=Turkey; Persia=Iran; Ethiopia (Cush)=Sudan; Put=Libya; Gomer=Germany or north central Asia Minor.”

THE CURIOUS CONCLUSIONS OF JOSEPH F. VON HAMMER-PURGSTALL

Going back to the exhaustive text of Jon Mark Ruthven, The Prophecy That Is Shaping History, we discover that William Kelly’s original research of Joseph F. von Hammer-Purgstall was not alone in his deciphering of Rosh=Russia:

“Joseph F. von Hammer-Purgstall, Sur les origines russes; extraits de manuscrits orientaux, addresses ὰ mgr. Le comte N. de Romanzoff, chancelier de l’empire de Russie, dans une suite de letters depuis I’an 1816 jusqu’ ὰ l’an 1825. (St. Petersbourg, Impr. De l’Académie Impériale des Sciences, 1827), 24-29.  Von Hammer suggests that the Koran offers a reference to the Rus based on Ezekiel’s prophecy in Sura 25:40 [sic, actually 25:38] and possibly 50:12.  For similar conjectures:  Johann G. von Stritter, 1740-1801.  Memoriae popvlorvm olim ad Danvbivm, Pontvm Evxinvm, palvdem Maeotidem, Cavcasvm, Mare Caspivm, et inde magis ad septemtriones incolentivm (Petropoli:  Impensis Academiae scientiarvm, 1771, 1779) IIP:957ff.  Johann D. Michaelis, 1717-1791, Supplementa ad lexica Hebraica (Gottingae:  J. G. Rosenbusch, 1792, VI:2224ff. Johannes Schulthess, 1763-1836.  Das Paradies, das irdische und überirdische, historische, mythische und mystische:  nebst einer critischen Revision der allgemeinen biblischen Geographie. (Zürich:  Joh. Kaspar Näf, 1816), 193.  Barthélemy d’ Herbelot, 1625-1695.  Bibliothèque orientale, ou Dictionnaire universel,contenanttout ce qui fait connoîitre lles peoples de l’Orient; leurs histories & traditions, tant fabuleuses que vèritable43s; leurs religions & leurs sects; leurs gouvernements, loix, politique, mǽurs, coutumes; & les revolutions de leurs empires, &c. (Paris, Poinҫot, 1789) III:137f.”  (Note:  From his text – if you wish to observe the tedium please link to the 18 pages of notes which ostensibly destroy the association of Rus/Rosh with Russia and thus exonerates Putin et al - The Prophecy That Is Shaping History)

Indeed, it may have been the mysterious Orientalist/Romanticist who sought after epistemological conclusions as to Russia’s namesake; however, it most definitely was the Premillenarian Evangelicals who extrapolated the secular discovery into the immediate eschatological morass.

THE AUSTRALIAN REV. CRANE

One final doctoral thesis which fairly well destroys the Kelly-Gaebelein Rosh implications is derived from the Rev. Ashley Stewart Crane in the acquisition of his Doctor of Philosophy from Murdoch University, 2006, entitled:  The Restoration of Israel:  Ezekiel 36-39 in Early Jewish Interpretation:  A textual-comparative study of the oldest extant Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

In several of Crane’s footnotes (specifically, 304 and 314 – and be it noted he does not purport to ascertain the identification of the ancient lands so designated) – he confirms, however, the spurious associations connecting Rosh to Russia by Ruthven:

“304 – The identity of Gog and Magog remains a mystery amidst the plethora of suggestions both ancient and modern, yet without any scholarly consensus, and these ‘may turn out to be artificial creations’ (Block, 1998, p.434).  For a good recent resource on Gog and Magog see BØE (2001).  Railton (2003) outlines a number of Christian, Jewish and Muslim interpretations of Gog and Magog through the centuries.  Lust (1995b, pp. 708f [Gog]; and 99f [Magog] also covers a number of historical and modern suggestions for Gog and Magog’s identity.  Attempts to align Gog with Russia in some modern eschatological fulfillment of these chapters is ‘an association that, given the changing political climate in the past few years, demands a careful re-evaluation’ (Tanner, 1996, p.29).  Odell (2005, p.554) suggests ‘the unit’s context and reworking of Israelite prophetic traditions allow for the possibility that the name is a cryptic allusion to Nebuchadnezzar’.  However, there is nothing in either the Hebrew or Greek texts. that explicitly support any of these suggestions, other than Gog comes from the north.  Significantly, LXX retains ‘Gog’, and, unlike its treatment of the other names (cf. vv. 5, 13), does not seek to provide a contemporary equivalent.  Alexander (1974, p. 161) notes that it is ‘employed, perhaps, as a general name for any of God’s enemies at the time of the composition of the Septuagint’.”

“314 – Fairbairn (1969, p.415 or 1855 Patrick Fairbairn text: Ezekiel and the Book of his Prophecy:  An Exposition) suggests that ‘Ros’ is the name of a people group, saying ‘traces have been found of a northern people anciently bearing such a name … and the great probability in the opinion, that the people referred to were the Russi, from whom the modern Russians derive their name.’  However, it is unknown if Ezekiel knew of, or was referring to, this people group.  Tanner (1996, p.30) points out that ‘if Rosh is not a name place then the etymological connection with Russia is eliminated’.  However, whilst this may be the concern of the modern eschatological exegete, we question if this was a concern to the LXX translator(s).  Tanner (1996, p.31) says that Ezekiel would ‘probably not [be referring to] modern Russia’ as the name Rus is a Viking import in the Middle Ages.” (p. 177)

G. H. LANG – NO, RUSSIA IS NOT ROSH

“Scholars who do not positively reject the proposed identification use upon Rosh and Russia such weak and doubtful terms as ‘a more probable hypothesis’ (Smith’s B.D.), ‘dubious’ (Century Bible), ‘whence perhaps’ the name Russia (Wordsworth).  But there is great weight of scholarship against it.  Thus the 14th  edition of The Encyclopedia Britannica says, ‘The name ‘Russia’ is derived through Rossiya from Slavonic Rus or Ros (Byzantine ‘Рῶς or Рῶσοι), a name first given to the Scandinavians who founded a principality on the Dnieper in the ninth century, and afterwards extended to the collection of Slav states of which this principality formed the nucleus.  The word Rus is probably derived from Ruotsi (a Finnish name for the Swedes), which seems to be a corruption of the Swedish rothsmenn, ‘rowers,’ or seafarers’.’” (The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, Appendix C, GOG, Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal, G. H. Lang, The Paternoster Press, 1950, 4th Edition, p. 201)

RUSSIA IS THE VICTIM!

I apologize for dragging you through this quagmire of scholastic aptitude; however, the geopolitical ramifications relative to these eschatologies which attempt to link modern Russia with Gog are not inconsequential.  Therefore, knowing their originations, conclusions and present implications relative to a so-called resurgent Russia incriminating both America and Israel in the Latter Days is NOT an exercise in futility.  This blinding affinity of associating Gog with Russia does, however, delight the fancies of American defense planners who cheerfully celebrate the stalwart support of large segments of America’s religious population who embrace this equation – indeed they inadvertently encourage the strategic planning and foreign policy of the Administration and State Department because it aligns with BOTH of their Weltanschauung – and, thereby perpetuates the Military-Industrial Complex of the King of the West, the “Merchants of Tarshish.” 

All of this is pertinent in that the Scriptures are resoundingly clear that Russia is not mentioned in the constellation of Gog in Ezekiel 38-39 – but she is clearly alluded to in the aftermath of the Gog-Magog conflagration and within the context of Antichrist’s Armageddon Campaign—being immediately victimized following the Gog-Magog War which War occurs (according to our calculations) during the first 40 days of the Seventieth Week of Daniel—may the Lord have mercy upon them!

For after the King of the North (Gog-Magog – along with Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Gomer and Togarmah—all located in Turkey, Iran and, at best, the Southern Caucasus) and the King of the South (including in Ezekiel 38:5 Ethiopia (Cush) and Libya (Put or Phut) and in Daniel 11:41, Egypt, who have come “up against him” (i.e., Antichrist) – and after Antichrist has claimed divine intervention belongs to him, we hear these words:  “But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many . . . at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people (i.e., the Jews); and there shall be a time of trouble (i.e., “Jacob’s Trouble), such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (Daniel 11:44; 12:1).  Absolutely, this catapults the entire picture between Daniel 11:44 and Daniel 12:1 into the very close of this age (“at the time of the end” – “at that time” – “after many days you will be visited…In the latter years” – Daniel 11:40; 12:1; Ezekiel 38:8)—this has nothing to do with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but everything to do with Antichrist vs. Russia and Antichrist vs. Israel and Antichrist vs. Gog-Magog (for his kingdom is “divided against itself” and his pleasure is death – knowing humankind is the means whereby the Almighty has chosen to accomplish His purposes).

If Russia were to have been allegedly devastated in the Gog-Magog conflagration (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 38:1-23 through Ezekiel 39:1-16), then what is this war which ensues immediately after the northern and southern confederated states have been decimated?   Why would Antichrist suddenly, provoked by such “news” from the north, go out and annihilate many?  It can be none other than north of the “far north” (Ezekiel 38:15), which leaves but the Russian Federation of States.  That Daniel 11:40-43 is directly connected to the Gog-Magog War, there can be little doubt in that its description, especially those so allied against “him” (“shall attack him”) – Daniel 11:40:

“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,”

Be it clearly understood that the “him” is attacked by the Kings of the South and North (Note:  This is not a conflict wherein the King of the South attacks the King of the North and then the King of the North counterattacks the King of the South – the entire grammatical syntax militates against this proposition.)   We have gone into elaborate detail regarding the comparisons of Ezekiel 38-39 and Daniel 11 and the constellation of nations which comprise both the Kings of the North and South—their similarities are incontrovertible.  And, that “him” is the same “he” of whom it is said:

“He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown…he shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.  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.  But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (Daniel 11:41-44).

This “he, his, him” is none other than the Antichrist!  (Please see: Antichrist and the Gog-Magog War) – I include my original work on this subject:

“The end-times’ manifestation of Antichrist, according to Daniel, will be what the Bible entitles, the Gog-Magog War as seen in Ezekiel 38-39, in which Israel becomes the centerpiece of the conflagration when the armies of Gog-Magog assault the ingathering of the Diaspora of Modern-day Israel.  Naturally, Israel would have to be in her land—which she is today!  The description of this war has NEVER occurred—but Israel is now in her ancient homeland and the ancient tribal designations of the Principality Gog, and the forces allied with Gog (i.e., Magog) are virtually all found in today’s Islamic nations which surround Israel.”

“Later on in Daniel 11:40-45 we read that the Antichrist (according to Robert Duncan Culver in his classic: Daniel in the Latter Days - Moody Press, 1954, p.  167-9 – see below) has, apparently, positioned his forces in the area between the King of the North and the King of the South (NOTE: These North/South forces are referred to in Ezekiel 38-39 as Gog/Magog (northern nations-Gomer, Magog, Tubal, Mesheck, Beth-Togarmah and Iran or Persia—all of these nations are located in Turkey or the Trans-Caucuses); in addition to these ‘King of the North Nations,’ a number of nations to the south of Israel (the Beautiful Land) are mentioned, among which are Egypt, Ethiopia (i.e., Modern Sudan) and Libya.” (Note:  Please see Ezekiel 38:5 and Daniel 11:42-43 wherein Libya and Ethiopia are mentioned in both texts, but Egypt is added into the southern constellation in Daniel 11:42-43, but does not appear in Ezekiel 38:5.).  In other words, the same Gog-Magog War mentioned in Ezekiel 38 is the same war mentioned in Daniel 11—the focus, again, of the aggressor nations in Ezekiel is Israel; while the focus of the aggressors (initially) in Daniel is Antichrist (“against him” – “attack him”).

“In Daniel 11:44-45 the Gog-Magog war is expanded upon; although this time instead of Israel being the object of attack (as in Ezekiel’s accounting written before Daniel’s account), Antichrist is the object—he has evidently PREPOSITIONED HIS FORCES somewhere in the Middle East north of Israel—the Bible doesn't specify where. (Note:  At this juncture it is overtly observed that this immediate prepositioning of Western forces is utterly entrenched in the region—is it any wonder that the “Merchants of Tarshish” register their complaints against Gog? – see Ezekiel 38:13 – along with Sheba and Dedan, the ancient designated nations of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula now allied with the West in her commercial pursuits?).” 

“In Daniel 11:40-45 Gog is referred to as the King of the North; and another entity is introduced as the King of the South.  Egypt is introduced as being allied with Ethiopia and Libya, along with other unnamed countries south of the Holy Land.  The King of the North and the King of the South attack—and the object of their attack is Antichrist.” (Chapter 9, The Person of Antichrist, by Doug Krieger)

Robert Duncan Culver clarifies both the unique futuristic nature of the conflict and then the THREE principal participants:

“In the second place, as many have noted, the known correspondence of the history of the past (during the age of Antiochus) breaks off at the end of verse 35 (of Daniel 11).  Since nothing in the past is known to correspond with verses 36-45, it is quite proper to look for such correspondence in the future.”

“In the third place, a totally new subject is introduced at the beginning of verse 36.  Up to that point, the immediate portion of the chapter is dealing with the king of the south (Egypt), the king (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) of the north (Syria), and their conflicts one with another, and with Israel.  Here, however, the willful king is a third party (my emphasis) in conflict with both kings.” (Robert Duncan Culver, Daniel and The Latter Days, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1954, pp. 167-8)

These conflicts were sequenced in Three Prophetic Wars (Chapter 28 of this text) and many other places on our web site (Antichrist and the Gog-Magog War as well as The Prophetic Sequence and Antichrist – Reflections on the Desolator).  All that to say that after the Gog-Magog War, Antichrist shall extend his belligerency throughout the world (targeting Russia and “rumors in the east” – which rumors eventually precipitate until the way is opened for the “Kings of the East” at the very climax of the Armageddon Campaign – see Revelation 16:12-16), while Israel and the Church, as the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11, will resoundingly prevail as hope amidst despair, light against the darkness and life out of death!

The end of days’ conflict mentioned in both Ezekiel 38:1-23 – 39:1-16 and Daniel 11:40-43 has no resemblance to the conflict which precedes it, the Oracle or Burden of Damascus (Isaiah 17:1-11; Zechariah 9:1-8), which occurs prior to the Seventieth Week of Daniel and BEFORE the infamous Treaty with Death and Hell (Daniel 9:26b-27a; Isaiah 28:14-19) – “the end of the war (i.e., the “Arab-Israeli Conflict”). . . then he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week”), nor does it resemble the “Campaign of Armageddon” whose succession commences immediately after the Gog-Magog War (Daniel 11:44; Ezekiel 39:17-20; Joel 3:1-17; Zechariah 14:3-4; Revelation 16:16; 19:17-21) and culminates at the Valleys of Megiddo and Jehoshaphat unto the Mt. of Olives.

Russia’s possible complicity in the Gog-Magog conflagration is not out of the question, nor are the “rumors from the east” – news that most assuredly would set in motion the origins of the Armageddon Campaign throughout the remainder of the Seventieth Week until its climax in the Valley of Megiddo, again, unto the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:12-15).  However, the “news from the…north” which so troubles Antichrist demands that due north of Jerusalem’s deliverance goes beyond the King of the North who at Gog-Magog has been confounded …leaving Russia’s federated “rumors” undoubtedly fueling Antichrist’s immediate response—i.e., “something” sufficiently antagonizes and/or provides “proof positive” that the news from the north merits the commencement of the Armageddon Campaign.

Now, Antichrist is fully entrenched in the Beautiful Land – the Glorious Mountain – where he, as the false Messiah, Protector of Israel, provides abundant encouragement in the building of the Third Temple – prior to his mid-week desecration – and the commencement, after the cleansing of the land, after the Gog-Magog carnage (a seven-month construction and cleansing “project” according to Ezekiel 39:12) wherein on the 250th day of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (i.e., 40 days of the Gog-Magog War which commences the Seventieth Week + 210 days or 7 prophetic months of “cleansing and construction” = 250 days) will bring us (if Daniel’s Week commences on a Passover) unto the Dedication of the Third Temple – or the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah (which is precisely 250 days from Passover). 

Likewise, according to our previous calculations, the desecration (the “Abomination of Desolation”) of the Third Temple in Jerusalem will take place 1,010 days after its dedication or 1,260 days or half way through the Seventieth Week of Daniel, allowing for an additional 1,290 days of desolations (Daniel 12:11), thereby bringing us precisely to the 2,300 days of “sacrifice + desolations” (1,010 + 1,290 = 2,300 days) mentioned in Daniel 8:13-14 and the Second Coming of Christ (Daniel 12:11-12) and the close of these 1,290 days of desolation.

Russia’s plight – no matter how much she feigns to deny the rumors – will, in all likelihood, be eliminated from her involvement at Armageddon as Antichrist is said to “go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (Daniel 11:44).  What that “many” in the north constitutes is apparently of such magnitude that only the “Kings of the East” are mentioned in the final conflagration at Armageddon’s “Supper of the Great God” – “My Sacrificial Meal” (Revelation 16:12; 19:17; Ezekiel 39:17-20).  Alas!  Russia’s “annihilation” – her victimization by Antichrist is complete, her final agony will have ended: 

O Land of Suffering,

Thy final plight exhausts –

But precious in His sight are they that die in the Lord,

These are numbered among His Tribulation Saints!

 “And he shall plant the tents of the palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him” (Daniel 11:45).

“He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the Desolator” (Daniel 9:27b).

“He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means” (Daniel 8:25b).

“But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever.  Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:26-27).

“In any case, the world can and must wholeheartedly use for its edification and correction the present suffering by fire of the Russian people. The Russian people undoubtedly will come out of this fire holier, stronger, and greater than it ever was before. No good blacksmith throws nails into the fire to be rid of them; he does it to make something better out of them. We think and believe that the Creator of the Russian people allowed this great people to experience this flame of suffering not to punish and kill it, but in order that by its terrible example other peoples may come to their senses and understand that the Russian people will be even more greatly glorified before heaven and earth.” (Russian Orthodox Bishop Nikolai (Velimirovic) cir. 1956)

“In the 20th century Russian Orthodox Christianity passed through unbelievable persecution, suffering together with her Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore this Church has a special contribution or witness to give the other churches. This witness speaks of genuine self-sacrifice in following Christ's path. This witness is needed today in America, where Christian faith has largely become watered down, a pick-and-choose approach to prayer, morals, and truth. Russian Orthodox Christianity can teach us authentically how to take up our cross, to follow Christ, and to become transformed by His grace.”  (Russian Orthodox Church, Austin, Texas)