The question is often raised -What does the Word of God say about Russia? In comparison with the prophetic pronouncements concerning the Roman Empire, and concerning another confederacy located just north and east of Palestine—called in Scripture the "king of the north" in some instances, and the "Assyrian" in others—very little is given concerning Russia. The reason for this should be obvious: Russia has never once come into direct contact with Palestine, nor will she do so in the future (as far as prophecy is concerned) until the very end; that is, until after both the Roman Empire and the "king of the north" have met their doom at the hand of the "King of kings, and Lord of lords."
As for the kingdom just north of Palestine, it was Syria in the days of David and Solomon, and was subject to them, but it afterward revolted and was hostile to Israel. Later this territory became part of the Assyrian Empire, and after that of the Babylonian; then it passed to the Persians, and came under Alexander the Great of Macedonia after his conquest of the Persians. On the death of Alexander, Selectus Nicator took over that section of his empire and founded a kingdom which lasted for many years. This kingdom often battled Egypt for control of Palestine and ravaged "the pleasant land." The first 35 verses of Dan. 11 give some rather detailed prophecies about the "king of the north" in his relations with the "king of the south" (Egypt), and with the land of Palestine. All of these were accurately fulfilled so that even open skeptics marvel.
In B.C. 63 the "king of the north" was conquered by the surging power from the west—Rome -and then Palestine passed under the Roman Empire's control. The future holder of the power in this locality (a confederated Moslem state) will also be the implacable foe of the Jews. Dan. 8:23-25 and 11:4045 foretell what is still future of this power, and its doom.
The Roman Empire of the past also had much to do with Palestine: it was in the day of its dominance that the Lord Jesus came into this world; in fact His birth is dated according to the Roman rulers (see Luke 2:1); and under a Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was cast out of the world. Later the Romans under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and slaughtered the inhabitants according to the prophecy of the Lord spoken in a parable (see Matt. 22:7).
And in a time for which the world is getting ready, there will be a confederation of Western powers which will assume a protectorate over that unhappy land of Palestine and make a league with the Jews for the re-establishment of their religious observances (see Dan. 7:19-26 and 9: 27). This will pit the kingdom north of Palestine and the revived Roman Empire against each other, but both will be summarily dealt with by the Lord when He returns to claim the kingdoms for His own—the first to be judged will be the Roman Empire, and then the "king of the north" (see also Rev. 19:20, Isa. 30:31-33, and 31:8, 9).
Thus we see why these two great powers have been the subject of revelation which has been fulfilled, and of that which will yet be fulfilled—they have had to do with the seed of Israel and with Palestine. We must bear in mind that prophecy is not God's foretelling what is going to happen in order to interest the speculative minds of men, but He is concerned with His earthly people and that land on which His eyes are continually (Deut. 11:12), and it will be the earthly center of Christ's millennial kingdom.
God has decreed, "Yet have I set my King upon My holy hill of Zion." Psalm 2:6. Jerusalem is the center of God's prophetic map.
In all this Russia does not enter as an active participant; she may aid and abet the "king of the north" in his opposition to the Jews and their backers—the Roman Empire—but she and her satellites will not come into the prophetic picture until the very end of man's day.
Because of the daring idolatry and open blasphemy of the apostate Jews in Palestine when working together with the revived Roman Empire, and with Satan, God will send that "king of the north" (the Moslem hordes) against the Jews and their leader. Isa. 10:6 says, "I will send him [the Assyrian] against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of My wrath... to tread them down like the mire of the streets." And in Dan. 9:27 we read: "because of the protection of abominations [or idols] there shall be a desolator" (N. Trans.).
But when Russia decides to come against Palestine, the case will be very different. The Lord will have put down the other enemies, purged the Jews, and brought the remainder of them from many lands back to their own promised land. They will be dwelling safely under "Messiah the Prince." Now let us turn to Ezekiel 38 and 39 and note some points of interest concerning the Russian invasion:
"Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." (Note the similarity of these names with Russia, Moscow, and Tobolsk.) "And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them thoroughly equipped, a great assemblage with targets 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 Togarmah from the uttermost north, and all his bands;—many peoples with thee... At the end of years thou shalt come into the land brought back from the sword and gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel which have been a perpetual waste: but it is brought forth out from the peoples, and they shall all of them be dwelling in safety." Eze. 38:3-9; N. Trans.
When the Lord calls His earthly people back to their land, they will bring their silver and gold with them (Isa. 60:9). They will be prosperous and seemingly (to atheistic communism) dwelling without protection. They will look like an easy prey for such a mighty array of military might as Russia and her satellites will possess. God says that their leader will "think an evil thought; and thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will come to them that are in quiet, that dwell in safety, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to seize a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thy hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and against a people gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the middle of the land." Eze. 38:10-12; N. Trans.
God will prompt them to come up against that land that He might deal with them there. They shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, and so great will be the slaughter that it will require seven months to bury the dead; and so great will be the destruction of implements of war that it will be seven years before the land is cleared. It is quite evident that Russia will still be a land power when overwhelmed at the hand of Him whom they have defied.
God is not unmindful of the bold atheism of that vast nation which has sought to eradicate any thought of Him, and to obliterate His name from under heaven; but "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished." Pro. 11:21. No device of man can avert the complete catastrophe which shall befall her millions in Palestine. Nor will the destruction be limited to the men of war of Russia and her satellites, for God "will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD." Eze. 39:6.
The land of Magog is Russia from which the armies came, and the isles are the distant places of her satellites—they shall be visited by divine judgments. Surely the triumphing of the wicked is short ( Job 20:5).
Judgment is on the way, both for the openly godless, and, alas, for those also who make a nominal assent to Christianity, but reject the Christ of God.
"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [instructions] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." 2 Thess. 2:13-15.