The statesmen of the world are learning in the school of experience that they cannot deal satisfactorily with Russia. Every attempt to work out an amicable settlement or understanding with this vast power eventually comes to naught. It has become increasingly apparent that the Russian leaders will say or do anything that suits their own ends regardless of truth, honesty, or their own pledged word to the contrary. They are potentially the world’s greatest single power and are driving forward as opportunists waiting to seize on every world event that they can turn to their account.
The child of God who reads and understands his Bible need not have any doubt about Russia’s character or final doom. He does not, as the statesmen, wait to see that there is treachery in all their dealings. Not much is said about Russia in Scripture, but Isaiah 33 describes their actions and Ezekiel 38 and 39 foretell their doom.
Russia is not mentioned by name in Isaiah 33, but the position of the chapter, as well as its contents, make it clear that it is Russia—the last great enemy of the Jews. After the prophet described the failure of the Jews’ agreement with the Roman Empire to protect them (chapters 28, 29), and their judgment, he then spoke of the doom of the Assyrian (ch. 30). Then in chapter 32 he speaks of the King who shall reign in righteousness—the Messiah. Also in chapter 33 Jehovah is spoken of as having filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. So everything points to the enemy in chapter 33 as being Russia—the enemy that will attack after the Jews are in the land. And this is Russia’s character: “Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee.” So here in these words, written about 2650 years ago, the dealings of Russia are described. Can any confidence be placed in people who are set to practice treachery? How little the wise men of this world know of what is in store for this world! One is reminded of the wise men of Egypt of a former day and God’s comment on them: “Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharoah is become brutish.” Isaiah 19:1111Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? (Isaiah 19:11).