The Bible does not specifically mention Russia by name in end times prophecy. However, some Bible scholars have speculated about Russia’s role based on certain passages that may point to Russia indirectly. Here is an overview of the main biblical references that relate to Russia’s potential role in end times events:
Gog and Magog
One of the major biblical passages that is often associated with Russia is Ezekiel 38-39 which describes a future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations led by “Gog of the land of Magog.” Many biblical scholars believe Magog refers to the ancient Scythians who lived in the area north of the Black Sea, which is now part of modern day Russia.
Ezekiel 38:2-3 states: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” (ESV)
Here, Magog is identified as the land of “Gog,” and Rosh is also mentioned, which some scholars link to Russia. Meshech and Tubal were regions that covered parts of modern-day Russia.
Later in Ezekiel 38:15 it describes this coalition “coming from your place out of the remote parts of the north.” Most Bible maps place Magog and these other regions far north of Israel, in modern-day Russia.
So the idea is that in the end times, Russia and its leadership will gather a coalition of nations to invade Israel, but will ultimately be defeated by God’s divine intervention as described in Ezekiel 39.
Rosh as Russia
As mentioned, the Ezekiel passage identifies the land of “Magog, Rosh” as the land of Gog. Some scholars believe Rosh refers specifically to Russia. Rosh sounds similar to Rus, the ancient name from which Russia is derived. Also Russia is directly north of Israel, lining up with the passage “remote parts of the north.”
However, not all scholars agree that Rosh equals Russia. Some argue Rosh refers to a group of people, not a place. But either way, the coalition involves the region of Magog, which appears to point to modern day Russia’s territory.
Alliance with Iran/Persia
Ezekiel 38:5 mentions Persia as part of the coalition against Israel: “Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets.” (ESV)
Persia is modern day Iran, and Iran and Russia currently have strong ties and an alliance together against the West. So this alliance with Persia/Iran also points to Russia’s inclusion in this coalition.
Russia’s Religious Identity
Russia has a long history within the Eastern Orthodox church tradition. There have been efforts by Vladimir Putin to increase the prominence of the Russian Orthodox church and Christianity as part of Russia’s national identity.
Some prophecy teachers see significance in this religious legacy. They point to Ezekiel 38:2 which refers to “Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” (ESV). They see the title “prince” as referring to a religious princely line, such as the rulers of the Eastern Orthodox church in Russia.
So in this view, Ezekiel 38 is describing an end times coalition led by a ruler associated with the religious authority and history of the Russian Orthodox church.
Russia’s Military Power
Ezekiel 38-39 describes a vast military force that overtakes Israel before being supernaturally defeated by God. Today, Russia remains a military superpower with one of the world’s largest militaries and advanced nuclear weapons capabilities.
Russia’s modern day military power lends feasibility to its ability to assemble a coalition large enough to mount an attack on Israel, as described in the Ezekiel prophecy.
Symbolic Interpretations
While some take the view above that Ezekiel 38 is referring literally to Russia, other bible scholars understand the passage symbolically rather than specifically. In this view, Magog represents the general region north of Israel, but does not directly point to modern Russia per se.
Those who hold to a more symbolic interpretation tend to avoid making dogmatic predictions about current geopolitics based on Ezekiel 38. They focus more on the general end times gathering against Israel rather than on the specific countries involved.
Russia Absent from Some Prophecies
Although Russia seems to fit with certain Ezekiel 38 prophecies, it is also notably absent from other key end times passages about the antichrist and his kingdom, which focus more on a revived Roman empire based in Europe:
– Daniel 2 describes four world empires, the last of which is represented by 10 toes that are struck by a stone representing Jesus. Most scholars see this fourth kingdom as a revived Roman Empire in Europe, not specifically Russia.
– Daniel 7 describes the fourth beast with 10 horns corresponding to 10 kings. Again, this is typically seen as a European entity led by the antichrist, not Russia.
– Revelation 13 talks about a beast with 7 heads. Five have already fallen (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece) and one currently exists (Rome). The 7th has yet to come and represents the revived Roman Empire ruled by the antichrist, who is almost certainly European, not Russian.
– Revelation 17 also discusses a beast with 7 heads, and indicates the 7 heads represent 7 kings or kingdoms. Five have fallen, one is, and one is yet to come. Again most scholars view this as referring to the ancient empires up through Rome, and a coming revised Roman empire under the antichrist’s rule.
So Russia does not seem to play a specific role in the prophecies about the antichrist’s empire. This has led some Bible teachers to theorize that Russia’s main end times purpose may be limited to its attack on Israel described in Ezekiel 38 rather than being part of the revived Roman empire.
Russia in Daniel 11?
Some Bible teachers point to Daniel 11:40-45 as a potential prophecy about Russia. These verses state:
“At the time of the end, the king of the South shall attack him, but the king of the North shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But reports from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction.
And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.” (ESV)
Some speculate the king of the North here could represent Russia leading an end times assault from the north. However, most mainstream scholars interpret the king of the North here as the antichrist, who attacks Egypt and other nations sometime during the tribulation, and is not Russia specifically. But the mention of reports from the north alarming him leaves the possibility open to Russia playing some role.
Russia and China in Revelation
Some also point to Revelation 9:13-21 and 16:12-16 which describe a great army coming from the east that crosses the Euphrates river to attack Israel. Some speculate this could involve Russia and China, since they both are powerful eastern powers that could launch such an invasion in the end times.
However, these passages do not specifically identify Russia or China, so their inclusion here is mainly conjecture. Many other nations also reside east of Israel that could comprise this force.
Russia’s Inclusion Uncertain
In summary, while Russia seems a plausible candidate for the Ezekiel 38 coalition against Israel, the case is not definitive or certain. Russia could simply represent part of the broader region of Magog, without being the main leader referred to as “Gog.” And Russia is noticeably absent from other end times prophecies in Daniel and Revelation.
At the same time, Russia’s alignment with Iran, its military strength, and its desire to reestablish itself as a superpower, certainly make it a credible possibility for inclusion in such an invasion of Israel. Bible scholars differ in their views, with some confident Russia will play a major end times role, while others are hesitant to be dogmatic about applying Ezekiel 38 directly to modern Russia.
Ultimately, no one knows for sure how Russia may or may not be involved in end times events. As with all biblical prophecy, we must be cautious not to make firm predictions based on speculation. Only as events unfold will we see how, or if, Russia fits into final biblical prophecies about the end times.
