WORLD NEWS & PROPHECY
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Biblical Perspective Russia’s brutal invasion of neighboring Ukraine has stunned the world and shocked Europe out of its long complacency. Does Bible prophecy shed any light on this? by Darris McNeely
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that gives a prophetic perspective on events taking place. This invasion is a big event, one that demands we pay attention with respect to the Word of God and a sobriety regarding the human impact of this war. The scenes we have watched of missile attacks on hospitals and public buildings sheltering civilians show the vicious ferocity of the Russian invasion. Coming without just cause, it drives home the cold, hard forces at work here. The underlying reality is that there are spiritual forces at work from another dimen-
This war is a big event that demands we pay attention with respect to the Word of God and a sobriety regarding the awful human impact.
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Photos, from top: Fotoreserg/depositphotos.com, Leonhard Lenz
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simply called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—the latter term being the Greek name of the book. Let’s note how Jesus listed these in Matthew 24, starting with the first: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (verses 4-5, King James Version, emphasis added throughout unless otherwise noted). Then continuing: “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (verses 3-8). False religion, war, famine and As this article is being written, Rus- sion. The war we see here is born in plagues of pestilence and disasters are sian troops are largely in a stalemate the mind of the devil, the original listed as the beginning of sorrows murderer and liar (John 8:44). in Ukraine, meeting stiff resistance or, as other versions translate, “birth from the Ukrainian army and citizen Jesus Christ’s overview of endpains”— which increase in frequency volunteers who have taken up arms. time events and intensity. Russian troops are using missiles All these problems have been a part Near the end of His ministry on to indiscriminately bomb cities, of the world condition throughout earth, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, seeking to create fear in the civilian human history. However, the setting of population leading to collapse of the “What will be the sign of Your comnation. Millions of citizens have fled ing, and of the end of the age” (Mat- the end of the age and the opening of the seals by the Lamb (Revelation 5:9) thew 24:3). In His response, Jesus to neighboring countries for safety. Europe’s worst humanitarian scenario listed several major trends or condi- indicate increased severity preceding even greater judgments of God and tions. The first four of these corresince 1945 is taking place. spond to the first four seals of Revela- the wrath of the devil during the time Many wonder whether Bible prophecy tells us anything to help us tion 6, the opening of each revealing a of global turmoil known as the Great understand what is occurring. Yes, it rider and horse representing a major Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Two years ago we saw a forerunner trend that builds in intensity in the does. In this article we will discuss of disease pandemic when the world end time. Together these are often a passage from the book of Daniel here are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen.” This quote is attributed to Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union. It certainly fits the times. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March has set in motion events that might not have happened for decades to come. Throughout Europe and beyond, governments are nervously reassessing aspects of the global order that have prevailed since the end of the Cold War, and even the end of World War II.
