Mark Hitchcock: Russia Rising: Tracking the Bear in Bible Prophecy

Based on geography, Scripture indicates Russia will be the leader of the northern coalition of the end times.

To further support the presence of Russia in Ezekiel 38, I thought it would be helpful to briefly quote a few other reliable sources who have studied this issue extensively. Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey say, “Most Bible students with even cursory understanding of biblical prophecy suspect that Russia will play some strategic role in end-time events.” [28] Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey, Clash of Kingdoms: What the Bible Says about Russia, ISIS, Iran, and the End Times (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2017), 16. Charles Dyer, in his commentary on Ezekiel, is even more specific: “Some of the countries named by Ezekiel were located in what is now Russia.” [29] Charles H. Dyer, “Ezekiel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary , ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1300. Speaking of Ezekiel 38, Lamar Cooper says, “The geographical area would today include… southern provinces of Russia.” [30] Lamar Eugene Cooper, Sr., Ezekiel , The New American Commentary, vol. 17 (Nashville: B&H, 1994), 331. Theologian Charles Ryrie says, “The land of Russia looms large and menacing in Ezekiel’s prophetic picture.” [31] Charles C. Ryrie, The Best Is Yet to Come (Chicago: Moody, 1981), 55. Dr. David Jeremiah writes, “Approximately twenty-five hundred years ago, Ezekiel predicted Russia’s return to power in the latter days.” [32] Jeremiah, Is This the End? , 211.

Popular Bible teacher J. Vernon McGee describes how he came to his view:

When I first entered the ministry, I took the position that these two chapters of Ezekiel could not possibly speak of the modern nation of Russia under any circumstances. Even when I began seminary work on my Th.M. and Th.D., I did not accept that interpretation. I began to study on my own and attempt to arrive at a decision—whether or not this could possibly be Russia. Now I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that chapters 38 and 39 refer to Russia. [33] J. Vernon McGee, How Russia Will Be Destroyed: Ezekiel 38-39 (Pasadena, CA: Thru the Bible Radio Network, n.d.), 3.

J. Dwight Pentecost, a preeminent prophecy scholar, authored his classic work Things to Come in 1958 and noted, “The identification of Rosh as modern Russia would seem to be well authenticated and generally accepted.” [34] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1964), 328. Joel Rosenberg concludes,

The words Russia , Moscow , Soviet Union , and czar never appear in these passages [Ezekiel 38–39]. Nor do they appear anywhere in the book of Ezekiel. Nor are they ever mentioned anywhere in the Bible. But there is no doubt that the ancient prophet was referring to the nation we now know as Russia…. Based on the textual, linguistic, and historical evidence, we can… conclude with a high degree of confidence that Ezekiel is speaking of Russia and the former Soviet Union in chapters 38 and 39. [35] Rosenberg, Epicenter , 82, 87.

These authors and scholars are far from alone in their assessment. Many, many more well-respected scholars, pastors, commentators, and popular Bible teachers could be cited who believe Ezekiel 38 refers to Russia and its allies. Of course, their support for this view doesn’t prove it’s correct, but it should demonstrate that this is not a fringe, fanatical view.

Contemporary writers aren’t the only ones who believe Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 refer to Russia. This view has a long line of support. I make this point because one repeated objection to identifying Magog or Rosh with Russia is that this is nothing more than “sensationalistic end-time speculation” based on the current headlines. [36] See, for example, Hank Hanegraaff, Has God Spoken? Memorable Proofs of the Bible’s Divine Inspiration (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011), 236. While there is certainly unwarranted speculation and newspaper exegesis by some prophecy teachers, contemporary scholars are not alone in their appraisal that Rosh and Magog in Ezekiel 38 refer to Russia.

Here’s a brief list of scholars from previous generations who identified Rosh or Magog with Russia:

• Matthew Henry, in his famous commentary written in the early 1700s, was aware of some who identified Russia with Ezekiel 38. He says, “Some think they find them afar off, in Scythia, Tartary, and Russia.” [37] Matthew Henry, “Complete Commentary on Ezekiel 38:4,” Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), StudyLight.org, accessed June 8, 2017, http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mhm/ezekiel-38.html . Henry doesn’t say he agrees with the view, but his awareness of it demonstrates that it at least was not uncommon.

• Patrick Fairbairn, a Scottish Presbyterian preacher, in his 1842 commentary on Ezekiel, notes that Rosh is a reference to Russia. [38] Patrick Fairbairn, “The Assault of Gog and His Destruction” in Ezekiel and the Book of His Prophecy: An Exposition.

• Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, commenting on Rosh in Ezekiel 38 in 1871, says, “The Scythian Tauri in the Crimea were so called. The Araxes also was called ‘Rhos.’ The modern Russians may have hence assumed their name” (emphasis added). [39] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown’s Commentary on the Whole Bible , Zondervan Classic Reference Series (originally published as Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible , 1871), repr. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1961), 721.

• William Kelly, a Plymouth Brethren scholar, writing in 1876, identifies Gog (the leader of the invasion in Ezekiel 38) by noting, “He is autocrat of all the Russias, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.” [40] William Kelly, Notes on Ezekiel (London: George Morrish, 1876), 195. He writes, “Next follow two chapters which contain a prediction of God’s judgment to fall in the last days, when Israel is restored, on a great north-eastern chief with his vast array of satellites and allies on the mountains of the Holy Land…. 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?” [41] Ibid., 191, 194.

• Arno Gaebelein, writing in the early twentieth century, says, “The leader is the prince of Rosh…. 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 [Genesis 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.” [42] Arno Clemens Gaebelein, “Commentary on Ezekiel 38:4,” Gaebelein’s Annotated Bible , StudyLight.org, accessed June 8, 2017, http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gab/ezekiel-38.html .

Studying the Word of God, not current events or headlines, formed the views of these scholars. We seek to follow their example. God’s Word must be our guide. The fact that current events are aligning with what Scripture says does not render this view sensationalism. Rather, it demonstrates the truth of Scripture and points toward the coming of Christ.

Ezekiel 38 reveals that Russia will rise in the last days as a formidable global power. Whether or not one sees Rosh or Magog as Russia, the far northern geographical notation is clear. The rise of Russia today is no coincidence; it’s divine providence. Events happening in Russia today strikingly foreshadow Ezekiel’s ancient prophecy. Russian tentacles reach around the world. The buildup toward a Middle East war is accelerating. The Bear is rising to take its place among the cast of characters in the final drama of the ages. But Russia will not rise alone. Ezekiel lists a group of allies who will conspire with Russia’s leader for a final push into the Middle East—into the land of Israel. These nations dominate today’s headlines and are presently forming alliances with Russia.