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

When we track the Bear in biblical prophecy, we discover its footprints lead to the Middle East—and ultimately to the land of Israel. Israel is ground zero for the events of the end times.

But why Israel? As David Jeremiah comments, “Israel is one of the smallest nations on earth. It is one-nineteenth the size of California and roughly the size of New Jersey. Russia is 785 times larger than Israel. Israel measures approximately 290 miles at its longest, 85 miles at its widest, and 9 miles at its narrowest.” [23] David Jeremiah, Is This the End? Signs of God’s Providence in a Disturbing New World (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2016), 221. Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey offer some explanation:

From a human perspective Israel ought to occupy nothing more than a minor supporting part in any worldwide drama. In terms of geographical size, Israel ranks 148th among the nations of the world, nestled between Belize and El Salvador. Her standing improves slightly when ranked by population. At just over eight million, Israel breaks the top 100, coming in 98th between Switzerland and Honduras. And when comparing gross domestic product (GDP), Israel is ranked between 34th and 37th, depending on which organization is doing the measuring. Still, that puts Israel in with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong with barely one-quarter the GDP of a country like Mexico.

God, however, uses a different standard of measurement. And in His eyes Israel ranks at the top of the list in terms of national significance. [24] Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey, Clash of Kingdoms: What the Bible Says about Russia, ISIS, Iran, and the End Times (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2017), 61–62.

God made unconditional promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that have not been fulfilled—promises involving the land of Israel. But before these promises are fulfilled, Scripture tells us that the people of Israel must go through a time of trouble and tribulation that will turn them to the Lord. Consistent with these ancient prophecies, the modern state of Israel exists, is under constant pressure by the international community, and is surrounded by a sea of enemies who will play a role in the tribulation Israel will endure. The tiny nation of Israel is at the center of world attention, just as we should expect if the end of the age is drawing near. At the same time, Russia is the new power broker in the Middle East. The convergence of these events and many more that we see in the headlines every day strikingly foreshadows the ancient prophecy of Ezekiel 38–39. What we see today in light of this passage in Ezekiel raises many questions:

• Is the rise of Russia in the end times really predicted in the Bible, or is this just “headline theology”?

• Who are Russia’s end-times allies?

• Does the Bible say anything about Russia’s ties with Iran?

• What events will precipitate the Russian invasion of Israel?

• Will Israel survive?

• How soon could the Bear make its final push to the south?

• Does the United States play any role in these events?

• What does it all mean?

We’ll answer these questions, and many more, as we track the Bear through the pages of Bible prophecy. Our spiritual GPS for tracking the Bear is primarily found in the ancient prophecies of Ezekiel 38–39. You will find these chapters at the end of this book in appendix 1 (page 163). I recommend that you read these chapters from God’s inspired Word now to prepare you for the rest of this book.

I, and many others, believe Russia’s rising in current events reveals a trajectory that points toward the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy… maybe very soon!

Just days before his crucifixion, Jesus led his disciples from the Temple down through the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the Temple precincts. From that vantage point he pulled back the prophetic curtain and laid out a stunning, yet simple, blueprint for the end of days. This sermon, known as the Olivet discourse, begins with a list of signs that will portend his return to earth. Jesus likened these events to birth pains that will intensify in severity and get closer and closer together:

Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah.” They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

After talking about false messiahs, Jesus mentions the second birth pain: “wars and threats of wars” and “nation [going] to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” This prophecy is mirrored by the apostle John in Revelation 6:3-4, which predicts the outbreak of wars during the end times using the symbol of a rider with a sword on a blood-red horse. The fragile, relative sense of peace the world experiences today will be shattered and suddenly stripped from the earth (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

While “wars and threats of wars” have always been part of human history, international strife and conflict will mushroom and proliferate in the end times to levels never seen before. I think we can sense the foreshocks of that today. Peace is tentative. Threats of wars are rumbling. The Middle East is like a powder keg ready to explode—fueled by ISIS, Syria, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian standoff, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al-Qaeda. Some small yet reckless act could unleash total chaos.

Bad actors all over the world seem ready to spin out of control at any time. North Korea and its loony leader are conducting ballistic and nuclear weapons tests. The Russian bear is on the prowl all over the globe. Other hot spots could ignite suddenly. The winds of war are blowing.

How much longer can this all be kept in check?

How much longer until the lid blows off?

In the strife between nations and kingdoms that will crest during the end times, the Bible highlights four “kings” or leaders who will ascend to power. While the world of the last days will be engulfed with “wars and threats of wars… nation… against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” four key leaders will emerge from the pack, locking themselves and their allies in a final, deadly game of thrones. Scripture speaks of this final game of thrones as nations and kingdoms jockeying for power and preeminence. In the end times, four kings will take center stage in a dramatic geopolitical death struggle.

These leaders and their power blocs will rise and fall at different times. This book is primarily about the rise of Russia—which, as we’ll see, the Bible identifies as the king of the north. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but for us to understand the rise of Russia and the northern confederacy, it’s helpful to get an overview of the end-times alignments of nations.

In the scramble for power and resources, the world will divide into four main power blocs:

• The king of the west (see Daniel 7:8; Revelation 13:1-10)

• The king of the south (see Daniel 11:40)