Russia in the Bible

 Most people have no idea what this is about.

When Noah stepped off the ark his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth settled in different areas of the world (Gen. 10). The sons of Japheth went north. Some of his sons are easily followed in the Old Testament and expounded upon by Josephus. Gog and Magog (whom the Greeks called Scythians), prince of Rosh (in the NASB, which some suggest is Russia) show up in yet to be fulfilled prophecies related to Israel in Ezekiel chapter 38. But here is a problem; Rosh does not appear in the KJV nor is it mentioned by Josephus. This chapter was pretty much ignored for two thousand years because Israel did not exist. Now that Israel is a nation again and because of a history of Russian hatred for Jews, these prophecies in Ezekiel make more sense, at least from our present "last days" perspective. However, some still try to suggest this was fulfilled by the Romans. But the Romans never really occupied the area of the Scythians. At some point Gog, Magog, Meshech and Tubal are predicted to attack Israel which is also hated by Muslims. Sometimes we read "Gog of the land of Magog", which adds to the confusion. In Revelation 20:8 all translations seem to agree with "Gog and Magog", not Gog of the land of Magog. Many Russian border countries are stans, Kazakhastan, Afghanistan, etc,, Muslim countries which they do business with and have had some connection to since the days of the Soviet Union. In case you are unaware, Jews and Muslims are not the closest of allies. Russia would likely throw Israel under the bus for the sake of Iran and all the Stans. In Ezekiel 38:8 a clear reference to Israel is made. “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them."

God is going to use this conflict to show the world that scripture is reliable, and Israel is still part of his plan similar to the conflict Moses had with Pharoah which God said He used to prove himself reliable to the Jews after about 400 years of slavery there. Zechariah chapter 14 also speaks of this conflict against Israel in the "last days". There is debate about the timing but then there was debate about Israel becoming a nation after 2000 years of being occupied by Romans and Muslims as well, but it eventually happened. Josephus the Jewish historian was alive in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, and he explains the history of Noah's sons in great detail. This is one reason the Christian west has always been suspicious of Russia whenever they start flexing their muscles. However, Gog and Magog are not necessarily confined to geographic boundaries but as to describe the evil of world powers just as cryptic Babylon continues to be a picture of historical events. Gog and Magog are to be empowered by Satan after his thousand year time in prison. That adds more questions to the event. When did or when will this thousand year period occur? There has not been a time in history in which there were no wars therefore it appears this is an event sometime yet in the future.