The Ukraine-Russia Crisis – What to make of it?

For the past many months, Russia has been building up its military presence on its border with Ukraine. It is clear that Russia, though still denying any such intentions, is planning an invasion of Ukraine, having now amassed over 100,000 troops on the border. An invasion seems imminent, but the rest of the world protests Russia’s actions. The United States and Britain have expressed strong opposition to Russia and intimated that they might act militarily against them if an invasion occurs. Does this have any prophetic relevance?

Those who hold to the traditional view might see this as the King of the South pushing against the King of the North, but in our diligent studies we have found the passages of Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11:40-45 to be separate prophecies, the latter of which being completely fulfilled. We hope to explain this position in great detail in the future.

We do, however, view this Ukraine-Russia crisis as potentially pertinent to prophecy in a number of ways. While we believe it cannot be said that this is the beginning of Ezekiel 38 for a number of reasons, we do think it may play a large role in setting the stage for it. Here’s how:

The only other nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 other than Israel and the Gogian host are the Tarshish Lions, Sheba, and Dedan: “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” (Ezekiel 38:13). The Lions of Tarshish we identify as Britain and all of the countries that formed out of Britain: the United States, Australia, Canada, and perhaps even India.

Some take this passage in Ezekiel 38 to mean that these nations will fight against Gog. It is of critical importance not to over stress or under stress what Scripture says. All that is mentioned is that they question Gog’s intent. This does not mean that there will never be war between the US, Britain, and Russia, but what it does mean is that we should not expect such a war when Gog comes against Israel with this prophesied intent. Based upon the text, we conclude that there will be no military action from the US and Britain when this event occurs. The question for us then is why. This is where the present Ukraine-Russia crisis might become relevant.

At the time of Ezekiel 38, it appears that the Tarshish nations are either unwilling or unable to help Israel. It might even be that they are subordinate to Gog at this time. Currently, the United States is the leading world power, but that has been dwindling greatly in recent years. Even though the current US Administration is anti-Israel, it is presently hard to imagine Russia coming against Israel without the aid of the US, particularly since the US and Russia are rivals. Based upon the picture portrayed in Ezekiel 38, we sense that Russia might finally overtake the US to some degree.

It is possible that the Ukraine-Russia crisis will lead to a direct confrontation between the Russian Bear and the Tarshish Lions, resulting in the Lions retreating to their den with their tails between their legs. The victory for Russia does not need to be a great victory, nor must it even be a decisive one, but merely enough to deter the Lions from taking action against Russia when God pulls her down to the mountains of Israel to make an example of her. We wait to find out!

This current crisis might also be relevant to Ezekiel 38 in another way. Recall that in Ezekiel 38:4, God says of Gog that He would “turn thee back” and bring them against Israel. To “turn back” seems to require that they were once in a certain position but have recently left that position. Brother Wayne Tanner has suggested that Russia, whether successful or unsuccessful in her endeavors with Ukraine, may begin sending back her troops to the Motherland. 

It would be around this time that Christ and the saints would destroy the Arab States now occupying the remainder of the Promised Land, thereby perfectly and completely setting the stage for Ezekiel 38. Russia will have lost many of her interests in Syria and the surrounding areas to this “new Jewish King” and will have been deceived by the Pope that this King is not Christ, but the antichrist (Rev. 20:8-10). Emboldened and deceived by the Pope, Russia will anxiously seek to retake her spoil many times over. Again, we anxiously wait to find out how all of these things will come to pass!

Regardless of whether either of these two suggestions actually come to pass, the Ukraine-Russia crisis might still be related to Ezekiel 38. Verse 8 reads, “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.” This, among other prophecies, clearly shows that Israel will have been gathered from throughout the countries of the earth and restored in their ancient homeland.

On that note, Israel is now readying for the reception of 75,000 Ukrainian Jews who will likely be returning to Israel should Russia invade. The Lord has been bringing them back to the land since the late 1800’s, and He will continue to do so until they have all returned.

Amidst all the speculation, there is one thing that we are confident in. Russia cannot come against the land of Israel until all of the conditions in Ezekiel 38 are present. There are numerous things that must occur first, but for time's sake we will mention only two:

1) Israel must be able to be called “the land that is brought back from the sword” (ie, WAR). Israel has not recently been engaged in a true “war”, and so this must occur before Gog comes down. The mention of this indicates to us that Israel will have very recently come back from another war. We understand this war to be that prophesied in Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 and 14, involving the Proximal Arab states that currently surround Israel.

2) Israel must be dwelling safely, “having neither bars nor gates” (38:11). This safety we believe to be a result of the aforementioned war. Let it be known that the only time Israel is ever spoken of as being safe is when JESUS CHRIST reigns:

Jeremiah 23:5-6 – “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Also see Jeremiah 33:14-16, Ezekiel 28:24-26, and Zechariah 14:5,11,14.

In our understanding, there are still a number of things that must develop before Gog comes down to Israel for a spoil, but these things can develop quickly. Yet, even if they don't, the saints could be gathered at any moment! We are astonished that we have been able to see even the things we have already seen! Let us all keep a sharp eye and WATCH Lord's hand at work.

Love in Christ to you all,

Tanner Hawkins