By COGwriter
Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy?
This article will attempt to answer those questions with facts, news report, and sacred scripture.
There is now an official organization called the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) that was first called the Eurasian Union (EAU).
Here is a synopsis of some history related to the Eurasian Union as well as a group called the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation :
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO (simplified Chinese: 上海合作组织; traditional Chinese: 上海合作組織; pinyin: Shànghǎi Hézuò Zǔzhī; Russian: Шанхайская организация сотрудничества (ШОС), Shankhayskaya organizatsiya sotrudnichestva) is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Wikipedia, viewed 08/13/13)
The Eurasian Union (EAU; Listeni/ˌjʊəreɪʒənˈjuːnjən/) is a proposed political and economic union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and other countries, in particular the post-Soviet states. The idea, based on the European Union's integration, was brought to attention in October 2011 by the then-Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, but was first proposed as a concept by the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, during a 1994 speech at a Moscow university. On 18 November 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement, setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Union by 2015. The agreement included the roadmap for the future integration and established the Eurasian Commission (modelled on the European Commission) and the Eurasian Economic Space, which started work on 1 January 2012...The Eurasian Union is said to be the brainchild of Vladimir Putin in the wake of his third term as the President of Russia. If realised, it would comprise a number of states which were part of the former Soviet Union: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. According to The New York Times, several candidates in Kyrgyzstan's 2011 presidential election have endorsed the concept. Tajikistan's government said they were considering the possibility of membership...
Russian political scientist Dmitry Orlov stated that apart from post-Soviet states, membership to the Eurasian Union could be expanded to include other countries that have been historically or culturally close, such as Finland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Mongolia...(Eurasian Union. Wikipedia, viewed 08/12/13)
Vladimir Putin is a leader who has directly been part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and he has been the main push for the Eurasian Union (EAU), which is is now mainly known as the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU or EAEU).
As far as places like Finland go, notice the following:
After annexing Crimea and with troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will not stop trying to expand Russia until he has “conquered” Belarus, the Baltic states and Finland, one of his closest former advisers has said.
According to Andrej Illarionov, the President’s chief economic adviser from 2000 to 2005, Mr Putin seeks to create “historical justice” with a return to the days of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Soviet Union under Stalin. Speaking to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Mr Illarionov warned that Russia will argue that the granting of independence to Finland in 1917 was an act of “treason against national interests”. “Putin’s view is that he protects what belongs to him and his predecessors,” Mr Illarionov said. “Parts of Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States and Finland are states where Putin claims to have ownership. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vladimir-putin-wants-to-regain-finland-for-russia-adviser-says-9224273.html
Finland, itself, has concerns that Russia may use military and other means to take it back (see also Vladimir Putin named world’s most powerful person; Finland worried he may want take it over). Finland is currently part of the European Union and as such cannot be in that and the Eurasian Union.
As far as some earlier ideas of a Eurasian Union, here are comments from the October 2011 speech by Vladimir Putin (note: His words are in Russian, and below that I have machine translated them into English):
Строительство Таможенного союза и Единого экономического пространства закладывает основу для формирования в перспективе Евразийского экономического союза. Одновременно будет идти и постепенное расширение круга участников Таможенного союза и ЕЭП за счет полноценного подключения к работе Киргизии и Таджикистана.
Мы не останавливаемся на этом и ставим перед собой амбициозную задачу: выйти на следующий, более высокий уровень интеграции — к Евразийскому союзу.
Какими нам видятся перспективы и контуры этого проекта?
Во-первых, речь не идет о том, чтобы в том или ином виде воссоздать СССР. Наивно пытаться реставрировать или копировать то, что уже осталось в прошлом, но тесная интеграция на новой ценностной, политической, экономической основе — это веление времени.
Мы предлагаем модель мощного наднационального объединения, способного стать одним из полюсов современного мира и при этом играть роль эффективной «связки» между Европой и динамичным Азиатско-Тихоокеанским регионом. В том числе это означает, что на базе Таможенного союза и ЕЭП необходимо перейти к более тесной координации экономической и валютной политики, создать полноценный экономический союз.
Сложение природных ресурсов, капиталов, сильного человеческого потенциала позволит Евразийскому союзу быть конкурентоспособным в индустриальной и технологической гонке, в соревновании за инвесторов, за создание новых рабочих мест и передовых производств. И наряду с другими ключевыми игроками и региональными структурами — такими как ЕС, США, Китай, АТЭС — обеспечивать устойчивость глобального развития.
Во-вторых, Евразийский союз послужит своего рода центром дальнейших интеграционных процессов. То есть будет формироваться путем постепенного слияния существующих структур — Таможенного союза, Единого экономического пространства.
В-третьих, было бы ошибкой противопоставлять Евразийский союз и Содружество Независимых Государств. У каждой из этих структур есть свое место и своя роль на постсоветском пространстве. Россия совместно с партнерами намерена активно работать над совершенствованием институтов Содружества, насыщением его практической повестки.
Читайте далее: http://izvestia.ru/news/502761#ixzz2bm9sqBZt
Construction of the Customs Union and Common Economic Space lays the foundation for the formation of a future Eurasian Economic Union. At the same time will go and the gradual expansion of the Customs Union and Common Economic Space through a full connection to the work of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
We do not dwell on it and set an ambitious goal: get to the next higher level of integration - the Eurasian Union.
What we see them and outline the prospects of this project?
First, we are not talking about that in one form or another to recreate the Soviet Union. It would be naive to try to restore or copy something that already is in the past, but the tight integration to the new value, the political, the economic basis - it's imperative.
We propose a model of a powerful supranational union capable of becoming one of the poles of the modern world and play the role of an effective "link" between Europe and the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. In particular, this means that on the basis of the Customs Union and Common Economic Space should move towards closer coordination of economic and monetary policy, to create a full-fledged economic union.
Addition of natural resources, capital, strong human potential Eurasian Union will be competitive in the industrial and technological race, the competition for investors and for the creation of new jobs and advanced production facilities. And along with other key players and regional structures - such as the EU, the U.S., China and APEC - to ensure stability of global development.
Second, the Eurasian Union will serve as a center for further integration. That is, will be formed by the gradual merging of the existing structures - the Customs Union, the Common Economic Space.
Thirdly, it would be a mistake to oppose the Eurasian Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Each of these structures has its place and its role in the post-Soviet space. Russia and its partners will actively work to improve the institutions of the Commonwealth, the saturation of its practical agenda. (Portions of Izvestia article machine-translated into English 08/12/13)
So, Vladimir Putin originally proposed what seems to be an economic union similar to the European Union. But neither he nor the then President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, were the first to propose suggest something like this.
The following was published by the old Worldwide Church of God prior to that:
There is general agreement among students of prophecy that "Gog" in the land of "Magog" is the vast regions of northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. "Meshech" is Moscow, "Tubal" is Tobolsk. The Bible margin says "Prince of Rosh," which is Russia. ... this great Eurasian union of nations shall finally rise up with the most overwhelming armies ever assembled by man! (Armstrong HW. RUSSIA IN PROPHECY. Plain Truth, April 1981)
In numerous prophecies, the Bible points to the development of a giant Eurasian world power, linked with populous neighbors by military and/or political alliances. (Stump K. What's Prophesied for RUSSIA & CHINA. Plain Truth, February-March 1985)
The idea of a Eurasian Union is consistent with biblical prophecy.
Steps for an official union have been implemented:
Eurasian Union (EAU), is without a doubt the dream of Russian President Vladimir Putin who proposed forming a Eurasian Union with Kazakhstan and Belarus and in November 2011, the presidents of these three countries signed an agreement, a key breakthrough, to launch and make it fully operational by 2015... Strategic experts say Eurasian Union is a Moscow’s teeth crushing reply to USA on NATO expansion in Eastern Europe and central states will come in a position to bargain whether to look towards Europe or enter into Eurasian Union to grab maximum economical and financial benefits offered to them. (Alam SS. Why Dream of Eurasian Union? 29 July 2013. http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2013/07/why-dream-of-eurasian-union/)
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have agreed to set up a Eurasian economic union, modelled on the EU, with a target date of 2015. The three countries already have a customs union but now aim to go further by removing trade barriers. (Russia sees union with Belarus and Kazakhstan by 2015. BBC, Novemberr 18, 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15790452 viewed 08/12/13)
And while that may not sound like much of a start, the European Union started originally as a trade pact between the relatively small nations of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (called Benelux), and now has 28 nations part of it.
The Eurasian Union was officially agreed to on May 29, 2014:
Putin met Thursday with his counterparts from Kazakhstan and Belarus in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to initiate the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Putin has long sought to form the bloc in hopes that it would provide an Eastern counterweight to economic and political powerhouses such as the European Union and the United States. The new codes of the union, scheduled for launch on Jan. 1, will give the citizens of member states equal employment and education opportunities across all three nations. The three presidents also said Thursday that the deal would involve collaborative policies on key sectors, including energy, technology, industry, agriculture and transport.
“A new geoeconomic reality of the 21st century is being born today,” said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency. The deal, 20 years in the making, was “a hard-won achievement,” he said, and “a blessing for our people.” “It’s your success, if not to say triumph,” Putin told Nazarbayev, according to Interfax. (Hauslohner A. Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus form Eurasian Economic Union. Washington Post, May 29, 2014. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-kazakhstan-belarus-form-eurasian-economic-union/2014/05/29/de4a2c15-cb01-4c25-9bd6-7d5ac9e466fd_story.html viewed 06/07/14)
Notice also that this Eurasian Union, like the European Union, is expected to have more military cooperation:
Stretching from the Polish border to the Pacific, the length of the former Soviet Union, the new Eurasian Union will be the nucleus of a larger transnational entity. Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus are uniting their economies, legal systems, and customs services to create a stronger Eurasian global player. They are coordinating their militaries through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and Putin is pushing for more coordination of their security services. This geopolitical consolidation will likely affect their neighbors’ sovereignty, independence, and political orientation. Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Ukraine may be considered for future membership in the Eurasian Union.
A Eurasian Union that evolves into a Russian sphere of influence would adopt a mercantilist approach to the global economy. It will likely monopolize regional security...The Eurasian Union is based on two major documents: the Customs Code and the Codified Agreement on the Customs Union and Common Economic Space, which spell out the legal rules and norms for the functioning of a common market. This is a major break with past integration efforts, which generated hundreds of vague, fragmented agreements that largely remained unimplemented.
The key institution is the Eurasian Commission, which was launched in July 2012. Similar to the Commission of the European Union, its main responsibility is to ensure smooth operation of the common market by enforcing rules and regulations and to carry out initiatives for further integration. The commission has jurisdiction over tariff and non-tariff regulation (e.g., sanitary controls), customs administration, technical regulation, competition policy, energy, transport, intellectual property protection, migration, and other areas. (Cohen A. Russia’s Eurasian Union Could Endanger the Neighborhood and U.S. Interests. Heritage Foundation, June 14, 2013. http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/06/russias-eurasian-union-could-endanger-the-neighborhood-and-us-interests viewed 08/12/13)
Notice the following:
4 December 2012
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the EU-Russia summit in Brussels later this month. But he will make sure his hosts welcome him as the representative of the Eurasian Union - Putin's pet geopolitical project, which bears similarities to the EU. (Putin to visit Brussels as 'Eurasian Union' leader. EurActiv, December 4, 2012. http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/putin-comes-eu-eurasian-union-le-news-516419 viewed 08/12/13)
When the conference began, Vladmir Putin stated (the following was professionally translated) the following to the Europeans (such as then EU President Herman Van Rompuy):
An important factor in our relations is the Eurasian economic integration between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. We have been informing you of the progress of this alliance all along ... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD9eY3Sye00 viewed 08/12/13)
Vladimir Putin was at the conference representing and promoting the then fledgling Eurasian Union. Here is some more about it:
14 August 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Azerbaijan has caused a lot of judgements about the new trends of Russian policy in the Caucasus, which will be continued in specific agreements signed in Baku...it is also a fact that the Armenian and Ukrainian products in most cases are not competitive in the European markets, and both countries need, of course, the Russian market. The CIS is almost non-existent, but the Eurasian Union will exist. And there's a very big opportunity for these products, they're more competitive...and the norms in the Eurasian Union will be more and more like European ones. (Sattarov O. Alexander Rahr: "Russia moves toward a pragmatic cooperation with Azerbaijan." Vestnik Kavkaza, August 14, 2013. http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/43869.html)
While China is not part of the original group, China will end up in a military cooperation with Russia and its allies. China also signed a freetrade agreement in 2018 with the EAEU that goes into effect in 2019.
Russia, China, and India are continuing to try to work together, as are other Gentile nations. The fulfillment of the final time of the Gentiles is rapidly approaching (cf. Luke 21:24).
India wants to deal with the EEU:
June 18, 2015
MOSCOW: India will sign a free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to boost trade and economic ties with the region, an Indian diplomat said on Thursday.
"We are definitely signing this agreement", Amit Telang, first secretary of India's embassy in Russia told TASS news agency.
The agreement will be signed at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2015). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/India-to-sign-free-trade-pact-with-Eurasian-Economic-Union/articleshow/47722679.cmsJuly 8, 2015
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue of a possible free trade deal between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
UFA (Sputnik) — Putin and Modi also discussed cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy and the military-technical sphere.
India is Russia’s largest military-technical partner, with an estimated $4.78 billion worth of weapons and military equipment, including nuclear submarines, jet fighters and battle tanks, purchased in 2013, according to Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. http://sputniknews.com/business/20150708/1024381272.html#ixzz3fYJ5Swgt
Notice some reports about other lands:
Table 7. Ongoing work on EAEU trade and economic agreements as of November 1, 2016.
Active FTA Vietnam (November 2015) Negotiating mandates China (mandate for a non-preferential treaty granted in May 2016) Iran Israel Potential candidates (work teams, expression of interest, memorandums) Egypt India Cambodia Mongolia (joint research group in operation) Peru Singapore Chile South Korea (joint research group in operation) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405473917300041
Eurasian Economic Union to replace Customs Union
India, Turkey and even Syria may become members of this new economic bloc.
At a summit held in Minsk, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan confirmed their intention to form a Eurasian Economic Union in 2015, on the basis of the Customs Union. Subsequently, Turkey, India and even Syria may join this new alliance, according to the leaders...
Putin kept in reserve his main argument in favor of further integration. He said that, during Monday’s visit of the Indian prime minister to Moscow, the prime minister asked him to consider the possibility of signing a free trade area agreement with the Customs Union.
At the same time, Vladimir Putin, at a press conference after the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk, said that Ukraine would not be able to join the union after the signing of the agreement on associated membership in the EU. http://rbth.ru/international/2013/10/28/eurasian_economic_union_to_replace_customs_union_31237.html
NEW DELHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 05th October, 2018) India will soon sign a free trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union, a post-Soviet political and trade bloc, the Indian commerce minister announced Friday.
“[The] signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU), soon, will create a huge market which will benefit all the countries of the region and also promote inter-regional partnerships between the states of India and the regions of Russia,” Suresh Prabhu said in a statement. https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/india-to-sign-free-trade-deal-with-eurasian-e-448951.html
Many are working towards a broad confederation in Eurasia. Though all proposed countries (like Syria) will not remain part of it.
Notice the following about Iran:
December 13, 2017
Iran says it expects the formalities over its membership to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) – a regional trade bloc led by Russia – would be finalized soon and an agreement with the Union’s member states would be signed accordingly.
Iran’s media quoted a trade official as saying that the agreement with the EEU would be signed by the presidents of all member countries. http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/12/13/545454/Iran-to-seal-deal-with-Russialed-trade-bloc-soon-
A freetrade agreement between Iran and the EAEU was signed in 2018 and is to be in place in 2021.
What about what has been going on with Ukraine, Crimea, Moldova, and Georgia?
Notice the following:
March 9, 2014
What is Vladimir Putin up to? The crisis in Ukraine, brought to a boil when Russia’s president sent troops into the Crimean peninsula, has created almost a cottage industry of guessing at the autocratic leader’s intentions from one day to the next.
When it comes to Putin’s long-term strategy, however, there is at least one concrete plan that offers some insight, and one specific date that Russia observers are looking ahead to. That date, Jan. 1, 2015, is expected to mark the birth of an important new organization linking Russia with an as-yet-undetermined constellation of its neighboring countries—an alliance Putin has dubbed the Eurasian Union.
Currently, only two nations besides Russia, Belarus and Kazakstan, have signed on. A number of other post-Soviet states, including Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, have signaled interest in joining. It’s expected to build on an existing regional trade pact to establish common policies on labor migration, investment, trade, and energy…
For all its ambition and the grandeur of its name, the Eurasian Union hasn’t been discussed much in the West outside of foreign-policy circles; when asked about it recently, the State Department declined to comment. This does not mean US officials aren’t worried about its implications.
In December 2012, then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a remark that, to date, seems to represent the American government’s only public position on Putin’s idea: “There is a move to re-Sovietise the region,” she said. And while of course the new entity wouldn’t be called the USSR, she said, “Let’s make no mistake about it. We know what the goal is and we are trying to figure out effective ways to slow down or prevent it.”…
But it’s worth noting, as the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, that Russia experts have always considered that country the crown jewel—and even a necessary anchor—of any successful version of the Eurasian Union. “If you have Ukraine, the Eurasian Union moves a little further west, and puts it right on the border of the EU,” said Hannah Thoburn, a Eurasia analyst at the Foreign Policy Initiative, a Washington-based nonprofit. “Russia desperately wants to have Ukraine.” http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/09/putin-long-game-meet-eurasian-union/1eKLXEC3TJfzqK54elX5fL/story.html
The above comments from Hillary Clinton partially explain why the USA has objected so loudly to a relatively peaceful takeover of Crimea (reportedly 1-2 people killed and a couple of people injured), in which the Crimeans themselves overwhelmingly voted to approve (see also Russian nuclear threat against USA, Crimea, EU, and WWIII). Crimea has since been annexed and is now part of the Russian Federation which means it will also be part of the Eurasian Union unless something changes.
Some in Ukraine (see Russian forces storm Ukraine bases in Crimea and residents of Donetsk take to the streets calling for a vote to join Russia; cruise missile threat to USA?) and Moldova (see More in Ukraine and Moldova look to Putin; Crimeans overrun Ukrainian naval base; Dumping dollars? and Moldova, India, China, and Egypt interested in the Eurasian Economic Union: Steps towards Armageddon?) want to either join the Russian Federation or at least join the Eurasian Union. Those in Georgia are less inclined than many in Moldova, but even some there have expressed interest as well (see Some support in Georgia for Eurasian Union), although its current leadership leans more toward the European Union.
Moldova seems to be looking towards the Russian Federation and the upcoming Eurasian Union (see Moldova and Bulgaria move towards Russia).
Territorial splits are also a possibility.
Notice a machine translation, as well as the original Russian, about a plan for Ukraine from some time back:
March 24, 2014
Media released documents allegedly developed the National Security Council of Russia, which describe the strategy capture the Russian Federation "Russian" regions of Ukraine - all the east, center, south and north and Kiev.
Chief Editor of "KyivPost" Catherine Gorchinskaya distributed social networking plan that was allegedly made by the Council of National Security of the Russian Federation in the days of mass struggles in the center of Kiev. Clashes in Ukraine the document's authors decided to use to your advantage. In particular, we plan to establish control over the capital of Ukraine and attach "Russian regions" of Ukraine, in particular, Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Dnepropetrovsk, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kiev, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odessa area.
"Only a complete entry Russian territories in Ukraine, namely Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Dnepropetrovsk, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kiev, Kherson, Nikolaev, Odessa regions in Russia can guarantee peace, security and prosperity for their populations, as well as reliable protecting the interests of Russia "- the document says.
СМИ обнародовали документы, якобы разработанные Советом национальной безопасности России, в которых говорится о стратегии захвата РФ "российских" областей Украины - всего востока, центра, юга и севера и Киева.
Главный редактор издания "KyivPost" Екатерина Горчинская распространила в соцсетях план, который якобы был составлен Советом нацбезопасности РФ еще во времена массовых противостояний в центре Киева. Столкновения в Украине авторы документа решили использовать в свою пользу. В частности, планируется установить контроль над столицей Украины и присоединить "российские области" Украины, в частности, Крым, Луганскую, Донецкую, Запорожскую, Днепропетровскую, Черниговскую, Сумскую, Харьковскую, Киевскую, Херсонскую, Николаевскую и Одесскую области.
"Только полное вхождение территорий российских областей Украины, а именно Крыма, Луганской, Донецкой, Запорожской, Днепропетровской, Черниговской, Сумской, Харьковской, Киевской, Херсонской, Николаевской, Одесской областей в РФ может гарантировать мир, безопасность и процветание их населению, а также надежную защиту интересов России", - говорится в документе. (http://ru.tsn.ua/politika/v-smi-poyavilsya-plan-putina-otnositelno-zahvata-ukrainy-vplot-do-kieva-356615.html)
Russia clearly wants Ukraine. But because of that, some, including Kazakhstan, have had concerns about Russia and even the Eurasian Union (see Ukrainian fighting, Kazakhstan, and the Eurasian Union).
Despite Russian hopes and plans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia all signed trade and political agreements with the European Union on June 27, 2014 (see Ukraine, Moldova, and George sign deals with European Union; Russia not pleased). Yet, not all in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia want to be part of the European Union, some prefer to be in Russia's Eurasian Union. Those that become disillusioned/disappointed by the EU may ultimately back out of it.
Tajikistan was formally invited to join the union and has expressed its interest in acceding. "Break-away" regions of Moldova (Transnistria), Ukraine (Donetsk and Lugansk) and Georgia (South Ossetia and Abkhazia) have expressed a desire to join the Eurasian Customs Union and integrate into the Eurasian Economic Union. Places like Mongolia, Egypt, and Serbia have recently expressed interest. Some think perhaps Uzbekistan will someday as well.
All EAEU member states participate in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an intergovernmental mutual defense alliance.
Though much of the world does not seem to realize that it somewhat exists, Russia is claiming that there are already significant economic benefits from the 'Eurasian Economics Union.'
A trade block seems to be forming. And it is one making trade deals.
The EAEU will have major deals with the European Union. Some are proposing this:
September 5, 2017
Can a single economic space spanning from Lisbon to Vladivostok exist? Is a closer collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) possible? The time will show but the idea has already been developed and has been included in the Berlin Memorandum.
“This initiative is the result of practical needs of enterprises and the common wish for better cooperation on our continents combined,” says Ulf Schneider, CEO at Schneider Group, who presented the project at Eurasian Week in Kazakhstan in late August. ...
According to the Memorandum, an important factor for stronger economic cooperation will be represented by common infrastructures. The East-West corridor needs to be developed further with common investments directed at strengthening connectivity. Simultaneously, an improvement of the conditions of transit would allow the EEU to function as a link between the EU and China, similar to China’s concept of its new Silk Road. ...
Mr Schneider believes it is too idealistic to aim at a free trade zone in the near future, but concrete measures can be taken now.
“Instead of abolishing all customs duties — which is not realistic in the short run, we think it is important and more feasible to harmonise the procedures on duties between the EU and the EAEU. The working group is therefore launching three task forces: customs procedures simplification, technical regulation and certification, and visa simplification. Each of them are led by experts in their industry, with a deep understanding of practices and business cultures in different markets and of the challenges that exist. Every company can bring in their own know-how and issues that are important to them. We are talking to Polish, French, Italian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and other organisations, like chambers etc. It is crucial that this project becomes a real, inclusive cooperation built on broad support and input of ideas, to pave the way for mutually beneficial development,” he says. http://emerging-europe.com/in-brief/doing-business-across-eurasia-could-be-easier/
March 3, 2017
Armenia ... president Sargsyan has stressed Armenia’s closer integration with the EU will bring Europe closer to Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union.
he said: “At the very beginning of the negotiations, our understanding was that we can have both – the association agreement with the EU and close integration with the Eurasian Economic Union.” http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/774725/European-Union-sign-Armenia-deal-Azerbaijan-conflict-Brussels-Henrikh-Mkhitaryan
While China is not currently in the EAEU, its Silk Road project is intended to provide infrastructure that will lead to better trade between Europe and Asia.
While the EAEU is separate from the European Union, the two emerging blocks are looking at ways to work together Notice the following:
8 February 2018
YEREVAN. – A discussion on the prospect and opportunities for cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Union is held in Yerevan.
In his opening remarks, the founder and head of the Armenian Institute for International Affairs and Security, Styopa Safaryan said this topic is already being discussed internationally and will continue to attract the attention of the international community for a long time. https://news.am/eng/news/435342.html
Trade deals between the Europeans and those in the EAEU are consistent with various biblical prophecies.
Back in 1962, notice something that the old Radio Church of God published:
Germany, those living in Germany, even the German government, may not yet know that they are going to join in a treaty with the Russians to destroy the United States and bring it to its knees-it is not in his “heart” to think so, but on the other hand it IS in his “heart” to destroy-the very characteristic of the Assyrian, the modern German, is a harsh, cruel, iron, dedication to militarism and destruction! (Hill DJ, God’s Destiny for Germany. Plain Truth, March 1962, pp. 28-29)
In the 21st century, I have written that I expect that Russia and the EAEU will make one or more deals with the Europeans. Some have been hinted at this century (see also Greece begs Germany’s Merkel not to throw them ‘overboard,’ while it makes deals with Russia, Merkel’s European-Eurasian Trade Zone Proposal, and even Vladimir Putin allegedly helped stop a Grexit).
The Bible identifies the ancient ancestors of some of the Eursasians as traders in the future:
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules (Ezekiel 27:13-14).
Today, Russia is a major trader of commodities such as oil and gold. It also exports copper, which is the major component of bronze. Nations interested in the EAEU, like Mongolia, would seem to fit prophecies related to trade in horses and steeds, and possibly mules.
Note that the Bible says that all trading nations will have become wealthy trading with Babylon (the restored European Empire--not Asia) that really prospers in the beginning of the great tribulation:
3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury (Revelation 18:3).
The Eurasians are prophesied to trade with Europe and we are seeing more talks intended to increase that trade in the 21st century.
The Eurasian block itself wants to have a certain amount of cooperation with China. Basically, Russia and China both wish to cooperate more together so that they can help displace the role of the US dollar in international trade. See also The End of US Dollar Dominance.
There is also another block of Asian nations working together called ASEAN:
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN /ˈɑːsi.ɑːn/ AH-see-ahn, rarely /ˈɑːzi.ɑːn/ AH-zee-ahn) is a geo-political and economic organisation of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Wikipedia, viewed 08/22/13)
August 22, 2013 PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's foreign minister says a special meeting between ASEAN ministers and China is "crucial," following meetings with his Chinese counterpart this week...Hor Namhong says ASEAN ministers should consider a closer relationship with China as they head into talks aimed at easing tensions over the South China Sea next week in Beijing.
"The special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers with China is crucial to consolidate friendship and strategic cooperation between ASEAN and China," he said. http://www.voanews.com/content/cambodia-urges-closer-asean-ties-with-china/1734944.html
In the past, ASEAN nations have also suggested the possibility of having their own currency (see Southeast Asian Union To Form). It perhaps should be noted that Vietnam entered into a freetrade agreement with the EAEU in 2016.
Notice also:
26 September 2017
The Eurasian fortress
Chinese and Russian ties began to coalesce around a shared set of interests as the two great powers found themselves the odd ones out of the new world order that had emerged after the Cold War. China was useful as a growing market for Russian commodities and a reliable political ally against Western encroachment, while Russia was invaluable to China as a source of military and space technology.
Over time, with Russia’s political resurgence under the strongman rule of Vladimir Putin, and China’s astronomical ascent into global economic prominence, the marriage of convenience between the two powers has transformed into a comprehensive and overarching strategy aimed at tilting the global balance of power toward their favor.
Russia and China are the world’s largest and third-largest nations by land area. With a combined area of more than 26 million square kilometers, the two powers are the greatest land empires of the Eurasian continent.
Russia is now a resurgent political power that allegedly infiltrates Western elections and has gained traction among circles of nationalists attempting to overturn the liberal Western order.
The United States, meanwhile, has begun to turn inwards with tensions flaring between the new Donald Trump administration and its European allies.
Everywhere we turn, the once-unquestioned dominance of the Western consensus is fading.
New Silk Road, new world order
In mid-May, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed leaders of and delegates from the 68 countries involved in his country’s One Belt One Road initiative. ...
The ultimate goal of the BRI agenda is to shift the center of global trade and power to its favor. ...
All of the commercial roads of this massive geographic continuity will lead to China, and become a sphere dominated by the Sino-Russian alliance. An impenetrable Eurasian fortress. http://www.atimes.com/sino-russian-alliance-creating-eurasian-fortress/
Eventually we will see a some type of confederation involving Russia, China, India, and many (if not all) of the nations that are part of the Eurasian Union, SCO, and ASEAN.
Now, since it is the biblically-based view of the Continuing Church of God that Europe, and not China nor Russia nor another Asian power that will dominate the world’s financial scene in the end time, how is this economic cooperation of prophetic interest?
Well, several reasons.
One is that it shows that China and Russia and others are working to replace the USA dollar, which means that they are not satisfied with the current world financial order. The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) is coming, which will be a time dominated by the Gentile powers (Luke 21:24; see also Times of the Gentiles).
Another is that it shows that China and Russia and others do understand financial history and realize, historically, what it takes to become the world’s reserve currency (see also US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan). The fact that they seem to want to tie their currency to something like gold is not only consistent with world financial history, it is also consistent with biblical prophecies about gold being valuable in the end times (cf. Daniel 11:38,43; Revelation 18:12,16; see also The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy).
Another reason that what the Chinese seem to be proposing is of interest is that the former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, went to China a couple of years ago to work to replace the USA dollar with something that included the Chinese yuan and the EU’s euro (see France and China Working Hard to Replace Dollar). The fact that China has been actively working on something to cause this should show every one that they are serious, and that at some point in time, Europe will take further steps to eliminate the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.
And, let us not forget that the USA keeps increasing its debt and inflating its currency through programs like ‘quantitative easing’ that financial experts should realize is diminishing its value–biblically it is adding ‘dross’ to its currency, which is not good (Isaiah 1:22,25; Proverbs 25:4a). At some point in time in the future, this will result in disaster for the USA according to biblical prophecy.
What is happening in Asia, and elsewhere, shows that the world is moving away from the US dollar. All the arrangements that the Chinese, Russians, and others are doing are making it easier for the ultimate break from the dollar and the final time of the Gentiles.
The Bible uses terms like kings of the east/sunrise (Revelation 16:12), kings of the Medes (Jeremiah 51:11), and "many kings" associated with of the north (Jeremiah 50:41). More than one nation will be involved in a military block that will be formed.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for a militarily stronger Russia as well as one allied with many other nations in Asia (as well as some in Europe, like the Ukraine).
In 2012, Russia and China (China has certain hesitating limits, but wants Indian involvement) were attempting to get India and Pakistan to be part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) with them (http://rt.com/politics/russia-sco-pakistan-india-lavrov-076/). SCO is "a China backed security forum was set up in Shanghai in 2001. Its members included Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan" (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/china-welcomes-proposed-accession-of-india-in-sco/1002465.html). India itself then decided to push for greater cooperation in SCO, including participating for the first time in military exercises with it (India cozies up to Russia, China. WND, May 26, 2012. http://www.wnd.com/2012/05/india-cozies-up-to-russia-china/ and India to pitch for larger role at SCO summit. India Times, May 27, 2012. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-27/news/31868432_1_sco-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-observer-status).
Notice the following:
Their joint opposition to the presence of Nato and US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq is one motivation for a Russia-China-India strategic partnership (Russia’s Military Strategy. The Post, Pakistan - Mar 7, 2008).
The Eighth Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India was held on May 14-15, 2008 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the increasing interaction between Russia, China and India, fast growing, multi ethnic countries with rich history and culture. It was underlined that trilateral interaction was contributing to the shaping of a multi polar, stable and harmonious world, to democratization of international relations and a more just and rational international order (Eighth India, Russia, China Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Russia. May 2008, http://indianembassy.ru/indiachronicle/may08/index.html).
New Delhi still gets 80 percent of its arms from Russia (HOLMES: India should be policy linchpin. Kim Holmes, Washington Times. Thursday, March 5, 2009).
Russia already supplies a lot of military weaponry to nations in Asia, including India, while India is also developing its own (e.g. http://www.voanews.com/content/india-launches-indigenously-buit-aircraft-carrier/1727930.html). Russia and China themselves have a variety of military agreements. The truth is that Russia, China, and India do not believe that the Americans and Europeans (the Americans and Europeans are the ones that make up NATO) truly will ever accept them as equals and hence have began to take more steps leading to cooperation with each other.
Notice also the following from 2013:
Plans for a Eurasian Union are a feeble rear guard action aimed less at NATO and the West and more at the increasing relevance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The SCO has China as its sponsor. And, while it is not clear at all that China has designs for control of any kind over Central Asia, it is the power with the most momentum in the region. It has now become cliché to say that Central Asia's markets are flooded with Chinese goods and businessmen. (Peterson A. Central Asia unlikely to become another unstable Middle East. Global Times, August 13, 2013. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/803601.shtml#.Ugqr96z8az4 viewed 08/13/13)
So, China is a sponsor of SCO and according to at least one reporter, the SCO situation is what the Eurasian Union is really all about. Hence, the some see that proposed Eurasian Union is really about building an economic and military confederation.
Furthermore, there is continued connection between the SCO and the Eurasian Economic Union:
July 8, 2015
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) alliance of five Eurasian nations will serve as the main forum for promoting China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) initiative and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a senior Chinese diplomat said Wednesday.
UFA (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS/SCO summit in Russia’s city of Ufa.
The leaders discussed the two economic unions – SREB and EEU – that seek closer Eurasian economic integration, including in investment and trade. http://sputniknews.com/business/20150708/1024379330.html#ixzz3fYIlli4g
Notice something from 2017:
September 21, 2017
On Monday, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) and the Russian Navy began the second stage of their Joint Sea 2017 military exercises. The exercises are taking place in the Sea of Japan and, for the first time, the Okhotsk Sea. These drills underline ongoing naval and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/chinese-russian-navies-hold-exercises-in-sea-of-japan-okhotsk-sea/
The Bible shows that a Eurasian military union will happen involving those from the north AND the east and frighten the European King of the North:
…the king of the North… 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Dan 11:40,43-45).
Places like Armenia (called Ararat below) and others near that region of Asia are prophesied to be involved with the Northern power (king of the Medes below):
27 Set up a banner in the land, Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her, Call the kingdoms together against her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a general against her; Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts. 28 Prepare against her the nations, With the kings of the Medes, Its governors and all its rulers, All the land of his dominion. 29 And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 51:27-29)
Armenia decided in December 2014 to join the Eurasian Union, now Eurasian Economic Union (EEU/EAEU). The comment amount locusts in Jeremiah 51:27 brings to mind the following:
4 What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten. (Joel 1:4)
The New Testament shows that a group of nations known as the Kings of the East will form:
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).
Note: The literal translation of Revelation 16:12 is "the kings of the sunrise" and thus this would seem to also include China, Japan, Korea, Indochina (including Vietnam), Indonesia, and other lands (since Indonesia is Islamic, it is likely to wish much closer alignment with the Chinese in the end after the King of the North overwhelms the Islamic King of the South per Daniel 11:40-43). India is also likely one of those kings.
Although he had some prophetic and timing misunderstandings, here is something from G.G. Rupert (a Church of God leader in the early 20th century with distant ties to CG7):
The Yellow Peril; or, the Orient versus the Occident
Russia has today one hundred and twenty-nine millions of population. Persistently, carrying out a plan conceived more than forty years ago, she has quietly occupied every position in Asia which would eventually enable her to annex the four hundred millions of China; then the two hundred and eighty millions of India, and finally the eight millions of Persia. ...
Men talk of 'the Yellow Peril.' They do not seem to see that it is through Russia, and through Russia only, that the yellow races might become a peril to the world at large. ...
Russia has a wonderful assimilating power. Having absorbed the tribes of central and northern Asia, and moulded them into Russian legions to carry forward the Russian advance, it does not require a prophet to see a day when with Russo-Chinese armies, Russia would drive the Germans, the French, Italians and other Europeans into the seas and the distant mother countries would be powerless to prevent Russia then in control of 400,000,000 Chinese. ...
Armageddon is rapidly drawing near. ...
Mrs. Helen E. Gardner, who has been six years in touring the world, has spent considerable time in China. She says of this country: "China is going to give us a tremendous surprise. It will be a surprise such as the world has never known." ...
As we view the history of the world for many centuries through the history as given by the pen of inspiration, we will now seek to show the teaching of the Bible concerning the three great divisions of the world in the last days, the movement of the nations, and the issue be- tween them as they shall gather to the great battle of Armageddon.
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false . prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." Rev. 16:13-16.
The events here described take place under the sixth plague. When the vial of the seventh plague is poured out, there comes a voice out of the temple of heaven out of the throne, saying, "It is done." This movement is the greatest and the crowning event of all earth's history. ...
The prophet Jeremiah, in speaking of this power, uses this expression, "For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord." Jer. 1:15.
This expression shows there are many families of kingdoms clustered together, which we understand must include all the territory controlled by the dragon power, which would include all the kings of the East, such as China, India, and any others that might exist in the dragon territory. ...
China. It is the oldest nation in the world, and from the prophet's standpoint it would come from far, or the end of the earth, lying eastward. It is a mighty nation... in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation, Japan, China and India are called the kings of the East. ...
Russia is the land of Magog which was the grandson of Noah. It is an ancient nation. But even a more ancient Nation is to be joined to them, namely, China, Japan and India with others. (Rupert GG. The Yellow Peril; or, the Orient versus the Occident, Third ed. c.1911)
Notice something from the old Plain Truth magazine:
These seven plagues, designed to bring humanity to repentance, are pictured symbolically as seven vials, or small vessels holding liquids. These vials are "poured out" upon a corrupted earth by seven angels. Tragically, mankind as a whole will still refuse to repent of sin!
The sixth of these vials or plagues is described in Revelation 16: 12 and introduces us to Armageddon: "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."
The Euphrates River rises in Turkey and flows southeastward for some 1,700 miles through Syria and Iraq, ultimately emptying into the Arabian or Persian Gulf. Across this riverbed will come the "kings of the east" and their armies — a prophesied . . . Eurasian confederacy. This confederacy will have certain geopolitical goals motivating their military offensive. But an unperceived, behind-the-scenes influence will be the ultimate motivation underlying their actions. Notice: Revelation 16:14 reveals that it will be demonic spirits that will influence "the kings of the earth and of the whole world" to gather for battle. These spirits are fallen angels who followed Lucifer (Satan) in his rebellion against God (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-17; Rev. 12:4). They will stir up this world's leaders to prepare for war. (Stump K. Just What Do You Mean - ARMAGEDDON? Plain Truth, June 1985)
Notice something about this from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:
The second woe, with its symbols of horses and horsemen...and is also referred to as an event in the Day OF THE Eternal in Joel 2:4. This refers to a tremendous military power--also to the NORTH--due north! They come with an army of two hundred million! Think of it--an army of two hundred million! World events are now moving rapidly to make possible a Communist Eurasian army of that unbelievable manpower! (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last! 1972 edition. p. 38-39).
It should be noted that all of that Eurasian army does not need to be 'communist' (though most of the lands that Herbert Armstrong referred to were communist when he wrote that).
Notice what Joel 2 indicates some of what that two hundred million man army will do:
2...A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them,Even for many successive generations. 3 A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses;And like swift steeds, so they run. 5 With a noise like chariotsOver mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, Like a strong people set in battle array. 6 Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color. 7 They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks. 8 They do not push one another;Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between the weapons, They are not cut down. 9 They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief. (Joel 2:2-9)
That massive army will cause fear and massive destruction!
Russia, with a border that extends east to the Pacific ocean, would appear to be one of the Kings of the East. There will be an end-time confederation of Asian nations with some European involvement that will be part of this eastern confederation. Other biblical prophecies suggests lands like Ukraine will also be at least partially involved (see also Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future).
There is a Russian prediction made a over century ago that Russia and China will take over Europe:
…one of the causes which will eventually lead to a regenerated China attacking Europe will be the predominance of males over females in the Celestial Kingdom…for China is bound to make a memorable appearance on the world’s stage , and it is indispensable that Russia bind herself in close unison with China until China “overflows her shores and pours down in a torrent on Europe.” (DR. MENDELEYEFF'S STRIKING PROPHECY, Dead Chemist Foretold the Attack of Europe by a Regenerated China. WILL FIRST FIGHT INDIA Preponderance of Males the Cause -- Japan, Not an "Originator Power," Can Never Be Great. New York Times, August 11, 1907. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B03E1DF103EE033A25752C1A96E9C946697D6CF viewed 04/21/09 August 11, 1907 ).
There is also an interesting Orthodox prophecy that suggests that the Russians will turn on the City (probably "new Babylon," a term that some Orthodox use for Constantinople and some fewer, Rome):
Orthodox St. Andrew Fool-for-Christ (4th century): I personally believe that some day the City will be invaded by the Blond Nation, whose name begins with the 17th letter of the Alphabet (P). Well, the Blond Nation will enter the City and it will cut down its inhabitants (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, p. 112).
The 17th letter of that alphabet, "P" is the Greek letter "rho"--it is an "r" sound. Hence, this might suggest that at least one Orthodox prophet believed that the Russians would turn against the coming Beast power.
The Catholic Priest Kramer also predicted that Russia, along with China, will attack Europe:
Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): Unanimously, in all the prophecies of the saints down through the ages, and in the most secure and certain apparitions of Our Lady, it is revealed that there is going to be a tremendous great World War. It will break out suddenly, from East to West...The Russians already have an army of Special Forces and Arab terrorists that they have trained, along with the Communist Red Chinese. They have a vast army, secret armies, who are waiting for the day when the signal is given...And they will attack Europe. In the morning it will appear that the world is at peace. By the evening, the entire world will be plunged into war. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 05/13/10)
Other parts of the Bible also show that this "Babylonian/European" empire will be destroyed by a northern power.
In the Book of Jeremiah, for example, it is shown that a northern people (which most logically would seem to be Russia) will be part of the force that concerns and then eventually invades, end time Babylon (which will be a European power):
50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).3 O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal...6 from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you (Ezekiel 38:3,6).
Thus, the European empire (the “daughter of Babylon”) is to be destroyed by a northern (apparently Russian led) force. And probably one that cooperates with nations in the East, as well as maybe Iran, and possibly the Ukraine. (While the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 is later, the fact that it refers to the peoples of the FAR NORTH shows that there is a power further north than the final European King of the North of Daniel 11). Notice that a people from the north (Russia in this case) will be part of a confederation of many kings raised up from the ends of the earth. These "ends of the earth" kings would seemingly have to include Asian nations such as India and China, which while not currently part of the Eurasian Union, are already involved with many military and trade agreements with Russia, hence by extension have some connection to the actual Eurasian Union.
In Daniel, we see that the final King of the North , who is European, (see also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?) is concerned about a confederation to its north and east:
44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. (Daniel 11:44-45)
It is the Eurasian nations that are north and east of Europe. Daniel tells of a Eurasian confederation.
Notice also that the Bible shows Babylon tied together with birth pains/pangs to a group from a far country:
1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
2 “Lift up a banner on the high mountain,Raise your voice to them;Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger–Those who rejoice in My exaltation.” 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, Like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts musters The army for battle. 5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven–The LORD and His weapons of indignation,To destroy the whole land. 6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand!It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt, 8 And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames (Isaiah 13:1-8).
Thus, both the accounts in Jeremiah and Isaiah seem related to the same invaders. This is referring to an end time confederation that has a distance to travel–apparently a type of union of powers from the east including Russia, who is also the major power of the far north.
And this type of confederation is something that Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for. This is something he will continue to advocate and work towards. And whether he leads it or not, it will form.
A northern confederation (that appears to be led by Russia and probably includes the far north and far east/Pacific coast portion of Asia) will destroy the European Babylon. The following passage may also apply:
9 For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon
An assembly of great nations from the north country,
And they shall array themselves against her;
From there she shall be captured.
Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior;
None shall return in vain. (Jeremiah 50:9)
So, although many worry that Russia will be a major military threat to the USA, the reality is that the Bible indicates that it will be the Europeans that will receive a massive attack involving Russia. And perhaps not too many years from now. And this is something that Vladimir Putin advocates and plans to continue to work towards making it happen.
Notice the following:
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths (Revelation 9:13-18).
Only Asian forces, such as those in China and India and likely many others, could put together a 200,000,000 man army. India, China, and others in Asia will apparently align themselves with a Russia confederation against the European Empire.
Vladimir Putin wanted his Eurasian Union to form and it has. Russia has taken steps to try to work with those nations that were once part of the old Soviet Union. But beyond that, Russia has also taken steps to try to improve cooperation with Iran, North Korea, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Mongolia, and others.
The fact that the Bible refers to the many eastern powers as "kings" suggests that the final form of this will be more of a confederation than a single kingdom.
The Bible tells of a time with the 'kings of the sunrise" will get together and will ultimately destroy much of the final Babylonian Empire that the Europeans will end up building.
The current Eurasian Economics Union may well be a prelude to the final cooperation that will involve the Kings of the East.
Note: There are daily news, doctrinal, and prophecy updates at the Church of God News page for those interested in how world events are fulfilling Bible prophecy. And this often includes updates involving Asia at that page.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God's Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Is China THE Threat to the United States of America? China is the world's most populace nation. China has the world's largest standing military. China is a major economic power and it holds a lot of U.S. debt. China also has problems with corruption, pollution, and its hukou registration system. Will China face civil unrest? Is China prophesied to be wealthy in the end times? Will China takeover the U.S.A. or will it be another power? What does Bible prophecy reveal? This is a YouTube video.
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformattedGood News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them. There is also an Indian directed website, ccog.in, with information in English and some information in Hindi.
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? Here is a machine-translated link to that article in Korean: 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?; here is a link to that article in Mandarin Chinese: 在预言中的韩国：有任何证人吗？
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? A YouTube video is available titled Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God's plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos This is the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God in Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines.
Thiel B. Ph.D. The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy. http://www.cogwriter.com/eurasian-union.htm (c) 2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018 1018