Russia Threatens Europe Because of US Missile Defense

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

A Russian general essentially threatened Europe, via NATO, earlier today:

Russia says it could pre-emptively strike missile shield

Reuters – 3 May 2012

By Adrian Croft and Steve Gutterman | LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s military chief of staff said on Thursday that Moscow could carry out pre-emptive strikes on future NATO missile defense installations in Europe to protect its security – a stark warning against a system the Kremlin sees as a threat.

General Nikolai Makarov’s remark underlined Russian opposition to an anti-missile shield the United States and NATO are developing, an issue that will continue to strain relations after Vladimir Putin starts a six-year presidential term on Monday.

Russia’s Putin has raised concerns about being able to penetrate nuclear “shields” in the past, so I do not believe that the General’s comments are at odds with how he feels.

The problem is that more Russia makes such statements, the more the Europeans are going to realize that they need to develop their own military abilities apart from the USA.

And while it is Europe, and not Russia, that will be the end time King of the North, ultimately Europe, despite becoming a military power for a while (cf. Daniel 11:39-43, Revelation 13:4) will be hit hard by Russia and its allies later (Daniel 11:44).

In other parts of the Old Testament, it is shown that a northern people (apparently Russia or Russian led) 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).

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 (like China, etc.), as well as maybe Iran, and possibly the Ukraine.

While Europe will be led by the King of the North, notice that the Bible clearly states there is a group from the far north:

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).

14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog…15…you will come from your place out of the far north… (Ezekiel 38:14-15).

1 O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north (Ezekiel 39:1-2).

A Russian confederation is that only place on the planet that is in the far north and currently has massive military power–and while some believe parts of its military are antiquated, the upgrading that Vladimir Putin is pushing for should have it sufficiently strong to fulfill its end time role. 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.

But the threats from Russia now, the rise of China, and the relative (and then absolute) decline of US power, likely all will be factors in getting Europe to rise up to become the military power that the world, for a while, will marvel at (Revelation 13:4). The Russian leaders probably have no idea what they are helping create by their public and other threats.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future 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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?