Are we close to a nuclear third world war? Is Russia's 'special military operation' in Ukraine the start of WWIII? What did Ukrainan Defense Minister Guido Crosetto say related to WWIII? Does Ezekiel 38 involves Russia? Are certain Protestant writers correct that it is for our day and that Russia will launch a massive nuclear attack against the USA? Did Herbert W. Armstrong say that Russia would not attack the USA? Is a direct military skirmish between the USA and Russia possible? If the Bible does discuss the destruction of the USA, is this from a power that borders the Mediterranean sea according to biblical prophecies in the books of Revelation and Daniel? Why has the military devastation in Ukraine been a "wake-up call" for Europe? Has Europe been taking military steps? Is Europe prophesied to dominate the world? Are there biblical prophecies pointing to Europe being attacked by Russia? Does the Bible describe anything that sounds like nuclear devastation? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

A written article of related interest is available titled: 'Are we about to see WWIII and a nuclear war with Russia?'

Are we about to see WWIII and a nuclear war with Russia?

COGwriter

Are we close to World War III?

What if we see more conflict in Ukraine?

Notice one view:

Kyiv, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on … Friday, … “World War III would start the moment Russian tanks arrived in Kiev and on the borders of Europe. Making sure they do not arrive is the only way to stop World War III,” said Crosetto during an event in Rome. (ANSA). https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2023/01/27/wwiii-would-come-if-russian-tanks-get-to-kyiv-says-crosetto_521abcb4-2d75-4b87-a28b-273be784d61a.html

Newsmax posted the following:

January 27, 2023
In an interview with Newsmax, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt said the stakes in Ukraine are “much higher” than in previous conflicts such as Vietnam and Afghanistan, and” … “If we don’t get our diplomacy activated, we … have to exhibit levers to keep from going to this place called World War III, and that is a possibility.””. … President Donald Trump, … said in response to the news that the U.S. is sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine that “first come the tanks, then come the nukes,” https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/blaine-holt-mitt-romney-ukraine/2023/01/27/id/1106161/

Notice some concerns about what would happen if there actually was a massive nuclear war:

WW3 of ‘immense fireball’ warheads could plunge world into long, dark ‘nuclear winter’
With Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un’s continued penchant for missile launching, the threat of World War Three often seems scarily real.
And, with both regularly keen to flex their atomic potential, the menace of nuclear warfare is becoming a constant cause for concern too.
Should that ever happen, then the implications for the whole planet would be disastrous, with scientific research, dating back almost 40 years, suggesting our world would be plunged into a long, dark and cold nuclear winter. …
Much of the planet’s animal life and vegetation, meanwhile, would be destroyed, as per the scientific research into the ramifications of semi-darkness, deep frosts, subfreezing temperatures and rocketing radiation levels.
The large-scale destruction of food supplies and crops, as well as industrial, medical, and transportation infrastructures, would also, it is forecast, trigger a horrific death toll from starvation, exposure, and disease, with the global population plummeting in numbers. 01/26/23 https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/ww3-immense-fireball-warheads-could-29053460

Now, the above is basically true. A massive nuclear war would be very damaging and destructive.

Are we close to that now?

Michael Snyder seems to think so as he posted the following:

The Nuclear War That We Have Been Relentlessly Warned About Is Now Right On Our Doorstep
January 26, 2023
On Thursday, Russia responded to news that the U.S. and Germany would be giving highly advanced tanks to the Ukrainians by firing “a barrage of missiles and drones across the country”. The Russians are now so invested in this war that there is no way that they could ever back down. Of course the same thing is true for the Biden administration. Joe Biden has staked his presidency on winning this war, and Congress has already approved approximately 100 billion dollars in total aid for the Ukrainians. We are on a collision course with destiny, and the cataclysmic war with Russia that I have been warning about for many years is now right on our doorstep. …

We must end this war before the nukes start flying.
And actually Joe Biden once warned that we would be facing “World War 3” if we ever sent tanks into Ukraine.
But now the Biden administration is trying to assure us that sending tanks into Ukraine is perfectly fine.
Donald Trump is warning that a worst case scenario is coming too.
… more escalations are inevitably coming.
It is time for the American people to face the truth. We are at war, and there is no way out. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/the-nuclear-war-that-we-have-been-relentlessly-warned-about-is-now-right-on-our-doorstep/

While Michael Snyder is often an interesting writer and likes to touch on prophetic matters, his long-term insistence that a massive nuclear war against the USA by Russia is wrong.

Jesus warned of “wars and rumors of war” (Matthew 24:6). That is consistent with what we have been seeing between Russia and Ukraine. And that conflict is not WWIII.

It is also consistent with a video we put up prior to Russia’s ‘special military operation” into Ukraine:

21:20
Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy
The situation between Russia and Ukraine has again heated up, although it has been tense since the Euromaiden protests and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. There was later a separation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Russian Orthodox Church. Is war prophesied for Russia and Ukraine? Are prophecies in the Bible associated with the ‘kings of the Medes’ and a power from the “north country” related to any in Russia and Ukraine? Is a confederation of powers from the north, east, and central Asia prophesied to destroy the coming end time European Babylon? Will the destruction be reminiscent of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? How is the King of the North and who will destroy him? Do those in Russia and Ukraine have a hope of salvation? Will Russia and powers of the east be involved in the gathering in Armageddon as prophesied in Revelation 16? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues.

Here is a link to our video: Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy.

Since 2013, I have been posting that the situation in Ukraine would change and that at least part of that territory would end up supporting Russia. That happened with Crimea in 2014 and has happened with the two republics in the Donbas.

Russia is angry at the USA and others for sanctions as well as for sending arms to Ukraine.

Various ones in the USA and elsewhere fear the possibility of World War III with Russia.

Yet, Russia and the USA are not about to get into a war to try to militarily destroy each other because of Ukraine. There could be more sanctions, cyber matters, and skirmishes, but no, not a battle over Ukraine with each nation aggressively trying to destroy the other. The USA and Russia possess enough weapons of mass destruction that they could, in theory, destroy the whole world if they got in a large enough battle.

Despite the view of various Protestant prophecy watchers, the USA is not prophesied to be destroyed by Russia.

However, I do feel that Russia will assist the coming Beast power, who will destroy the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Below is something that the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, wrote decades ago, during the time of the old Soviet Union, in an article titled Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States:

For decades now, the prospect of war between Russia and the United States has continually heightened and lessened.
Many who claim to be authorities on prophecy assure people a war involving Russia and the United States, Canada and England is prophesied in Ezekiel 38.
The United States, Britain and other democracies of north-western Europe, they recognize, are nations descended from the lost Ten Tribes. Therefore, they conclude, the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 foretells a military invasion of the North American continent from the Soviet Union. But this is not what prophecy says…
But this very fact – that this invasion will not come until after the Second Coming of Christ – will seem preposterous to many, at first thought.
That is because we have been accustomed merely to assume things that are not true. We have blindly assumed that when Christ comes, there will be no opposition. Every person and power on earth, we have thought, will simply submit meekly and instantly to him and his power. But that is not true!
Some gentile nations understandably shall not submit until forced to. The final restoration of the Roman Empire shall be subdued and conquered at a battle commonly called “Armageddon.” But the populous nations of Eurasia that the Almighty God up to this point has not dealt with shall still have to be brought to submission.

“Gog” Identified“Gog in the land of “Magog” is the vast regions of the U.S.S.R. in northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. “Meshech” is Moscow, “Tubal” is Tobol’sk.

Notice the allies who come with them in this future battle. You will find “Gomer” “Togarmah,” “Magog,” “Meshech” “Tubal” identified in Genesis 10 as the sons of Japheth, father of the Eurasians. Ethiopia and Phut (mistranslated Libya) are descended from Ham.
Therefore, this prophecy of Ezekiel 38 shows who shall finally succeed in marshaling peoples of each major race into a gigantic invasion upon our people.
When God begins to rule the world, through Christ – with His chosen people restored to prosperity in the land of Israel, the very center of the land surface of the earth (verse 12, Moffatt translation) – this, great Eurasian union of nations shall finally be tempted to use their mighty air force. (Armstrong HW. Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, article).
Some Bible scholars assert falsely that these prophecies of Ezekiel were fulfilled anciently. They never were. Others believe they are about to occur but some years before Armageddon. Both views are erroneous. The events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 are without question still future – for the “latter days” (38: 16) and “latter years” (38:8). Moreover, Ezekiel 38:14 describes the time setting as being “in that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely.” This is certainly not the situation in the State of Israel to- day! The Israel described by Ezekiel is a nation that dwells in security, in unwalled villages, totally unprepared for war (38:8, 11, 14). Read it for yourself! (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States. WCG booklet)

Ezekiel 38 is for the distant future–after the millennium (cf. Revelation 20:7-9; see also Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?; a related video is also available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?).

Yet, none of this means that there cannot be military conflict between the USA and Russia now (and there may be some).

Furthermore, what Russia is doing is leading to WWIII, but just in a way many have not realized.

Over 42 years ago, the Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, the late Herbert W. Armstrong, wrote:

What Russia is doing will be the spark to bring the heads of nations in Europe together with the Vatican to form a “United Nations of Europe.” The politicians cannot do this by themselves. Only with the collaboration of the Pope can they do it.
Russia will move slowly—but will keep moving! Other nations and events will move FASTER! (Armstrong HW. Co-worker Letter, January 23, 1980)

Russia has been planning to make moves related to Ukraine for years.

What has been happening in Ukraine has been a wake-up call for the Europeans.

What will happen?

Europe will spend more on its military.

Europe will become a militarily successful power (cf. Revelation 13:3-4), with a great army (Daniel 11:25), and many ships (Daniel 11:40).

The Bible, Revelation 13, tells of the Beast power having seven heads and ten horns:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:1-2)

The sea that this is referring to is the Mediterranean sea as passages in the Old Testament demonstrate (Daniel 7:2-3; Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4; 9:1; 23:4; Ezekiel 47:13-16; watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

The Beast power to come will be European.

The Europeans are arming and uniting more because of Russia’s conflict. Germany’s Chancellor Scholtz pushed to increase its military spending to a level even much higher than Russia–for more details, watch: Is the European Beast Growing Horns?

There has been more unity in Europe–less want to leave the EU–and more are supporting increased military spending. Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine and the devastation Ukraine has faced has persuaded more in Europe that they are better off united and not separate–Ukraine was not, and is not, a member of the European Union.

The arming and semi-unity by the Europeans will lead to WWIII!

This will be the end of the USA and its British-descended allies consistent with Daniel 11:39.

The above destruction is from a European power, called the King of the North, which borders the Great Sea (Daniel 7), not Russia that does not.

As far as the use of nuclear weapons, here was Herbert W. Armstrong’s position:

What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beasts armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

The Bible states:

33 I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste (Leviticus 26:33).

Nuclear and other high-tech weapons (as well as EMP, electromagnetic pulse, bombs), as well as devastating solar flares, are ways to make land desolate and modern cities waste (for more on EMP-weapons and solar flares see Nuclear EMP Attack on UK Called ‘Quite Likely’).

Events that resemble nuclear or similar devastation are part of the prophesied curses mentioned in the Bible:

23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning (Deuteronomy 29:23).
19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts
The land is burned up,
And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand
And be hungry;
He shall devour on the left hand
And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. 21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah (Isaiah 9:19-21).
6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste (Ezekiel 6:6).

Yes, devastation from some type of weapons of mass destruction (which do not have to be nuclear) will come–and Europe will lead this.

Though Europe will triumph for a time (Revelation 13:3-4; Daniel 11:39-43), prophecies also show matters will not end well for Europe itself (cf. Daniel 11:44-45; Revelation 17:14)–and Russia will be involved (watch also Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy).

Europe will one day be destroyed by a Russian-led force.

The old Worldwide Church of God published the following about the fate of a coming European power:

This European power will eventually establish its capital and religious headquarters at Jerusalem (Dan. 11 :45) Daniel says that this European conqueror will become troubled by “tidings out of the east and out of the north” (11 :44) . There can be little doubt about the source of the beast‘s trouble. East and north of Palestine are Russia, China and other nations of the vast Asian con-continent. (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States. WCG booklet)

Although there is not about to be a massive nuclear war between Russia on the USA, Europe one day, is prophesied to be destroyed by a Russian-led force:

8 “Move from the midst of Babylon,
Go out of the land of the Chaldeans;
And be like the rams before the flocks.
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 50:8-9)

Lasting safety is not to found in military alliances, but in God:

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. (Psalms 146:3-7)

In this time of wars and rumors of war, put your total trust in God.

Jesus said:

36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

He also said to pray for God’s Kingdom to come.

Remember to regularly do so.

UPDATE 01/31/23: We just uploaded the following video:

15:31
Nuclear WWIII from Russia?
Are we close to a nuclear third world war? Is Russia’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine the start of WWIII? what did Ukrainan Defense Minister Guido Crosetto say related to WWIII? Does Ezekiel 38 involves Russia? Are certain Protestant writers correct that it is for our day and that Russia will launch a massive nuclear attack against the USA? Did Herbert W. Armstrong say that Russia would not attack the USA? Is a direct military skirmish between the USA and Russia possible? If the Bible does discuss the destruction of the USA, is this from a power that borders the Mediterranean sea according to biblical prophecies in the books of Revelation and Daniel? Why has the military devastation in Ukraine been a “wake-up call” for Europe? Has Europe been taking military steps? Is Europe prophesied to dominate the world? Are there biblical prophecies pointing to Europe being attacked by Russia? Does the Bible describe anything that sounds like nuclear devastation? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

Here is a link to the video: Nuclear WWIII from Russia?

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