Russia: Ominous Forebodings

The Western World was shaken last December by some of the results in Russia's first multi-party elections for more than seventy-five years. The hope had been for clear confirmation of support for the democratic and economic reforms which President Yeltsin had initiated. His proposal for a new constitution was in fact approved. But in the lower house of the new Russian parliament there emerged unexpected strength of support for Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a politician with extreme fascist-like ambitions and policies. He won seventy-eight out of a total of 450 seats. This did not give him a commanding position, but that he received such a high level of support was disquieting.

Moreover Zhirinovsky has keen ambitions to become President of Russia, an office which commands extensive powers under the new constitution. If his present rate of success continues, his election at the next presidential elections in 1966 could be a realistic possibility. He has already made it clear that if he does attain the Presidency he will work towards a dictatorship, for he believes that Russia cannot concede democratic rights in present conditions if her national prestige and economic strength are to be revived.

Zhirinovsky calls his party the Liberal Democrats, a complete misnomer having regard to his own inclination towards dictatorial rule and the extremely harsh, nationalistic policies he advocates. Among these are determination to bring Russia "up off its knees"; to control Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey, in order to save the world from the spread of Islam and international terrorism; to reverse the situation in which two million Russian Jews rule a country where another 150-million Russians simply have to obey them.

This sinister point about the influence and power of Russian Jews must strike the student of Scripture as of special significance. It is of course remarkable that such a small minority should be said to exert that degree of power in a nation the size of Russia: perhaps Zhirinovsky's estimate is deliberately exaggerated. Nevertheless it doubtless reflects a degree of influence which is unpalatable to many Russians. In regard to minorities, Zhirinovsky is quoted as saying: "Apparently we must deal with them as

America did with the Indians and Germany did with the Jews".

The support given to Zhirinovsky by millions of Russian voters partly results from the hardships involved in the country's economic collapse and the slowness of improvements through Yeltsin's reforms. Many too will be influenced by his promise to restore Russia to a dominant international role. In some ways the situation is reminiscent of Germany's demise at the end of World War I, and the economic depression which followed. These gave Hitler's policies powerful appeal, promoting his rise to power. It remains to be seen whether Zhirinovsky will be able to develop his ambitions, or whether progress of reforms will bring economic improvements and strengthening of democracy.

However, alarm bells have reverberated throughout countries on Russia's western border, from the Baltic to Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria. Nervousness about the possibility of intensified anti-semitism in Russia is bound also to give further incentive to Jewish emigration to Israel; a movement which has already strengthened that small nation so considerably. Are we to see a further phase in the fulfilment of Jeremiah 16:14-16, as God sends the "hunters" and the "fishers" to impel many of the Jewish diaspora from the lands of the north, back to the land which He gave to their fathers?

It would seem also from Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 that Russia will be involved in the great invasion of Israel at the time of the end. For three times it is stated that the invading hordes will be brought from "the uttermost parts of the north" (38:6,15; 39:2). Many students of Bible prophecy consider that there will be a dual fulfilment of this remarkable prophecy first before the advent of Christ as Son of Man, and then at the end of His one-thousand year reign (Rev. 20:8). If this view is correct, the maintenance of Russian military power would be important; anti-Jewish sentiment would influence policy; and strong political leadership would promote the formation of the vast northern confederacy which the prophecy suggests.

The fascinating question then arises: "Will the neo-fascist element which emerged in last December's Russian elections prove to be contributory to the end-time fulfilment of the dramatic prophecy in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39?

unknown | May 1994
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