We are not the only ones to ponder – what is the Russian Idea, and where is all this leading?
We got there first
It is always satisfying when an editor can state ‘we got there first’. Two months ago Christian Comment explored “The Russian Idea” and what it means (link here: https://christiancomment.org/2023/06/26/the-russian-idea/ ).
The same theme is picked up (two months later!) in prestigous USA magazine “Foreign Affairs”: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russian-federation/vladimir-putin-end-russian-idea?utm_medium=promo_email&utm_source=special_send&utm_campaign=PROM_Aug23-camp1-promall&utm_content=20230823&utm_term=EPPAZ003G1 (free article).
Since our original comment piece Russia experienced a bizarre military uprising (blowback following the invasion of Ukraine) and we now learn that the architect of that rebellion has been assassinated. (Jesus: he who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword (Matthew 26:52). Watch this space as regards V. Putin – I fully expect to hear, sooner or later, that he has been killed by his own).
What key Christian comment we can make at this juncture? Plainly “Russia” presents a similar mindset to France and the USA in the sense of French or American ‘exceptionalism’. “Russia” believes itself to be an historical exception to the sheer mundanity of the rest of the world. Unlike France/America, however, “Russia” adds to its self-perceived exceptionalism a heady mix of historical revisionism, religious mania (and I choose my words carefully, see our heard picture!) and outright old-fashioned land-grabbing. Putin sees himslef as a modern Czar, and historically all Czars were fixated on increasing the size of their empire and securing expanded borders. Yet today we are still left wondering, what is “Russia”?
Ending badly
Expect this to end badly. The world is heading for a time of profound ‘tribulation’ and it is possible that as the global ‘heavyweights’ compete in a lose-lose zero sum game manner, that the Bible’s older power centres (arguably the King of the East (Persia/Iran), the king of the north (Turkey) and the King of the South (Egypt)) will again take global centre stage as they surround Eretz Israel. By then “Russia”, even if we can decypher what it is, may be a mere footnote to history.
Praise God, however! He has forewarned us, and we know what to expect. My own book “Last Days and End Times – Making the Connection” explores these increasingly urgent matters. Freely available here as a PDF, or visit Christian Publications International if you’d like a traditional paper copy: https://christian-publications-int.com/images/PDF/LastDays.pdf
“Russia”, whatever it may be, seems increasingly to be joining the ranks of the failed states (see links below) in terms of incoherence and fatalism. Health and longevity outcomes for “Russia’s” citizens are declining and seem unlikely to recover given the on-costs of the Ukraine invasion. It was surely noteworthy and highly symbolic that “Russia” failed in its recent moon-shot the day before India announced the successful landing of its own moon mission (22nd and 23rd August respectively). As regards the putative expanded BRICS project, “Russia” may find increasingly playing second-fiddle to China and India, both of which look, superficially, more coherent as historical nation-states.
How wonderful, as Believers, that we can place our futures in the hands of Him who knows the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:9-10. “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please”.
As they say, all history is ultimately, His-story. PTL!
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India – failed state: https://christiancomment.org/2021/09/01/india-failed-state/
Pakistan – failed state: https://christiancomment.org/2021/04/26/pakistan-a-failed-state/
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