Russia-China relationship deepens.

As the United States shifts its foreign policy focus from the Middle East to Asia, Russia and China are strengthening their relationship to defend against the perceived U.S. military threat. The U.S. and Australia signed a pact stationing 2,500 U.S. Marines in Australia to boost their Pacific strength against a more aggressive China (New York Times, April 4, 2012). Russia and China both “agreed that because complicated and profound changes are taking place internationally and regionally” they are now “encountering new opportunities and challenges” (China Daily, January 10, 2013). They now have a “10-year development plan” to protect each other’s sovereignty against U.S. influence and power. “President Hu Jintao and Putin exchanged New Year’s greetings on the last day of 2012 and expressed hope that ties between the two countries would see more progress in 2013” (ibid.).

Bible prophecies describe a powerful, 200-million-man army that will move against a European Beast power attempting to dominate the world and control Jerusalem (Revelation 9:13-18; 16:12; Daniel 11:44). This military response from the East will come in retaliation for aggressive actions by the European Beast power (Revelation 9:1-12). This may parallel the Russian response to Hitler’s invasion of Russia in World War II called Operation Barbarossa—which eventually provoked a Russian counter-offensive.

For more information on these exciting future events, read our article, “What’s Ahead for Russia?”