By Garrick Augustus, April 27, 2023
It is an undisputed fact that the great movements in Bible prophecy, have occurred on or around the appointed times on the Creator’s calendar, and this new war in Sudan is no exception. Indeed, as the sacred season of Passover came to a close on April 12th, the drumbeats of war were sounding loudly in Sudan, and on the 15th, the bloodletting began! This may seem as “noise” and “wars and rumors of wars” to the untrained eye, but to the student of prophecy, we see more. In this article, you will learn about the prophetic utterances of World War 2 and its duplication in World War 3! You’ll also learn about the prophecy of America in the end times, as well as how the African nations are interlaced in its demise. Finally, we will explore a power called “Assyria”, and how she falls at the time God establishes His Kingdom, “in the days of these kings,” (Dan. 2: 44), as a haven for the redeemed, prior to the Second Coming of Christ, in power and great glory.
When Russia pushed its army in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, it was expected by most military strategists that Ukraine would have become a Russian thing in short order. “Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told lawmakers that Kyiv could fall within 72 hours if a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine takes place, multiple congressional sources tell Fox News. Milley told lawmakers during closed-door briefings on Feb. 2 and 3 that a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine could result in the fall of Kyiv within 72-hours, and could come at a cost of 15,000 Ukrainian troop deaths and 4,000 Russian troop deaths.”[1]
It is now day 426 of the Russia-Ukrainian war, and Russia has lost more men to this war than all estimated combined, and she has little to show for the bloodletting. So, that which was expected to have been an easy undertaking, as resulted in a stalemate costing lives, equipment, and property destruction. Sadly, this war is now expanding beyond the borders of Ukraine, and many are not aware of it. Left unchecked, this war may well have been the nucleus of the epic World War Three scenario of Bible prophecy! Indeed, when one traces the origins of WW2, it is identical to this expanding Russia-Ukraine war, and prophecy has informed us that WW2 is not over, and will morph into WW3, thus, a correct analysis of the previous war is necessary to appreciate the state of our world today. Let’s open with the below clear-eyed statement from a far-seeing writer of the 20th Century:
“The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.”
“Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, that they may not blow until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. The Bible, and the Bible only, gives a correct view of these things. Here are revealed the great final scenes in the history of our world, events that already are casting their shadows before, the sound of their approach causing the earth to tremble and men’s hearts to fail them for fear.” [2]
“There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God’s word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them. But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times?”[3]
“God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear.”[4]
“The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.”[5] 9T 14.2
From this collection of statements from Mrs. White’s pen, we are given good guidance to study Daniel 11, for therein is an unfulfilled prophecy that has “nearly reached its complete fulfillment,” and it is here that we will learn how the war in Ukraine has spawned the one in Sudan.
Russia-Ukraine War Expands to Sudan
What has caused the outbreak of violence in this gold and oil-rich Islamic country of Sudan? Two once loyal friends who jointly performed a coup in that country are now competing for leadership role over the Military, if and when a civilian government is formed and installed. But Russia has been eying this part of the world for quite some time, and now with the international sanctions against her, Sudan become more precious than ever! Sudan has oil which is also abundant in Russia, but Sudan also has gold, and in a world of alternatives, Russia is intent on building an alternative economy to compete with the Wests’, one that is backed by gold and not the fiduciary terms of Western economies! Russia has formed an alliance with the OPEC+ countries in an attempt to weaken the reserved status of the US currency through the formation of their economic block called BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, & South Africa), but that block has been expanding rather rapidly. Currently they boast approximately 25% of global wealth and nearly 50% of global population (marketplace).
With the onset of this war, the London Telegraph wrote, “one thing we do know is that Russian troublemakers are not far from the action… Wagner[6] is believed to have been brought into Sudan by Bashir to help shore up his faltering regime in 2017, following a meeting with Putin in which Bashir promised to make the country Russia’s “key to Africa”. Among his plans was a Red Sea base for the Russian navy at Port Sudan, a Wagner-supported project.”[7]
Sudan is strategically located on the River Nile and Red Sea, and has offered to grant Russia accommodations for the establishment of a Naval Base, the first of its kind in Africa, in the capital city of Port Sudan. In this shipping lane at least 30% of the world’s trades flow, and so would allow Russia to have a greater say in navigational access to this key artery of global trade! From a military strategic point of view, Port Sudan is very close to America’s sole confidante n the Middle East, Israel! Port Sudan is only 850 air miles from Jerusalem, and is the second of two sea lanes to America’s only ally in that region. This does not bode well for the USA or its interests, and as we will shortly see, America will lose all her allies to her enemies, Russia, and China with their allies.
Daniel Eleven Predicts WW2 and its repeat as it morphs into WW3
It is an uncommon fact to most that WW2 has not been officially concluded, as Russia and Japan are still in a state of war, from the closing days of WW2 by other world powers: “Russia and Japan are still at war, at least on paper. The two neighbours in the Pacific Ocean never signed a peace treaty officially ending World War II.”[8]
“They did away with Hitler, but the hot war never completely ceased, and the cold war was soon added to it. Everyone knows that the war is not settled, and that peace has not come, that the war may break out red hot any day.”[9]
It is this unsettled state of the world that has brought us to this crisis hour! Having full knowledge of this, and knowing his true intentions in only a few months hence, Mr. Putin placed the world on notice with this warning, but many were too dazed in the throes of the COVID-19 Pandemic, to give his voice more than a fleeting thought:
“In the 20th century, the failure and inability to centrally resolve such issues resulted in the catastrophic World War II. Of course, nowadays such a heated conflict is not possible, I hope that it’s not possible in principle, because it would mean the end of our civilization. But I would like to reiterate, that the situation might develop unpredictably and uncontrollably if we will sit on our hands doing nothing to avoid it. And there is a possibility that we may experience an actual collapse of global development that might result in a fight of all against all.”[10]
The only definition of “a fight of all against all” is World War 3! Deftly, the Russian Commander in Chief, paced the historical context of how the world of the 20th Century descended into WW2, and warned his colleagues of equal standing that from his political radarscope, he was peering into such a world order where old and current enemies would become so distrustful of each other that the only path they see forward for realignment is a war—a cataclysmic fight “of all against all.” And even now, we can see the battle lines drawn, and the teams on conflict aligning with their respective columns. Militaries are upgrading their technologies and capabilities in preparation for this all-out “a fight of all against all.” From the EU to Australia, and from China to Argentina, to Israel, to Iran, to North Korea, to Sudan, to Syria, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and beyond, there is sufficient animus among the nations, as to begin this “fight of all against all!”
Tidings from the East and the North Initiated WW2
“43 But he [KON] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (Dan. 11: 43-45, KJV).
There are three principal countries highlighted in the prophecy—Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia—and they deserve our closer analysis today for greater understanding, for herein lies the truth of the fast-fulfilling prophecies that are occurring around us. Anciently, the land of Africa was not called by its modern name, but was principally recognized by the names of these three countries, Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia, and almost always, throughout Scripture, when Libya is mentioned, it is done in connection with Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia). Notably, following the table of nations, listed after the flood, these nations, being the sons of Ham, Noah’s son, were first mentioned together and almost always thereafter. Thus, it must be understood that the land of Ham comprehends all Africa as well as the greater Middle East.
“And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.” (Gen. 10: 6, KJV). That which is not so evident from the KJV, is amplified in the Good News Translation of the Scriptures: “The sons of Ham–Cush, Egypt, Libya, and Canaan–were the ancestors of the peoples who bear their names.” (Gen. 10: 6, GNT). These four countries have one thing in common—they are dark pigmented, or black people! It should also be observed that “Cush” is Ethiopia.
Jeremiah, speaking of a dualistic war that was fought “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,” (Jer. 46: 2), when Babylon, the king of the North razed that entire country, and again in the last days, at the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 46: 24-28), there is clear evidence that not ancient Egypt, but the “daughter” thereof, shall be crushed militarily, and “delivered into the hand of the people of the north.” (v. 24). After this war, Egypt will again “be inhabited, as in the days of old,” clearly indicating that the time here spoken of is in the latter days, a time greatly removed from “the days of old!”
“8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. 9Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.” (Jer. 46: 8). Again, as in many other places in Scripture, we see this triad of nations—Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia.
To concretely certify that the time here spoken of is during “the latter days” or end times of this earth’s history, during the time of Jacob’s Trouble, it is sufficient to compare Jer. 46: 27, 28 to Jer. 30: 4-11. At the conclusion of that prophecy, we are told, “The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and accomplished The intent of His heart. In the latter days you will understand this.” (Jer. 30: 24, NASB). It should not be surprising that these events are timed for the “latter days” during which time the correct “understanding” of these distant prophecies will be considered in their rapidly fulfilling context of these end times. The fact too, that the ancient cartographers identified the land of Africa as illustrated in the map above, with the triad of nations, should lay to rest any latent concerns as to the accuracy of these statements, and the timing of these prophecies.
The war which began in the Ukraine is now exploding in Africa, and Sudan is only the first entryway in this run-away expansion. There is even concern afloat, that out of this Sudanese War the next pandemic may emerge! Biblically speaking, whole Africa will swing to the side of Russia/China for we are told that though the KON “shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt,” (Dan. 11: 43), meaning this KON power in the last days controls the Global Wealth,” and though “the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps (be allied to him), yet he shall stumble in his walk the second time around, and these allies will no longer support his policies, thus, “he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”
During WW2, the “tidings” that lured both Great Britain and the USA into that war, came from Germany in the “north” and Japan in the “east.” It was the action of these two countries that forced the USA to provide military aid, at first, and then fully declare war on both aggressor countries. At the end of that war Britain was broke and lost her “reserved currency” status to the economic giant and military powerhouse, the United States of America. “The British pound, for example, lost its official reserve currency status to the US dollar in 1944.”[11]
“The United Kingdom’s pound sterling was the primary reserve currency of much of the world in the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. That status ended when the UK almost bankrupted itself fighting World War I and World War II and its place was taken by the United States dollar… The establishment of the U.S. Federal Reserve System in 1913 and the economic vacuum following the World Wars facilitated the emergence of the United States as an economic superpower.”[12]
Notwithstanding with the rise of BRICS in direct in direct competition with the US economy for global hegemony, the USA still holds the coveted title of “reserve currency” in the world! And to stave off that economic headwinds from this growing block, she is now rapidly launching her own CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency), as an equalizing force in the world. And given the assurances in the prophetic Word of God, we are assured that the US economy will lead the world to surrender to the terms and conditions of Mark of the Beast System, (Revelation 13: 15-17).
“Russia has made significant inroads in Africa in recent years as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions to expand his country’s global influence despite its dwindling soft power and anemic economy. Even as Moscow pours its military resources into its botched invasion of Ukraine, it has expanded its footprint in unstable regions and conflict zones in Africa, including Mali, Libya, and the Central African Republic. It has leveraged arms sales, disinformation campaigns, and the so-called mercenary Wagner Group, widely viewed as a proxy for the Russian military—giving the Kremlin an outside impact relative to its tiny foreign direct investment in the continent.”[13]
Unfortunately, notwithstanding years of bluffing, while offering nothing in exchange to the Sudanese, America’s last hope of not seeing a Russian Naval Base astride the Red Sea, enroute to Israel, has been dashed, based on the following breaking news report: “Earlier this year [2023] Russia finalized a deal with Sudan’s military leaders to build a naval base on the country’s Red Sea coast, where it would keep up to four ships, including nuclear-powered ones, and up to 300 troops.”[14]
This type of obstructive presence in Africa is not a net benefit to America or the Western Nations, but a net loss! Why? Because Russia’s ambitions are far-reaching, and will result in the loss of all America’s African allies. Even now as I write, it is a challenge for South Africa to execute the “Rome Statute” from the International Criminal Court (ICC), ordering the “arrest of Vladimir Putin,” and if they should buckle to the pressure from their colleagues in the West, this would fast-track WW3, more than anything else! To this end, “South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country is prepared to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), which in March issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.” [15]
In other words, if South Africa’s stance is emblematic of greater Africa, then the Africans (Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia), will be more willing to break their allegiance and alliance with the West, than to jeopardize their relationship with Russia, and makes more stark the reality that the KON will have none to help him, when he needs them most!
“Despite the many setbacks Russian President Vladimir Putin has suffered in Ukraine, the Russian leader has lost none of his enthusiasm for expanding Moscow’s involvement in Africa and the Middle East. Following Russia’s successful military intervention in Syria during the recent civil war, the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, which specialises in using paramilitary mercenaries to achieve Putin’s goals, has been active in such disparate countries as Mali, Libya and the Central African Republic.” …
“By far the most controversial move, though, has been Moscow’s efforts to conclude a deal with Khartoum to build a new Russian naval base at Port Sudan, thereby giving Russia a permanent presence in the Red Sea, one of the world’s key trading arteries.”
“The deal, first negotiated when Bashir was still in power, has been in abeyance since the military coup. But the RSF has indicated that it will facilitate construction of the Russian base if it succeeds in its attempt to seize control of the government.”
“Given that Britain helped to build the original Port Sudan in the early 1900s, nothing would better illustrate the precipitous decline of British influence in the region than the establishment of a new Russian base on the same site.”[16]
The writing has been on the proverbial wall for many years now, but Western leaders were too dazed to even notice it, and offered bluffs without meaningful support and intervention measures in Sudan, and being cash starved for their growing population, Russia’s invitation to help them stabilize their security and economy was a welcome help in the hour of their need. More importantly, it’s not just Sudan that is friendly with the Russians, but nearly all of Greater Africa today, leaving a handful of holdouts who will cave under national pressure.
“From Libya to Mali, Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Mozambique and elsewhere, Russia has been getting more involved – often militarily with help fighting rebels or jihadist militants… And on Wednesday the deputy leader of the Sudanese junta, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagolo, led a delegation to Moscow in a sign of closer ties between the two countries.” …
“As the renewed Russia-Africa engagement gained momentum, a 2019 summit in the southern Russian city of Sochi was attended by delegates from more than 50 African countries, including 43 heads of state. President Vladimir Putin addressed the leaders, appealing to a history of backing liberation movements and pledging to boost trade and investment.” …
“In 2014, following Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea… Faced with the threat of international isolation, Moscow started the search for new allies… But it was more than markets that Russia was after – it also wanted increased global influence. In 2014 it got involved in Syria’s civil war, backing President Bashar al-Assad in part to highlight the mess the West was making and show how Russia could fix it. From Syria it later moved on to the African continent.”[17]
One reason above all others that perhaps endears African nations to Russia, is perhaps in the fact that Russia was not involved in the African Slave Trade of the Middle Ages! Most other nations of Europe were enriched at the savagery of slavery, yet though sensitive to racial equality, Russia was not stained by the bloody history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Perhaps the most damning evidence of African Russian-centricity came in the form of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first President of the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), over six decades ago:
“Patrice Lumumba, the first legally elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was assassinated 50 years ago today, on 17 January, 1961. This heinous crime was a culmination of two inter-related assassination plots by American and Belgian governments, which used Congolese accomplices and a Belgian execution squad to carry out the deed…
“With the outbreak of the cold war, it was inevitable that the US and its western allies would not be prepared to let Africans have effective control over strategic raw materials, lest these fall in the hands of their enemies in the Soviet camp. It is in this regard that Patrice Lumumba’s determination to achieve genuine independence and to have full control over Congo’s resources in order to utilise them to improve the living conditions of our people was perceived as a threat to western interests. To fight him, the US and Belgium used all the tools and resources at their disposal, including the United Nations secretariat, under Dag Hammarskjöld and Ralph Bunche, to buy the support of Lumumba’s Congolese rivals , and hired killers.“– The Guardian, 17 Jan 2011, Patrice Lumumba: the most important assassination of the 20th century.
From the primary source of the Republic of South Africa, let’s hear in their own words, how they see the Russian Federation today, in light of the liberties they’ve earned through this alliance, in bring to an end, the evils of apartheid.
“The Soviet Union has been acknowledged as the ANC’s most important benefactor, providing military support in the form of hardware, as well as training some 2,000 MK cadres. Other forms of support were equally forthcoming, and many of the ANC’s leaders, including Thabo Mbeki, received degrees from universities in the USSR.
“The Soviets helped the ANC maintain structures that came under enormous pressure, especially through the slump in the 1970s. These same structures were then replenished by new recruits fleeing South Africa after the Soweto Uprising in 1976. After that, MK cadres trained in the USSR launched devastating attacks that added to the pressure bringing apartheid leaders to the negotiating table.” The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Anti-Apartheid Struggle
“‘Russia is our friend through and through,’ Lindiwe Zulu, South Africa’s minister of social development, who studied in Moscow during the apartheid years, said in an interview. ‘We are not about to denounce that relationship that we have always had.’
“Many African countries have a longstanding affinity with Russia stretching back to the Cold War: some political and military leaders studied there, and trade links have grown. And in recent years a growing number of countries have contracted with Russian mercenaries and bought ever-greater quantities of Russian weapons.” New York Times, March 3, 2022.
The Destruction of Jerusalem Assured
“20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled… 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21: 20-24.
This prophecy had a partial fulfillment between 66 AD thru 70 AD, and at that time only the Roman Army (singular) hand surrounded the Holy City, but in its latter-day fulfillment we are told that “armies” (plural) shall surround Jerusalem! As we live today, there are armies from all the major militaries now surrounding Jerusalem, even at a time when her “peace” is in question! May we heed the signs of these rapidly-fulfilling prophecies by making peace with our Maker and Redeemer, as well as to warn the Churches and the world of these earth-shaking events that are happening on a daily basis, all pointing to the portentous Great and Dreadful day of our God.
“It is at the time of the national apostasy when, acting on the policy of Satan, the rulers of the land will rank themselves on the side of the man of sin. It is then the measure of guilt is full. The national apostasy is the signal for national ruin.”[18]
The accompanying map provides an excellent overview of how deeply entrenched Russia is in Africa, and how thoroughly surrounded both the USA and Israel really are to enemy fire! “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” (Rev. 13: 9).
[1] Fox News February 5, 2022; Gen. Milley says Kyiv could fall within 72 hours if Russia decides to invade Ukraine: sources; https://www.foxnews.com/us/gen-milley-says-kyiv-could-fall-within-72-hours-if-russia-decides-to-invade-ukraine-sources
[2] Ellen G. White, 1903, Education, 179-180
[3] Ellen G. White, 1909, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, 13-14
[4] Ellen G. White, 1876, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 306
[5] Ellen G. White, 1909, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, 14
[6] A Russian mercenary group, currently leading the battle front in Ukraine
[7] The Telegraph, Vladimir Putin’s war has exploded into Sudan, April 16 2023; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vladimir-putins-war-has-exploded-into-sudan/ar-AA19VOLg
[8] NPR News, January 22, 2019, Russia And Japan Are Still At War — At Least On Paper; https://www.npr.org/2019/01/22/687319777/russia-and-japan-are-still-at-war-at-least-on-paper
[9] Victor T. Houteff, 1946, Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, 17
[10] CNBC News, Jan. 27, 2021, Putin warns of ‘all against all’ fight if global tensions are not resolved; https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/27/russias-putin-warns-of-a-fight-of-all-against-all-at-wef.html
[11] Seeking Alpha, Apr. 13, 2022 Dollar’s Reserve Currency Status May Be In Jeopardy (And How To Protect Yourself); https://seekingalpha.com/article/4501110-dollars-reserve-currency-status-may-be-in-jeopardy-and-how-to-protect-yourself
[12] Wikipedia, Reserve Currency, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_currency#:~:text=Pound%20sterling,-The%20United%20Kingdom’s&text=That%20status%20ended%20when%20the,10%25%20lower%20within%2020%20years; This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 14:00 (UTC).
[13] Foreign Policy, July 15, 2022, Russia’s Dreams of a Red Sea Naval Base Are Scuttled—for Now; https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/07/15/russia-sudan-putin-east-africa-port-red-sea-naval-base-scuttled/
[14] NBC News, April 18, 2023, Warring generals and Western interests: Here’s what to know about the bloody battle for power in Sudan; https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/sudan-conflict-warring-generals-western-interests-rcna80157
[15] The Hill, April 25, 2023, South Africa, facing Putin arrest warrant, looks to leave ICC; https://news.yahoo.com/south-africa-facing-putin-arrest-231553171.html
[16] The Telegraph, April 27, 2023, The West has gifted Putin a sinister new victory; https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/27/the-west-has-gifted-putin-a-sinister-new-victory/
[17] BBC News, 27 February 2022, Ukraine conflict: How Russia forged closer ties with Africa; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60506765
[18] Ellen G. White, 1891, Selected Messages 2:373
The Adventist's Understanding of Prophecy 