Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, has responded in a video to Christians wondering if there’s a connection between end-times prophecies and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Laurie candidly shared why he believes “we’re living in the last days” and explored many signs worldwide that might point to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
“I believe Christ could come back at any moment,” he said. “There are signs of the times the Bible tells us to be looking for.”
The popular pastor shared Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 that warn of wars, “rumors of wars,” plagues and other such elements in the lead-up to the end of days. Matthew 24:4-14 (NIV) reads:
“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“‘Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.'”
While Laurie didn’t directly tie the chaos in Ukraine to these prophetic elements, he noted there are reasons why so many are asking eschatological questions about current events.
Ukraine, COVID-19 and government overreach are just some of the issues sparking a slew of curiosities among the faithful.
As for Russia’s invasion, Laurie noted the consternation is understandable, proclaiming, “This is war on a scale we have not seen in a long time.” He spoke about Ezekiel 38’s prophesies of a “Gog from Magog,” noting “Magog” is believed by many to be Russia. {eoa}
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