Two years and nine months ago—on February 24, 2022—Russia invaded Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has since claimed an estimated 1,000,000 Russian and Ukrainian lives combined. “Approximately one-third of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes and around 3.7 million are currently displaced within the country, while some 6.8 million are displaced as refugees abroad,” reports The UN Refugee Agency.
Last month, North Korea sent about 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region to assist them in retaking an area seized by Ukraine in August. According to Ukrainian officials, their soldiers have since clashed with North Korean troops. President Volodymyr Zelensky said these “first battles with North Korea open a new chapter of instability in the world.”
In response to North Korea’s entrance into the war, President Biden recently authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-manufactured long-range missiles to strike targets deeper behind Russia’s border. Ukraine began using these missiles, known as ATACMS, on November 19. A day later, Ukraine launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time.
President Vladimir Putin reacted by lowering the threshold for the use of Russia’s nuclear weapons. The Guardian documents, “Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine declares that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. The doctrine also states that an attack using conventional missiles, drones or other aircraft could be seen as justification for a nuclear response.”
Russia currently controls the world’s largest nuclear arsenal. Is Putin willing to use it, or is he bluffing?
What if he does?
Nuclear War
A Princeton University study suggests, “34.1 million people could die, and another 57.4 million could be injured, within the first few hours of the start of a nuclear war between Russia and the United States.” A large-scale nuclear war between the USA and Russia could potentially kill hundreds of millions in a matter of days.
In addition to the immediate and devastating impact of nuclear war, there would be several long-term consequences. Millions not killed by the blasts of nuclear weapons would suffer the effects of radiation released into the environment, dying prematurely of cancer and genetic mutation.
Nuclear war would cause global economic collapse by destroying infrastructure and disrupting trade. Trauma from widespread death and destruction would have long-lasting psychological effects on survivors. Many cultures and civilizations might cease to exist.
There would also be the threat of “nuclear winter,” where massive fires ignited by the explosions would release large amounts of smoke and soot into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing a significant drop in global temperatures, potentially leading to widespread crop failure and famine.
In short, a large-scale nuclear war would have catastrophic and far-reaching consequences for Earth, affecting every aspect of human civilization. Some believe the end result would be billions of deaths and possibly human extinction.
However, we can take comfort in the fact that God will not allow humanity to destroy itself completely. Revelation 7:9 says a “great multitude” will be saved at Christ’s return. Here is an article that outlines the potential results of nuclear war.
Worse than Nuclear War
According to the Bible, humanity is currently engaged in a war with even higher stakes than nuclear war. Both the eternal destiny of human souls (Matthew 10:28) and God’s reputation are on the line (Romans 3:4). The entire universe is watching eagerly to see how it all unfolds. “We have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9).
The war in which we are embroiled started thousands of years ago in the most unlikely place—heaven (Revelation 12:4, 7), and it will continue until Christ’s return. Lucifer, the arch-rebel, has been lying about God’s character and leading countless millions into destruction since he appeared in Eden disguised as a serpent (Genesis 3). Fortunately, God has already proved the devil to be a liar (John 8:44) by sending Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2), granting eternal life to every human who will trust in His redeeming power (John 6:40).
Not only does Jesus’ victory over sin and death spell ultimate demise for the devil (Hebrews 2:14, 15), but it also guarantees us the same incredible power over our adversary. We have this tremendous promise: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20). Our victory over sin will be as complete as Christ’s (1 Thessalonians 5:23), demonstrating the effectiveness of the plan of salvation and vindicating God’s character of love (Ezekiel 36:23).
The Choice Is Yours
It is hard to fully imagine what a nightmare it would be to live through a nuclear war. Nevertheless, the daily passing of human beings into the grave without first receiving the gift of eternal life is infinitely more tragic.
Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14).
The devil will soon go down in flames (Ezekiel 28:18), taking many with him. And although there are “few who find” the narrow gate, the way is open to all, purchased by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
Learn more about the cosmic war between Christ and Satan and your part to play.