The world has witnessed the decoupling of Sino-American relations since the beginning of United States President Donald Trump’s presidency. Coronavirus is not only deepening that rift, it is contributing to the restructuring of the world order with the slow but steady integration of Asia.

The lockdown has battered economies and trade around the world. Although China also suffered, thanks to the aid of new alliances, it is rebounding better than estimates suggested. Analysts forecast that China’s March exports would fall 12 percent; instead, it saw an 8.5 percent rise. This was primarily due to an increase in trade within Asia. China’s exports to Japan and Korea were 20 percent higher this April over the same period last year, while exports to Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia rose by 50 percent.

Chinese imports from within Asia have also seen an increase this year. For example, in 2014 Japan shipped three times more semiconductors to the United States than it did to China. Now Japan ships more semiconductors to China, according to Asia Times. As President Trump wages his strongest attack against Chinese technology, China is eager to form new supply chains through non-American companies.

Sino-Russian ties are also showing signs of making a corresponding advance. Danil Bochkov at the South China Morning Post wrote that “the U.S. is shaping Russia-China amity.” He cites last year’s strategic partnership where Russia helped China build its early-warning missile system as well as the goal to double trade volume between the two countries to $200 billion by 2024. Despite the pandemic, which threatened to upend that goal, Sino-Russian trade grew by 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2020. Of this increase, Russian exports to China grew by 17 percent. A large portion of this is the result of China stockpiling cheap Russian oil; however, other sectors have also seen a massive surge in trade. January saw a 46 percent increase in non-energy exports to China over the same period last year. This included standard products, but 2020 also added the delivery of $23 million worth of defense and space equipment.

These ties were strengthened on May 8 when Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over the phone. With the call taking place on the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Xi told Putin: “Being among the main victor powers in World War ii and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia shoulder the task of safeguarding global peace,” likening the pandemic to World War ii and continuing the narrative that Russia and China were the main victors in this war. Putin followed Xi’s sentiments by vowing to strengthen the pair’s comprehensive strategic partnership and to stand by China’s side against those that use the pandemic “to criticize China” (i.e. America).

Meanwhile China and South Korea have recently vowed to “boost cooperation,” the South China Morning Post reported. In a phone call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on May 13, Xi said, “China is willing to continue to work with South Korea on pandemic prevention and control” as well as agreeing to “strengthen communication and coordination under multilateral systems” and to “strengthen strategic communication” to take its partnership to “a higher level.”

While Asia is showing signs of strengthening its regional bonds, this does not mean that all will be smooth sailing from now on. Much of Asia is still wary and openly hostile against China’s increasingly assertive actions, including its domination of the South China Sea. These increasing trade relationships and distancing from America reveal a trend of increased integration and cooperation.

These puzzle pieces are falling into place exactly as one man declared over 80 years ago. Herbert W. Armstrong, editor in chief of the Trumpet’s predecessor, the Plain Truth, warned that despite tension in Asia at the time, the region would eventually unite.

In 1934, even while Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was beginning his Great Purge, Mr. Armstrong declared that Russia would one day rise to become a great military power together “with her allies … possibly China or Japan.”

In December 1959, Mr. Armstrong made an even bolder statement in the Plain Truth. At the time, the majority of people were concerned about the intensifying Cold War between the Soviet Union and America. But Mr. Armstrong warned that Russia’s chief concern was not America. He wrote: “Russia’s program is not to take Europe and to attack the United States, first. The Communist program, which our leaders should know, calls first for the seizure of Asia. Lenin wrote that the way to Paris, London and New York is via [Beijing] and Delhi! [China’s] constant dream for centuries has been ultimate world conquest! … China knows, however, that in this highly industrialized age she can accomplish this dream only as an ally of Russia. … China is now ready to begin devouring the rest of Asia with Russia’s secret military backing” (emphasis added throughout).

Mr. Armstrong continued proclaiming such warnings until his death in 1986. Since then, we have seen a striking fulfillment of his forecasts. Asia has emerged from the 20th century as a region to watch with strongman Vladimir Putin at the helm of Russia, Japan’s shift from pacifism to overt militarism, and China’s rise to superpower status threatening the United States.

Mr. Armstrong’s warnings about Asian relations are proving more accurate than ever today. And with each passing day, covid-19 is hastening this reality. Mr. Armstrong could make such accurate forecasts so many decades in advance because he relied on Bible prophecy.

The Bible specifically forecasts an Asian alliance that will rise to threaten the global balance of power in the end time. Revelation 16:12 calls this alliance “the kings of the east.” Other Bible passages indicate which countries will join this force.

Describing this alliance, Ezekiel 38:2-3 read: “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal”‘” (New King James Version). Verses 5-6 then list Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah being allied with them.

In our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy, we explain:

In his book Compendium of World History, Dr. Herman Hoeh correctly identified Meshech and Tubal as fathers of those who comprise greater Russia today. Magog fathered the people of China and Mongolia. Gomer fathered the Japanese people as well as the Cambodians, Thais, Burmese, Laos and Vietnamese. Togarmah also factored into the ancestry of Japan and some of these other nations. …

Referring to Ezekiel 38:2, [Mr. Armstrong] said, “There is general agreement among students of prophecy that ‘Gog’ in the land of ‘Magog’ is the vast regions of northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. ‘Meshech’ is Moscow, ‘Tubal’ is Tobolsk. The Bible margin says ‘Prince of Rosh,’ which is Russia” (Plain Truth, April 1981). This passage in Ezekiel goes on to list “Ethiopia, and Libya … and many people” being allied with Russia and China (verses 5-6). Ethiopia and Libya should be translated “Cush” and “Phut.” Although portions of the tribes of Cush and Phut migrated to African nations, the rest settled in areas of India. The context of this passage shows that it refers to modern-day Indians (and perhaps Pakistanis) rather than to the African peoples.

These are the same countries that we are now seeing unite during covid-19. Thousands of years ago God prophesied they would unite, and we are now witnessing its fulfillment. This “kings of the east” alliance will continue to unite to fulfill God’s plan and “lead to the conclusion of mankind’s 6,000 years of self-rule!” (ibid).

For a more thorough explanation of the origins of these prophetic nations and to understand their pivotal role in end-time events, read our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.