Russia and China signed a deal on March 11 to build a base on the moon, further tightening the ties between these two nations. For 25 years, the Russian space agency Roscosmos and the United States cooperated in space, even constructing and operating the International Space Station together. But in signing this deal, Russia and China are signaling a determination to pull further out of the U.S.’s orbit and closer to each other.

Russian officials say the reason for the shift is America’s self-centered focus in space projects, including nasa’s mission to put the next man on the moon in 2024. Russia pulled out of the project last year after Dmitry Rogozin, chief of Roscosmos, told Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda that the Americans “see their program not as international, but as similar to nato.” He said: “There is America, [and] everyone else must help and pay.” This focus, he said, represents “the departure of our American partners from the principles of cooperation and mutual support” that underpinned previous interstellar partnerships.

Therefore, Russia sees its future in space with China, and vice versa.

According to the Chinese Communist Party’s Global Times, in order to have a say in the direction of lunar projects, China and Russia “need to be at the forefront of exploration and use their strengths and actions to promote balance and justice.”

However, considering how close Russia and China have grown in recent years, this sounds like a hollow excuse to accelerate the existing trend.

Russia is China’s second-most important oil supplier. The two regularly share advanced military defense systems and weaponry, while engaging in joint military and naval drills. In 2018, for example, China joined 300,000 Russian soldiers in Russia’s far east for its biggest military drill since the Cold War, the first time a non-former-Soviet ally was invited to Russia’s largest annual exercises.

And as this happened, Chinese President Xi Jinping made pancakes with “best friend” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

With the fractious history between these two nations, hardly anyone saw this level of cooperation coming. But one person did: editor in chief of the Plain Truth magazine, Herbert W. Armstrong.

In December 1959, the Plain Truth wrote:

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.

Today, Russia and China are cooperating militarily, politically and economically and even preparing for joint space exploration. How did Mr. Armstrong know that Russia and China would align as much as they have?

He relied on Bible prophecy.

The December 1962 Plain Truth explains this biblical dimension:

From time to time, news commentators—in describing the coming catastrophic military struggle for world control—use the biblical expression Armageddon found in Revelation 16:16. But what they do not mention is a striking prophecy about “Armageddon” found in Revelation 16:12. In this verse we read that “the way of the kings of the east” is to be prepared!

Who are these “kings of the east”? Ezekiel 38:2 lists “Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.” And Mr. Armstrong explained in the 1981 Plain Truth:

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 [modern Russia and China]. “Meshech” is Moscow; “Tubal” is Tobolsk. The Bible margin says “prince of Rosh,” which is Russia.

This shows that Russia is going to lead these “kings of the east.” And the “land of Magog” includes the area where modern China is located, showing that China will also be a central part of this bloc. Revelation 9:16 says this multinational power will field an army of 200 million troops. Russia, with a total population of 144 million, could not accomplish this alone. But with China’s 1.4 billion people, as well the populations of other Asian nations, such a force could easily be amassed.

Since Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986, the Trumpet has succeeded his Plain Truth, continuing to give Bible-based predictions. And world events continue to ratify what is clearly laid out in the Bible.

Expect Putin to keep flipping pancakes and rubbing shoulders with Xi. And expect Russia and China to keep drawing closer until this military alliance congeals. All the while, world events will continue to unfold according to the Bible’s prophecies—and the Trumpet will be right here, explaining them all.

To learn more about Russia and China’s prophesied alliance, request your free copy of Russia and China in Prophecy.