No one knows for sure whether modern-day China will play a role in the end times because modern-day China is not mentioned by name in the Bible. However, some believe the "kings from the east" in Revelation 16:12–16 to be a reference to China. Many think "the land of Syene" in Isaiah 49:12 is associated with China.
The passage says, "The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ('Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!') And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."
The gathering of armies is in preparation for the battle of Armageddon, which takes place at the end of the tribulation. Some interpret "the kings of the east" marching toward the Middle East as the armies of China being able to cross the dried up Euphrates.
The kings of the east will join the forces of the Antichrist and the final, seventh, bowl judgment will be poured out, Jesus will return and the world will be shaken. Ultimately, the armies of the East and the armies of the Antichrist will be destroyed (Revelation 16:17–20; 19:11–21).
This coalition of eastern kings may or may not include what we know today as China. However, China has one of the most powerful and numerous armies in history and its military and economic power and influence grow. Add to that its persecution of Christians, and other religions, and it seems China will be involved in end-times activities.
A lesser related passage, Revelation 9:16 is also sometimes associated with China. While writing about an earlier battle, John mentions the size of one of the armies: "The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number." This is 200 million soldiers. China, with a population approaching 1.5 billion people, could field such an army, though the references to this battle and this huge army do not mention the army as coming from the east. Additionally, this army is described as having "breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths" (Revelation 9:17). This seems to describe a demonic horde rather than a human army.
There are many people who think they know how to interpret the clues and identify the times and the players of the end times as described in Revelation, Daniel, and other passages in the Bible. No one knows for sure how things will go. What we do know is how a person can be saved and live with God for eternity. Believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, died for your sins on the cross, and was raised again from the dead. Accept Him as your Savior and you shall be saved. Draw close to Him and the events of Revelation will be secondary to you.
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