Abstract: The subject of this research is the prophetic nature Nikolai Klyuev’s poetry. Publicistic and partially scientific literature holds a view, according to which the origins of poetic gift of prophecy of Nikolai Klyuev take roots in his extraordinary personality with certain occult knowledge that enables him to foresee the future national catastrophes. The myth on N. Klyuev, formed within public consciousness, is based on the lack of study of the peculiarities of ethical-philosophical views of the poet, who creatively embraced the rich traditions of national mythology, folklore and Ancient Rus’ culture. Leaning on the systemic analysis of artistic heritage of N. Klyuev, the author provides a new interpretation of the prophetic verses of the poet as the worldview specificities of the poet of 1920s – 1930s. The conclusion is made that numerous apocalyptic motifs and images in the poetry of N. A. Klyuev, which at the present time are perceived as prophetic, were generated by his ideology of incompatibility of civilization and culture, in their confrontation that started back in XVII century, at the time of schism of the Russian Orthodox Church, and aggravated in 1920’s – 1930’s. The poet understood civilization as repressive phenomenon that came to Rus’ from the West. Infiltration of an alien to Russia Western civilization that disrupts the identity of national culture, inevitably leads the country to a catastrophe. According to Klyuev, the tragedy of the XX century is a destruction of the traditional national principles, followed by the imminent demise of the entire Russian world, and later of all mankind. Vast knowledge on the foundations and patterns of national life allowed the poet to look through decades into the future of Russia.