In light of Russia’s aggression, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock believes the time has come for the United States and Europe to build a partnership of equals. In a speech on August 2 at the New School in New York, Baerbock explained that the moment had come to build “a more strategic European Union, a union able to approach the United States at eye level: in a partnership in leadership.” While such a partnership has often been called for, Europe has never been ready for it—until now.

During the Cold War, West Germany and the U.S. worked in close cooperation—but Europe was divided. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Germany and Europe united. But while fear of Russia declined, the significance of the U.S.-Europe partnership diminished. With Russia’s war on Ukraine, this has now dramatically changed. Baerbock noted: “Over the past few months, Germany, Europe and the United States have stood resolutely side by side—maybe closer than ever since the end of the Cold War.”

“We have to seize this trans-Atlantic moment,” Baerbock concluded. “We have to use it to build a stronger, irreversible trans-Atlantic partnership for the 21st century.”

In her speech, Baerbock referenced U.S. President George H. W. Bush, who in 1989 famously offered Germany a “partnership in leadership.” But as Baerbock noted: “Back then, it did not materialize. The idea went too far for the situation at the time. In the early 1990s, my country was so busy making reunification a reality for all its citizens, working on anchoring a reunited Germany in the EU.”

Germany at the time also had many critics. Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Britain said in 1995, “You have not anchored Germany to Europe; you have anchored Europe to a newly dominant, unified Germany” (emphasis added throughout).

But today everything appears different. The world is focused on Russia, China, Iran and Turkey. Today, when a German foreign minister calls for a dramatically different trans-Atlantic relationship, it barely makes headlines.

After World War ii, the Allies tried to integrate Germany into larger bodies, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The U.S., in particular, sought a close cooperation with Germany in the hope that it would never again feel the need to rise as a superpower that could dominate the world. Germany, of course, was never satisfied with being the junior partner.

Germany’s first chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, wrote in 1950, “A federated Europe will become a third force in the world.” He later wrote, “No one has more to gain through the unification of Europe than the Germans who are the most numerous and most dynamic among the nations west of the ussr (Russia).”

Some scoffed at the idea of a united Europe and others tried everything to prevent it from happening. But in 1961, the late Herbert W. Armstrong prophesied: “Right in the middle—between Russia and the West—will rise a third power bloc with more people, a mightier military and nuclear force—than either the U.S. or Russia. For more than 27 years now, I have been telling the world it is coming.”

Europe is not there yet, but that is essentially what it means to have a trans-Atlantic relationship “at eye level.” Mr. Armstrong continued to proclaim this message until his death in 1986. A few years later, Germany united. But it took some 35 years more for Europe to rise as an independent force.

While virtually everyone claims that this European project will be for the better of the world, Mr. Armstrong warned that it would not.

In fact, the Bible prophesies of a colossal betrayal. Germany in Bible prophecy is referred to as Assyria, which God calls the rod of His anger. God is using Germany to punish the nations of Israel, today primarily the United States and Britain. That’s why Germany’s rise to dominate the European Union and its pursuit for independence is a warning.

Germany has never repented of its ambitions to rule the world. This truth is explained in detail in Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. So far the U.S. has stood in Germany’s way. While Germany today advocates for a partnership on eye level, the wrong kind of leaders could easily exploit this relationship. Bible prophecy says this will happen.

God not only says He will use Germany as His tool to execute punishment, He also indicates that Germany will be America’s partner. Ezekiel 16:37 says, “… I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure … I will even gather them round about against thee ….”

More and more are demanding that the EU become a military powerhouse. “The EU needs to become a stronger security provider with more integrated defense industries, with military missions able to stabilize regions in its neighborhood,” Baerbock said. While almost no one in the world is concerned about Europe’s military power today, this could quickly change.

To understand what the Bible says about Germany’s rise to power, read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.