In Fear of Russia, Europe Forms Nation-Groups

Are we about to see Europe segment into 10 nations or nation-groups? And what would happen if 10 strong European leaders committed to a unilateral leader? Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is helping to produce multinationalism in Europe that will have consequences far greater than this one war.

Weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic sent 650 soldiers to help Slovakia protect its border with Ukraine. The support was coordinated with the help of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, through which the Czech military formed a framework nation for a battle group in Slovakia.

Last week, Czech President Petr Pavel and Slovakian President Zuzana Chaputova visited Ukraine. These two nations, and other groups of nations, are increasingly bonding, blurring national borders. A European visionary saw this unity as a necessity over 50 years ago.

Speaking to Herbert W. Armstrong, editor in chief of the Plain Truth, predecessor of the Trumpet, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss said, “Big powers have been established, the United States of America, Russia, Japan. I think that small- and medium-sized European states are no longer able to face what the future demands from all of us. Therefore my political friends and I have been pleading for years and years now for a united Europe.”

Of course the Czech Republic knows it can’t protect Slovakia from the Russian bear. That’s why it also works together with a larger neighbor: Germany. When the Czech Republic sent its Soviet-era tanks and equipment to Ukraine, it received 14 German Leopard 2A4 tanks. The country should receive 13 more by the end of the year and plans to purchase 40 2A7 tanks. Since 2017, the Czech Republic’s elite Fourth Rapid Deployment Brigade has worked in subordination to Germany’s 10th Armored Division.

We see a similar development in the Netherlands, which subordinated the last combat brigade of its land forces to Germany. The Netherlands is also increasing cooperation with Belgium. In March, a Belgian-Dutch partnership for construction of nuclear power plants was initiated. In April, the Netherlands and Belgium agreed to jointly procure four antisubmarine warfare frigates. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are often considered one group: the Benelux state. With larger crises looming, these three are likely to bond closer together and trust Germany more and more.

Spain and Portugal are also cooperating more. Ministers of foreign affairs and defense from Portugal and Spain met in Lisbon last September for their first-ever ministerial meeting to coordinate a common strategy in light of Russia’s war. They are also working with other larger nations within the European Union. This March, the first United States-EU naval exercise involved a Spanish-Italian ship; and in April, a German-Portuguese ship arrived in Finland for the first joint military exercise since the Nordic country joined nato.

A European superstate, the dream of visionaries for decades, is emerging. A key Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).

Concerning this verse, Mr. Armstrong wrote in the Plain Truth: “The ‘beast,’ then, is the leader, or ruler, over all—and 10 other dictator-kings, or lesser rulers over 10 European nations or nation-groups (the ‘Benelux’ nations, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, for example, might constitute one of the 10), are to be associated in this union of European nations” (October 1962).

On different occasions, Mr. Armstrong noted that Germany, as well as Spain, Portugal and Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia), as well as several other nations such as France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Greece would likely be part of this union. But he said specifically that Britain would not.

Mr. Armstrong not only had a close relationship with some of Europe’s most powerful leaders at the time, he also had a God-given understanding of Bible prophecy. Our booklet He Was Right sums up his key Bible-based predictions that are now becoming reality. Request your a free copy.