In response to Iran’s threats against Israel, the German government issued a sharp warning to Iran on Monday. “Anyone who plays with fire in this situation, pours oil on the fire, or otherwise ignites it, should think twice,” said Foreign Office spokesman Sebastian Fischer. The same day, German pilots participated in military exercises to prepare to use nuclear weapons. The significance of this shouldn’t escape us.

Germany officially stands at Israel’s side and is keenly aware of the Iranian threat. “Any help Israel needs, it will get from Germany. Even military support,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed on Sunday. This promised support draws Germany into a potential conflict with Iran.

Iran sponsors Hamas financially and militarily. An October 14 meeting in Qatar between Iran’s foreign minister and Hamas leadership revolved around strengthening the “axis of resistance” against Israel, according to Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency (irna). Iran’s foreign minister said, “Everyone has their hand on the trigger,” referring to anti-Israel militant groups.

In addition to warning Iran to refrain from escalation, Fischer addressed Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. If Iran continued to refuse to abide by the international nuclear agreement it would face “comprehensive sanctions,” Fischer noted. It is in Germany’s interest “that there should be no proliferation of nuclear weapons,” he added.

More and more are wondering how to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat. Unlike other nations, Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons has nothing to do with deterrence. The chief sponsor of terrorism and suicide bombers, and the self-proclaimed archenemy of the West, is not interested in peace. Its ideological goal is to ignite war.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains in The King of the South:

No words will stop this king of terror. The Iranian leader believes that causing a nuclear cataclysm will hasten the coming of his messiah. No matter what happens, these religious zealots believe they are winners.

No other nuclear power thinks like that! It makes nuclear war inevitable!

It is no coincidence that this year’s Steadfast Noon Exercises are being held over Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea—away from Russia but closer to the Middle East. Thirteen nato members are participating, including Germany.

“Our exercise will help to ensure the credibility, effectiveness and security of our nuclear deterrent,” said nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “It sends a clear message that nato will protect and defend all allies.”

The exercises run until October 26 and prepare participating nations to use nuclear weapons. Given Russia’s aggression and Iran’s threats, these routine exercises likely carry far more meaning for each participating nation and individual pilot: The participating pilots may one day carry actual nukes to an enemy nation.

European leaders are now seriously considering what Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Ulf Gartzke wrote in 2013: The German government is missing “a broader debate—both in public and among top German officials—about what Berlin should do if diplomacy fails and Israel is compelled to take military action against the Iranian nuclear threat” (“Germany Must Have Israel’s Back”).

Bible prophecy gives us insight into how this clash will unfold. Daniel 11:40 reads: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” This verse speaks of two empires that will clash over Jerusalem in the end time resulting in “trouble, such as never was since there was a nation” (Daniel 12:1). Taken together with prophecies in Matthew 24, it shows that the resulting war may involve nuclear weapons. (Learn more by requesting our free booklet The King of the South.)

Mr. Flurry writes:

Germany has expected to clash with Iran, and it has been working on a strategy for years now. That strategy is almost complete. Germany has surrounded Iran.

“Whirlwind” in [Daniel 11:40] is a very revealing word. It means “to sweep away in a storm,” according to Gesenius’ Lexicon. It can mean “to bristle with terror.” It can also mean terror-stricken, or shivering with fear, invoking the creeping of the skin of one who is terrorized.

This word has an unusual emphasis on terror! Will this terrifying whirlwind be nuclear? It certainly will be terrorizing! And it is about to explode in the Middle East. Finally the terrorists themselves will be terrorized!

The escalating evil is shocking people around the world. But the Bible warns that we are seeing only the beginning of trouble. Yet we have hope because God’s Word assures us that Jesus Christ’s return is imminent.