Germany’s devastating destruction in 1944 and 1945 was one of the worst beatings ever administered to any nation. As Herbert W. Armstrong described it, “By the time of World War ii, all cities of over 50,000 population in Germany were left in a heap of ruins, and also a great many smaller towns. Every fourth house in all of Germany was smashed. Most of the cities were 80 percent destroyed” (Plain Truth, August 1959).

Western leaders on both sides of the Atlantic assured our peoples that a demoralized Germany would never rise up to strike again. Seeing Germany’s ruin, it was easy to believe those words.

But while everyone focused on the ashes of German cities, Mr. Armstrong prophesied, based on various biblical passages, that Germany would rise again.

Compare Germany then to today. It has risen again—dramatically!

With a well-established industry at the heart of a pulsating Europe, tremendous power is accumulating at the fingertips of an unrestrained Germany.

Germany just surpassed Japan as the third-largest economy in the world. The immediate cause was Japan’s economy shrinking, not a German surge—yet it shows the phenomenal stature this nation has attained. An unrestrained Germany could turn its industrial success into military prowess overnight. And it is already happening.

This year it is spending a record amount on its military: $73.4 billion. And it is committing to even greater expenditure in the years ahead. “Germany invests more than 2 percent of its economic output in the common defense of the nato alliance. This year and for decades to come,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on X February 14. “This will give us the highest defense budget in Europe.”

Two days before, Scholz visited a new munitions factory in Germany, built by Rheinmetall, and called on Europe to “move from manufacturing to mass production of armaments.” Then on February 15, Scholz welcomed a $3.4 billion investment from Microsoft to help cement Germany’s place as a leading nation in artificial intelligence.

The highest defense budget in Europe? Mass production of armaments? Leading in AI? This is a drastic turnaround for a nation that lay in absolute ruin 80 years ago!

The nation our leaders swore would never rise again is ruling Europe!

But as these developments occur and the restraints are lifted, the world is asleep to the danger.

Failing to consider Germany’s past, many people today focus only on its current struggles. Instead of seeing its military capability, they see military weakness. Instead of an economic powerhouse, they see a struggling economy. Instead of its global ambition, they see the nation’s self-absorption and division. Instead of recognizing a revival of the nation most responsible for World War ii, they see a repentant, peace-loving people.

It is true the German economy is struggling because of the covid-19 pandemic recovery, reduced trade with Russia, and a transition to green energy. It is grappling with labor shortages, reduced exports, a budgetary crisis and trade disruptions. Germany is also politically divided. These are profound problems plaguing the nation today. It is obvious why so many people struggle to recognize the true nature of the threat Germany is about to pose.

But biblical prophecy tells us that these struggles will culminate in a crisis that some strong leader will seize upon as an opportunity to grab power—much the way Adolf Hitler did before World War ii! All these factors could shift rapidly with a change of leadership.

We must see the bigger picture.

We must acknowledge these unmistakable realities: Clearly, Germany has truly overcome its postwar defeat. Within the European Union, it is unmistakably the dominant power. And its military ambition is no longer being restrained; it is being encouraged. These facts are simply extraordinary.

An Ignored Warning

In a February 1945 policy document on Germany, United States President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “It is our inflexible purpose to destroy German militarism and Nazism and to ensure that Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace of the world. We are determined to disarm and disband all German armed forces; break up for all time the German General Staff that has repeatedly contrived the resurgence of German militarism; remove or destroy all German military equipment; eliminate or control all German industry that could be used for military production …. It is not our purpose to destroy the people of Germany, but only when Nazism and militarism have been extirpated will there be hope for a decent life for Germans and a place for them in the comity of nations.”

The Germans are a great people in many ways, but Roosevelt and Churchill believed this evil system must be broken so that Germany and the world could live in peace. Were they wrong? Our world today thinks so! This pledge has been absolutely ignored and reversed.

Looking at Germany today, the most critical question is: Are we seeing the reemergence of World War ii Germany, or is this a repentant people? The fate of the world hinges on answering this question correctly!

Over 40 years ago, in a Dec. 27, 1981, letter, Mr. Armstrong wrote: “What the world does not realize is that, under cover, secret planning is proceeding furiously, uncovered by the news media, unknown by the public. But suddenly, unexpectedly, as biblical prophecy reveals, the whole world will be startled and shocked into wonder, to learn that a new third super world power has suddenly burst forth onto the world scene—a resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire ….”

Germany’s rise has indeed been secretive! Permitting and even encouraging Germany’s dramatic rise is the most dangerous mistake our leaders could make.

This fallacy has been around since the end of World War ii. In a radio broadcast from the inaugural session of the United Nations on May 9, 1945, Mr. Armstrong issued this strong warning: “The war is over in Europe—or is it? We need to wake up and realize that right now is the most dangerous moment in United States national history, instead of assuming we now have peace!” (emphasis mine).

Mr. Armstrong was alert to Germany’s plan to rise from the ashes of World War ii. This plan has since been executed and exposed to the world. Yet still, its ramifications are utterly ignored!

A Militant, Nuclear Europe

The Bible compares the history of European empires to a beast. In Revelation 13:4, people ask: “Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

This has not described Europe recently—but it is about to describe Europe again!

“In concrete terms: Europe must become so strong militarily that no one wants to compete with us. This means we need deterrence. Deterrence includes nuclear weapons,” Manfred Weber, German leader of the European People’s Party, told Bild February 13.

If you understand European history, a nuclear-armed Europe that no one wants to challenge is frightening!

On February 16, Germany’s most-read paper, Bild, printed this provocative headline: “Of Course Germany Needs Nuclear Weapons.” “The question is: who in Europe should have the weapons?” Bild chief reporter Peter Tiede wrote. “The EU has no competence for this. Only nation states can acquire the weapons—Great Britain and France already have them. But Slovenia or Luxembourg?

“It doesn’t help: We Germans have to get involved! Thirty-four years after reunification, it is time to behave as what we are: a power.

“We are a strong country, with our own interests in the world—and we can only stand up for them ourselves at the top. Strength brings with it responsibility. Including the responsibility to finally be able to protect ourselves, to stop hiding behind big brother and his nuclear friends. We owe this to our country—and as the strongest country in Europe, we also owe it to our weaker partners: In Europe, we are the big brother.”

Does this sound like a nation chastened by its past? Does the world recognize the true nature and extent of the power rising in Germany?

Many in the West believe that the nation whose cities we bombed in World War ii is our unconditional friend. This is a delusion! The next few years will abruptly end our deception—but it will be too late.

Hastening Germany’s Rise

One development that is hastening European leaders’ efforts to boost their power is the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the U.S. presidency. Combine this with Russian President Vladimir Putin expanding his war in Ukraine, and Europeans are frightened!

Politico headlined on January 16: “As Trump’s Return Looms, Europe Shivers at Prospect of Facing Putin Alone.” The Economist went a step further on February 12, writing: “Europe Must Hurry to Defend Itself Against Russia—and Donald Trump.”

This is an intensification of a theme that French President Emmanuel Macron sounded back in 2018, when he called for a “true European army” to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.” That statement was controversial at the time—yet now it is a mainstream talking point!

Instead of seeking a mutually beneficial partnership with America, many Europeans want to turn against the U.S. altogether. They have a particular hatred for Trump.

European Council President Charles Michel posted on X on February 11: Trump’s “reckless statements … reemphasize the need for the EU to urgently further develop its strategic autonomy and invest in its defense. And to keep our alliance strong.”

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, said, “If 2024 brings us America First again, it will be more than ever Europe on its own. We should, as Europeans, not fear that prospect. We should embrace it by putting Europe on a more solid footing, stronger, more sovereign, more self-reliant” (January 16).

These statements echo a warning Mr. Armstrong issued back in August 1978: “The Europeans are far more disturbed about their safety in relying on United States military power to protect them than Americans realize!” Europeans now openly talk about building an independent EU army so powerful that it can deter the rest of the world, including the U.S. Yet America remains oblivious!

Note this extraordinary paragraph that Mr. Armstrong wrote in the April 1980 Plain Truth magazine. “You may be sure the West European leaders are conferring hurriedly and secretly about how and how soon they may unite and provide a united European military force so they can defend themselves! And so they will no longer have to give in meekly to Russia! And who will they blame for their humiliation and their necessity now to have a united Europe, with a united government, a common currency, and a common military force as great or greater than either the ussr or the U.S.A.? They will blame the United States!” That warning from 44 years ago is exactly what we are seeing before our eyes today!

Mr. Armstrong’s warning didn’t end there. He then wrote, “And when they are strong enough to assert themselves, [they] will first attack Britain for standing firm with the U.S., and then they will return a lot of hydrogen bombs the U.S. has stored now in Europe!”

Is the second part of this warning about to become reality as well?

New Military Operations

After Russia launched its war against Ukraine, Germany decided to purchase American F-35s to deliver U.S. nuclear bombs more efficiently. The U.S. approved the purchase without hesitation. Even as Germany grows militarily independent, Washington believes that Germany remains a close ally.

In recent months, Germany has represented the European Union in taking a leading diplomatic and even military role in the Middle East. On February 8, Germany sent a frigate toward the Red Sea, where trade routes are threatened by Houthi terrorists backed by Iran. The Red Sea corridor, via the Suez Canal, is a vital route connecting Europe with some of its most important trade partners, including India and China. The impact of losing the Red Sea shipping lane is already being felt and would be devastating if it continues. The sailors have been sent to protect German and EU interests and must be prepared for a potentially dangerous escalation.

This mission, Operation Aspides, is not part of nato nor led by America!

Why are Germany and the EU seeking to independently secure those trade routes? This certainly shows how little faith they have in their alliances with America and Britain!

A senior German Defense Ministry official explained, “With Operation Aspides, Europe will take responsibility for the security of the sea routes on one of the most important trade routes for Germany and Europe. It is absolutely clear that the mission is essential.”

This mission is drawing Germany into direct battle lines with Iran. Mr. Armstrong pointed to the Bible prophecy that Germany would gain control of this region. Soon, it will destroy Iran and its allies that are fomenting increasing instability there. But that is just the beginning of Germany’s well-calculated plan.

First Victim of World War III

On February 5, Germany announced that it would send 150 troops to Kosovo. Starting in April, the troops will join 90 Bundeswehr soldiers already stationed there in order to curb rising tensions with Serbia.

What Germany is doing in Kosovo has been largely ignored by the media. But it shows that Germany’s efforts from the two world wars are continuing. The Serbs were Germany’s enemy in both wars, and many of them continue to refuse Germany’s dictates. That is why Germany is sending troops to Kosovo!

For three decades, our media have largely ignored Germany’s conquest of the Balkans!

In the 1990s, Germany recognized Slovenia and Croatia as independent breakaway states from Yugoslavia, even though the whole world opposed it, and civil war ensued. On Germany’s request, America betrayed Serbia, its World War ii ally, to help Croatia and Slovenia.

Germany conquered the Balkans, using American power!

The New York Times wrote on Dec. 8, 1991: “Germany has long historical ties, both glorious and shameful, to Slovenia and Croatia. Slovenia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and many people there still identify with the German-speaking world. There has also been German influence in Croatia, and during World War ii Croatia was ruled by a pro-Nazi regime.”

The Croatian president at the time wouldn’t disavow that history. Another New York Times article said Germany recognizing Croatia’s and Slovenia’s independence “stirred troubling historical associations” (Dec. 16, 1991). Once the Balkans fell, the U.S. and nato withdrew, leaving the territory to Germany primarily. Yugoslavia was the first military victim of World War iii!

Today, Germany is working to incorporate these breakaway nations into the European Union. But is anyone really troubled by Germany’s conquest of the Balkans? In this matter, as in so many others today, the entire Continent allows Germany to do as it wishes.

The former Yugoslavia was on the Balkan Peninsula, along with Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece and western Turkey. By fracturing it, Germany effectively wrested control of the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, gained access to the resources of northern Africa, and seized Cyprus, which now serves as a military base for German operations in the Middle East.

These are significant victories for a nation that was supposed to “never again be able to disturb the peace of the world”!

Rising From the Underground

Today, America has what appears to be a friendship with Germany. We have entrusted it with nuclear bombs and sold it jets to carry those bombs. But we ought to remember its past. It has been almost routine in history for Germany to go to war. Germans were starting wars long before the world wars. That has been their tendency. And the Bible warns that this will happen again!

Revelation 17:8 has this dramatic prophecy: “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder … when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”

The bottomless pit symbolizes the way that the Nazi movement of World War ii went underground. The victorious Allies turned the process of denazification over to the Germans. Thousands upon thousands of high-profile Nazi leaders were never prosecuted, and they disappeared into civilian life. Many key figures in the German province of Bavaria remained the same as before and during the war: 60 percent of the Ministry of Education, 60 percent of the Finance Ministry, 81 percent of the Ministry of Justice. German industrial leaders enacted a plan to finance this movement’s eventual return to power.

Today, that movement is rising from the underground, just as prophecy said it would!

The industrial power enabled by those World War ii-era companies is tremendous. Their goal is economic prosperity followed by military strength. Having achieved the first phase of that goal, they are now pursuing the second.

Is Germany really America’s friend? The name of the German people anciently was Assyria. God says He will use Germany to correct the nations of Israel—primarily America, Britain and the Jewish state in the Middle East—if we don’t repent (Isaiah 10:6). “[I]t is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few” (verse 7). An end-time prophecy in Jeremiah 4 says, “[T]hy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life” (verse 30).

Notice: Our “lovers will despise” us! Look at the rhetoric of German leaders today and you see a lot of hatred toward America. Yet we have a romantic idea of Europe and view Germany as our lovers. What a contrast! Could the Bible have expressed it more to the point?

Ezekiel 23 warns against trusting Germany: “And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord God” (verse 49).

If we paid any attention to these warnings, we certainly would not give the Germans our nuclear bombs!

Recognizing what Germany is doing today should cause us to cry out to God for help! But our people are far from God, and only growing even farther from Him. We have become steeped in terrible, nation-destroying sins.

God, however, will get our attention! He is about to expose our sins. This will require tremendous suffering for those who don’t repent and turn to God today, but the end result is positive. All of this is leading to the return of Jesus Christ!

Revelation 17 gives an overview of the Holy Roman Empire that has ruled Europe for centuries. This empire is what inspired Napoleon’s and Hitler’s conquests—and the Bible reveals that it will inspire yet another leader. Verse 10 reads: “And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.”

Mr. Armstrong warned about the Holy Roman Empire during its sixth resurrection, when Hitler was on the scene. He then prophesied that this empire would rise again. This beast power’s seventh and final resurrection is now unfolding!

For eight decades now, we have foretold this very thing because the Bible guarantees it. This last Holy Roman Empire is prophesied to create havoc on Earth and clash with Jesus Christ Himself! (verse 14). That is a war it will lose.

It is Jesus Christ’s inflexible purpose to destroy German militarism and Nazism and to ensure that Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace of the world. After achieving this victory, He will set out to rule our world and bring joy and harmony to everyone who submits to His rule!