“This is a historic day for German-British relations,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said today during his first official visit to Britain since taking office in May. Sometimes such statements are exaggerated—not so this time. Today, Germany and the United Kingdom signed their first-ever friendship treaty with a heavy focus on military cooperation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the agreement “the first of its kind,” adding that it was evidence of “the closeness of our relationship as it stands today.”

Merz added: “This is the first agreement between our respective countries after the Second World War. We never had one. We had you in the European Union and we thought this is enough, but as we are now learning, this is not enough.”

In 2016, the British people voted to leave the EU, which become reality in 2020. It’s no secret that this treaty undermines that decision. Merz added: “We want to work together more closely, particularly after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. It is overdue for us to conclude such a treaty with each other.”

Bild commented:

The agreement is intended to somehow replace what the Germans and British have lost as a result of Brexit, which Merz continues to deeply regret to this day. The mission, therefore, is to bring the island closer to us again. Not only in terms of security and economic policy, but above all in cultural terms.

The treaty will ease travel and deepen cooperation in curbing irregular migration, combating cross-border crime, and making defense and economic policy.

The most remarkable parts of the agreement relate to defense. As the Associated Press noted, the treaty comes “as European nations try to protect Ukraine, and themselves, from an aggressive Russia in the face of wavering support from President Donald Trump’s [United States-focused] administration.”

This is one of the most important reasons for the treaty. Germany and the UK want to demonstrate that they stand united and are prepared to defend Europe without U.S. help.

The treaty includes a pledge to “assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other.”

Many wonder why this clause was included, given that both nations are members of nato, which already includes such an obligation.

But the clause is significant: Even if nato fails, Germany and the UK will stand together.

This is indeed a historic pledge.

After World War ii, the Allies—including Britain—swore to keep Germany demilitarized. nato in part was founded so Germany could not rise. Lord Hastings Lionel Ismay, nato’s first secretary general, pledged to “keep the Soviet Union out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.” When Germany insisted on reestablishing its military, it was allowed to join nato on the condition that there would be “no independent Wehrmacht.”

But now Germany is signing independent military security guarantees. Because the UK is a nuclear power with nuclear submarines, anyone who attacks Germany now has to fear a potential nuclear strike from the UK.

One may question the value of such security guarantees, given the World War ii history when Britain for a long time failed to defend the victims of German aggression. One might also wonder if Germany would defend its World War ii enemy.

But the treaty isn’t just pledges: It offers concrete steps with frightening consequences to those who understand history and Bible prophecy.

The two countries agreed on 17 priority projects. For example, they agreed to exchange information on the “development of national biosecurity strategies” and work together to prepare against “state terrorism with biological agents.”

Germany was the first nation to use biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction during World War i. Now Britain is telling Germany how prepared it is for such an attack. Everyone should be able to see the danger here.

Another priority point relates to the Trinity House Defense Agreement signed last year. The agreement’s new priorities include developing a European deep precision strike weapons system with a 2,000-kilometer range, coordination on unmanned aerial systems, a strategic partnership in land systems, and joint efforts to counter undersea threats, including training German crews on British P-8A aircraft.

Another action point reads: “We will together develop cutting-edge critical technologies—such as quantum, [artificial intelligence] and digital, semiconductors, space capabilities, advanced connectivity, fusion and sustainable energy solutions including battery technologies ….”

This makes Germany integral to Britain’s military and economic security. History shows us what this means in practice.

The 2024 Trinity House Agreement paved the way for a new Rheinmetall artillery gun barrel factory in the UK. Under the same agreement, the German military start-up Helsing will open the UK’s first Resilience factory this year to enhance military AI capabilities and produce hundreds of mini-submarine drones. Even before this agreement, in 2019, British defense company bae Systems sold a 55 percent controlling share of its Land UK division to Rheinmetall.

Britain is becoming dependent on German military companies.

Such examples show why the Bible describes modern Britain as “a silly dove, without sense” (Hosea 7:11; New King James Version). In “Germany Is Betraying Britain—Again” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote:

America and Britain have convinced themselves that they have a wonderful friendship with the Germans. But is it true? If you see what just happened to Britain, you know it is not true!

Verse 9 [of Ezekiel 23] reveals the terrifying outcome of this immoral relationship: ‘Wherefore I have delivered her [Aholah, representing America and Britain] into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians [Germany], upon whom she doted.’

In a small way, this has already happened to Britain. But you watch as this prophecy is fulfilled completely: It is about to get far, far worse.

Hosea 5:13 gives additional insight: “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.”

“Hosea prophesies that wounded Judah and sick Ephraim will go to Germany for help. Why?” Mr. Flurry asks in his booklet on Hosea. “Because America is even sicker than both of them and can be of no help at that point! The deadly weakness of these three nations leads to their destruction by Germany—at the same time.“

America’s astronomical debt and rank immorality have caused it to focus inward. As a result, Britain is looking to its World War ii enemy for help—in defiance of God’s warnings and promises.

In chapter 2 of his booklet Hosea—Reaping the Whirlwind, Mr. Flurry explains how God will use these events to teach Britain and our world an unforgettable lesson. He also details how it leads to God’s intervention in world affairs.