Germany Rearming: A Historic and Prophetic Turning Point?

In recent months, the U.S. has signaled to European nations that the Russia-Ukraine war is their problem.

On Dec. 12, 2024, then President-elect Donald Trump stated, “War with Russia is more important for Europe than it is for us. We have a little thing called an ocean in between us.”

Mr. Trump believes that ending the war requires Ukraine to make concessions, giving up territory to Russia. Ukraine, however, doubts that Russia would honor any security agreement it might make.

As the U.S. pulls back from the conflict—with President Trump temporarily halting military support to Ukraine and showing an openness to making concessions to Russia—Europe is scrambling to strengthen its own defenses. 

Germany—Europe’s strongest economy—now appears ready to take on a defensive role in Europe, a step many see as long overdue.

Germany pushes to rearm

Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has pushed through a historic bill enabling the country to take significant steps toward rearmament. Previously, Germany was restricted by a constitutional “debt brake,” which limited how much national debt it could incur—including for defense spending. 

Under the new legislation, only 1 percent of military spending will count toward the debt limit, effectively allowing the government to dramatically increase defense funding without violating fiscal rules.

At the same time, efforts to rearm are also occurring at the European level.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has presented a package to raise 800 billion euros to bolster Europe’s defenses and defend Ukraine.

In a March 3, 2025, press statement she wrote, “We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times . . . This is a moment for Europe, and we are ready to step up.” In a March 4 letter to her European colleagues, she introduced her proposal with the words: “A new era is upon us. Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime.”

These historic and monumental events will reshape not only Europe but the world. But should we be concerned?

Germany’s past—a reason for concern?

After winning support for his spending package, Mr. Merz told reporters, “Germany is back.” 

But back from what exactly?

Mr. Merz was likely emphasizing Germany’s position as Europe’s leading economic and military power. In recent years, Germany has experienced an economic downturn, with strict debt rules limiting its ability to borrow for recovery efforts.

The war in Ukraine, combined with the transition to green energy, has significantly increased energy costs and slowed industrial growth.

Germany was forcibly demilitarized after World War II and has remained cautious about rearming due to its central role in both world wars of the 20th century. Germany was forcibly demilitarized after World War II and has remained cautious about rearming due to its central role in both world wars of the 20th century.

To understand the significance of these developments, it’s important to consider Germany’s history.

Since the end of World War II, Germany has been reluctant to engage in military actions, burdened by the legacy of its wartime atrocities and the immense destruction it caused. This dark legacy has made Germany very cautious about expanding its military.

However, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and threats against Europe—along with the increasing pressure by the United States for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense—are now pushing Germany to reconsider its long-standing hesitation to rearm and take a leading military role in Europe. 

Peace through strength

Donald Trump has frequently expressed his approach to the world through the motto: “Peace through strength.” This phrase echoes the words of the ancient Roman writer Vegetius, who said, “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

This principle—that building a strong military will deter adversaries from attacking, since they will fear a devastating response—has long guided the foreign policy of many great powers.

Just a few decades ago, it would have raised great alarm to hear an incoming German chancellor openly discuss the possibility of Germany becoming a nuclear power. Now, Germany appears to be adopting a similar strategy, driven in part by declining trust in the long-term reliability of the United States.

It seeks to establish a meaningful European nuclear deterrent instead of depending on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Mr. Merz is confronting both the taboo of a powerful German military and the country’s traditional nonnuclear stance, stating, “Sharing nuclear weapons is an issue that we need to talk about . . . we have to become stronger together in nuclear deterrence.”

Just a few decades ago, it would have raised great alarm to hear an incoming German chancellor openly discuss the possibility of Germany becoming a nuclear power. 

Should we be concerned that Germany is rearming?

The European Project

In the aftermath of World War II, Europe lay in ruins, grappling with the daunting task of rebuilding and addressing the “German question”—how to reintegrate Germany into the continent while averting the risk of another devastating conflict. 

Having sparked two global wars, Germany emerged as a specter of potential instability. It was widely feared that, if left unchecked, it could plunge Europe into yet a third world war.

As the Soviet Union exerted pressure from the east, the United States took decisive action by establishing NATO, a military alliance under American leadership designed to counter Russian expansion and confine Soviet influence to Eastern Europe. 

The postwar effort to restrain Germany has now largely unraveled. Germany now holds economic sway over Europe and is poised to regain the military dominance it last had in the early 1940s.  NATO’s inaugural secretary general, General Lord Ismay, famously encapsulated its mission: “Keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.”

Parallel to this, in 1948 the U.S. launched the Marshall Plan—a massive $13.3 billion initiative aimed at rebuilding Western Europe’s shattered economies and infrastructure. This economic lifeline spurred a quick recovery and fostered collaboration among European nations, alleviating fears of Soviet invasion and enabling them to pool resources with confidence. 

A critical step in this process was mending the deep-seated mistrust between France and Germany. France, wary of Germany’s potential to rearm, sought control over coal and steel—resources vital to any industrialized nation. 

Five years after the war’s end, Europe’s economies remained stalled, hindered by a lack of cooperation in these key sectors. The creation of the European Coal and Steel Community marked a turning point, laying the foundation for a united Europe. 

French statesman Robert Schuman envisioned this as a way to render war between France and Germany “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible,” emphasizing that Europe’s unity hinged on reconciling these two historic rivals. “The coming together of the nations of Europe,” he argued, “requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries.”

However, the postwar effort to restrain Germany has now largely unraveled. Germany now holds economic sway over Europe and is poised to regain the military dominance it last had in the early 1940s. 

Should we be concerned that the country responsible for sparking two global conflicts is once again strengthening its armed forces?

The prophetic significance of Germany’s rearmament

In Daniel 7, we read a prophecy about four furious beasts representing four kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greco-Macedonia, and Rome. 

The beastlike natures of these empires shows their brutality and fierceness. The Roman Empire is described as having “huge iron teeth” and “devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet”—meaning it destroys anything that gets in its way (verse 7).

The Roman Empire is pictured as the “fourth beast” with “ten horns,” which are “ten kings” to come out of this kingdom (verses 23-24). Unlike the other empires that eventually fell and never again had a resurgence of their former glory, the Roman Empire would be revived 10 times after its fall. 

As of our current point in history, the Roman Empire has been revived nine times by different groups and individuals:

• The Vandals (429-533).
• The Heruli (476-493).
• The Ostrogoths (493-554).
• Justinian (554).
• Charlemagne (800).
• Otto the Great (962).
• Charles V (1530).
• Napoleon Bonaparte (1804).
• Garibaldi through Mussolini and Hitler (1870-1945).

The 10th revival hasn’t arisen on the world scene yet, but like the above revivals, it will rise from the heart of Europe.

To learn more about these prophecies, read “Who Is the Beast?” 

Watch Europe closely

The Bible reveals that Europe will once again rise to prominence as the cradle of a revived version of the old Roman Empire, and recent events are accelerating the pace of its rise.

We should continue to watch Europe closely as its nation-states strengthen themselves and push for deeper economic and military integration. 

Germany is Europe’s strongest military, economic and political power. With a deep history of militarism and aggression, Germany is likely to provide the political leadership for the final revival of the Roman Empire.

The testimony of history is clear: When Germany rearms, the world should tremble. 

In addition to watching what’s happening in Europe and Germany, we should also closely watch the rise and integration of the eastern nations—particularly Russia and China—as they become more autocratic and hostile to the West. 

We should also keep a close eye on the Middle East—because developments in Israel and the Muslim world will play a major part in the final world war of the end times.

While many nations believe that peace can be achieved through superior military force, this approach will result in only war, not peace. Thankfully, beyond all the war and doom, there is good news!

Jesus Christ is returning to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God (Revelation 11:15). When we see these events happening, we will know that God’s Kingdom is drawing near. 

“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place . . . Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:31-32, 36). 

Continue watching and praying!

Photo credits:
Stadtratte/iStock via Getty Images
Flickr.com/Prachatai via x.com

Date Posted: March 28, 2025