Is Europe Being Pushed Toward Its Prophetic Future?

At first glance, it seems Europe is far from being a great power. Many observers dismiss it as a declining continent—falling behind in almost every metric: economic, military, demographic, technology and global influence.

Yet despite these appearances, the Bible still warns of a resurgent European power: the final rise of a power in the tradition of the Holy Roman Empire, which will dominate the world for a relatively short period of time in the future.

Several forces are pressuring Europe to reform or risk becoming a second-rate power subject to the whims of Russia, China and the United States.

The push from the far right

Recent German elections have been described as a political earthquake—not only for Germany, but for the entire continent.

On Sept. 6, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a notable victory in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany, securing 44 percent of the vote and doubling its previous share. By contrast, the CDU, the party of former Chancellor Angela Merkel and current Chancellor Friedrich Merz—fell sharply to just 17 percent, despite Chancellor Merz campaigning on a pledge to undercut the AfD’s popularity.

The AfD has called for the EU to be refounded as a “federation of European nations” and for Europe to return to its Christian identity.  Although the AfD’s victory came in one of Germany’s smaller states, Saxony-Anhalt, which accounts for only 3 percent of eligible voters, it has still sent shock waves through Germany and across Europe.

That concern is understandable. 

Many fear that the far right could regain power in Germany, reviving the horrors associated with Adolf Hitler and plunging the world into war once again. (To learn more, read “Far-Right Parties Continue to Rise in Europe.”)

The AfD has a different vision for Europe, calling for the EU to be refounded as a “federation of European nations” and wanting to see Europe return to its Christian identity. 

AfD cochair Alice Weidel stated at CPAC 2026 in Budapest: “We Europeans are heirs to a magnificent, utterly unique historical and cultural legacy. Our civilization rests upon three pillars: The searching mind of Greek philosophy, the majestic order of Roman statecraft, and the redeeming light of the Christian tradition. From these roots sprang the treasures we hold sacred.”

She was drawing on Europe’s past as a great power and a force to be reckoned with, particularly the legacy of the Holy Roman Empire.

The push from immigration

The driving issue behind the rise of far-right groups in Europe is the surge in illegal immigration. Recent images of close to 80,000 Moroccan migrants entering the Spanish exclave of Ceuta sent shock waves across the continent.

For many Europeans, the crisis has highlighted the failure of political leaders to effectively address illegal immigration. This has given far-right groups an opportunity to gain support by promising stronger action on immigration and border security. As these groups gain ground, established parties face increasing political pressure to take stronger action. 

European leaders are already pushing back against the rise of uncontrolled illegal immigration. 

After the recent incident in Spain, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized what they see as Europe’s failure to respond, saying: “We are both proud of Europe’s Christian cultural heritage and want to protect it. We expect those who come to our countries and choose to make Europe their home to respect our values and not seek to impose ways of life on us that we do not share.” 

The two leaders drafted a joint letter to the European Commission, calling for urgent action at the EU’s borders. The letter was also signed by 20 other European heads of state and government.

For background on a previous migration crisis, read “​Europe: Fear of Immigrant Crime Sparks Backlash.”

The push from Russia

Russia’s war in Ukraine is continuing to press Europe toward stronger military cohesion. 

European nations have thrown their support behind Ukraine in response to Russia’s attempt to dominate the country by force. In turn, Russia has increasingly extended its intimidation beyond Ukraine’s borders through missiles that stray into neighboring territory, drone incursions, GPS jamming that affects civilian aviation and maritime navigation, sabotage, arson, cyberattacks on European infrastructure, election interference and provocative threats.

These developments have pushed Europe to a war footing: NATO has expanded to include Finland and Sweden; France has prepared its hospitals to care for wartime casualties; and European nations are rapidly increasing weapons production. 

To learn more, read “​Will the Crisis in Ukraine Lead to a European Military?”

The push from America

The United States is pushing Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security and to carry more of the burden of NATO. 

Many American conservatives have an affinity with Europe’s far-right parties, viewing them as partners in a shared struggle against open borders, illegal immigration and progressive social movements.

Germany is rebuilding its military and challenging the long-standing taboo against rearmament that followed its defeat in World War II. As a result, some in the United States regard Germany’s military buildup and the AfD’s electoral gains as positive developments.

Many, even in Germany, dismiss the idea that the country could repeat the mistakes of the past.

However, as we have warned for years, such concerns should not be brushed aside. Germany is positioned to play a dominant role in the final European superpower described in Bible prophecy. 

Germany is already rebuilding its military and challenging the long-standing taboo against rearmament that followed its defeat in World War II. German militarism had plunged the world into two world wars. What we see now is a stark reversal of the postwar resolve to prevent Germany from again becoming a military power.

To learn more, read “Germany Rearming: A Historic and Prophetic Turning Point?”

The push for independence

The transatlantic relationship is arguably at its lowest point in decades. Earlier this year, European leaders gathered to discuss Europe’s “breakup” with President Trump, a meeting some described as a “therapy night.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “We are drawing a line here.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly told European leaders that “the old America isn’t coming back,” urging them to move on without the U.S. 

It could be said that the American-European relationship has reached the stage of a divorce. In a recent budget proposal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a massive 2 trillion euro budget anchored on Europe becoming more independent from both the United States and China, stating: “The next budget will be the financial arm for our independence.”

Europe has already begun pushing to develop its own weapons systems, particularly those independent of the United States. Eventually, Europe will move further away from America and emerge as a rival power—ironically, challenging the nation that helped liberate it from Nazi rule.

The push for a coalition of the willing

Europe is often known for its slow decision-making. Its structure of 27 member nations, each with a voice in major legislation, can make progress difficult and often leads to deadlock. President Trump’s threat to take Greenland underscored Europe’s need to adapt or risk remaining subject to the whims of the United States. 

Calls for a smaller group to propel Europe forward and integrate at a faster pace echo what the Bible foretells about the final rise of the Holy Roman Empire. In response, the European Union’s six largest economies—Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland—have banded together into an informal grouping dubbed the E6. Its stated aim is to accelerate progress on key European priorities and help Europe stand as a stronger and more independent entity. 

Other EU nations have voiced concern that this could create a “two-speed Europe,” in which a smaller group moves ahead while leaving other members behind or makes important decisions without their full involvement.

In the same spirit, some have called for “coalitions of the willing”—smaller groups of European nations prepared to move ahead without agreement from every EU member. One prominent example is the Coalition of the Willing led by France and the United Kingdom, which emerged to support Ukraine and strengthen European security in response to Russia. 

Yet such calls for a smaller group to propel Europe forward and integrate at a faster pace echo what the Bible foretells about the final rise of the Holy Roman Empire.

Europe’s prophetic past and future

The prophet Daniel prophesied about four successive gentile empires, depicted within a single statue made up of different materials: gold, silver, bronze and iron (Daniel 2:32-40). These were historically fulfilled by the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian and Roman empires of ancient history.

We read in verse 44: “In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” That is the Kingdom of God, which will replace all human governments. The empire that God will conquer is an end-time resurrection (or revival) of the Roman Empire (verses 41-45).

The Roman Empire was prophesied to be revived 10 times (Daniel 7:7, 23-24). To this date, the Roman Empire has been revived nine times:

• Vandals (429-533).
• Heruli (476-493).
• Ostrogoths (493-554).
• Justinian (554).
• Charlemagne (800).
• Otto the Great (962).
• Charles V (1520).
• Napoleon (1804).
• Garibaldi through Hitler and Mussolini (1870s to 1945).

We are now watching for the emergence of the final resurrection of the Roman Empire foretold to arise before Jesus Christ’s second coming.

These will have one mind

The book of Revelation reveals that the final beast power will be composed of 10 kings (or political leaders) who surrender their authority to one central political leader (Revelation 17:12). These 10 kings are described as being “of one mind” and will “give their power and authority to the beast” (verse 13). 

Germany is the strongest nation in the European Union and is destined to play the dominant role in the final rise of the Holy Roman Empire. This central political figure will lead the final rise of the Holy Roman Empire—and will ultimately make war with Christ at His return (verse 14).

We should closely watch the pressures shaping and reshaping Europe, because they will contribute to the rise of these 10 leaders who will surrender their power and authority to one central ruler. 

Under that leadership, Europe will be transformed into a formidable world power.

Today, Germany is the strongest nation in the European Union and is destined to play the dominant role in the final rise of the Holy Roman Empire. It is likely that this final political leader will emerge from Germany.

Ironically, the European Union was originally designed, in part, to constrain German dominance. (To learn more, read “Germany in Prophecy, Part 1: Germany Dominates the Holy Roman Empire.”)

Keep watching Germany and Europe

For this reason, students of Bible prophecy watch Europe closely, including the rise of the AfD in Germany. Authoritarian tendencies are reemerging in Germany and these developments will ultimately affect the entire world.

One final end-time push will propel this rising European power to plunge the world into war. 

The Bible describes a power bloc in the Middle East, prophetically called the king of the South, that will push against Europe—the king of the North—and trigger a chain of events leading to global conflict (Daniel 11:40). This final push is part of a long history of clashes between Islamic peoples in the Middle East and Christian Europe—a rivalry that will flare up one final time. 

We don’t know exactly what that “push” will be, but it could involve terrorism, a disruption of oil or even a combination of the two. This is why we often urge our readers to closely watch both Europe and the Middle East.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ will intervene before these end-time powers bring humanity to total destruction. He warned that unless those days were shortened, “no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). The only lasting solution is the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.

That is why Christians regularly and fervently pray, “Your kingdom come.”

Date Posted: September 18, 2026