Continuing Church of God rendering of the Beast that rises from the sea (Revelation 13:1-2 and 17:3)
A militaristic shift is taking place in Europe:
NATO in the New Cold War Era: From a Classical Alliance to a Total Defense Economy
July 27, 2026
The 80-year-old global order established after the Second World War is unravelling. The security architecture of the Atlantic system, the economic and political framework of the Bretton Woods institutions, the liberal assumption that free trade would reduce conflicts by increasing interdependence, and global supply chains reliant on cheap energy and low-cost production no longer meet the needs of the new era. The world is transitioning, increasingly and more forcefully, to a new global competitive order that we define as ‘Second Mercantilism’.
In this new order, trade is no longer merely trade. A semiconductor factory, a container port, a data centre, a rare-earth elements mine, an LNG terminal, a satellite network, a submarine cable, a shipyard or an ammunition factory have all simultaneously become elements of economic, technological, geopolitical and military power. …
The commitment by NATO members to raise their defense and security-related expenditure to 5 per cent of their GDP represents one of the most significant economic and political transformations in the Alliance’s history. …
The concept of a total defense economy does not mean transforming the entire economy into a military economy. The issue is to restructure the boundaries between defense and the economy in line with the demands of the new era. …
Europe needs to replenish its ammunition stocks, expand its air defense capabilities, increase its unmanned systems, modernize its land forces, and invest more in electronic warfare, radar, missiles, maritime security and the protection of critical infrastructure. https://politicstoday.org/nato-in-the-new-cold-war-era-from-a-classical-alliance-to-a-total-defense-economy/
Notice what European nations have now been doing:
July 26, 2026
NATO’s European members and Canada increased defense spending by 20% in 2025, the group’s biggest military buildup in the last decade. …
Belgium was the country with the biggest spending jump of 58%. Once among NATO’s lowest defense spenders, Belgium has boosted its budget to meet the alliance’s current 2% of GDP target. The country’s increased spending is focused on operations, maintenance, and research and development.
Source: NATO. Figures for 2025 are estimates.
The next largest jump among big spenders was Denmark, with a 49% increase. Threats from Russia and a bid from the U.S. administration to buy Greenland prompted the focus on defense. In the Arctic, Denmark is investing in two new ships, maritime patrol planes, drones, early-warning radar, and a new command headquarters. …
Underlying the rise in spending is growing uncertainty around the stability of the rules-based international order. As alliances are strained and tensions build, geopolitical events can create interconnected losses. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/which-nato-countries-boosted-defense-spending-most-2025
The Europeans are scared and taking actions.
Trump Administration trade policies have reduced sales to the USA.
Trump Administration statements and moves have given Europeans concern that the USA cannot be relied on for military protection long term.
Spending on European defense projects has been seen as a way to help deal with both of those matters.
More in Europe have concluded that the EU needs to be more independent from the United States on military matters. EuroNews reported the following a few weeks ago:
NATO summit: Europe signals it’s ready to take control of its own defence
9 July 2026
This week’s summit in Ankara was the first building block in the Europeanisation of NATO, with the continent apparently having decided that its future depends on weaning itself off US military support. …
“The really interesting thing is how much work the European allies have done behind the scenes when it comes to defence and arms deals,” said Daniel Fiott, EU Institute for Security Studies.
“Working together on difference aspects of security, and frankly that’s what we need,” he told Euronews’ special report show. “We need more of it, and we need it on steroids at this precise moment in time.” ,,,
Europe needs to take Trump’s renewed threats toward Greenland seriously and never forget his mercurial nature where at any moment he could choose a vastly different path, damaging the alliance.
But Fiott says that while Europe will be rely on the US for defence for some time, the direction of travel – a move away from US dependency – is clear.
We’ll still need the US, “at least for the short term as some weapons are only available from there,” said Fiott. …
“But the direction of travel is very clear for the longer term,” he says. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/09/nato-summit-europe-signals-its-ready-to-take-control-of-its-own-defence
Notice that although some Europeans have declared that Europe is now ready to defend itself, others believe that they temporarily still need the USA, but will not need the USA in the long run. The Bible is clear that one who was great among the nations (the USA) who has the strongest fortresses (the USA) will be defeated by a European power (Daniel 11:39) that had been a friend but became an enemy (Lamentations 1:1-2).
To boost its economy, and not that of the USA, the Europeans also want to produce as many armaments for themselves as possible.
Many European leaders want Europe to change and rise up and pressure from Donald Trump has been accelerating that process.
Furthermore, a majority of European residents also look to agree.
Notice that the Bible shows that the time will come when Europe will reorganize and turn power over to a dictator called the beast below:
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)
This will NOT be a democracy.
The Beast will be a military power:
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:1-4)
So, we see a power that looks like it is dead, will rise up and shock the world because of its military conquests.
Daniel refers to this leader as the ‘King of the North’ (e.g. Daniel 11:40).
Notice some warnings/predictions from my January 2025 free eBook Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency:
The Bible teaches about a great power who will be destroyed by its friends, who become enemies (Lamentations 1:1-2)—some statements by Donald Trump are pushing “friends” (NATO allies) into being enemies. (pp. 48-49)
Many in the USA do not seem to realize that once Europeans are spending more for their militaries, they will also expect to have more independence from the USA as to how military might will be used. (p. 63).
Donald Trump has often encouraged increased military spending by the Europeans. … Donald Trump is helping enable the rise of the King of the North/Beast power who will be in league with the final Antichrist. (p. 87)
Donald Trump’s rise has also spurred the Europeans to further unify among themselves. … Donald Trump has been pointed to by various European leaders as ‘proof’ that Europe needs more unification and distance from the USA. (p. 88)
This King will employ deceit:
21 … he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. (Daniel 11:21)
23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. 24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.
25 “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. (Daniel 8:23-25)
The King of the North will deceitfully proclaim “peace and safety” while plotting for the sudden destruction of those opposing him (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3). He will destroy the mighty American-British alliance.
Because of not accepting and understanding biblical prophecies, many political and other leaders will be hoping for and believing in a false peace. The sudden destruction to come is likely to include a nuclear or other high tech attack, and could possibly happen in conjunction with a NATO training or other exercise that would catch the USA and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic allies off guard. Other nations are likely to also be involved.
The USA will be attacked by “friends” consistent with the following:
1 How lonely sits the city
That was full of people!
How like a widow is she,
Who was great among the nations!
The princess among the provinces
Has become a slave!2 She weeps bitterly in the night,
Her tears are on her cheeks;
Among all her lovers
She has none to comfort her.
All her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
They have become her enemies. cf. Lamentations 1:1-2).Notice the one who was “great among the nations” will be conquered by friends, who will become enemies.
The USA was prophesied to be “great” in Genesis 48:19 and is considered by international sources to be great among the nations of the world today. (pp. 140-141)
The time will come when the USA and NATO will be no more. NATO or other arrangements could give the Europeans cover for publicly preparing for a military event, while giving it the ability to publicly state that such preparations are only parts of an exercise. The Germans have historically used the element of surprise to gain military advantage—remember WWII and blitzkrieg? Europe one day will turn on the USA (Lamentations 1:1-2, Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-12). Weapons of mass destruction, and not necessarily just nuclear, will be employed. (p. 143)
Although, overall, the European nations have not paid for their defense to the amount they have suggested they would, pressuring them to spend more will 1) encourage them to be independent of the USA (p. 213).
World events are confirming those statements.
The moves by the Europeans in general are consistent with biblical prophecies.
Understand that a great European army will rise up according to the Bible:
16 … the king of the north … 25 … shall stir up his power and his courage … with a great army. … 40 … king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships (Daniel 11:16, 25, 40)
Europe is trying to now raise up that army. It will be militaristically successful for a time per Revelation 13:3-4 and Daniel 11:39-43.
Europe, itself, will become the aggressor against the USA in the future per Daniel 11:39.
Europe already has PESCO, its Permanent Structured Cooperation–which it formed within a year of Donald Trump becoming President of the United States–and his position was used as a reason, in my view, to accelerate the move towards a stronger EU military. Here is a link to a related sermonette video: PESCO and a Great European Army.
Nearly all the nations of Europe are in the process of spending more on developing additional military technologies.
And yes, nations across Europe are pointing to Donald Trump’s Administration as a reason that they more strongly feel the need to arm.
Donald Trump is unknowingly pushing the European Beast to rise up.
Related to what the relationship between Europe and the United States is leading to, the Continuing Church of God also put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel discussing various views and scriptures about that:
14:26
European Union wants military independence from the USA
European Union wants to be militarily independent of the USA – check, European Union wants a larger military – check, European Union wants nukes – check, European Union wants this for defensive purposes –will Europe acquire a great army? Will Europe defeat the Biblical King of the South? Is Europe the King of the North? Will Europe defeat the King(s) from the east? Here’s a big question – will Europe conquer the United States of America? Is the United State of America mentioned in the Bible? These are fascinating questions that will be answered in the very near future. The fact that these conflicts will occur is a certainty, as they are a prophesied fact in the Bible in the book of Daniel. But when will these conflicts occur? Daniel was told to shut up the words, they were for the time of the end. Dan 12:4: ‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ We are there. This is the time of the end. Dr. Thiel will shine the light on the answers to these questions. One answer, in particular, is sure to stun thousands.
Here is a link to our video: European Union wants military independence from the USA.
Since the Donald Trump’s second presidency, the European Union is even more focused on being its own power independent of the United States.
Europe will reorganize per Revelation 17:12-13 and become a military power per Revelation 13:3-4 and Daniel 11:39-43.
The prophesied militaristic European Beast power is in the process of forming.
European military spending increases are proof that is happening now.
Several items of possibly related interest may include:
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: N;ÿ Œf/’Y’jNº’ÿ Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to three related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For. The Future King of the North, and Rise of the Prophesied King of the North.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
