A reader sent me a link to the following:

Germany’s Army Is Rebuilding. What Could Go Wrong?
August 29. 2025 …
The country’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius from the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), gave a short speech, telling the recruits that the prospect of defending Germany’s democracy had “become more real after Putin’s attack on Ukraine.” Then a lieutenant colonel shouted out the words of the oath, as the group repeated them back: “I pledge to loyally serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to courageously defend the right and liberty of the German people.” …
Across Germany, both politicians and members of the public have been going through a similar transformation. The country’s army, officially named the Bundeswehr — which translates as “federal defense” — was established by the United States during the Cold War. It was designed to support NATO rather than ever lead a conflict, for fear that a German military could be misused as it was during World War II. …
In Merz’s view, Europe didn’t just need to arm itself against Russian aggression, but also “achieve independence from the USA.” …
For some, the government’s push to embrace the army is one more sign of a dangerous transformation in the country’s political sentiments: The far-right AfD is currently second in the polls, and the ruling CDU has shed former leader Angela Merkel’s liberal image in favor of a harsh anti-immigration stance. …
Germany is also entering its third consecutive year of recession, and its heavy industries that are struggling to stay competitive are now hoping the defense spending will give them a boost: Shares in the steel sector have shot up since the announcements. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/08/29/germany-military-nato-trump-putin-00509732

What could go wrong? Think WWIII!

Consider also that German companies, like Volkswagen, which made German weapons in WWII, is now in the process of doing that again (see Germans want Europe to replace America as global leader).

Plus, we see more and more German leaders distancing themselves from the USA.

There has been a shift going on in Germany:

Germans no longer see US as trustworthy partner
7 March 2025
The conservative CDU/CSU and the center-left SPD, the parties most likely to form the next government after the recent German election, have already agreed on massive investments into Germany’s ailing infrastructure and the military.
A credit-financed special fund is to be set up for this purpose. In order to be able to incur debt for higher defense spending, the debt brake enshrined in in the Basic Law, Germany’s constitution, is to be relaxed.
These plans generally meet with broad public approval, according to Infratest-dimap’s monthly representative survey of 1,325 eligible voters conducted from March 4 to March 5. …
US no longer reliable
Trump has been back in office for only six weeks and has already been calling into question core policies, which is having a massive impact on how Germans view Trump and the United States.
One in two respondents to the infratest poll say their opinion of Trump has worsened since he took office. Just one in seven expresses a favorable opinion of the US president. The United States’ reputation is plummeting to new lows.
This month only one in six voters described the US as a partner who Germany can trust. Three quarters believe that NATO members cannot currently rely on the United States for protection.
The Germans polled are not skeptical of NATO itself: 84% said that the North Atlantic defense alliance is important for securing peace in Europe. Nevertheless, there is growing support for greater European independence. One in two said they favor establishing a European military alliance. https://www.dw.com/en/germans-no-longer-see-us-as-trustworthy-partner/a-71858094

On November 7, 2016 (the day before Donald Trump’s first election), I posted:

If Donald Trump is elected, the Germans will see this as proof that they cannot rely on the USA for their defense, etc. Germany will push for a European army. (see ‘Why Europe Secretly Roots For Donald Trump’?). (Thiel B. Germans opposed to Donald Trump, but not too optimistic about Hillary Clinton. COGwriter, November 7, 2016)

The above has been confirmed. Notice also:

Germany is racing towards once again having a massive army:

Germany Now Wants ‘Strongest Conventional Army in Europe.’
15 May 2025
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged on May 14, 2025, to transform the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces) into “the strongest conventional army in Europe.” …
“This is appropriate for Europe’s most populous and economically powerful country,” Merz told lawmakers, vowing to provide “all financial means necessary” to overhaul the long-underfunded Bundeswehr. https://thenationalpulse.com/2025/05/15/germany-now-wants-strongest-conventional-army-in-europe/
15 May 2025
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Berlin accepts in principle the demand from the United States that NATO member states increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. ..
Germany currently spends just over 2% of its GDP on defense and new Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week that each additional percentage point would mean further annual expenditure of €45 billion ($50.5 billion). …
Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merz and Wadephul’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), also backed an increase in defense spending. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-backs-5-nato-defense-spending-target/a-72549909

While, as Jesus said, “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6; see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?)–many in Germany and elsewhere in Europe are unwittingly taking military steps that will allow this to come to pass.

Notice also:

A Brussels Reich? Van der Leyen’s ‘ReArm Europe’ Plan
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced the “ReArm Europe” initiative. The ReArm Initiative represents an extensive €800 billion strategy designed to enhance Europe’s defense capabilities and a strategic response to increasing global uncertainties …
She warns about the “dangerous times” that characterize the present and, even more likely, the future. “I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face. Or the devastating consequences that we will have to endure if those threats would come to pass” because, she points out, “we are in an era of rearmament,” and at this stage, the EU intends to respond with a five-point European rearmament plan, the name of which — Rearm Europe — already suggests much. https://21stcenturywire.com/2025/03/04/brussels-reich-van-der-leyens-rearm-europe-plan/

Let me add Ursula von der Leyen is also German. Note also the term “reich” in that headline.

It should also be noted that nuclear weapons are also being considered (see After Trump’s latest moves, is Russia about to nuke the USA to start WWIII? Are Germans looking to get nuclear bombs?) by the Germans, as well as large investments in technology (like supercolliders). Technology and blitzkrieg-type tactics will surprise the world when the German led beast power rises up (cf. Revelation 13:1-4).

Could Donald Trump, various fears, pandemics, migrants, economic issues, or other ‘crises’ lead to a ‘fourth reich’?

Notice something about Germany’s history published decades ago by the old Worldwide Church of God:

In 1933 Adolf Hitler, using Germany’s growing economic crisis as a stepping-stone to power, gained control of Germany, inaugurating the Third Reich of German history.
It quickly became clear that Hitler’s geopolitical aims far transcended his own country’s borders. Hitler held an unshakable conviction that his German Reich would one day rule all of Europe — and from there seize the leadership of the world! He dreamed of a “new world order” that would remake the political face of the earth, with himself at its helm.
In 1939 Hitler began in earnest his struggle for the mastery of the world. (Stump K. Coming Soon – A New World Order. Good News, 1985)

Adolf Hitler used an economic crisis to rise up and form his so-called third reich.

Could there be some type of a ‘fourth reich’ this century to follow the ‘third reich’ of last century?

The old Radio Church of God thought so, even decades earlier:

The “German Problem” is not dead. Germans are thinking more than ever of an undivided Reich – and of an undivided Europe! … On the 17th of June, Germans celebrated a national holiday a day dedicated to AN UNDIVIDED GERMANY. Stores closed. No one worked. The striking thing is that this day signifies something that has not happened yet! Most holidays commemorate an event – something that has already taken place. Not this one – it looks forward to an event which all Germans hope for and even pray for – AN UNDIVIDED GERMANY! (Kelly R. The March for an Undivided Germany. Plain Truth, September 1964)

Well, since that came out, East and West Germany united, the European Union formed, and a European currency has been implemented.

So, is a ‘fourth reich’ in the process of forming? Some in Germany and elsewhere seem to think so.

Now this does not mean that everyone in Germany wants it to militarily dominate the world, but Bible prophecy shows that deep down, those there do want to dominate.

Notice the following prophecy:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings? (Isaiah 10:6-8)

Notice that the leader of the final empire will not think that he wants to destroy nations, but he really does, and really will.

Notice that Isaiah tells of a time when the end time Assyrian power will be sent against an ungodly nation (NKJV), translated as “an hypocritical nation” in the KJV. The Hebrew word used signifies being “soiled” or impious, and certainly that is now the case for the nation known as the United States.

What exactly is the ‘fourth reich’? Notice one interpretation:

The Fourth Reich (German: Viertes Reich) is a theoretical future German empire, following the First Reich (the Holy Roman Empire, 962–1806), the Second Reich (Imperial Germany, 1871–1918) and the Third Reich (Nazi Germany, 1933–1945). (Wikipedia, accessed 04/03/15)

Some believe that Germany already has a type of fourth reich as it has been able to dominate European matters at least for the past decade or so.

Biblically, the final European King of the North will lead a revived ‘Holy Roman Empire.’ This will be the empire of the Beast power of Revelation 13. This new world order, which will have German dominance, will in a sense be its fourth militaristic reich (reich means reign).

As far as NATO goes, it has long been my view that Europe will likely attack the USA and/or the UK under the guise of a NATO (or some other defense treaty) military exercise and that is consistent with the following prophecy about the coming European King of the North Beast:

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

Notice that he pretends peace then devises a plan against the strongholds. This looks to be a reference to the nation with the strongest military, the “strongest fortresses,” that Daniel 11:39 shows he will conquer–that is the USA and its British-descended allies (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

The Bible prophesies that Europe will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25), various weapons, and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

Germany’s chancellor as well as the German EU Commission president have basically said that Germany is working to get both.

Furthermore, technology will, in my view, be key in the establishment of a militaristic fourth reich, consistent with scriptures such as Revelation 13:4. And yes, Europe is working on military-related technologies.

The Beast power is prophesied to arise from Europe after various crises (cf. Revelation 6:1-8; 13:1-4).

Furthermore, the Bible tells of a time when that European leader will defeat many (Daniel 11:39-43) and also dominate the world economically (Revelation 18). Germany will be a major factor in this although there will be problems in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43). Yet, after some reorganizations it will arise (Revelation 17:12-13).

A ‘fourth reich’ is in the process of being made, but it is not here yet.

Of course, Germany was defeated twice last century. But notice the following prophecy from the Book of Revelation:

14 … the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. (Revelation 13:14)

Germany, along with remnants of the old ‘Holy Roman Empire,’ were wounded by the swords of WWI and WWII, but has Germany has lived and now is mainly recovered from its prior wounds. And the EU is rising to be the final version of the old Holy Roman Empire. Notice also the following:

24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:24)

Germany in the 20th century were unable to do what it is prophesied to do in the 21st century, which is what Daniel 11:24 is showing.

Germany is more and more committed to becoming a major military power again.

Many in Europe are supporting that.

UPDATE 08/31/25: We just uploaded the following related video:

14:32
Germany’s Great Army – Any Problems? WWIII?
At long last, from the perspective of the United States, Germany is stepping up to the plate and greatly increasing its military spending. The politicians in Germany have found a way to bypass the legal limitation on debt enshrined in the Basic Law. This is intended to enable them to develop the military and weaponry they feel is needed to protect themselves from potential threats. The Germans and 75% of NATO feel they have to take these type of steps because they feel the USA can no longer be relied on to help protect them militarily. Politico asked about Germany’s military rebuilding, “What Could Go Wrong?” Could this rebuilding be part of the rise of the “Fourth Reich”? If so, what would this mean? What were the first three Reichs? The so-called ‘Holy Roman Empire’ was the first. Imperial Germany of the 19th century was the second. Adolph Hitler’s Nazi Germany was the third. Can the rise of the fourth Reich be related to a revival of some type of the Holy Roman Empire? The Bible shows that the final King of the North will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40). Could that be Germany, which is also working on many military technologies, including supercollider research? Consider, further, that the Bible tells of a power that had been unsuccessful going against a prosperous nation with a strong military before (WWI and WII?), but will finally succeed per Daniel 11:24 and Daniel 11:39. Could the next attempt be World War III and the end of the United States of America? Could the USA be the ungodly/hypocritical nation of Isaiah 10:7 that God says He will use the end-time descendants of Assyria to punish? Are there any prophetic and historic ties between ancient Assyria and the Germanic peoples of Central Europe? Watch this video and listen as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy right from the pages of the Bible on the full ramifications of the rise of the Beast whose deadly wound was healed!

Here is a link to our video: Germany’s Great Army – Any Problems? WWIII?

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration.

Some 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. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: ¿Deben los Diez Reyes gobernar sobre diez naciones? A related sermon in the English language is titled: Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
The Large Hadron Collider has Military Potential Some say this European project is only peaceful. So why is it working on capturing antimatter? Here is a link to a related video: Could the Large Hadron Collider lead to destruction?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
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 is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
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? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of 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.
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. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?