Germany is leading a rally against the increasing rise of Iran and radical Shiite Islam across the Middle East and North Africa. Through a multitude of deals, both military and economic, Germany is bolstering its influence in the region. One such deal is taking place right now in Qatar.

Situated on a peninsula protruding from Saudi Arabia into the Persian Gulf, Qatar is home to the world’s third-largest natural gas supply, and is considered a pioneer in natural gas. This natural resource could prove to be the glue that binds the Qatari emirate with Germany.

German energy company E.ON—which established a presence in Qatar in 2009—has announced that it will begin importing natural gas from Qatar next year. The five-year contract is predicted to bring in 10 billion cubic meters of liquid gas to Germany.

The economic deal may seem harmless when viewed alone, but the driving motives behind such a deal deserve further consideration—especially when viewed as part of the totality of German investment in the nation to date.

Qatar—geographically positioned between two adversaries, Saudi Arabia and Iran, and in possession of an abundance of natural gas—has the potential to be a powerful political player in Middle Eastern politics. Germany, desiring to draw Qatar in to its own foreign policy ideals for the region (most particularly, containing and reversing Iranian influence), is ensuring that a strong political connection is maintained between itself and Qatar.

As German-Foreign-Policy.com wrote on October 18, “German entry into the liquid gas business, which has been introduced for a couple of years, already parallels the intensification of the political cooperation with the emirate” (translation ours throughout).

The German Foreign Office backs up this statement in its statement on Qatar: “The traditionally good political relations between Qatar and Germany have intensified thanks to a steady number of high-level visits in both directions, including the visit to Doha by Federal Chancellor Merkel in the first half of 2010, the official visit to Germany by the emir of Qatar in the second half of 2010 and most recently, in June 2013, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle’s fourth visit to Qatar.”

Germany is also intensifying both its political and military ties with Qatar. German-Foreign-Policy.com continues: “An agreement on bilateral ‘security’ cooperation between Berlin and Doha has existed since 2007. In 2009, the federal government approved the sale of 36 Leopard 2 tanks and 24 armored Howitzer 2000 as a first delivery of heavy military equipment to the emirate.”

Germany is working to build up a military force in Qatar for a reason. As German-Foreign-Policy.com points out, Germany wants a heavily armed opposition force against Iran on the Arabian Peninsula that would be able to help keep Tehran under control and even participate in a war if necessary.

“The aim is to create in the Arab world a counter-power against Iran; this includes armament exports in a grand style.”

This is German-Foreign-Policy.com explaining the rationale behind Germany’s somewhat incomprehensible involvement in a nation that in times past would have been considered well beyond Germany’s sphere of influence.

But the full extent of Germany’s plan for the region goes further than just building up an alliance to counter Iran. The Trumpet forecast in 1993 what German-Foreign-Policy.com and other news sources are only just now beginning to report. How? Through knowledge of the sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19).

Take the time to read through Psalm 83, particularly verses 5-8: “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [Assyria or Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.” It is talking about a Middle East alliance that will be spearheaded by Germany. As Gerald Flurry explained in the May/June 2011 Trumpet issue:

Here are the modern names of these nations, as taught at Ambassador College under Herbert W. Armstrong: Edom—Turkey; Ishmaelites—Saudi Arabia; Moab—Jordan; Hagarenes—anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today; Gebal—Lebanon; Ammon—also Jordan. (We cannot be extremely precise in this understanding, but it gives a good general idea of where these nations are today.)

You can see for yourself the nations that inhabit these lands today. You can also read in verse 4 how these nations say, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.”

Mr. Flurry points out in regard to this seemingly strange series of verses:

There has never been such an alliance to attack or totally destroy Israel in history. Concerning this Psalm, the Anchor Bible reads, “History transmits no record of the national crisis when the nations enumerated in this Psalm formed a league to wipe out Israel ….” Lange’s Commentary points out, “The 10 nations who are here enumerated as being combined against Israel, are never mentioned elsewhere as enemies allied at the same time and for the purpose of annihilating Israel.” Other commentaries make the same point.This must be an end-time prophecy!

The meetings and deals between Germany and Qatar are one more example of the foundations of this alliance being formed.

Qatar is a powerful example of Germany taking on a more dominant role in the Middle East, but it is just one example of many. Take for instance the United Arab Emirates, to which Germany has sold $9.3 billion in weapons. Look at Turkey, with its many German-based military equipment and systems.

If you look closely, you will see that Germany is investing heavily in the Psalm 83 nations.

Remember the words of German-Foreign-Policy.com: “The aim is to create in the Arab world a counter-power against Iran.” But don’t forget that Psalm 83 says that this alliance is also to destroy the nations of Israel.

If you would like to know more about this alliance, read “A Mysterious Prophecy.” For more information on the modern identity of the descendants of biblical Israel, read The United States and Britain in Prophecy.