Nov. 11, 2018, marked the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War i. United States President Donald Trump visited Paris, France, to commemorate the roughly 115,000 U.S. military personnel who died in that war.

The United States helped France mightily in that war. American troops gave their lives to protect and support the French Army and people. In both World Wars i and ii, British and American forces delivered France from captivity; all totaled, almost 2 million British and American soldiers gave their lives to defend France and other European nations.

Today the brotherhood that once existed between the United States and France is in trouble. We need to understand the prophetic significance of what is happening.

On the eve of President Trump’s European visit, French President Emmanuel Macron made some bold remarks that reveal a lot about how he feels about the U.S. today. In a radio interview on November 6, President Macron called for a “true European army.” That is a dramatic statement in its own right, but he added: “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America“ (emphasis mine throughout).

Even the United States? It is one thing for France to say it must defend against Communist China and dictatorial Russia. But what a deeply insulting thing to say about the democracy that crossed the Atlantic twice last century to rescue France from defeat!

Mr. Macron’s remarks didn’t really catch the attention of most people. Many perceived them as simply an attempt by Macron to get more from nato. But that is not the case!

We must grasp the significance of President Macron’s comments. When you understand Bible prophecy, you can recognize that this is part of a momentous trend that will change the world!

A Prophetic Brotherhood

The Bible clearly tells us the identity of the American and British peoples. In his book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, Herbert W. Armstrong explained in detail how America and Britain are descended from the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph.

And France, Mr. Armstrong explained, is descended from Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob and another of those “lost” Israelite tribes. Many of the modern French have descended from this Israelite patriarch, and Reuben is the name for France in biblical prophecy.

Genesis 37 documents Reuben betraying his younger brother Joseph. Mr. Armstrong taught, and the Bible clearly reveals, that this ancient betrayal is also an end-time prophecy that France (Reuben) would betray the U.S. (Manasseh, son of Joseph).

Notice this critical passage regarding America and Britain: “And he [Jacob, renamed Israel] blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, … bless the lads; and let my name be named on them … and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:15-16). As The United States and Britain in Prophecy proves, God answered this prayer. Manasseh and Ephraim did grow into a multitude. In fact, as God promised in Genesis 35:11, they became “a nation and a company of nations”—Manasseh a single “great” nation, and Ephraim “a multitude of nations” (see also Genesis 48:19). And the name “Israel” was named on these nations. They are the birthright nations, blessed above all others on Earth. How specific are these prophecies about the nations of Israel!

In all history, no other peoples match these descriptions better than America and the British Empire. That means prophetic Israel in this end time specifically refers to America and Britain.

But God didn’t prophesy only of what would happen to America and Britain.

Genesis 49 is an astounding chapter that contains important prophecies for today: “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days” (verse 1). We are reading from the first book of the Bible, and it is talking about the last days—the times we are living in now!

If you don’t know the modern identity of the sons of Jacob, you cannot understand Bible prophecy! And one third of the Bible is devoted to prophecy.

The first son Jacob addressed in Genesis 49 is Reuben (verse 3). God clearly tells us that Reuben will play a role in events that occur in the last days. So we must know who Reuben is.

Why was Reuben addressed first? Because he was the firstborn. The blessings that God promised to Abraham, and that were conferred upon Abraham’s son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, were supposed to transfer to Jacob’s firstborn son, Reuben. But Reuben lost his birthright. Why? Jacob tells us: “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch” (verse 4). Reuben had sexual relations with his father’s concubine. Isn’t it interesting that even today, Paris is called the “city of love” and France is renowned for its libertine approach to sex? Because of Reuben’s great sexual sin, the birthright blessings went instead to Joseph, the firstborn son of Jacob’s other wife, Rachel.

“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright” (1 Chronicles 5:1). Chronicles is the last book of the Old Testament as it was originally compiled and points us directly to the New Testament. Ezra gathered information from the former prophets and wrote that book. That means it is prophecy for today. Ezra wrote about the state of the birthright promise in these last days.

Betrayal!

Read the history of Joseph and Reuben yourself in Genesis 37 through 46. Jacob favored Joseph above his other sons, and that provoked a lot of sibling rivalry. Making matters worse, Joseph told his brothers about dreams he had indicating that his descendants would “reign over” those of his brothers. This inspired such hatred in them that they conspired to murder Joseph! They planned to kill him and tell their father that Joseph had been slain by a wild animal. Reuben intervened. He convinced them to just leave him in a pit to die, and he planned to save him by coming back later to fetch him. But before he could do that, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery.

Reuben, the firstborn, wouldn’t boldly stand up to his brothers. He tried to “rescue” Joseph in a weak, evasive way. It was a betrayal that ended up enslaving his younger brother!

Your Bible says Reuben’s modern descendants will again betray the latter-day descendants of Joseph—America and Britain!

The Bible prophesies of a European superpower led by Germany. France will meekly submit to and participate in this German-dominated “beast” of Revelation 13. In so doing, France will cruelly betray the allies it fought alongside in two world wars against Germany! Yes, Reuben’s descendants will play a treacherous role in “selling” their brother into captivity and slavery, just as their ancestor did more than 3,700 years ago!

We are seeing the beginning of that betrayal today!

Remember, the sons of Jacob are brothers. This is about a family. And Reuben, this prophecy tells us, is “unstable as water.” You never know exactly how he is going to behave, even toward his own brother.

This instability is exactly what we are seeing in the French-American relationship today. When President Trump visited France in July 2017, he was treated like royalty! Now the French leadership is sending a brash, treacherous message of opposition.

President Macron’s words were not part of a minor spat, as some in the media characterized it. This strikes at the very heart and core of end-time Bible prophecy! Bible prophecy makes clear exactly what is happening.

Just four days before the World War i commemorations, President Macron made other provocative comments we need to think about. Touring a battlefield of the Great War, Macron praised Marshal Philippe Pétain, who was to be honored at a ceremony at Napoleon’s Tomb that weekend. Pétain was a French general during World War i. But he was more than that: In June 1940, he was appointed prime minister of France and immediately surrendered France to Adolf Hitler. Between 1940 and 1944, Pétain collaborated with Hitler while presiding over Vichy France. British historian Andrew Roberts wrote that Pétain “participated enthusiastically in sending non-French Jews to the death camps—principally Auschwitz—in a way that the Germans simply did not have the manpower or local knowledge to achieve.”

President Macron apparently rejects this history. He told reporters that Pétain was a “great soldier—this is a reality.”

Then, at the World War i centenary ceremony in Paris, Macron took the opportunity to publicly rebuke President Trump for recently saying he was a nationalist who puts America first.

Standing before a host of world leaders, Macron lectured America’s president on the difference between nationalism and patriotism. “Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” he said. “By saying ‘our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great, and what is essential—its moral values.” President Macron’s speech was heard around the world, and everyone understood exactly who he was addressing!

Calling for an Army

It was in the midst of this important anniversary week that the French president called for a European army. “We will not protect Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army,” he said. The Times called it “his strongest language yet” for a military union. Europe is striving for a united military—and has been for quite some time.

And what will Europeans do with that army? Macron explicitly said it was needed to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States.” Does that sound like a stable brotherhood, like the one in World Wars i and ii?

Macron wants to push America out of Europe! The way he views it, France and Europe don’t need America anymore! As recently as World War ii, America lost hundreds of thousands of men saving Europe and France! How can anyone simply forget all that—unless they are unstable as water?

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Anthony J. Tata wrote about those comments: “Macron could not have levied a greater insult at America and its veterans on this 100th anniversary of the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to end World War i and, ironically, save Europe” (Fox News, Nov. 10, 2018). It’s as if Macron was spitting on the graves of those men!

President Macron’s remarks about the need to create a European military triggered the highest-level discussion of a European army yet to take place in postwar Europe. “The idea of a European army is now on everyone’s lips,” wrote the EU Observer (Nov. 14, 2018). Just days after Macron’s remarks, German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported his call, saying that “we have to work on a vision of one day creating a real, true European army.” The top candidates to succeed Merkel as German chancellor have also made similar comments.

Recognize the significance: The leaders of Europe’s two most powerful nations are crying out for a stronger, more united European military! Herbert W. Armstrong warned of this military union for decades, based on Bible prophecy in Daniel 2 and 7, Revelation 13 and 17, and elsewhere. In May 1953, he wrote, “Ten powerful European nations will combine their forces.”

This is a stunning development—but it is one that we at the Trumpet have been expecting for many decades!

The Holy Roman Empire

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire took things even further. He said the European Union must become a “form of empire, like China, and the U.S.” “I use the term [empire] to sharpen awareness that we are going into a world where power matters. Europe should no longer shrink from deploying its power,” he said.

We must see what is now rapidly building in Europe. This push for a united European army is nothing less than an effort to resurrect the old Holy Roman Empire! That empire has risen up within Europe repeatedly throughout history. Today, many European leaders are being frank in recalling that history. (For more information, read my October 2018 Trumpet cover article, “The Holy Roman Empire Goes Public—Big Time!“)

Europe’s leaders are talking more about Charlemagne, who led the First Reich in a.d. 800. They aren’t yet discussing Adolf Hitler openly, but he was part of the same thread of history! He worshiped Charlemagne. He labeled his empire the Third Reich—a resurrection of Charlemagne’s First Reich, which was the Holy Roman Empire. Both of these violent rulers waded through blood in pursuit of their crazed ambitions. Anyone can read the truth in history books—but few know much about it!

People aren’t concerned that the tradition of Charlemagne is being openly promoted in Austria and Germany today, but they should be! That tradition has a bloody, bloody history!

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says that he will rule his nation in accordance with the Catholic Church. If you understand history, you know that is exactly what the Holy Roman Empire is! You are going to see that old empire increasingly take center stage.

Mr. Armstrong long prophesied that Britain would not be part of the new united Europe. But using the Bible as his guide, he believed France would be in this final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire.

God prophesied of seven heads, or resurrections, of that evil empire. Six have come and gone, and now the seventh is bursting onto the scene (Revelation 17:10). It is going to wreak the most suffering this world has ever seen! Its exploits will make World War ii look like a minor rehearsal.

Germany has started two world wars. Brace yourself, because it is about to start a third! That is the truth revealed in Bible prophecy. If you don’t believe that, then just keep your eyes on the news because you’re about to see it happen—and soon! In a few short years, we will see all these prophecies come to fruition. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the greatest event ever, will happen in six to 10 years, as I calculate it. That means the Great Tribulation, the worst suffering this Earth has ever experienced, will start within a few short years.

You need to understand the spirit behind France’s behavior, and behind the remarks of President Macron and Chancellor Merkel. This terrifying spirit is going to change your life like nothing ever has—unless God protects you.

I have a responsibility to proclaim this message and expose the Holy Roman Empire for what it is. People scoff at Bible prophecy. But they won’t scoff for long. The prophesied Great Tribulation is approaching (Matthew 24:15-22).

Macron’s recent remarks echo what high European officials are already thinking and discussing. They want a Holy Roman Empire army that can stand up to any enemy. The empire is already there. They are just waiting for the prophesied strongman to lead it (Daniel 8:23).

Perhaps President Macron thinks he will play the role of this much-needed strongman. If so, he is dreaming! There is no way this man will be the leader of the Holy Roman Empire.

His nation will be a part of that empire, however—a secondary, inferior part. And by doing so, France will betray America and Britain, as Reuben did anciently. Macron’s remarks in November were laced with a spirit of betrayal. And they were consistent with what we have prophesied for over 80 years!

Herbert Armstrong was right. Britain is on the way out of the beast power described in Revelation 17:12. But France is definitely in!

A strongman is ready to come on the scene. People are pushing German Chancellor Angela Merkel out. Who will replace her? Every leader in Europe would like to have that job. But only one will get it. And we believe we know who he is. Please read my cover story about this subject on page 1 of this issue.

“O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation” (Isaiah 10:5). The modern-day counterpart of Assyria is Germany. God is going to use Germany to correct the nations of Israel. Why? Because He is wrathful with these nations because of their sins. Rather than thank God for the birthright blessings, Israel takes credit for creating those blessings and all that wealth itself. But those blessings are disappearing fast. Just look at what is happening in America: wildfires in the west, floods in the east, mass shootings, protests, division, hatred. Just 10 years ago you wouldn’t even recognize what the radical left is doing today throughout society. America is on course to collapse—at lightning speed—just as God prophesied.

Thankfully, every bit of what is happening is leading directly to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! Bible prophecy makes this abundantly clear. Christ said that if He didn’t return, no flesh would be saved alive (Matthew 24:22). We are living in the days when this prophecy will be fulfilled! Mankind has never been more capable of utterly destroying itself than right now. Yet so many leaders and heads of government act like they can solve these problems. That is delusional! Only God can solve this. Yet they refuse to turn to God.

What about you? We must stand up and speak for Jesus Christ. If you come out of this world today, God says, then He will protect you physically and give you the highest honor forever. God wants to make you part of His royal Family. He is offering a group of people today the opportunity to be the Bride of Jesus Christ and share His throne with Him for all eternity as kings and priests. That is an unparalleled reward!