Last issue, I wrote to you about the way French President Emmanuel Macron is betraying Britain and America—exactly as the Bible prophesied. This time I’d like to show you how he is empowering Germany and helping resurrect the Holy Roman Empire.

President Macron visited Berlin on Nov. 18, 2018. One week earlier he had hosted leaders around the world and used the occasion to be openly hostile to the United States. But during his trip to Germany on November 18, there were no harsh words or criticisms. “If you do not understand the words from France, remember that France loves you,” he told the German parliament (emphasis mine throughout).

Macron has never said anything like that to Britain or America. Instead, he has called for a “true European army” to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.” France certainly does not love the United States.

Why would the French president say “France loves [Germany]”? There is an important reason we all must grasp!

These words from Macron were, I believe, a signal that France will never again have the will to stand up to Germany. The French today want to be close friends and allies with Germany, and they are prepared to go to great lengths to support Berlin. That is what Macron means by saying, “France loves [Germany].” It is really a groveling statement. Germany is Europe’s master, and it is as if France is begging to share in Germany’s power!

Is this why Macron praised Nazi collaborator Philippe Pétain? Pétain ruled Vichy France during World War ii. He collaborated with Adolf Hitler and even sent Jews to the gas chambers. Is Macron signaling that he is willing to play the part of Pétain to give way to Germany?

The Bible prophesied that France would betray Britain and America. France is doing so right now by turning to Germany.

An Anti-American Army

France is already taking concrete steps to build a European army alongside Germany. Perhaps this is why Macron is so bold as to criticize the U.S. His criticisms imply that Europe no longer needs nato, because it is building its own army.

Germany has been working on this European army for years. Most of the Dutch Army has already been integrated into the German Army. Thousands of Dutch soldiers now serve in German panzer divisions, under German command. Significant chunks of the Czech and Romanian armies have also agreed to join the German Army and are currently moving under the German command structure. Now we see military cooperation between France and Germany increasing.

Did you know the European Union joint military budget is already three times higher than Russia’s budget? And it is about half of America’s.

France and Germany are also collaborating on the development of new weapons and weapons manufacturing. Germany’s Leopard ii is already regarded as one of the best tanks in the world. It is used by 18 different countries. Germany aims to have a new tank by around 2030, and experts are already predicting that it will be the world’s most powerful. And France and Germany are working on it together. The project, called the European Main Battle Tank, is a joint venture between French and German companies.

These two countries are also working on an artillery system called the Common Indirect Fire System. French and German companies are also collaborating on a new fighter jet, which they aim to have ready by 2035 to 2040. Experts are predicting it will also be one of the best in the world, outperforming America’s F-35.

France and Germany already have a strong record of accomplishment from working together. A previous joint venture, the Eurocopter Tiger (EC 665), is one of the most powerful attack helicopters in the world. This is already built and ready to go.

France really does love Germany—you can see it in these important joint ventures!

For decades we have forecast the rise of this European military superpower that Germany and France are now building. In May 1953, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote, “[T]en powerful European nations will combine their forces.” The European unification project is going to consolidate to 10 nations that Germany can really dominate. You can read about this power in Daniel 2 and 7, and Revelation 13 and 17. Mr. Armstrong discussed these scriptures time and time again. I explain them in my free booklet Daniel Unlocks Revelation.

Today, these powers are combining just as Mr. Armstrong said they would!

In Revelation 9:7-9, the Apostle John describes some of the weapons of this coming power. John saw these weapons in vision and wasn’t familiar with what he was seeing. He had never seen mechanized vehicles or modern technology. He described what he saw using terms he was familiar with, such as “locusts,” war horses and lions. “[T]he sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle,” says verse 9. This is talking about airplanes, jet fighters and helicopters that can go all directions and inflict punishing destruction!

If you look back in European history, you will see previous instances when people tried to establish an empire in Europe: Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, Charlemagne and others. Those were all terrifyingly bloody times in Europe! That was the tyranny of the Holy Roman Empire! In World Wars i and ii, America helped to set France free from the empire. But instead of showing gratitude, France is now helping to raise it right back up!

A Prophesied Strongman

It might not seem like it, but Europe has made important strides toward becoming a new empire. It has a massive, rich economy. It has a powerful military and nuclear capability. It has a commanding global presence. Now all Europe needs is a strongman to lead it.

Last issue, I wrote about Germany’s need for a strongman. Since then, France and much of the rest of Europe have also been crying out for new leadership. After Macron gave his November 11 speech criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump and America, his nation has been rocked by riots. Across France, hundreds of thousands have marched, blockaded roads, and destroyed property, demanding change from the government. Paris was shut down for weeks on end as rioters burned cars, smashed windows, and clashed with police.

The riots were sparked by anger at a rise in fuel taxes (to pay for Macron’s war on climate change), but it is clear that the people are angry about much more than that. “The demands of the protesters have grown more radical as the weeks have passed,” wrote the Times. “Many are calling for the overthrow of Mr. Macron and a new political system to be introduced” (Dec. 11, 2018).

“I didn’t want this completely corrupt political class anymore,” one protester told the Wall Street Journal. “We’ve had the left; we’ve had the right. We’ve had everything, and it’s the same policy. You have the sense that there’s no democracy anymore” (Dec. 9, 2018).

This rejection of the whole system of government is reflected in the graffiti and slogans smeared on walls and buildings across France. “Don’t vote, all rotten,” reads one. “Neither Macron, nor Marine,” reads another, referring to the French president and Marine Le Pen, Macron’s extremist rival.

This is a game-changing trend for France and Europe. Many people in France are tired of democracy and want a whole new political system—and Bible prophecy shows that they will get it!

On Dec. 11, 2018, an Islamist gunman opened fire at a Christmas market in the French border city of Strasbourg. The terrorist killed five and wounded 11. The attack took place within the secure area of the market. France at the time was already on high alert and had imposed extra measures to stop terrorism. Clearly this didn’t work! Such security failures only intensify France’s desire for a new, stronger leader—one who can actually protect them against radical Islam.

France is just the latest country to be swept up in a wave of populist anger that is rising across the whole of the European Union. In many countries, people are protesting against the EU and voting for anti-EU parties.

This is why the majority of people in Britain want to get out. Clear-thinking British see it is an undemocratic project and recognize that it is domineered by Germany. The main reason they voted to leave was their sense that they lacked the freedom they should have.

On Dec. 13, 2018, the American Conservative published an article by James Pinkerton that addressed the protests in France and pointed out that the European Union is fundamentally not a democratic project. In general, voters don’t want to hand over power to a superstate. Every time they have been asked in referenda, they have issued a clear “No!” However, as Pinkerton pointed out, “[T]he dream of a united Europe will always endure, at least in the minds of would-be Charlemagnes.”

French President Macron is clearly a would-be Charlemagne!

But Pinkerton went on to write, “Of course, such an imperium requires a fist—the more mailed, the better.” To create such an empire in Europe, you must use an iron fist! That is the only way it has been achieved in the past.

Pinkerton continued: “So as with the fate of Macron’s government in France, the future of the EU might well depend on the willingness of its rulers to get tough—that is, converting the democracy deficit into an outright tyranny surplus.

“Could they? Would they? The only thing we know for sure is that it’s happened before.”

Yes. Many times before!

That is a powerful observation. Pinkerton made this observation simply by analyzing Europe’s history with tyranny and despotism. He is talking about exactly what the Trumpet has been saying for decades—and that Mr. Armstrong said for decades before us! There really shouldn’t be any mystery about what we are witnessing in Europe. The empire rising in Europe is the same one that has risen repeatedly throughout Europe’s history! But who studies this history anymore?

In an earlier article, Pinkerton wrote, “Here in the U.S., the EU is often seen as some sort of woolly-headed utopian pipe dream. However, the core of the EU has always been something different—something hard-nosed, not soft-hearted. The EU is ultimately about European greatness, in the spirit of Charles the Great, better known as Charlemagne. And he, of course, was no peacenik” (July 11, 2018).

He certainly was not! Charlemagne waded through blood to conquer Europe and convert Europe’s peoples to Catholicism! We explain this history in our free book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy.

Pinkerton went on to write that he believes Macron wants to be Charlemagne. I agree! Macron recognizes that Germany lacks strong leadership right now. He knows Europe needs a strongman. And he thinks he can do the job! He believes that if he bashes America and woos Germany—Europe’s economic powerhouse—then he will become the new Charlemagne. That is why he is willing to sacrifice so much to be on even better terms with Germany. He doesn’t mind his nation making sacrifices and bowing to Germany, if he gets to be that strong leader.

The Bible says that the “iron-fisted” strongman Pinkerton discussed is coming. Daniel 8:24 tells us that “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power.” He will have real power—even more power than Europe’s worst tyrants. This leader is going to bring power and might to all those military weapons! It will shock and stun this world! And according to Bible prophecy, he will be a worse tyrant than either Charlemagne or Hitler!

This verse goes on to say that “he shall destroy wonderfully [or mightily], and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.” The whole world is going to suffer at the hand of this man!

There is an evil spirit being behind this movement, this last head of the Holy Roman Empire. That spirit is already visible in Macron’s hatred of America.

But the Bible also tells us this coming strong leader will not be French!

Isaiah 10:5 says, “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.” God uses this strongman to punish the people of Israel. And this strongman is a descendant of Assyria. We prove who Assyria is and tell you all about that punishment in our book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, by Herbert W. Armstrong. God says, “[H]e meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few” (verse 7).

This strongman will command the army Macron is helping to build right now! But it will be a German that takes it to war.

“Macron’s bold stance for an independent European army has left him with no choice but to enter a deal with the devil: German industry,” we wrote on our website (Nov. 28, 2018). Once Macron gets locked into that, he will have to remain in lockstep with the Germans if he is to be part of the Holy Roman Empire. It will soon become clear that Macron won’t be that strong leader—but by that time it will be very difficult for the French to get out.

‘Broken Without Hand’

There is good news here that we must remember. Daniel 8:25 states: “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” This coming strongman is going to be destroyed “without hand.” He is going to be confronted and put down by God Himself! God is going to smash this final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—the army Europe is building right now—and bring its bloody history of atrocities to a just end!

France is going to end up suffering under this power, like so many other countries. It will be the greatest shame the French have ever experienced—betraying their brothers and turning to Germany. But Jesus Christ is going to smash that empire and rescue them from that shame.

God says these nightmares are all about to end! All the evil you see in this world is leading directly into the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and that’s the best news you could ever receive!