Two politicians have fascinated Germany and Austria respectively like no others in recent memory. Both achieved great political success—until their careers apparently ended. Recently, rumors about their political comebacks are again circulating. Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz not only are close friends but have shared a similar history and are reentering the public stage at approximately the same time.

The two have repeatedly denied comeback plans, but a specific Bible prophecy has led the Trumpet to watch them closely. Has their time now come?

Sebastian Kurz

Born in 1986, Sebastian Kurz was the youngest Austrian chancellor ever elected. He saved his political party from the abyss, decimated the opposition, and stopped the rise of the far right. He was praised across the country and even around the world. Under his direction, Austria enjoyed a glow that it had lacked since the fall of the Habsburg dynasty. When Kurz’s political career ended in 2021, his fans couldn’t believe it. But now it appears that he is staging a comeback.

“Kurz has gathered his old faithful around him at his Vienna headquarters, which has caused rumors of a return to flourish,” Austria’s Der Standard wrote in “Is Sebastian Kurz Returning to Politics?” While reconnecting with friends behind closed doors, he is also regaining the public’s notice. The article continues:

He is where he prefers to be: Sebastian Kurz is back in the public eye. While he prefers to hide the publicity he is receiving in connection with an indictment for false statements and investigations by the public prosecutor’s office for corruption, the other publicity provides plenty of food for speculation about a possible return to the [Austria’s People’s Party] leadership. The ex-chancellor and current young entrepreneur is currently starring in two feature films.

Kurz is even returning to the international stage. On his recent trip to Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed him as if he were still Austria’s chancellor, posing with a handshake before the countries’ flags. During the visit, Kurz also met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Spiegel Online wrote on August 1:

Kurz persistently denies questions about a comeback. But he behaves like someone who wants to keep his options open, someone who appears regularly so that he is not forgotten.

Kurz gives interviews to media that are well disposed toward him; writes guest articles on his favorite topic, migration; and appears at events. In the past few days in particular, he has been engaged in some conspicuously high-profile networking.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Germany’s former defense minister appears to being pursuing a similar strategy. Guttenberg is sharing his personal experiences and opinions in a weekly blog on LinkedIn and in a weekly podcast with left-wing politician Gregor Gysi. Additionally, he started docutainment presentations with RTL+ discussing Russian President Vladmir Putin last year and the crises of the Christian churches this year. He also wrote a book that will be released on October 9.

Rumors of a political comeback have been circulating ever since the political star left the scene in 2011. His first memoir, Vorerst Gescheitert (Failed at First), appeared to attest to his long-term ambition. In 2017, he graced his Bavarian political party with his support on the campaign trails, drawing larger crowds than some of those running for office. But what many perceived as a comeback was perhaps just a test to gauge people’s reaction.

Guttenberg and Kurz held a roundtable discussion in Kitzbühel, Austria, hosted by the Grow on August 25. While the two friends mused over their gained experiences, they claimed to have left their political careers behind.

But more and more are wondering, Is the desire for publicity and power drawing them back?

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry first identified Guttenberg as a man to watch about 15 years ago. We have tracked his stunning political rise, sudden fall and post-political activities ever since. The reason is, Bible prophecy says explicitly that we will see a German strongman rise at the same time as a great crisis, which we see building today (Daniel 11:21). In “Is KT zu Guttenberg About to Come to Power?” Mr. Flurry wrote:

A strong leader is prophesied in the Bible to rise in Europe very soon—perhaps even within months. I believe almost certainly that you can identify who this man will be. Only one man appears able to fulfill what the Bible says about this strongman. His name is Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

I encourage you to read his article to understand why we watch this man so closely.

Revelation 17 speaks of “ten kings” ruling 10 nations or groups of nations that will rise and unite under Germany’s leadership. It specifically says these rulers will be aligned with the Roman Catholic Church. As Mr. Flurry noted in “The Holy Roman Empire Goes Public—Big Time!”, Kurz’s time in Austrian politics was a prime example of church-state cooperation.

Europe today is in desperate need of leadership. Is it a coincidence that Guttenberg and Kurz are increasingly entering the public eye? Will their cooperation set the example for others to follow?

The fulfillment of these stunning Bible prophecies is around the corner!