Germany just surpassed Japan as the third-largest economy in the world. An unrestrained Germany could turn this industrial success into military prowess overnight. And it is already happening.

This year Germany is spending a record amount on its military—$73.4 billion.

“Germany invests more than 2 percent of its economic output in the common defense of the nato alliance. This year and in the coming decades,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on X on February 14. “This will give us the highest defense budget in Europe.”

Two days before, Scholz visited a new munitions factory in Germany, built by Rheinmetall, and called on Europe to “move from manufacturing to mass production of armaments.” Then on February 15, Scholz welcomed a $3.4 billion investment from Microsoft to help cement Germany’s place as a leading nation in artificial intelligence.

The world’s third-biggest national economy—the highest defense budget in Europe—mass producing armaments—leading in AI—these accomplishments represent a drastic turnaround for a nation that lay in absolute ruin 80 years ago!

Failing to consider Germany’s past, many people today focus only on its current struggles. Instead of seeing its military capability, they see military weakness. Instead of an economic powerhouse, they see a struggling economy. Instead of its global ambition, they see the nation’s self-absorption and division. Instead of recognizing a revival of the nation most responsible for World War ii, they see a repentant, peace-loving people.

It is true the German economy is struggling because of the covid-19 pandemic recovery, reduced trade with Russia, and a transition to green energy. It is grappling with labor shortages, reduced exports, a budgetary crisis and trade disruptions. Germany is also politically divided. But all these factors could shift rapidly with a change of leadership.

We must see the bigger picture.

Germany started the two most destructive wars in human history. After World War ii, when it lay in the ashes of defeat, Western leaders from both sides of the Atlantic assured our peoples that a demoralized Germany would never rise up to strike again. Seeing Germany’s destruction, it was easy to believe these words.

But while everyone focused on the rubble of German cities, Herbert W. Armstrong prophesied, based on various biblical passages, that Germany would rise again.

Compare Germany then to today! It has risen again—dramatically!

We must acknowledge these unmistakable realities: Clearly, Germany has truly overcome its postwar defeat. Within the European Union, it is unmistakably the dominant power. And its military ambition is no longer being restrained; it is being encouraged. With a well-established industry at the heart of a pulsating Europe, all imaginable power is at the fingertips of an unrestrained Germany.

These facts are simply extraordinary.

“In concrete terms: Europe must become so strong militarily that no one wants to compete with us. This means we need deterrence. Deterrence includes nuclear weapons,” Manfred Weber, German leader of the European People’s Party, told Bild on February 13.

If you understand Europe’s history, a nuclear-armed Europe that no one wants to challenge is frightening!

On February 16, Germany’s most-read paper, Bild, printed this provocative headline: “Of Course Germany Needs Nuclear Weapons.” Bild chief reporter Peter Tiede wrote:

The question is: Who in Europe should have the weapons? The EU has no competence for this. Only nation states can acquire the weapons—Great Britain and France already have them. But Slovenia or Luxembourg?

It doesn’t help: We Germans have to get involved! Thirty-four years after reunification, it is time to behave as what we are: a power.

We are a strong country, with our own interests in the world—and we can only stand up for them ourselves at the top. Strength brings with it responsibility. Including the responsibility to finally be able to protect ourselves, to stop hiding behind big brother and his nuclear friends. We owe this to our country—and as the strongest country in Europe, we also owe it to our weaker partners: In Europe, we are the big brother.

Does this sound like a nation chastened by its past? Does the world recognize the true extent of the power rising in Germany?

After Russia launched its war against Ukraine, Germany decided to purchase American F-35s to deliver American nuclear bombs more efficiently. The United States approved the purchase without hesitation. Even as Germany grows militarily independent, Washington believes that it remains a close ally.

In recent months, Germany has represented the EU in taking a leading diplomatic and even military role in the Middle East. On February 8, Germany sent a frigate toward the Red Sea where trade routes are threatened by Houthi terrorists backed by Iran. The Red Sea corridor, via the Suez Canal, is a vital route connecting Europe with some of its most important trade partners, including India and China. Losing the Red Sea shipping lane would be devastating. The sailors are to protect German and EU interests and must be prepared for a potentially dangerous escalation.

This mission, Operation Aspides, is not part of nato nor led by America!

Why do Germany and the EU seek to independently secure those trade routes? It certainly shows how little faith they have in their alliances with America and Britain!

A senior German Defense Ministry official explained, “With Operation Aspides, Europe will take responsibility for the security of the sea routes on one of the most important trade routes for Germany and Europe. It is absolutely clear that the mission is essential.”

This mission is drawing Germany into direct battle lines with Iran. Mr. Armstrong pointed to the Bible’s prophecy that Germany would gain control of this region. Soon, it will destroy Iran and its allies that are creating such instability there. But that is just the beginning of their well-calculated plan.

Today, America has what appears to be a friendship with Germany. We have entrusted it with nuclear bombs and sold it jets to carry those bombs. But we ought to remember its past. It has been almost routine in history for Germany to go to war. Germans were starting wars long before the world wars. That has been their tendency. And the Bible warns that this will continue!

Many in the West believe that the nation whose cities we bombed in World War ii is our unconditional friend. This is an illusion! The next few years will abruptly end our deception—but it will be too late.

To learn more, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Europe’s Push Toward a Unified Military.”