On January 30, French President Emmanuel Macron was asked an important question by a Swedish military officer. Since France possesses “a capable and robust naval force,” and is the “only [European Union] country with an independent nuclear force,” does it have a “sense of responsibility for the protection and preservation of European security and unity”?

“Definitely, yes,” Macron replied. The French doctrine of nuclear deterrence covers France’s “vital interest,” which “clearly has a European dimension that gives us a special responsibility,” he said.

Macron’s comments at the Karlberg Military Academy in Sweden haven’t received much international coverage. But as the French newspaper Le Monde noted on February 7, his comment stirred up “political opponents and Twitter for days.”

That statement should do much more than that. Our whole world needs to be alarmed!

We have to see these comments in the context of Macron’s close alliance with Germany and its betrayal of America and Britain.

The ‘Madness’ of European Nuclear Sharing

Macron’s chief political opponent, Marine Le Pen, condemned Macron’s comments and warned about Germany.

The Aachen Treaty that France signed with Germany is already designed to “share our nuclear power,” she posted on X. “When we warned of Emmanuel Macron’s intention in 2019, we were accused of conspiracy theory,” she wrote. “The Europeanization of our nuclear weapons would be madness! Emmanuel Macron doesn’t understand the implications.”

But in fact, Macron does understand the implications.

In 2018, he called for a “true European army” to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.” That is what he thinks of the United States, the country that sacrificed thousands and thousands of soldiers to save France in World Wars i and ii.

Only Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have access to nuclear bombs under the nato nuclear-sharing agreement. After Britain left the EU, France is the only EU nation with its own nuclear weapons. But if Europe is to possess an army that can defend itself “even against the United States,” then it cannot rely on American nukes.

As is often the case, the French president is saying things that Germany dares not say. “I don’t know what this discussion is about today,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Germany’s Die Zeit. “I think it is very important to uphold trans-Atlantic cooperation. That is why my government has decided to continue nuclear sharing with the U.S. and in nato.”

Like Macron, Germany is actively promoting the construction of a European military. However, it does not want to give the impression that this army is in opposition to nato and the U.S.

But it is. That is exactly what this is about!

Germany doesn’t want to give up America’s nuclear bombs. But Macron’s support for Europeanizing France’s bombs gives Germany more negotiating power. Germany can in effect say, We don’t need your nuclear bombs, we can have France’s or develop our own bombs with French support.

This means the U.S. has lost power over Germany’s security. What then is left for America to do other than trying to uphold good relations with Germany on its terms?

As I have often warned, Bible prophecy indicates that Germany’s relations with America are about to worsen to the point that Germany will use American bombs against its maker!

France’s betrayal is playing a crucial role in this prophecy.

Macron Loves Germany

Europe’s quest for nuclear independence has been debated for decades. Germany’s second defense minister, Franz Josef Strauss, specifically discussed Europeanizing France’s bombs in his book The Grand Design. Macron’s love for a unified Europe, and for Germany, is bringing this debate to the next level.

On January 22, Macron went to the German Bundestag to deliver a eulogy for the deceased German political legend Wolfgang Schäuble. Remarkably, he gave much of his speech in the German language.

Macron quoting Schäuble as saying, “Often difficult issues can only be resolved if Germany and France pull together.” He then added: “This inseparable link between Germany and France is the formula, the equation that allowed our two countries to flourish after the Second World War.”

Again, it was America and Britain that saved France from Germany in the two world wars. But the French leader today loves Germany and is increasingly showing mistrust and even hostility toward America and Britain.

Many in Germany were fascinated by Macron’s speech because he is more enthusiastic about a German-led European empire than many Germans are!

Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said, “It was one of the most cleverly formulated [speeches], in the language of the old enemy, if you will. … It was not just an outstretched arm but really an offer in this great emergency situation in which we now find ourselves … to say, Let’s do it together.”

Macron learned “the language of the old enemy” to demonstrate his submission to Germany!

In 2018, Macron told the German parliament: “If you do not understand the words from France, remember that France loves you.” It is a cozy affair, as though nothing bad ever happened in their history.

Macron and others seek to build a genuine United States of Europe. This is nothing less than a revival of the Holy Roman Empire.

Claiming Charlemagne

European history has many instances of people trying to establish a European empire: Charlemagne, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler and others. These were all terrifyingly bloody times in Europe! This was the tyranny of a resurrected Holy Roman Empire in World Wars i and ii.

America helped to set France free from that empire. But instead of showing gratitude, France is now helping to raise it up again.

Our booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire states, “After centuries of German and Austrian dominance, the Holy Roman Empire revived again for a brief interval of French dominance. It was the Roman Empire in disguise. Napoleon set out to carry on the ideals of Charlemagne.”

Macron also looks to Charlemagne for inspiration in resurrecting this same empire!

Both Germany and France claim Charlemagne. They even have a prize named after him. Many German and French leaders, including Macron, have received this prize for their efforts to unite Europe.

On May 8, 1997, German President Roman Herzog was awarded that prize and said: “For 1,000 years, the destiny of our Continent has revolved around the choice between a cohesive or fragmented Europe. Charlemagne, after whom our prize is named, made his own particular choice, the first unification of Europe.” This is exactly what Macron is working toward.

Charlemagne was the first to really unite Europe. But how did he do that? “At such an hour, the truth must be told,” Herzog said. “Only by wading through a sea of blood, sweat and tears did he reach his goals.’”

That is a phenomenal statement! In Charlemagne’s day, unification required a lot of bloodshed!

Why do European leaders cling to such a bloody, bloody past? And to think—today we have far more destructive weapons, including nuclear bombs!

James Pinkerton wrote in 2018, “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.” No, he was not a peaceful man. Charlemagne did unite people, but they had to obey his will and whatever he wanted. It was in no way democratic.

Europe today is also not a democratic endeavor. Germany is gaining more control—and France allows it. They want to reproduce Charlemagne’s accomplishments, and he was a tyrant! Through history, the Holy Roman Empire killed 40 to 50 million people! These people are looking to Charlemagne and disregarding this sea of blood!

Prophecy for Our Day

As the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught, 90 percent of Bible prophecy pertains to the latter days beginning with the second half of the 20th century. This is the time that Jesus Christ spoke about in His Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24). Today, mankind has the capability of causing “great tribulation” and threaten the existence of all humanity with nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction (verses 21-22). Compare Christ’s prophecy with our world today and you would have to agree that we are living in these days.

In this prophecy, Christ referenced prophecies from the Old Testament, in particular the book of Daniel (verse 15). Clearly He believed that those prophecies had to be fulfilled before He would return in glory and majesty.

Another end-time prophecy illuminates what Christ taught. It was given by the patriarch Jacob all the way back in the book of Genesis.

“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” (Genesis 49:1). This is for the last days, the same time period that Christ referred to!

Verse 3 reads: “Reuben, thou art my firstborn.” Who are the descendants of Reuben in these last days? God wants us to know! We can show you that “Reuben” is the name God uses for end-time prophecy regarding France. (You can prove this by reading our free reprint article “France in Bible Prophecy.”) To understand this prophecy for “the last days,” we have to understand some crucial history.

Because of some terrible acts he committed, Reuben lost the birthright blessings that would have been due him as Jacob’s firstborn son. Those blessings instead went to his brother Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1-2).

Genesis 37 tells the story of the way Reuben and his brothers treated Joseph. The other brothers actually wanted to kill Joseph, but Reuben intervened. Here is the way we explain it in “France in Bible Prophecy”:

At first glance it may seem as though Reuben acted well. He proposed an alternative to killing Joseph by throwing him in a pit. But is that what was expected of Reuben? Is that all he could do as the firstborn son, the leader of the children? At the time within ancient Israel, the firstborn received privileges his brothers and sisters did not. His heritage was larger, and he received a greater portion of blessings. He was next to his father in power and authority. Therefore Reuben was actually responsible for what happened to Joseph. His job was to act the way his father would have if he had been there—not to compromise with his younger brothers in their actions against Joseph.

Reuben did not act with courage and dignity. Afraid of his enraged brothers—so afraid he didn’t even remain with them to see what they finally decided to do with Joseph (verse 29)—all Reuben could think of was compromise. Compromise was not fulfilling his duty and responsibility as the firstborn. Reuben simply failed.

This is history, and it is in the context of end-time prophecy. This history is going to be repeated. Together with Genesis 49, this gives a clue of what France, modern Reuben, will do in this end time.

But to understand, we have to know who Joseph is in prophecy.

Joseph became father to Ephraim and Manasseh. The birthright promises that had been taken from Reuben were passed down to Ephraim and Manasseh. Read Genesis 35:11 and 48:17-19. These verses foretell Ephraim becoming a “company” or “multitude of nations”—the British Empire—and Manasseh becoming the single greatest nation on Earth, the United States. You can prove this fact by requesting a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy, by Herbert W. Armstrong.

This really is the master key to understanding biblical prophecy, Mr. Armstrong wrote. “That key is knowledge of the astonishing identity of the American and British peoples—as well as the German—in biblical prophecies. This very eye-opening, astounding identity is the strongest proof of the inspiration and authority of the Holy Bible! It is, at the same time, the strongest proof of the very active existence of the living God!” These prophecies come alive with this understanding!

If you study this closely, you will find that all end-time prophecies revolve around these nations, as well as the Jewish nation in the Middle East (biblical Judah). France also plays a crucial role.

France Empowering Germany

Macron has praised Nazi collaborator Philippe Pétain. This man was over the Vichy government in World War ii after Germany conquered France, and actually gassed some Jews himself. That is a terrible history.

History shows what a deadly perpetrator and instigator of bloodshed Germany has been. The Germans are great people, but the Holy Roman Empire has led them into all kinds of horrors. And today this empire is rising again—with France’s help.

God prophesies that He is going to use Germany to punish the descendants of Joseph. Modern Germany is referred to in prophecy as Assyria. Isaiah 10:5 and 7 read: “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. … Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart, to destroy and cut off nations not a few.”

Today, Assyria is allied with Joseph’s brother Reuben, modern France. Together these two are raising up the prophesied Holy Roman Empire that will take Joseph’s descendants into captivity.

Revelation 17 shows that eight more nations, or kings ruling groups of nations, will join their endeavor. Together there will be 10 kings. “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (verse 13). They will contribute their power to the Holy Roman Empire and an overarching ruler—undoubtedly a German. (Read A Strong German Leader Is Imminent for proof.)

Prophecy speaks of another great man coming on the scene who will be more powerful and, thanks to today’s weapons of mass destruction, kill far more people than Charlemagne ever did.

Macron is already willing to share control of France’s nuclear bombs with Germany! These two nations are working together on powerful tanks, airplanes and many other armaments. In some ways you could say France is already giving its “power and strength unto the beast”—a German-led war machine.

We need to watch Europe, watch France, and watch Germany and the Holy Roman Empire—because all these prophesies are about to be fulfilled! We must study those, recognize what is happening, and learn how we can receive God’s protection because God is about to use this empire to punish America, Britain and the Jewish nation to break their rebellion against Him. He will then break the German-led war machine—so that all people of all nationalities can live peaceably under His rule!