Will Russia Attack Europe?

European officials have expressed concern that Vladimir Putin is preparing for a war with the West, indicating a heightened sense of threat. They fear a quick end to Russia’s war with Ukraine, plus the U.S. signaling it is drawing back from NATO, could lead to a more aggressive stand towards Europe. Analysts suggest, if NATO is perceived as weak Russia could initiate a large-scale war in Europe within five years. Where does this fit into the end-time scenario of prophecy?

Awakening a sleeping giant

Undoubtedly, few people understand the magnitude of what is happening geopolitically in Europe. CBS.com reported on March 21, 2025 in a news story titled, “Germany's parliament backs incoming leader's plans for huge boost in defense spending, but can he deliver?” the following: 

“In a landmark shift, Germany is set to embark on its most ambitious defense spending initiative since World War II. Lawmakers have embraced plans unveiled by Friedrich Merz, soon to take the reins as Germany's new chancellor, for an enormous boost to the country's military budget, signaling a dramatic transformation in its post-World War II defense posture. On Friday, the Bundesrat, the upper house of Germany's parliament, approved a 1 trillion euro spending package that effectively lifts a decades-old 'debt brake' measure in the nation's laws that has capped military spending at less than 1% of national GDP. The legislation includes provisions for a 500-billion-euro investment in infrastructure over a 12-year period, aimed at shoring up both the country's flagging economy. At the heart of the incoming leader's strategy is a commitment to spend ‘whatever it takes’ on defense.”

We see this trend in nearly every country in Europe. The sleeping giant of the European Union is beginning to rise up out of the sea of peoples to become the next superpower. Comparatively, the E.U. lumped together economically, has one of the higher GDPs in the world. Since they have been forced to take on their own defense economically, they have stepped up to the plate and are planning to spend massively on military armaments.

In step with Germany, French President, Emmanuel Macron, has positioned France at the heart of European rearmament initiatives, following signs of a rapprochement between the U.S. and Russia. Britain is increasing defense spending too. The U.K. has committed to spending 2.5% of its GDP on defense by 2027 and plans to further increase spending to 3% in the next Parliament. Poland is increasing its defense spending. In 2025, Poland plans to allocate 4.7% of its GDP to defense, which is an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year.

Has the attack from Russia already begun?

On November 25, 2024 Politico.eu reported in an article titled, “Europe is under attack from Russia. Why isn’t it fighting back?” the following:

“The Kremlin has long carried out so-called hybrid warfare against European countries, including disinformation campaigns, hacking, cyberattacks and election interference to destabilize European societies and, in the past few years, push them to decrease military support for Ukraine. Last week, Germany said that two undersea telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were severed as a result of sabotage. ‘We have to conclude, without knowing exactly who did it, that it is a hybrid action and we also have to assume—without knowing it—that it is sabotage,’ said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Western officials suspect Moscow was behind arson attacks in Poland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia. And German and U.S. officials say they foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer and a major supplier of artillery shells to the Ukrainian army. Russia’s actions have also escalated into outright violence. Russian tanks may not be rolling into Poland or Estonia, but Moscow’s aggression is getting harder to dismiss.”

Foxnews.com reported on March 26, 2025 in a new update: “NATO leader warns Putin against attacking Poland, says retaliation would be 'devastating'”:

“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned Russia on Wednesday that the alliance would always stand by Poland or any other member and that its reaction to an attack would be ‘devastating.’ Rutte spoke during a visit to Warsaw, the Polish capital, in brief comments made alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk said it was important to be prepared for any outcome of talks between Russia and the United States aimed at ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine. NATO members along the eastern flank of the 32-member alliance, particularly Poland and the Baltic states, are extremely worried that the talks could end with a settlement that is favorable to Russia. They fear such an outcome would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to rebuild his country’s forces and threaten other countries in the region in the coming years.”

Will the sleeping giant of Europe become the Beast of Revelation?

If Russia continues to poke a stick at Europe, it might be the catalyst that will bring out the warlike Beast which the apostle John speaks of in Revelation 13:1: “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”

The ten crowns represent ten kings who are given rulership and who join together to collectively give their power and strength to the Beast (Revelation 17:12-13). This will be the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire and the prophesied King of the North spoken of by Daniel the prophet. What is then said about this Beast? In Revelation 12:4 it states: “They worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’”

This European superpower will use its military might to quell the race to all-out war in the Mideast. Daniel 11:40-42 says, “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”

Russia and the Beast of Europe

Then something unexpected happens, Daniel 11:44: “But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore, he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.”

This news pertains to the old-time rivalry between Europe and Russia. Russia and its allies will have launched some sort of attack, perhaps even utilizing tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. We do not know what enrages the Beast to become so angry that he goes forth to destroy and annihilate many people. For more on this important scenario, read our free booklet, "Russia and Bible Prophecy."

This shows how Russia will attack Europe at the time of the end shortly before Jesus Christ returns. But note, no such thing happens to the United States or Britain, the modern-day descendants of the patriarch Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim. What will happen to the descendants of Joseph who have been the chief recipients of the birthright promises passed on by Abraham Isaac, and Jacob? Read our booklet, "The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy."

There is much more to the story, and there is a very positive ending with Jesus Christ as the returning King of kings and Lord of lords slaying the Beast and False Prophet (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19-21)!