United News Weekly

The European Continent Awakens

The US-Israel joint assault on Iran—launched on Feb. 28, 2026—has landed on European capitals like a geopolitical earthquake. As news outlets fill our screens with details of military strikes and counteroffensives, they miss the deeper story beneath all of it—a movement toward global consolidation of power that biblical prophecy foretold millennia ago. Let us review how current events are moving toward what God has already revealed in prophecy. Then we can see how current events are setting the stage for the emergence of a new superpower.

The Prophesied Superpower

Scripture describes a final world superpower of breathtaking reach and authority:

“And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea . . . and all the world marveled and followed the beast . . . and authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him . . . Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth . . . he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13: 1, 3, 7-8, 11, 16-17).

Its ultimate purpose is political, economic and religious domination on a global scale, enforced by military supremacy. Associated descriptions paint a picture of the world’s merchants relying on a system of breathtaking commercial reach:

“Merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory . . . cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men” (Revelation 18:13).

Biblical prophecy makes clear that this one-world superpower is the final iteration of a sequence of dominant historical empires. For a full account of that sequence, see our study aid, The Final Superpower.

How are today’s convulsive events moving the world toward developments that God has already forecast?

Europe’s era of strategic dependence is ending. A new power is forming in its place—one that ancient prophecy described with precision. The question is not whether the world is moving toward a final global order. The question is whether we are watching with eyes open to what God has already written. For more, request our free study aid: The Final Superpower.

Where is the West?

The United States military remains the strongest on earth. Yet, consider it in striking prophetic silence. In describing the climactic geopolitical confrontation at the time of the end, Daniel records no western power on the field:

“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 . . . but news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (Daniel 11:40, 44).

Noted are powers in the South, the North and the East—but no mention of any power in the West. How could that possibly be, given American dominance today? Events now unfolding offer sobering insight.

America’s Formal Reduction for Europe

Prior to this current war, on Jan. 23, 2026, the United States released its new National Defense Strategy—and formalized what European leaders had feared for years: the era of American primacy in European security is over. The document states plainly:

“America First . . . We recognize that it is neither America’s duty nor in our nation’s interest to act everywhere on our own, nor will we make up for allied security shortfalls from their leaders’ own irresponsible choices. Instead, the Department will prioritize the most important, consequential, and dangerous threats to Americans’ interests . . . We will defend the Homeland and ensure that our interests in the Western Hemisphere are protected. We will deter China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, not confrontation. We will increase burden-sharing with allies and partners around the world. And we will rebuild the U.S. defense industrial base.” — U.S. National Defense Strategy, Jan. 23, 2026 (Secretary Pete Hegseth)

The message was unmistakable: Europe must defend itself. America’s concern is inward and westward—not across the Atlantic.

The Bombshell Awakening

Then, on Feb. 28, 2026, American and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes against Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz first learned about the war just minutes before it started. That was a bombshell awakening. Europe was not a U.S. partner. It was a bystander—left to manage the regional consequences of a decision made entirely without it.

Europe’s Historic Turn

The continent now faces instability on three sides: Russia to the east, regional fire to the south, and an America to the west that 84 percent of Europeans no longer consider an ally—with 20 to 30 percent describing it as a rival or outright adversary (European Council on Foreign Relations, late 2025).

Europe’s reaction is the largest coordinated military build-up in its peacetime history. What is emerging from this crucible is not merely a better-armed Europe. It is a Europe beginning to think of itself as a unified strategic power—with its own command structures, its own nuclear umbrella, and its own foreign policy, independent of Washington.

The Forecast Already Written

The irony is that it is America’s own withdrawal and unilateralism that is driving Europe toward precisely the kind of unified superpower authority that the book of Revelation describes. The beast of Revelation 13 does not emerge from a vacuum. It emerges from the collapse of an old order and the desperate search for security, economic stability and dominance in the wreckage.

God does not promise that these developments will be comfortable to watch. He promises only that He has told us in advance—so that when we see these things begin to come to pass, we will know that His word is sure.  Once Jesus comes in glory with His saints, humanity will be under a superpower with a prophesied conclusion: “ . . . yet [the king of the North] shall come to his end, and no one will help him” (Daniel 11:45).

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are drawing near. They promote internal, spiritual changes of much greater relevance to daily and eternal lives of those God is calling today.  The Passover of the true Bread of Life does not ever change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) Let’s be changing into Him, not what this world is changing into.  Let us be diligently growing “up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

At Christ’s return, the kingdoms of this world will become “the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,” ending governmental corruption and tyranny forever (Revelation 11:15). Satan, the adversary, will be bound for 1,000 years, removing his influence on the people of Earth (Revelation 20:1-3).

In the meantime, let us be busy preparing spiritual character so as to be welcomed by Him in halting humanity’s spiral into genocide, intervening before no life on earth would remain (Matthew 24:22).  As we register to attend the annual autumn Feasts, let our focus be on  preparing ourselves as a bride who assist Him in a bringing new era with incredible restoration and healing. The desert and the parched lands will be healed (Isaiah 35:1-2). Prosperity and abundance will be the norm (Amos 9:13-15). May God speed that day!

John Elliott
President, United Church of God

Sources: U.S. National Defense Strategy (Jan. 23, 2026); European Council on Foreign Relations survey (late 2025); Macron address at Île Longue submarine base (March 2, 2026); IAEA reporting (March 2, 2026); EU ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030 framework; NATO burden-sharing data. All facts verified as of March 4, 2026. Biblical quotations from the New King James Version (NKJV).

United Youth Camps

Camp Registration is Open!

Camp registration is open for the 2026 camp season! You can apply for camp and find all the needed information at ucg.org/members/uyc.

This year everyone will need to create new camper (family) accounts and/or new staff accounts since we are using a new system. Once you have created your account, you can sign back into the same dashboard later to add or edit information and to complete required forms after you are accepted. A nice feature of the new system is that you will be able to reuse these same accounts to apply again in future years. All campers in the same family can be added under one family account, but each staff member will need their own individual staff account (for example, a teen who wants to be a camper at one camp and a staff member at another camp would need to use separate accounts for each role).

The application process requires you to upload the applicant’s photo and provide payment information before you can completely submit an application. You have the option to pay online (preferred) or you can choose an option to mail a check to the home office.

If your camper needs a scholarship, you can begin that process by talking to your local pastor.
If you have questions or need help, please email: uyc@ucg.org.

—Aaron Creech, National Camp Coordinator

Apply for Camp Today!

Ministerial and Member Services

Obituary: Clive Demont

Clive Demont died on Feb. 18, 2026 after major surgery and this has been a great shock to all who knew him as the operation was expected to be “a minor procedure.” Clive was a fourth generation South African as his great-grandfather settled in South Africa in 1850, and he was born on July 1, 1942.

Clive began reading Mr. Armstrong’s literature and the Plain Truth magazine in 1970. He was baptized in 1971. He was ordained as an elder in the United Church of God in 2019 and served faithfully in Port Elizabeth, on the South African National Council and more recently as chairman of a sub-committee managing media and social advertising. He is fondly remembered by many members as he conducted a regular Zoom Sabbath service which was a tremendous blessing to members in outlying areas, who were unable to attend services.

Clive and Marjory were married in 1964 and enjoyed a happy married life with four children, Kevin, Garry, Heather and Dean. He is survived by Kevin, Heather, Dean and five grandchildren.

Clive will be remembered by all who knew him for his friendly character, his sense of humor and his ability to cut to the core of any issue under discussion whether it related to business or the truth of God’s Word to which he was dedicated.

Feast of Tabernacles

Festival Planning Guide

The Festival Planning Guide is available online and in the center pages of the March-April United News. Please note, the latest information about Feast sites is available at feast.ucg.org, where you can download an updated version of the brochure that has been posted since the planning guide’s initial printing.

Key Dates for United States and Canadian Feast Attendees

Sunday, April 19:
Preliminary registration begins at 12 p.m. EDT for those who must attend their closest site.

Sunday, April 26:
Registration is open at 12 p.m. EDT for all United States and Canadian Feast sites (except if a site has reached capacity).