The rise of militant Europe

For more than seventy-five years, European security has rested upon one fundamental assumption: that the United States would stand behind it militarily. NATO has been the central pillar of that arrangement and American military power has underwritten peace in Western Europe since the end of the Second World War.

Yet that assumption is now being openly questioned. President Trump has made it clear, America will not prop up Europe. 

In one report by The Guardian from the 9th of February 2026 entitled “Munich Security Conference: Europe prepares for life without US backing”, it was reported that:
“The message from Munich was clear: Europe must assume America may no longer be its ultimate security guarantor.”

Similarly, in another February 2026 article from BBC News entitled “Europe must prepare to defend itself without the US, leaders warn”, it was stated that:
“European leaders are increasingly concerned that the US security guarantee can no longer be taken for granted.” The same report noted that there is now “serious discussion in Brussels about developing a fully autonomous European defence capability.”

On the 10th of February the BBC ran another report entitled “Macron urges Europe to start acting like world power” it was reported the French president had said “Are we ready to become a power? This is the question in the field of economy and finance, in defence and security, and in our democratic systems.”

In another article, published by Politico under the title “EU defence chief: Europe must build force to replace US troops”, EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius was quoted as saying: “Europe must be ready to take full responsibility for its own defence if the US reduces its presence.”

Taken all together, these reports suggest that Europe is contemplating a future in which American military dominance on the continent is no longer assumed. Whether this shift develops slowly or rapidly, the direction of travel is clear: Europe is preparing for greater strategic independence. It is focused on creating its own defence force.

For the Bible student, such developments are not merely political; they are prophetic.

The Northern Power in Ezekiel 38

The prophecy of Ezekiel 38–39 describes a confederacy of nations that invades Israel “in the latter days.” The leader of this confederacy is described as: “Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.”

This invasion takes place after Israel has been regathered to the land and is dwelling in relative security. The nations listed include Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah.

The Bible student can identify these names with peoples north and east of Israel - particularly in the regions of Russia and Europe.

But how are those identifications made?

Magog and the Scythians

One of the key historical witnesses in this discussion is Flavius Josephus. Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian, born in AD 37, who wrote extensively about Jewish history and the ancient world. His work Antiquities of the Jews sought to explain Jewish history to a Greco-Roman audience. As someone living much closer to the biblical era and familiar with ancient traditions and history, his identifications are significant for historical geography.

Josephus wrote: “Magog founded those that from him were named Magogites, but who are by the Greeks called Scythians.”

The Scythians were a powerful group of peoples who inhabited the vast territories north of the Black Sea. Classical writers such as Herodotus describe Scythia as stretching from the Danube River in Eastern Europe across to the Don River and beyond. In other words, their territory covered much of what we now recognise as Eastern Europe and southern Russia.

If Josephus is correct then Magog corresponds to the ancient Scythian world. That places Magog squarely in the region of Eastern Europe and southwestern Russia. The territory of modern day Ukraine being at the heart of it.

Rosh, Meshech and Tubal

Ezekiel describes Gog as “chief prince” (or, as some translations render it, “prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal”). The identification of “Rosh” has long been associated, with the historical roots of Russia.

Historical records from the ninth and tenth centuries refer to a people called the “Rus,” who operated in the regions of modern Russia and Ukraine. Byzantine and Arab writers mention them by name. Over time, the name “Rus” developed into “Russia.” While linguistic debates exist, the historical continuity of the name is notable.

Meshech and Tubal are generally identified with ancient peoples living in the regions south of Russia, around the Caucasus. Classical sources refer to tribes such as the Moschi and Tibareni in those areas. Over time, migrations northward contributed to the population of the Russian lands. Even the name “Moscow” has often been linked, historically, with Meshech.

Thus the core leadership of the Ezekiel 38 confederacy - Gog of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal - aligns geographically with the territories of Russia and its surrounding regions.

Gomer and Western Europe

However, the confederacy in Ezekiel 38 does not consist only of eastern peoples. It also includes "Gomer" and “all his bands.”

Josephus identifies Gomer with the Western Galatians. Classical writers describe how the Galatian peoples migrated into Western Europe. Over time, these groups became associated with the regions that now include France and parts of Germany. Standard historical references have connected Gomer with the early Celtic and European branches of these peoples. In other words, Gomer represents Western Europe.

When Ezekiel lists both Magog (Eastern Europe/southern Russia) and Gomer (Western Europe), the implication is that Europe, broadly speaking, forms part of the latter-day confederacy.

Europe is not depicted as resisting Gog. They are led by him and are within the northern militry alliance when it invades Israel.

Revelation 17 and the European Beast

The book of Revelation adds another important piece to the picture. In Revelation 17, we read of ten kings who: “have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

It has long been understood that the Beast of Revelation represents a revived Roman or European political system. The ten kings are European powers who unite and consolidate authority.

The striking detail is that they “give” their power. The image is not necessarily one of violent conquest but of political alignment and consolidation. A unified European bloc, operating with one mind, is entirely consistent with the structure described in Ezekiel 38.

If Europe becomes more strategically independent and internally cohesive, the framework for such unity becomes easier to envisage.

The prophecy indicates that these European powers will become under the control of the Russian authority in the latter days. 

Tarshish and the Anglo-Maritime Powers

Ezekiel 38:13 mentions “the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof.” These powers do not join Gog’s invasion. Instead, they question it: “Art thou come to take a spoil?”

As we have done many times here in Bible in the News, Tarshish can be identified with the maritime trading power of Britain - and her “young lions” - political offspring nations, including the United States.

The implication is that these Anglo-maritime powers stand apart from the Russian, European-Gogian confederacy. They do not participate in the invasion of Israel, but neither do they prevent it.

If Europe ultimately aligns under a northern Russian power, then Britain and America must, in some way, stand outside that arrangement. Precisely how such a separation occurs is not specified in prophecy. Scripture describes the final alignment, not the diplomatic or militry pathway.

However, if the United States reduces its military footprint in Europe, and if Europe moves toward independent defence structures, the structural separation that prophecy requires becomes more conceivable. The scene is being set for the Russian Gog to enter the world scene, dominate Europe and take up his destiny as the head of the enemies of Israel.

Observing the Direction

It would be wrong to claim that every political development equals direct prophetic fulfilment. Bible prophecy should not be forced onto daily headlines - but at the same time, prophecy does describe a particular end configuration:

- Israel restored to the land.
- A northern power leading a confederacy.
- Europe included in that confederacy.
- Anglo-maritime powers standing apart.
- All nations ultimately gathering against Jerusalem.
- Divine intervention through the return of Christ.

Israel has been regathered. Europe is reconsidering its military architecture. Russia remains the dominant military force to Europe’s east. America is publicly debating the extent of its European commitment. We do not know the precise sequence of future events. But the direction of travel is worthy of attention.

Conclusion

The post-war order that shaped the modern West is not guaranteed to endure indefinitely. Alliances shift. Power balances change. Nations reassess their priorities.

The Bible asserts that, in the latter days, a northern confederacy will move against Israel, and that God will intervene decisively.

Europe will indeed part of that confederacy - as Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 17 suggest - then changes in European military identity are not merely political curiosities. They are steps, gradual or otherwise, toward the arrangement Scripture describes and the restoration of God’s Kingdom on the earth.

The prophet has declared God’s words: “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23)

History is moving toward that moment. And the wise will be watching.

This has been Matt Davies joining you. Join us again next week for another Bible in the News.