Does the Bible Anticipate the End of NATO?
A transatlantic rupture is more dangerous than it looks.
Recently, President Donald Trump has threatened to leave the NATO alliance.1
NATO is the military alliance where an attack on one country is viewed as an attack on them all. For years, the US has provided protection to Europe in this alliance, in exchange for being able to project power throughout the world.
However, President Donald Trump has become increasingly frustrated with the lack of defense spending on the part of the NATO allies in Europe. This is why he has recently threatened to leave the alliance.
Whether he can do this legally is up for debate. Regardless, he could effectively end the NATO alliance, either by withdrawing or refusing to send troops if an ally is attacked.
What do I think will happen as a result? As strange as it may sound, I think the Bible has the answer.
But first, some important background.
Background
Daniel 7 describes a ferocious beast with ten horns on its head. Bible scholars almost unanimously identify the fourth beast as the Roman Empire. It was terrifying and extremely strong, just like the passage describes.
This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. (Daniel 7:23)
In Daniel 7, the Antichrist rises to power as a little horn among ten horns on the head of this beast. He humbles three in his rise to power.
While I was thinking about the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the previous horns were plucked out before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like human eyes, and a mouth uttering great boasts. (Daniel 7:7-8)
Then he goes on to boast against God and persecute God’s people for three and a half years. This is none other than the end-time Antichrist.
I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21-22)
The text says that the ten horns represent ten kings that will come from the Roman Empire. This fits well with the ten nation Western European Union military alliance. In 1995, the Western European Union military alliance became 10 countries. It remained 10 countries until its closure in 2011.2
Later in 1999, Javier Solana was appointed to be the first European Union High Representative, while simultaneously being the Secretary-General of the 10-nation alliance.
He arose after the ten-nation alliance was in place and had less power than them. This fits the image of the little horn rising up among ten larger horns.
The EU high representative was supposed to represent the European Union on the world stage. However, a group of three countries, known as the E3, wanted to conduct EU foreign policy on their own. They were even accused of a “power grab” when holding a special meeting on the EU’s future, without the other members present.3
This was especially true regarding Iran’s nuclear program in the early 2000’s. Initially, they left Solana behind. But after some countries complained, Solana was added to the negotiating team.4
Yet on 06/06/06, Solana became leader of the group. He was seen across major news outlets, presenting a deal that the Iranians could potentially accept.5
This fits what Daniel 7 says the Antichrist will do.
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will humble three kings. (Daniel 7:24)
Solana humbled the E3 by becoming their leader, even though they originally wanted to work without him. He gradually replaced the E3 as the leader of the Iran negotiations.6
Though this fulfills the interpretation found in Daniel 7:24, some are not convinced that it exhausts the whole prophecy, as the little horn is said to cause three of the ten kings to be “plucked out” (Daniel 7:8).
Interestingly, the E3 group have experienced a revival in 2025.7 But the leaders of France, Germany, and the UK have very low approval ratings at home. Therefore, a return of Solana to an official position, such as a newly created President of Europe, may destabilize them politically so much that they have to step down. The fact that this is a process, and not an instant, is consistent with how prophecy often works.
Fast Forward to 2026
Solana is still active in think tanks and has a strong desire to influence EU politics. He is very frustrated with the current situation. Regarding European unification, he said “I don’t want to die like this.”8 This man has clearly tied up his legacy with the fate of the European Union.
Nevertheless, Solana has since stepped down from formal politics. Despite being in apparently good health, he is nearly 84 years old. Furthermore, the Western European Union dissolved as an organization in favor of the broader European Union in 2011.
Therefore, some have very understandably abandoned the idea that he may fulfill the remaining prophecies about the Antichrist. However, I believe the Bible may anticipate this present crisis with NATO and may even describe how Solana will return to power.
Current Events Commentary on Revelation 17:12-18
Below, I will provide a brief commentary on how I think the last part of Revelation 17 may pertain to the current situation:
12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
Javier Solana ruled alongside the 10 nation WEU alliance from 1999-2009.9
13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
From 2000-2001, the WEU transferred their military functions to the European Union under the leadership of Javier Solana. From now on, any mission that the WEU would have done would now be chaired by the EU.10 As a result, the EU conducted numerous military operations under the flag of the EU while Solana was in office.11
14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
This reinforces that the alliance of the ten kings would have a military dimension, since they wage “war” against Jesus at Armageddon.
It seems the message of the ten kings would conclude here. But it does not.
15 And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages.
This refers to the ethnic diversity of the prostitute. As we will see, the prostitute represents a city that is an economic superpower on the coast of the sea (Revelation 18). If the WEU are European countries from the revived Roman Empire, it follows that this city is New York City, and by extension, the United States.
16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.
The 10 countries of the WEU will hate New York City, and by extension, the U.S.A. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to leave the NATO alliance, which guarantees the security of European nations in the event of an attack. Furthermore, the EU and the US have very strong tensions when it comes to trade.12
This hatred intensifies to the point where the revived Roman Empire will do a nuclear attack on the U.S. “Burn her up with fire” refers to the total destruction of the city by fire in a single day (Revelation 18:8) This likely refers to a nuclear attack.
17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.
God puts it into the hearts of the ten kings to transfer their “kingdom” (ESV: “royal power”) to the beast, until they destroy the city. Previously, the ten gave their functional ability (“power and authority”) to the beast. But “kingdom” is stronger language, implying total sovereignty.
The 10 nations who were once part of the WEU will hate New York City/USA so much that they will transfer their sovereignty to Javier Solana. This will certainly give him the authority to launch a nuclear attack on their behalf. Interestingly, the leader of the largest party in European parliament has called for an EU-level nuclear deterrent.13
18 The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
This city has great political power over the world. As mentioned before, it is an economic superpower. All kinds of commodities trading happen within the city, which fits New York City quite well (Revelation 18:11-16). Furthermore, everyone who makes their living at sea will weep at its fall.
As a result, I expect the reunification of the 10-nation military alliance, which was dissolved in favor of the EU in 2011. This makes perfect sense in this climate, because the WEU was a mutual defense alliance for Western Europe, just like NATO is for the North Atlantic area. Perhaps they will dust off the old Treaty of Brussels if Trump pulls out of NATO. 14
Furthermore, there are already calls to make a single president of Europe.15 16 Europe has two main presidents (and a high representative) which frequently get into conflict with one another. Perhaps the person in charge of the newly reborn group of ten nations will also be made President of Europe.
Summary of Revelation 17:12-18
I will summarize my interpretation of Revelation 17:12-18 using brackets to identify the different characters and actions. Note, the items in brackets are NOT part of the original text but are simply my interpretation.
The ten horns which you saw are ten kings [Western European Union] who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast [co-rule with the Antichrist] for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power [military capabilities] and authority [authority to lead operations] to the beast [Antichrist, head of revived Roman Empire].
14 These will wage war against the Lamb [at the battle of Armageddon], and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
15 And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute [New York City/USA] sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages [the city is ethnically diverse]. 16 And the ten horns [former WEU countries] which you saw, and the beast [Javier Solana?], these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire [nuclear attack]. 17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose [common security and defense policy], and by giving their kingdom [sovereignty] to the beast [Javier Solana?], until the words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is the great city [coastal economic superpower], which reigns over the kings of the earth [has global political influence].” (Revelation 17:12-18; my comments in brackets)
June 2026
In the past, prophecies have often happened on dates with three sixes in them. For example, Solana humbled the E3 on the world stage on 06/06/06. Furthermore, he presented to European parliament on how the EU can become a military power on 06/16/16. If this is precedent of any kind, he may be nominated or appointed to some position in June 2026. Though highly speculative, it is worth watching, given the political situation.
Javier Solana recently became an honorable member of the European Order of Merit.17 This is basically a hall-of-fame for people who helped with European unification. The award is given out by the European Parliament. The ceremony will be sometime in late May, and Solana will presumably be there in Strasbourg to accept the award.
Perhaps that will be a great networking opportunity for him. Perhaps this will coincide with the end of NATO and a brand-new European military alliance. You never know these days…
Come Lord Jesus.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/01/donald-trump-strongly-considering-pulling-us-out-of-nato/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_European_Union
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3500949.stm
https://www.clingendael.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/20070100_cdsp_diplomacy_sauer.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/06/world/middleeast/06cnd-iran.html
https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bye-bye-brussels-eu-foreign-policy-chief-solana-to-step-down-a-634530.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_secretaries_general_of_the_Western_European_Union
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2001/78(1)/oj/eng
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/esdp/93753.pdf
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-02/eu-us-trade-tensions-persist-a-year-after-trump-s-liberation-day
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/eu-lawmaker-urges-talks-european-181326551.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Brussels
https://www.politico.eu/article/one-president-europe-conservative-chief-calls-manfred-weber-eu-power-merger/
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/afet/projet_avis/2022/736669/amendements/AFET_AM(2022)736669_EN.pdf
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260306IPR37520/president-metsola-announces-first-laureates-of-the-european-order-of-merit