The UK Cannot Defend Itself

Those who follow geopolitics are all too aware that Europe is preparing for war! Individual nations have been increasing their military capabilities, and Brussels has allocated tremendous sums to increase the war-readiness of the entire European Union (The Journal). Orders for fighter jets, tanks, and munitions have continued to be placed, and Europe’s arms factories have been producing as though it were at war. Nations that once pledged to avoid debt in order to join the European Union have been allowed to go into debt in the name of military preparedness (The European Conservative). While European nations may once have neglected their militaries as they relied on protection from the United States, lately their militaries have been rapidly gaining strength and numbers.

Yet something different has been happening across the Channel, where the nation that once “ruled the seas” is in military crisis. While Europe increases its military output, Britain appears to be paralyzed. According to an in-depth report from the House of Commons defense committee, “Britain is not ready to defend itself from attack” (Telegraph). The report accuses the British government of “failing to meet its Nato Article 3 defence obligations, to ‘maintain and develop individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.’” Even more soberingly, the report warned that the nation “possessed ‘next to nothing’ when it came to integrated air and missile defences and ‘lacks a plan for defending the homeland and overseas territories.’”

During the inquiry following the report’s release, Professor Peter Roberts, a military expert and fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, levelled this unnerving accusation at the UK government: “There has been no political will to make the difficult decisions, or to be honest with the public and say ‘we’re not going to stop missiles coming and hitting you. A set of you are going to die, hospitals are going to go under, and you will be without food, water, sewers and electricity.’”

Currently, the UK army has its fewest soldiers since the Napoleonic Wars. The Royal Navy is in shambles, and its nuclear submarine fleet is almost nonexistent. In fact, in recent comments, the former head of the Royal Navy opined that Britain’s once-mighty nuclear submarine fleet is “no longer fit for purpose” (Telegraph). A recent terror attack on a Royal Air Force Base, achieved by simply cutting through a perimeter fence, highlights the UK’s lack of readiness to defend a military base on its own soil (Telegraph). Though government leaders have released a plan to bolster military increases, opponents have decried the exceedingly slow progress and the decades of simply ignoring military preparedness.

The Fall of Britain Foretold in Bible Prophecy

We should not be surprised by the fading might of Britain. Longtime readers of Tomorrow’s World are aware that many of the prophecies associated with ancient Israel, and the tribe of Ephraim in particular, are directly related to the condition of the UK and many of the British-descended nations of the world. When you understand this connection, much becomes clear. For example, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write of “the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty” (Isaiah 28:1). This was a condemnation of both the ancient tribe of Israel and the end-time Israelite-descended peoples, particularly the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

God also inspired Hosea to give a prophecy for his time and the end-time: “Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked by human precept” (Hosea 5:11). Why else does end-time Ephraim fall from power and might? Because “now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled. They do not direct their deeds toward turning to their God” (vv. 3–4). Even more clearly, God warned that this would happen “because you would not obey the Lord your God by keeping his commandments and statutes that he has given you” (Deuteronomy 28:45).

Sadly, it is not just Britain’s decline that is in its prophesied future. Along with many nations derived from her—including the U.S.—the UK is prophesied not only to decrease in global power and authority as the end of the age approaches, but also to go into national captivity (Amos 6:7). Such future captivity once seemed impossible, given Britain’s military might and unfading resolve. Yet, as these both become artifacts of history, it is increasingly clear that taking the nation captive will not be difficult.

The humbling truth is that there would be no need for Britain to defend itself if its god were truly the God of the Bible, who promises His people, including the Israelite-descended nations, that if they “obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1). God promises to defend His obedient peoples: “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (v. 7). Sadly, it does not appear that Britain or any of the nations descended from her will repent and turn to God so that He can protect them.

A Hopeful Future After Jesus Christ Returns

Bible prophecy does not speak only of Britain’s troubles ahead—thankfully, the Bible also tells a positive and exciting story about this island nation and the other Israelite-descended peoples. This story will come to pass when Jesus Christ finally returns and frees them from their captivity. Notice God’s endearing comment regarding the British-descended peoples: “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:20). One day, “the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God’” (Jeremiah 31:6). And then God “will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn” (v. 9).

Sadly, the once-great Britain can no longer defend itself against a possible attack. The nation that Sir Winston Churchill said would “never give in” will, for a brief time, find itself in national captivity because its people have rejected their God again. However, that same God will remember them in their captivity and bring them home—this time to the land of their origins.

The past, present, and future of the British-descended peoples is a fascinating, heartrending, and heartwarming story. This history is clear in the pages of your Bible—if you know who to look for—and it is also apparent in secular history. You can learn more about the future of Britain, the British Isles, and the other modern descendants of the Israelite tribes by requesting a free copy of The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy or reading it right here at TomorrowsWorld.org. Although the imminent future of these nations is stormy, in the long run their future is bright!