China’s Military Potential

The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) of the U.S. Department of Defense, is a repository for military engineering and research information. In 1998, the DTIC published a report titled “China’s Military Potential.” In the data-based report, Colonel Larry Wortzel postulated about China’s ability to “build a credible military force in the 21st century.” While the report may be more than 25 years old, some of its findings and estimates are sobering in light of the Bible’s descriptions of our future.

According to the 1998 report, China possessed the largest standing army in the world, with “2.8 million active soldiers in uniform… 1 million reservists and… 15 million militia.” China’s population at that time was 1.2 billion and has since grown to 1.4 billion. In its report, the DTIC estimated that “China also has a potential manpower base of another 200 million males fit for military service available at any time.” Although a military force this size is almost unimaginable, there is another source that speaks of an army this size. Bible prophecy warns that shortly before Christ’s return, an army of 200 million from the east will be unleashed and participate in a military exchange that will cause the deaths of a third of mankind (Revelation 9:13–21). While this prophesied army may not be comprised solely of Chinese troops, it is instructive to understand that China alone could possibly muster such a massive army. The Bible’s claims are not farfetched! World events and modern research continue to support the picture of our future painted by Bible prophecy. To learn more about the prophecies in the Book of Revelation, read or listen to Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled!