Europe Prepares Citizens for War

In newly released guidelines, the EU Commission has warned citizens to begin amassing food and water to last for at least three days (CNN, March 26, 2025). The 18-page document aims to help EU citizens shift their mindset to one of resilience and preparedness and cites the war in Ukraine, the 2020 pandemic, and supply-chain shortages as examples of large-scale crises. While the publication and related pronouncements talk of general “disaster readiness,” leaders’ actions show a very particular focus: Europe should be ready for war.

Norway is reopening hidden underground military bases (BBC, March 30, 2025). Finland is preparing to exit the 1997 Ottawa Convention that prevents the use of landmines, spurred by growing concerns with Russia. In March, Poland and three other Baltic nations also announced their intention to leave the treaty (Politico, April 1, 2025). And France is planning to publish a document guiding the French public to prepare for “armed conflict, nuclear threats, and natural disasters” (NBC, March 20, 2025).

Although the world is rapidly changing, people in many nations go on with life as usual. However, for those living in Europe, the experiences of both World Wars are not far removed from today. Bible prophecy speaks of the growing military threat in Europe and the coming of a German-led “beast” power. Though the following commentary on Europe’s future was written in 2013, it is sobering and prescient in light of what is now happening in Europe: “Why Europe Matters.”