Russia and Britain Exchange Threats

“Global defense spending has gone up for the first time since 2011. According to the World Military Expenditure Report… countries around the world spent a total of $1.68 trillion (1.56 trillion euros) on arms in 2016” (Deutsche Welle, April 24, 2017). The U.S., China and Russia led the spending. One expert observed, “Today, unlike a decade ago, actors are not relying on diplomacy and international institutions. Instead, individual countries are investing in arms to protect themselves” (ibid.). “A perceived threat from Russia has [also] triggered a central European dash towards military spending” (EU Observer, April 24, 2017). And at a recent meeting, “A senior Russian politician responded aggressively… to comments by the U.K.’s defense minister suggesting pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons against Russia is an option for London, claiming the U.K. would be completely annihilated by Russia’s nukes in response” (Newsweek, April 25, 2017). The Russian politician ended his comments noting that the greatness of the British Empire is “gone for good” (The Independent, April 25, 2017). Global political tensions are heating up and “rumors of wars” are increasingly in the news—just as Christ prophesied they would be at the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-6). While war is not likely to break out between Russia and Britain in the immediate future, God warned that when nations forsake Him and exalt themselves, there will be consequences (Jeremiah 2:16; 9:13-16; Hosea 9:14). For more on the future of the West, and Britain in particular, read “The Handwriting Is on the Wall.”