The Weekly Telescope

Category: China

  • 2025: A World in Motion—and a World on Edge

    2025: A World in Motion—and a World on Edge

    As 2025 draws to a close, it is increasingly clear that the international order is not merely changing—it is unraveling. Long-standing assumptions about security, leadership, and stability are being tested simultaneously on multiple fronts. Scripture warns that the closing years before Christ’s return would be marked by accelerating turmoil, confusion among nations, and a longing for peace that human systems cannot deliver (Matthew 24:6–8; Luke 21:25–26).

    This year’s geopolitical developments fit that biblical framework with sobering clarity.

    Ukraine, Russia, and the Fracturing of Europe

    The war between Russia and Ukraine continued through 2025 with no decisive resolution. Instead, the conflict hardened into a prolonged confrontation that reshaped Europe’s political and economic landscape.

    European nations faced sustained energy insecurity, rising defense expenditures, and increasing political fragmentation. Public fatigue over the war—combined with inflation, migration pressures, and social polarization—has weakened internal cohesion across the continent. Rather than producing unity, the crisis has exposed the limits of Europe’s ability to guarantee peace through economic integration and military alliances alone (Psalm 146:3).

    Biblically, this aligns with prophecies describing a world in which nations are “in distress” and unsure how to respond to cascading crises (Luke 21:25).

    A Strengthening Russia–India–China Axis

    While Europe struggled, 2025 saw deeper strategic coordination among Russia, China, and India. Though not a formal alliance, their growing cooperation in energy, trade, military exercises, and diplomatic positioning signals an accelerating shift away from a Western-dominated global order.

    This emerging bloc increasingly emphasizes sovereignty over values, stability over liberty, and power over principle. The Bible foretells a time when large coalitions of nations pursue their own strategic interests, often in opposition to one another, contributing to global instability rather than peace (Daniel 11; Revelation 16:12).

    America’s Transactional Turn

    Another notable development in 2025 was the continued evolution of American global leadership. The United States increasingly framed its foreign policy in transactional terms—security guarantees, trade access, and diplomatic support tied more directly to economic or strategic return.

    While this approach may appear pragmatic, it marks a departure from earlier eras when American influence was at least rhetorically linked to democratic ideals, moral leadership, and—however imperfectly—Christian ethical foundations. Scripture warns that when nations abandon righteousness as a guiding principle, their stability erodes from within (Proverbs 14:34).

    This shift also contributed to uncertainty among allies and emboldened rivals, further destabilizing the international system.

    Rising Unrest Within Nations

    Beyond wars and alliances, 2025 was marked by growing internal unrest across many countries. Economic inequality, mistrust of institutions, identity conflicts, and political polarization fueled protests, strikes, and sporadic violence. Governments increasingly struggled to maintain order without resorting to heavier surveillance or coercive measures.

    The Bible foretells such conditions: societies strained by fear, anger, and disillusionment, where people are “lovers of themselves” and distrustful of authority (2 Timothy 3:1–5). These pressures weaken nations from the inside, making them more vulnerable to external shocks and internal collapse.

    The Only Lasting Solution

    Taken together, the events of 2025 reinforce a vital biblical truth: humanity cannot secure lasting peace on its own. Military power, economic integration, and diplomatic maneuvering may delay conflict—but they cannot eliminate it. The worsening of world conditions should not surprise Christians; Christ Himself said these trends would intensify as the end of the age approaches (Matthew 24:8).

    Rather than yielding to fear or political despair, God’s people are called to a different response—to watch, to pray, and to look forward with hope. We are exhorted to pray earnestly for the coming of God’s Kingdom, the only government capable of bringing true justice, peace, and security to all nations (Matthew 6:10; Isaiah 9:6–7).

    As 2025 reminds us yet again, the solution to the world’s problems will not arise from shifting alliances or stronger armies—but from the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God’s righteous rule over the whole earth.

  • The Rise of an Eastern Bloc: Russia, China, India—and a Biblical Warning to the World

    The Rise of an Eastern Bloc: Russia, China, India—and a Biblical Warning to the World

    In recent years, the world has watched a quiet but profound shift taking place across Eurasia. Once separated by ideology, suspicion, and historic rivalries, Russia, China, and India are now moving into deeper military, economic, and strategic alignment. What once appeared as limited cooperation is rapidly taking the shape of something far more consequential—the early framework of a powerful Eastern military and economic bloc that is reshaping global security.

    Just this week, China and Russia conducted joint anti-missile defense drills on Russian territory—a highly sensitive area of military cooperation. Anti-missile systems are not ordinary battlefield tools; they are designed for strategic nuclear survival. These exercises reveal that Moscow and Beijing are not merely partners of convenience—they are preparing together for high-end warfare against advanced military powers.

    At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a major state visit to India, where he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to expand cooperation in defense, energy, trade, and high technology. Russia reaffirmed its commitment to supply India with uninterrupted oil and gas, deepen military equipment transfers, and accelerate joint weapons development. These agreements further solidify Russia as India’s primary long-term strategic partner, even as pressure mounts from Western nations.

    Together, these two developments—strategic missile defense coordination between China and Russia and Russia’s expanding economic-military commitments with India—signal the tightening of an enormous Eastern alignment. Russia now sits at the center of two massive Asian powers, binding them through energy, weapons, diplomacy, and shared opposition to Western dominance.

    This alignment is no longer theoretical. It now influences:

    • Global energy markets
    • Arms production and weapons supply
    • Trade corridors across Eurasia
    • Cyber and space warfare capabilities
    • Diplomatic voting blocs in international institutions

    And most sobering of all—it aligns precisely with a military configuration foretold in Bible prophecy thousands of years ago.

    A Prophetic Eastern Power Foretold

    The book of Revelation describes a time just before the return of Jesus Christ when an enormous military force will rise from the East:

    “Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice… saying… ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ … And the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.” (Revelation 9:13, 16)

    This army unleashes a catastrophic war that results in the death of one-third of all humanity:

    “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.” (Revelation 9:18)

    For centuries, critics dismissed this as symbolic or impossible. No nation in all of history could field such numbers. But today, China alone possesses the industrial and manpower base necessary for mass-mobilization on an unprecedented scale. Add to that India’s population, Russia’s nuclear arsenal and missile systems, and the combined military technology of these powers—and suddenly a 200-million-man force is no longer unthinkable.

    What we are witnessing today is likely the early geopolitical scaffolding of that very army.

    A Western Invasion Triggers the Eastern Response

    Revelation reveals that this massive Eastern force does not strike first. It is a retaliatory power, responding to earlier devastation launched from the West:

    “They were given power… to torment men five months… The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for battle… and their sound was like chariots with many horses running into battle.” (Revelation 9:5–9)

    This describes a technologically overwhelming assault—symbolized by aircraft-like weapons—coming from a revived imperial power historically associated with Rome. This suggests that a future Western-centered empire will unleash devastating attacks that destabilize the world, triggering the colossal Eastern retaliation described later in Revelation 9.

    Thus, the coming world war is not random. It unfolds in distinct prophetic phases—first Western domination, then Eastern vengeance.

    Not Just Geopolitics—But Divine Judgment

    These wars are not merely the product of nationalism, economics, or ideology. They are allowed by God as a final intervention in human self-destruction.

    After the devastation of Revelation 9, Scripture declares:

    “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands…” (Revelation 9:20)

    God permits these horrors for one overriding reason: to shock humanity out of its rebellion and back toward Him. The world has rejected God’s law, exalted violence, celebrated immorality, and mocked repentance. In mercy, God allows the consequences of human defiance to play out—so that at last, people may see that human rule without God leads only to death.

    Yet even then, His goal is still salvation, not annihilation.

    Why God Delays—Even Now

    Long before these judgments arrive, God extends mercy:

    “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”  (Romans 2:4)

    God’s patience is not permission to continue in sin—it is an open door to repentance. Every year that passes without World War III is not a sign that prophecy is false. It is proof that God is still giving humanity time to change.

    But the deepening military drills, missile defenses, energy alliances, and war-ready economic blocs forming today show that the world is racing toward the very conditions the Bible warned would come.

    What This Means for Us Now

    The alignment of Russia, China, and India delivers a personal message to every thinking observer:

    • The world is not drifting aimlessly
    • Global power is shifting exactly as prophecy declared
    • Military alliances will not bring peace
    • Economic blocs will not stop global catastrophe
    • Only the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God’s Kingdom will finally end war

    The coming wars will be terrible beyond modern imagination. Yet they will also clear the way for the only true solution to human conflict—God’s righteous rule over all nations.

  • ASEAN’s Growing Family—and Its Coming Test in the Shadow of the East

    ASEAN’s Growing Family—and Its Coming Test in the Shadow of the East

    At this week’s 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asian leaders made history by admitting Timor-Leste as the bloc’s 11th member. The event was hailed as proof of ASEAN’s expanding influence and its ongoing pursuit of peace and cooperation in a turbulent world. A cease-fire between Thailand and Cambodia and new trade deals with the United States further underlined ASEAN’s role as a stabilizing hub of dialogue and development.

    But beneath the celebrations lies a sober reality: ASEAN’s peace rests on a diplomatic balancing act, not on collective security. While the association’s economic agenda has propelled Southeast Asia into one of the world’s most dynamic regions, its inward-looking approach to defense leaves it vulnerable in an era of resurgent great-power rivalry.

    A Peaceful but Fragile Community

    Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN’s strength has been its ability to prevent conflict among its members. The so-called “ASEAN Way”—non-interference, consensus, and quiet diplomacy—has kept the region largely free of war for over half a century.

    Yet ASEAN was never designed to repel outside threats. It has no mutual-defense clause, no unified military command, and no mechanism to counter external coercion. When it comes to the South China Sea, for instance, the bloc prefers cautious negotiation over confrontation—even as China builds up its presence and influence in the area.

    This makes ASEAN, for all its internal stability, strategically exposed. Economically dependent on trade with both East and West, it must walk a fine line between competing powers. Should a powerful Asian coalition ever emerge—one that could project force across the region—ASEAN might find itself drawn into the orbit of that greater power rather than standing apart from it.

    The Prophetic Horizon

    Students of Bible prophecy find these developments worth watching. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John saw the rise of “the kings from the east,” whose forces would number “two hundred million” (Revelation 9:16; 16:12). Many have long understood this to refer to a great eastern bloc—perhaps involving China, Russia, and other Asian powers—that will play a decisive role in end-time events.

    If such a coalition were to take shape, the nations of Southeast Asia—peace-oriented, economically tied to the East, and lacking collective defense—could easily fall under its sway. The process may not come through invasion, but through alignment, dependency, and integration within a broader eastern framework.

    A Lesson in Where Security Truly Lies

    Scripture reminds us that “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Nations rise and fall according to God’s purpose, moving the world toward the fulfillment of His plan.

    ASEAN’s diplomacy, admirable in its pursuit of harmony, shows humanity’s longing for peace—but peace built solely on negotiation and trade remains fragile. Lasting security, the Bible teaches, comes not from neutrality or economic interdependence but from righteous leadership under God’s law:

    “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” — Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV)

    As Southeast Asia grows in prominence, its people and leaders would do well to remember that true peace will not come from east or west, but from the soon-coming Prince of Peace who will establish justice among all nations.

  • Storm Over the Shoal: The Philippines, China, and the Future of the West Philippine Sea

    Storm Over the Shoal: The Philippines, China, and the Future of the West Philippine Sea

    Tensions flared again in the West Philippine Sea when Philippine and Chinese vessels collided near Scarborough Shoal on September 16, 2025. According to Manila, Chinese coast guard ships used high-powered water cannons against a Philippine resupply vessel, shattering glass on the bridge, damaging critical equipment, and injuring at least one crew member. China, for its part, accused the Philippines of “illegally” entering its waters and even claimed Manila rammed one of its ships—an allegation firmly denied by Philippine officials.

    This confrontation followed China’s unilateral declaration of a “national nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal just days earlier. Filipino fishermen and government leaders saw this as an attempt to further tighten Beijing’s grip on a vital fishing ground that lies well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone under international law and the 2016 Hague tribunal ruling.

    How Nations Responded

    Philippines: Manila lodged a strong diplomatic protest and ramped up patrols in contested waters. At home, protests over corruption added to the sense of urgency in defending national interests.

    China: Beijing justified its moves as “environmental” but in practice deployed coast guard and maritime militia vessels to enforce its claims, warning the Philippines against “provocations.”

    Allies & Partners:

    • The United States reiterated its defense commitments, condemning China’s actions.
    • Australia, Canada, Japan, and the UK voiced concern and pledged continued support for international law.
    • Germany and France are deepening defense ties with Manila. The UK is even exploring a Visiting Forces Agreement to allow closer military cooperation.

    What to Expect in the Next 3–5 Years

    The Philippines is investing heavily in its navy and coast guard, acquiring new frigates, offshore patrol vessels, and long-range missile systems like the BrahMos. It is also strengthening defense partnerships with allies from Asia, North America, and Europe. These steps will improve deterrence, but they cannot fully offset China’s overwhelming naval power.

    The likely trajectory is continued gray-zone conflict: water cannons, rammings, blockades, and the creation of more “facts on the ground” by China. At the same time, broader coalitions—Philippines with the U.S., Japan, Australia, the UK, and even select EU states—will increase naval patrols and exercises. Expect more incidents, more diplomatic protests, and a slow but steady militarization of the West Philippine Sea.

    The Long-Term Outlook: Prophecy and the Coming Clash

    While today the flashpoint is between the Philippines and China, the Bible shows that the stage is being set for something far greater. Prophecy in the book of Revelation describes a time when two great power blocs will dominate the world scene:

    • On one side, a resurrected Roman Empire, a powerful federation that will evolve out of today’s European Union.
    • On the other side, a vast eastern alliance led by powers like China and its allies.

    The South China Sea, a vital artery of global trade and security, could very well be one of the hot spots where these rival blocs collide. Scripture warns that this confrontation will erupt into a catastrophic war threatening the very survival of humanity (Matthew 24:21–22).

    But God has not left humanity without hope. Jesus Christ will intervene to stop world war from annihilating mankind. He will establish the Kingdom of God on earth, bringing true justice, security, and lasting peace—a peace no human power can achieve on its own.

    A Call to Repentance and Preparation

    In the meantime, God is calling individuals to repent, turn from sin, and live in obedience to His laws. The worsening conflicts, corruption, and rivalries we see today are signs of a world cut off from God. Yet for those who listen and respond, these events can serve as a wake-up call—a reminder to prepare for the soon-coming government of God, which will finally bring peace to all nations.

  • Europe’s Anxiety Over the East—and What Prophecy Says

    Europe’s Anxiety Over the East—and What Prophecy Says

    The European Union is sounding alarms over an alignment taking shape in the East. At recent summits—such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin and the Beijing summit hosted by President Xi—China, Russia, and India signaled a willingness to deepen cooperation—militarily, economically, and diplomatically. For Brussels, this looks like a rival pole to the West’s influence.

    Brussels Speaks Out

    Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned at a summit in Beijing that EU–China ties have reached an “inflection point” because of the growing cooperation between China, India, and Russia (Financial Times, July 2025). High Representative Kaja Kallas has accused Beijing of enabling Russia’s war machine (MERICS report, 2025). Reports highlight India’s purchases of Russian oil and abstentions on UN votes as proof that New Delhi is hedging its bets.

    In short, Europe sees a triangle of Moscow, Beijing, and Delhi chipping away at Western unity—especially as sanctions on Russia leak eastward.

    What the EU Is Doing

    Brussels isn’t sitting idle. It has:

    • De-risked supply chains—passing laws to reduce dependency on Chinese critical materials.
    • Launched trade defenses—raising tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, probing subsidies in wind turbines, and barring Chinese medical-device suppliers.
    • Strengthened sanctions enforcement—targeting shadow fleets and middlemen moving Russian energy.
    • Rearmed its defense base—through the €800-billion “ReArm Europe” program.
    • Courted India—via trade talks, tech councils, and alternative trade corridors.

    The strategy: blunt the impact of a tightening Moscow–Beijing–Delhi alignment while rebuilding Europe’s own economic and military muscle.

    Prophetic Perspective

    Students of Bible prophecy see in these moves echoes of an ancient forecast. Scripture foretells a revived Roman system in Europe—many see its early form in today’s EU—and an eastern coalition that will one day rise to confront it.

    Revelation 9:13-19 speaks of a war killing a third of humankind through an army “two hundred million” strong. While the Bible does not name today’s nations, the picture of eastern powers uniting and clashing with a European bloc foreshadows the very trends now unfolding.

    God will allow this to happen to call mankind to repentance, as He makes us realize that human governments apart from Him and His way of life cannot bring peace.  Shortly after this, after more severe events occur, Jesus Christ will return to establish God’s kingdom, ruling all nations under righteous rule. (Isaiah 2:1-4)