The Weekly Telescope

Tag: Taiwan

  • China’s West Pacific Ambitions: A Foreshadowing of Prophecy?

    China’s West Pacific Ambitions: A Foreshadowing of Prophecy?

    Tensions in the Western Pacific continue to rise, with the People’s Republic of China making increasingly assertive moves to expand its political and military footprint across the region. These developments have not gone unnoticed. In a recent and widely publicized statement, General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, issued a stark warning to Philippine troops, particularly those stationed in Northern Luzon: prepare for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

    While this statement was quickly downplayed by the Marcos administration as precautionary rather than predictive, there is significant reason to believe that General Brawner’s warning is grounded in reality.

    Concrete Moves on the Ground

    China’s militarization of the South China Sea is no longer speculative. Artificial islands, equipped with runways, radar systems, and missile installations, now dot the once-empty waters of the Spratly and Paracel Islands. These installations give China not just a strategic advantage but also serve as de facto control points over a critical trade route through which about one-third of global maritime commerce passes.

    In addition to these fixed positions, China has recently conducted aggressive military exercises both near Taiwan and, surprisingly, off the coast of Australia. These drills included simulated blockade and amphibious assault operations near Taiwan, and live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman Sea. Such actions send a clear signal: Beijing is testing its ability to project power far beyond its shores, and it wants the world to take notice.

    Why Now?

    Several factors contribute to this renewed assertiveness:

    • China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and is determined to achieve reunification, a core tenet of President Xi Jinping’s long-term national vision.
    • The South China Sea remains vital to China’s energy and trade security.
    • Beijing is signaling strength amidst perceived U.S. retrenchment and the more transactional approach of current President Donald Trump, whose America-first policies have sometimes left allies questioning the reliability of U.S. support.

    Reactions from the Region

    Neighboring nations have not taken these developments lightly. The Philippines has revived and expanded its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, allowing for increased American troop presence and access to strategic bases. Japan, Australia, and India have strengthened security cooperation through the Quad alliance, while the AUKUS pact (Australia, the UK, and the U.S.) seeks to counterbalance Chinese naval dominance with advanced military technology sharing.

    Even smaller Pacific nations are becoming geopolitical flashpoints, with countries like the Solomon Islands engaging in military and economic partnerships with Beijing, much to the concern of Canberra and Washington.

    Yet, Limitations Remain

    Despite its aggressive posture, China’s ambitions are tempered by serious internal and external challenges:

    • Its economy is showing signs of strain due to demographic decline, real estate crises, and weakening consumer confidence.
    • Taiwan is not defenseless; it has invested heavily in asymmetric warfare capabilities and enjoys substantial, if unofficial, military backing from the United States.
    • A direct war with Taiwan could still invite U.S. intervention, along with its allies in the region, which Beijing may not yet be ready to face.

    A Prophetic Perspective

    From a biblical point of view, these rising tensions align with what the book of Revelation describes as a future global conflict involving massive armies from the east. Revelation 9:16 speaks of an army numbering 200 million. While China alone cannot field such a force, it is likely to form a future coalition with other eastern powers—most notably Russia and other countries whose current alliances may shift in the future.

    This eastern bloc, referred to in another biblical prophecy as the “kings of the east” (Revelation 16:12), will engage in a climactic war with a future European superpower, a revived Roman Empire in the end times. This prophesied war will occur after the decline of Anglo-American global dominance. By that time, the United States, Britain, and their allies will no longer be military superpowers or influential world players.

    This coming war between a European superpower and Asian nations will be so catastrophic that it would lead to the annihilation of humanity—if not for the divine intervention of Jesus Christ. As Matthew 24:22 says, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

    The Only Source of True Peace

    The rise of Chinese militarism, the shifting of alliances, and the erosion of trust in old superpowers all point to a volatile world on the brink of unprecedented conflict. While human efforts at peace continually fall short, Bible prophecy assures us that God will intervene. Christ will return to put an end to human misrule and establish the Kingdom of God on earth—a government of true peace, justice, and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7).

    Until then, we must remain vigilant observers of global events, guided not by fear, but by faith in the sure word of prophecy and the hope of God’s coming Kingdom.

  • A World on Its Own: How U.S. Isolationism Could Ignite Nuclear Proliferation

    A World on Its Own: How U.S. Isolationism Could Ignite Nuclear Proliferation

    In the decades following World War II, the United States took on the role of global guarantor—projecting power, maintaining trade routes, and most crucially, protecting smaller and less powerful democratic nations from aggression. But what happens if America turns inward, choosing isolation over engagement?

    This question is no longer hypothetical.

    In recent years, a shift in American foreign policy—highlighted most strongly during the Trump administration—has signaled to allies that the era of unconditional security guarantees may be waning. And if these trends continue, we could see a more dangerous world unfold, one where countries feel forced to go nuclear.

    And according to the Bible, this dangerous trajectory is no surprise.

    The Domino Effect: When Trust in U.S. Security Wanes

    For decades, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany chose not to develop nuclear weapons—not because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t need to. America’s military umbrella offered them credible protection from hostile neighbors.

    But that trust has eroded.

    Donald Trump’s “America First” stance—and his questioning of NATO, U.S.-Korea defense cost-sharing, and alliances in Asia—sent shockwaves through the post-war security order. In a world where nations are expected to defend themselves, nuclear weapons are seen as the ultimate equalizer: cost-effective, fearsome, and a powerful deterrent.

    Here’s a look at the nations most likely to reconsider their nuclear stance:

    Countries Most Likely to Pursue Nuclear Weapons

     South Korea:

    • Stage: Actively debating nuclear options; majority public support for it.
    • Why: North Korea already has nukes. Trust in U.S. intervention is weakening.
    • Risk: Moderate to high. A South Korean bomb could spark a Northeast Asian arms race with Japan and possibly Taiwan.

     Japan:

    • Stage: Technically capable, politically restrained.
    • Why: China’s aggression and North Korea’s missile tests. Historical trauma from Hiroshima and Nagasaki still casts a long shadow.
    • Risk: Low for now, but a shift in public sentiment could change that rapidly if U.S. protection falters.

    Saudi Arabia:

    • Stage: Publicly stated it will go nuclear if Iran does. Working on enrichment capabilities.
    • Why: Regional rivalry with Iran, and increasing skepticism about U.S. staying power in the Gulf.
    • Risk: High. A Saudi nuclear weapon could spark proliferation across the Middle East—Egypt, Turkey, and even the UAE may follow.

    Taiwan:

    • Stage: Highly sensitive; has considered it historically.
    • Why: Threatened daily by China. Lacks formal U.S. defense treaty.
    • Risk: Very high. If Taiwan were to go nuclear, China could strike preemptively.

    Germany and NATO Europe:

    • Stage: Low, but not unthinkable. Some discussion of a “Eurodeterrent.”
    • Why: Russian aggression and fading U.S. leadership in NATO.
    • Risk: Moderate in the long term, especially if U.S. military presence in Europe is significantly reduced.

     The Dangers of a Nuclear Multipolar World

    Unlike the Cold War—with its terrifying but stable balance between the U.S. and the USSR—a multipolar nuclear world is inherently unstable. Here’s why:

    • More fingers on the trigger means more room for miscalculation, miscommunication, or panic during crises.
    • New nuclear states may lack the command and control systems to prevent accidental launches or rogue actions.
    • The temptation to strike first becomes stronger if countries fear a decapitating attack on their limited nuclear arsenals.
    • No central authority or treaty structure is strong enough today to manage so many nuclear actors.

    If the U.S. fully retreats from its role as the “security balancer,” the world may rapidly become a far more volatile and unpredictable place.

    A Prophetic Warning from Scripture

    What’s even more sobering is that the Bible foresaw a world like this—filled with fear, destruction, and the looming shadow of annihilation.

    Jesus Christ Himself gave a dire warning for the last days:

    “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

    And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”  Matthew 24:21–22 (NKJV)

    “No flesh would be saved.” Before the 20th century, that verse was almost poetic. But since the dawn of the nuclear age, it has become terrifyingly literal. Only in our modern era do we have the capacity to wipe out all life on Earth—something that aligns chillingly with Christ’s words.

    Hope Beyond the Chaos

    But this prophecy is not without hope. Christ said that for the elect’s sake, those days will be shortened. That means God will intervene before humanity completely destroys itself. His intervention will usher in the Kingdom of God—a time of peace, true justice, and righteous rule.

    The current chaos we see—the rising threat of nuclear war, the unraveling of international alliances, and the collapse of man-made peace—is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the end of this world’s broken system.

    A new world is coming. And that’s the good news of the Kingdom of God.

  • America’s Reliability Crisis: NATO and Global Security Shifts

    America’s Reliability Crisis: NATO and Global Security Shifts

    For decades, the United States has been the linchpin of global security, the backbone of NATO, the chief protector of the Pacific, and the ultimate deterrent against authoritarian expansionism. However, recent developments suggest that America’s role as the world’s guardian is eroding—an erosion driven not just by political decisions, but perhaps by a deeper spiritual message that the nation must heed.

    A Pattern of Unreliability in U.S. Commitments

    The Trump administration’s handling of intelligence sharing with Ukraine has sent shockwaves through allied nations. The sudden suspension of intelligence support to Ukraine, followed by its conditional resumption, has raised concerns about America’s commitment to its allies. While Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression continues, the erratic nature of U.S. policy has left NATO nations questioning whether they could face a similar fate.

    European nations, sensing the volatility of U.S. policy, are now exploring alternative security arrangements. The European Union is considering expanding its military intelligence capabilities and reducing its reliance on U.S. intelligence. Countries such as France and Germany are leading discussions on an independent European military force—an idea that was once dismissed as politically infeasible but is now gaining momentum.

    In the Pacific, America’s key allies—South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines—are also recalibrating their defense strategies. South Korea is bolstering regional partnerships, particularly with Japan, in anticipation of a less reliable American presence. Taiwan is actively seeking multilateral security cooperation beyond the U.S., participating in joint military exercises with the Philippines and Japan. Meanwhile, the Philippines is modernizing its military and diversifying its defense partnerships, engaging countries like Australia and Canada in military agreements.

    The Breakdown of America’s Global Leadership

    This growing shift away from American reliance signals the waning of U.S. global leadership. Allies who once placed unwavering trust in Washington now see the need to hedge their bets. For decades, the U.S. thrived on the strength of its alliances, but as these alliances weaken, so too does America’s influence in global affairs.

    Historically, great empires did not fall solely due to external threats but because of internal decay. America’s reluctance or inability to maintain stable commitments to its allies mirrors the decline of past world powers. The erosion of trust in U.S. leadership is not just a political problem—it is symptomatic of deeper issues plaguing the nation.

    A Spiritual Message to America

    From a biblical perspective, national greatness is not simply a product of military strength or economic prowess—it is tied to moral and spiritual standing. The United States has long claimed to be a nation under God, but its increasing political instability, social divisions, and unreliable leadership may be signs that it is drifting further from divine favor.

    The Bible warns that nations that forget God will face decline. The book of Proverbs states,

    “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

    When a nation abandons righteousness, its foundations begin to crumble, and its power wanes.

    Could it be that God is allowing America’s global dominance to wane as a wake-up call? The moral compass of the nation has shifted dramatically, embracing ideologies and practices that directly contradict biblical values. At the same time, political turmoil and international distrust are rising. The weakening of U.S. leadership should not just be seen as a strategic challenge but also as a spiritual warning.

    The Path to Restoration

    If America wishes to maintain its standing as a world power, it must look beyond military alliances and strategic policies. The key to lasting strength is not just in political or economic reforms but in a national return to godly principles.

    Leaders must recognize that power without righteousness is fleeting. The nation must prioritize integrity, justice, and moral leadership if it hopes to remain a stabilizing force in the world. This requires not only changes in governance but also a revival of spiritual commitment among its people.

    America’s allies are preparing for a world where the U.S. is no longer the primary protector. If this trend continues, the United States will find itself increasingly isolated, no longer at the helm of world affairs. This should be a sobering reality for American leaders, but also an opportunity—a moment to turn back to God, to seek His guidance, and to reestablish itself as a force for good in the world.