China’s latest military parade displayed the might of its armed forces, complete with intercontinental missiles, lasers and undersea drones. With Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un at his side, Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared his nation’s rise “unstoppable.” But Pastor James Kaddis says what the world saw in Tiananmen Square is not strength, but desperation.
China’s Power a “House of Cards”
Pastor James Kaddis, a Bible teacher who closely follows geopolitics through the lens of Scripture, warned believers not to be deceived by appearances. “I don’t think that it shows strength,” Kaddis said of Xi’s show of force. “I actually believe that it is a picture of a growing level of weakness that a lot of people are not going to see.”
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He pointed to China’s many crises at home, including a collapsing economy, aging population, and social unrest under the grip of the Chinese Communist Party. “What you are seeing is you are seeing them grasp at straws,” he said. “Although it may appear to be some kind of alliance that’s based on nuclear power or nuclear force, what you are seeing is people play some weird twisted game of show and tell with the understanding that this is their last viable hope to be able to appear to be strong.”
Trump’s Response and the Global Picture
President Donald Trump reacted with a sharp message, reminding Xi of American sacrifices during World War II while mocking the Chinese leader’s alliance with Putin and Kim. Kaddis noted that Trump’s words carried both humor and strategy, calling them “designed to put a little bit of fear in these bad actors.”
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While Kim Jong-un seeks deeper ties with Russia, even sending thousands of North Korean troops to Ukraine, Kaddis said Xi cannot afford such entanglements. “He’s got a huge problem that is running right now with respect to Taiwan. He’s got even bigger problems with his own economy. He does not have the ability to be able to support a massive war effort on several different war fronts,” Kaddis explained.
Prophecy and the Role of China
Kaddis cautioned against forcing China into biblical prophecy. “The Bible does not really mention China as being consequential in Bible prophecy,” he said. He addressed those who associate Revelation’s 200-million-man army with China, making his position plain:
“I do know that there are a lot of people who were led to believe that this 200 million demon army is the Chinese army and it’s not literal demons like the Bible says it is in the book of Revelation. And I know that there’s lots of people who look at many of the things forming right now in the nation or in the country of China and actually associate it with the kings from the east which of course let me make myself clear that’s not what the Bible is talking about when it says it.”
Instead, Kaddis argued that China’s actions point to its diminishing relevance. “The more inconsequential they’re becoming, they are grasping at straws to maintain any level or any semblance of strength,” he said.
Read Scripture First
Despite the nuclear triad, massive drones, and lasers shown at the parade, Kaddis stressed that the real story is not military strength but prophetic positioning. “All of these are the type of preconditions that we see are necessary in order to put into fruition all that the Bible has talked about,” he said.
His advice for Christians is to view today’s headlines through the lens of God’s Word. “The headline is never going to be fear, but it’s always going to be readiness and faithfulness to the call of God, understanding the fact that He is the one setting the stage,” Kaddis said.
Prophetic Comfort for Believers
While nations posture and alliances shift, believers can rest in the certainty of prophecy. “God’s Word continues to come to life,” Kaddis concluded. “So keep looking to Him and fight the good fight.”
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As China flaunts power on the world stage, Scripture reminds Christians that history is unfolding exactly as foretold, offering both comfort and knowledge about what the days ahead hold.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
