Out of Sight—Out of Mind!
What is the European Union (EU)? This is not such a strange question when you realize that many, if not most, Americans are largely unaware of vitally important EU activities such as the signing of the new Treaty of Rome. Yet Bible prophecy shows that future events in Europe will shock America and the world—perhaps in the not-too-distant future.
by John Ross Schroeder
"The European Union does not exist on the American political landscape" (International Herald Tribune, Oct. 19, 2004). These are the stark words of Anne-Marie Slaughter, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.
A previous Associated Press report from Brussels stated that "most Americans... acknowledged that they did not know much about the 25-nation European Union with 77% saying [in a Gallup Poll] they knew little or nothing" (International Herald Tribune, June 8, 2004).
However, as we shall soon discover in this article, ignorance of European affairs will not be bliss for any nation or its citizens.
Signing a new Treaty of Rome
By the time you read these words, leaders of the EU nations will have signed a brand-new Treaty of Rome (still to be ratified by individual members). You may recall the original Treaty of Rome created the six-nation European Economic Community; that has now grown into the 25-nation European Union.
Senior journalist Quentin Peel remarked that "the solemn ceremony is taking place in the Italian capital [Rome], where the founding treaty was signed in 1957" (The Financial Times, Oct. 14, 2004). The symbolic significance will not be lost on those who have watched the unfolding of events in Europe over four decades and more.
And we must not underestimate the Italian role in the European Union for the last five years. It was under Romano "Prodi's presidency that the EU has acquired a single currency, drawn up a constitution and picked up 10 new states" (The Sunday Times, Oct. 17, 2004).
Bible prophecy strongly indicates that the city of Rome will play a decisive future role in a European combine known in Scripture as "the beast." The book of Revelation tells us of the emergence of a vast end-time empire governed from a great city God labels "Babylon the Great" (Revelation 17:5,18).
"The time of Jacob's trouble"
These future events correspond with "the time of Jacob's trouble" mentioned in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 30:7). To really understand biblical prophecy, you have to know the identity of the modern descendants of the patriarch Jacob (whose name God changed to Israel) and where they dwell today. (This knowledge, taken from the Bible and other reliable historical sources, is made known in our extensively researched, full-color brochure The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. Please request your free copy today.)
The source of much of this future trouble for America and Britain will come from a United States of Europe. That is why it is so necessary to observe and understand European affairs of state today. We cannot afford to continue in ignorance.
What we see presently in Europe is most probably the gradual creation of the necessary governmental infrastructure. The current European nations certainly are mostly democratic and don't appear on the surface to be any threat to world peace.
What the Bible predicts for Europe will likely be precipitated by a very serious future crisis of some sort. The severe economic conditions in Germany of the 1920s and early 1930s produced Hitler, who undoubtedly was under the direct influence of a powerful but unseen coconspirator.
A sinister source lurking behind the scenes
The apostle Paul tells us that we Christians don't struggle against flesh-and-blood human beings, but instead with wicked spirits in high places (Ephesians 6:12). The Bible reveals that this is not God's world. The unseen rulers are fallen angels (or demons) who serve Satan the devil, "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Scripture says Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). It is the devil who will bring about the eventual emergence of "the beast" and his associate "the false prophet." Paul describes Satan's methods: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, New International Version). (To better understand the role of Satan the devil, please write for our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?)
We should not assume that major happenings of a catastrophic nature do not lie directly in our path. Sept. 11 should have taught us to expect the unexpected. The book of Revelation shows us that 9/11, as horrendous as it was and still is, will eventually pale into insignificance in comparison to the cataclysmic events prophesied to occur in the end time.
Have you read the book of Revelation? If not, it should become a priority on your reading list. If you need some help and guidance in understanding its message, please request our free brochure The Book of Revelation Unveiled.
Prophetic disclosures of Daniel and Revelation
Modern Europe lies within the geographic soil inhabited by the old Roman Empire. Its latter revival is extensively prophesied in the Old Testament book of Daniel and the book of Revelation. These two biblical books combine to give us a true picture of both historical and prophetic events.
The prophet Daniel, interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a colossal human image, spoke of a series of kingdoms to arise on the world scene. The Babylonian empire was to be followed by three other kingdoms, identified in history as the Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian and finally the Roman, empires (Daniel 2:28-40).
As Daniel prophesied, the Roman Empire proved to be more dominant and enduring than its predecessors, lasting for centuries. Indeed the original empire has already experienced a number of revivals with one final one still to emerge.
The Bible prophesies that a group of 10 kings or national leaders will give rise to a future union that will fulfill certain end-time Bible prophecies. Some will be much stronger than others.
The book of Revelation adds more details. "The ten horns which you [the apostle John] saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [symbolic of a short time] as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb [at the second coming of Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:12-14).
Daniel speaks of those who will assist Christ. They are the saints of the Most High God (Daniel 7:27)—patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; judges like Deborah; prophets like Moses and Elijah; kings like David. Their numbers include all truly converted Christians since the time of Christ. This is truly good news that will follow the catastrophic events to chasten the inhabitants of our present world.
Essential reading and studying
In no way could any individual article about the European Union do any more than highlight crucial future events in a generalized, overall manner. To grasp the various aspects, facets and critical detailed knowledge, you will also need to request and read our free brochures You Can Understand Bible Prophecy and Are We Living in the Time of the End?
All of the booklets and brochures mentioned in this article dovetail together to form a complete picture of future prophetic events. It will require a great deal of reading and studying to truly comprehend the vast scope of what is currently forming in Europe. In the pages of World News and Prophecy we are urgently trying to raise the prophetic awareness level of the American people (and that of the inhabitants of other nations too).
Matthew 24:14 sums up this mission. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (King James Version). WNP
[ Return to Table of Contents ] [ View next article ]