Modern Day Europe
I remember when the European Union first formed. I thought this was surely going to be the fulfillment of the ten nation confederation spoken of in the books of Daniel and Revelation. However, it quickly grew to nineteen member countries and remained at about twenty after that, which made me wonder how this could fit into the revived Roman Empire of ten nations that the prophet Daniel saw in his visions (2: 40-44; 7:24).
I no longer wonder how the twenty-nation European Union can become ten.
A May 2, 2018 article on the Political website describes how French President Emmanuel Macron is planning to bring together a ten nation coalition “designed to prepare European armed forces to take action together in emergencies.” The member nations of this new coalition will sign a letter of intent in June of this year in Paris “pledging to develop a common strategic culture, share analysis and foresight on trouble spots that may require intervention and work to coordinate their forces for future operations.” (Political Article)
Could the latest development be what the ancient prophet said would happen?
How Can This Military Alignment Rise to Prominence?
With the United States and Russia as key powers in the world, how can this military coalition of nations ever achieve the power predicted by Daniel and the apostle John in Revelation (Rev. 13:1)? I see how it could easily happen rather sooner than many can imagine.
Consider this prophetic scenario. Let’s take Russia first of all. Today we see many signs pointing the beginning of the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) in which Russia will play a key role. Putin has aligned his country closely with Iran and Turkey, just as Ezekiel said would happen. On the day of battle, however, God will destroy the armies that come against Israel (Ezekiel 38:18-39:6). Not only will Russia’s armies be decimated on the battlefield, but the Lord will extend His judgment to Magog, or Russia, itself (Ezekiel 39:6). In a day, Russia will lose its prominence in world affairs.
In a day, Russia will lose its prominence in world affairs.
America, however, is a bystander to this battle at best. What will diminish America’s power? I believe this will happen as the result of natural disasters, the Rapture, or perhaps both. In Hawaii today we see the devastating results of the Kilauea volcano with many warning that the worst is yet to come. In Yellowstone, the time-frame for that volcano keeps getting shorter. The impact of the later volcano could instantly kill millions of people. On top of that, we hear of dire predictions regarding the devastating earthquakes for the west coast of the United States.
We do not know the timing of the rapture in regard to the battle of Gog and Magog. Many believe it will happen before the war, but it’s also possible Jesus could come for us during the battle or shortly afterward. Do you see how this alone could cripple the power of the United States? Many civil and military leaders will suddenly disappear. The financial fallout of the rapture on America alone will severely harm the nation.
With both America and Russia reeling from these events, Macron’s military alliance could quickly fill the leadership vacuum on the world scene and quickly become the dominant world power.
Are You Watching?
If the prospects of a ten nation world power arising out of Europe were the only sign of the approaching tribulation, we might easily overlook it. After all, it might take a long time for this coalition to rise to world prominence.
However, there are many, many more signs around us all pointing to nearness of the tribulation and hence to the rapture, which I believe happens before this time of wrath.
In Matthew 16:1-4 Jesus scolded the Pharisees and Sadducees for seeking a sign that He was the Messiah. The signs abounded, but they refused to see them.
Is this not the case today? The signs of the end of this age abound throughout the world; everything is beginning to happen exactly as Jesus and the prophets said would happen.
Are you ready for Jesus’ soon appearing? Are you watching for it as Jesus instructed us to do?