United Europe's Power Play

By Arno Froese

Since the founding of the European Common Market in 1957 (based on the Treaty of Rome), Europe's significance has grown year by year. Although various scholars have argued Europe's biblical prophetic significance and some have presented the idea that the world's last power structure is to be centered in the United States, I feel it is essential that we determine why Europe is the only candidate for end-time world rulership.

In this chapter I will present six points which reinforce the notion of a united Europe power play. For a better overview, permit me to mention these six in headline style: First, Europe (Rome) ruled the world during the crucial time when Christ was born. God gave His only begotten Son during the time when Rome occupied Israel.

Second, the European system of civilization has ruled the world ever since, even to our present day.

Third, we will follow in detail how Europe imitates Israel, attempting to replace God's chosen land and chosen people.

Fourth, Europe's future and potential is virtually limit less in comparison with all other nations. Today's European Union is only the beginning of things to conic.

Fifth, based on prophetic Scripture, the "ten kings" that will rule the world will be a creation that comes forth from Europe.

Sixth, the final kingdom incorporating democracy, freedom of religion, a free market society, a global financial system, and a world economy is now being established throughout Europe.

The Bible concerns itself mainly with the nation of Israel and its surrounding neighbors, and distinguishes three categories of people: Gentiles, Jews, and the church. Let us take a closer look at how these three groups of people came about.

Abraham the Chosen

Before the Lord God called Abraham, all people on the earth could be considered Gentiles. Then, through this one man who had a wife that was barren, the Creator planned to bring forth a nation. Here we recognize how God pleases to work with seemingly impossible odds. Biologically speaking, it was impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have descendants. This is clearly documented in Genesis 18: 11: "Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age, and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women." Right here in the beginning we see God's method, which negates the capabilities of man-in this case, of Abraham and Sarah. They surely could not pride themselves in their accomplishment. They did receive the promise, but by themselves, without God's supernatural intervention, nothing could have been fulfilled. Thus we learn that God's promises do not depend on man's actions. God maintains total control at all times and in all situations.

The simplicity of this promise is overwhelming: "I will make of thee a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). Not just another nation among many, but "a great nation." Later God's faithful servant Moses wrote the following about this special nation: "Thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2). No one can deny the superiority of these people. This is true even today, before the final fulfillment of this Scripture. No group of people has played such a major role in our civilization as have the Jews. Whether in politics, science, the arts, or finances, the success of these people is overwhelming. The Lord simply tells us that they axe to be above all the nations on the face of the earth. It is therefore a great error to compare the Jews with any other people.

This choosing, however, incorporates a specific purpose-namely, that these people should be "a holy people unto the Lord." When we search the Scriptures, we find that this has never fully taken place. Therefore it is a prophecy which will yet come to pass.

The Chosen People Reject the Chosen One

When God in the fullness of time intended to fulfill His promise for His people to be "a holy people," He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He proclaimed loudly and clearly, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" But we all know the result: They rejected Him. John testifies, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1: 11). Through the parable of an unnamed nobleman, Jesus predicted this rejection: "We will not have this man to reign over us." Israel simply rejected the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

This denial was not some kind of accident that occurred in the heat of a debate or conflict; the rejection had been prophesied long before. More than 700 years before the birth of Christ, the coming of the ruler of Israel was announced, including geographic details of where He was to be born and from which tribe: "Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). The birth of Jesus was not a coincidence but fulfillment of prophecy.

Now we come to an extremely important point-namely, the acceptance of the substitute. If we are not willing to receive the truth, we are forced to accept a lie. In plain words, if we do not follow Jesus, we will follow the Antichrist. It is therefore no surprise that the Jewish people-who had suffered greatly under the occupational force of the Roman Empire but rejected the Messiah-accepted foreign rulership by exclaiming, "We have no king but Caesar!" With the rejection of the Messiah, Israel lost her opportunity to be "a holy people" for a certain period of time.

During this period of temporary rejection, God created a new "holy nation," the church of Jesus Christ. Similar to the choosing of Israel, the church consists of a peculiar people: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9). These are important fundamentals to understand in order to avoid confusing the Gentiles, Jews, and Christians. God chose the Jews for His earthly inheritance and the church for His heavenly inheritance.

Israel the Eternal

Although Israel has been set aside for a period of time (for all practical purposes, it was not a nation for about 2000 years), from God's eternal perspective it never ceased to be a nation. As a matter of fact, God bases Israel's perpetual existence as a nation on the universe: "Thus saith the Lord, who giveth the sun for a light by day and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever" (Jeremiah 31:35,36). If you see the sun by day and the moon by night and hear the waves roar, then you may know that Israel is still a nation!

In Romans 11: 1, the apostle Paul asks the question "Has God cast away his people?" The answer is crystal-clear: "God forbid, for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." He thereby confirms Israel's eternal existence. This chapter carries great weight because the apostle specifically emphasizes that he speaks to the Gentiles: "I speak to you Gentiles, inasmusch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles" (Romans 11: 13).

The statement which the apostle Peter makes does not mean that we are now replacing Israel. Some have said that all the promises of the Scripture now belong to the church. Such teaching, however, does not correspond to the collective message of the Holy Scripture.

We must take careful notice that Romans 11 reveals the time frame of the church of Jesus Christ. Although the process of fulfillment of Bible prophecy for Israel was interrupted, it will continue at a given time. To be precise, the time frame of the church corresponds to Israel's rejection and reacceptance as a nation on earth.

Romans 11:25 gives us the answer: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits: that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." It cannot be said more plainly. Israel's salvation depends on the "fullness of the Gentiles." For that reason we should do everything in our power to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost parts of the world. When the last one of the Gentiles is added, the church will be complete and thereby the time of salvation for Israel will have dawned.

So how does this relate to Europe? The answer is that Rome was in power at Jesus' first coming. In the following pages we will see how Rome will also be in power when Jesus comes again.

Four Gentile Empires and Europe's Civilization

Virtually all serious Bible scholars agree that the entire history of the Gentile nations is pictured in the image that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon saw in a dream. Daniel, the Jewish youth in captivity in Babylon, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal four world power structures: 1) Babylon, 2) Medo-Persia, 3) Greece, and 4) Rome.

We have already established that Rome ruled Israel and much of the then-known world when Jesus was born. Prophecy, however, indicates that the final Gentile power structure is the fourth and last one, the resurrected Roman Empire.

At the arising of the Antichrist, as described for us in Revelation 13:3, "... all the world wondered after the beast." Then in verse 4 we see total support expressed by the people of the world in two questions: 1) "Who is like unto the beast?" and 2) "Who is able to make war with him?"

Not only will the masses of the world's population admire this wonderful, benevolent political leader, recognizing him as an absolute genius in politics, economics, and military policy, but "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him" (verse 8).

Does this passage really mean "all" the people who live on earth, or does it only mean "all from a certain geographical area"? We find a clue in Revelation 7, just before the last seal is being opened. Verse 9 reads, "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." This certainly describes the global family. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (verse 14b). Therefore the last Gentile world empire will be truly worldwide.

Europe Worldwide

To prove that all other continents and nations are excluded from the leadership of this end-time world dominion, note the following:

1. Geographically, Europe lies in the center of the world between the East and the West.

2. Europe is the center of the philosophy that has shaped the progressive civilization of the world.

3. Today, Europe is again the center of world trade, commerce, and finance.

4. Europe is the center of religion, with the Vatican being the most powerful religious organization in the world.

Of the five internationally recognized continents Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia-three of these-Europe, America, and Australia-are built exclusively upon European philosophy and civilization.

Our early American and Canadian immigrant forefathers were virtually all Europeans. This applies to Australia as well. Central and South America are equally dominated by European civilization, including business, religion, and language. You won't find any significant activity in North, Central, and South America that resembles any native culture.

More than 50 percent of the African population speaks French and approximately two-fifths speak English. No African country would have a chance to even sell a pound of coffee beans unless they did it the European way. The entire political, economic, and social structure of virtually the whole of Africa is exclusively based on the European system.

What about Asia? Analyzing Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, and other progressive Asian countries, we find that they too are based on the principle of Western European civilization.

We rarely see a person from China or Japan traveling the world in his or her traditional costume or using ancient methods of communication while he attempts to sell his wares. People from these countries are forced to do business the European way. Colonial rulership by European nations has solidly installed fundamentals such as democracy, the educational system, language, metric measurements, agriculture, finance, and a functioning industry. None of those things, as they are now, originated in Africa or Asia.

You may search the records, but you will not find any evidence of African people going to Asia in the attempt to establish colonies, or American Indians going to Europe claiming territory. Neither will you read of Asian people being successful in establishing colonies on other continents.

New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, on the doorsteps of Asia, were left untouched and virtually empty by Asians for millennia. Only Europeans were successful in establishing their culture and civilization in other places. Only Europeans sailed around the world, leaving their mark that is clearly visible today. The entire industrial revolution as we know it must be credited to the creativeness of the Europeans and their descendants.

For these and many other reasons I have steadfastly opposed the theory that the last world empire, called Mystery Babylon, will be established in its historic place in Iraq or in the United States of America.

Europe's Imitation of Israel

An additional, convincing fact that the European system will dominate the world lies on the religious level. Four characteristics demonstrate Europe's intention to replace Israel as the chosen nation.

1. Not Europe, but Israel is in reality the center of the earth. "Thus saith the Lord God: This is Jerusalem; I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her" (Ezekiel 5:5). The Hebrew Bible reads, "living at the center of the earth." Luther translates this 'Jerusalem in the midst among the heathen surrounded by countries." Ezekiel 38:12 confirms, "dwell[ing] in the midst of the land."

2. While Europe claims to be the center of philosophy that has shaped the progressive civilization of the world, we read in 1 Kings 10:24 that real philosophy is an outgrowth of wisdom and originates in Israel: "All the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart."

3. Although Europe is becoming the world center of trade, commerce, and finance, the original promise was given to Israel: "The Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee" (Deuteronomy 15:6).

4. Religious dominion was not given to Europe either. To Israel, the following promise was made: "There was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14).

The European flag, comprised of 12 stars formed in a circle, does not represent 12 nations. Presently, 15 nations are full members and many more are yet to be added. But Europe's constitution requires that only 12 stars should represent all the nations that will be gathered into the Union. Why? I believe that unconsciously they are imitating the 12 tribes of the children of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb. We must not forget to mention that Europe [Rome] had a superior influence upon God's chosen people Israel even 2000 years ago.

U.S.A.- Part of Europe

America's European heritage has often been forgotten or hidden in the minds of the average citizen, but we are more attached to Europe [Rome] than we may think.

Our government is based on Roman principles. The supreme council of ancient Rome was called the Senate. This identical system is used today in the U.S. and Canada. This also applies to Italy, France, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia, just to name a few countries.

Take a look at the various government buildings throughout the U.S.A. and you will see striking similarities to the Roman architecture found in the Vatican. Virtually all major government buildings are crowned with a cupola, a dome just like the one on top of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.

During a recent trip to Washington D.C. I visited the Capitol. In the long line of people waiting to get into the building, I asked five individuals three questions: 1) Are you an American? 2) Were you educated in the U.S.A.? and 3) What is the significance of the many Roman statues that can be found all over Washington? The answer I received from four was "I really don't know." One person, apparently well-educated, answered, "During the design of the Capitol, the popular artistic expressions were Roman-based, and thus our forefathers chose Roman symbols to represent America." This reinforced the statement I have made throughout the years that the climax of glory of virtually all European nations was the Roman world empire. America is the result of 37 million European immigrants whose ancient background is Roman.

I took great pains to read many of the inscriptions in Washington. From the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, from Arlington Cemetery to Union Station, the inscriptions I read over and over again across the entire city were strictly Roman. What do I mean by "Roman"? The name of God, Jesus, was nowhere to be seen. Therefore Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, and especially Freemasons could easily interpret any and all inscriptions for their own religions. That is typically Roman.

Much more could be said about America's relationship to Rome, but these few facts show that America will have to return to the roots of her European founding fathers.

Only three or four decades ago, Europe was not taken seriously in the United States. It was simply brushed off as the "old country." This has changed drastically. Today, to be European is "in." Although we still use the old weights and measurements in America, sooner or later we will change to the European metric system which is now used globally.

Less than a decade ago, European nationals had to obtain a visa when traveling to the United States. That has been changed. The U.S.A. has become a tourist attraction due to the cheap dollar. Americans no longer can afford to travel to Europe as easily as Europeans can to the U.S.A.

The Roman "Taxing" Law for Today

While the nations are moving closer to each other due to the communications explosion, we are witnessing that the various groups of people, races, and nationalities are eager to identify themselves and be recognized because all races and groups of people must be accounted for just in the same way people had to be "taxed" before Jesus' first coming. Luke reports, "It came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city" (Luke 2:1-3). The word "taxed" means to be counted. In modern language this was a population census. This caused a great commotion in the Roman one-world empire. Everyone had to return to his or her roots to be accounted for. All had to go back to where they came from. It took place just before Jesus came to the world the first time.

The real reason, however, for the population census was the fulfillment of the prophetic Word. Mary and Joseph resided in Nazareth, but the Savior of the world needed to be born in Bethlehem, so God moved Caesar Augustus to do His population census so Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, according to the Scriptures.

We should not be surprised to see the accounting of the nations taking place in our days before the second coming of Jesus. Not only the U.S., but all other governments on the face of the earth as well, are gathering information about each individual citizen more than ever before. Why? Because Jesus is coming!

America to Become Catholic

Asked in 1967 if America would become Communist, Dr. Wim Malgo, founder of Midnight Call Ministry, stated, "America will not become Communist, but rather Catholic." That statement was significant because during those years, Communism was the threat to world peace. The Communists took possession of one country after another. The West's military arm was effectively weakened through the effort of various peace groups.

What did Dr. Malgo mean by "America will become Catholic"? "America's strength does not lie in her military force," he explained, "but this undefinable power is due to the existence of a strong, independent church. As the years will go by, powerful deceptive movements will sweep the nation with the aim to bring the church back to Rome." We are witnessing this movement even today as some of the most vocal Christian groups openly proclaim that there is no difference fundamentally between Protestants and Catholics. This spirit of unifying with Rome is evident in virtually all major denominations and is being reinforced by new movements which do not distinguish between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

We see America looking toward Europe not only on the religious level, but on an economic level as well. An article in Money magazine in July 1994 stated that 250,000 Americans are leaving the country for good in the attempt to seek fame and fortune somewhere else.' This is only the beginning!

When traveling across Europe, as I often do, I sense a new awakening that is grounded in the hope for unity among the nations on the continent.

When listening to the younger generation, quite frequently I hear references to "we Europeans" instead of hearing them identify their nationality. When crossing the border from one European Union country into another, travelers don't see a border traditionally marked by the flag of that country; instead, they see the European flag, under which "Welcome to Belgium," for example, might be stated.

Europeans seem confident in their absolute assurance of a great future while Americans, in contrast, look back to the so-called "good old days." History tells us that no nation ever repeated its former glory. Europeans do not look back, except historically; rather, they look forward to a much greater power structure-to be precise, they look forward to the greatest power structure in the history of mankind.

Europe's Modern History

To understand Europe's potential, let us review what has transpired during the last four decades. The early stages of the European Union is described in a publication entitled "European Integration":

The first stone in the building of the European Community was laid on May 9,1950, when Robert Schuman, the French foreign minister, put forward a plan worked out by himself and jean Monnet for France and Germany to pool all their coal and steel production under a joint High Authority, within an organization open to any other country in Europe. His plan thus took up the idea put forward by Winston Churchill in his famous speech in Zurich on September 19, 1946, when he had called for the creation of a United States of Europe, singling out the essential need for Franco-German cooperation. Churchill, however, had envisaged the United Kingdom's role as a promoter rather than as an active participant. Thus on April 18, 195 1, Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and on July 23, 1952, when it came into force, the Schuman Plan became a reality. The new Community's founding fathers hoped that it would be the seed from which further European political integration would grow, culminating in the emergence of a European Constitution .

France, in the meantime, proposed to establish a European Defense Community, but the idea was abandoned due to lack of interest. Then, in 1956- A committee chaired by the Belgian Foreign Minister, Paul- Henri Spaak, was asked to consider possible moves for further integration. In 1956 the committee concluded its work, and its report served as a basis for negotiations leading eventually to the treaties establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC), which were signed by the six in March 1957 and entered into force on January 1, 1958.

Economics was the key word at the beginning stages of success on the way to realizing the dream of a united Europe. "Encouraged by their initial success, especially in the economic field, the six returned in the early 1960s to the goal they had never completely abandoned: Closer political integration.

The original six founders were 1) Belgium, 2) France, 3) Germany, 4) Italy, 5) Luxembourg, and 6) Netherlands. That was the beginning of the fulfillment of Europe's dream to be unified that has existed for 2000 years. Europe's potential was now built on the population of 220 million people as a foundation.

In January of 1973, three more nations were accepted: 1) Britain, 2) Denmark, and 3) Ireland. Thereby 66 million additional consumers were added to Europe.

In 1981 Greece was added. Europe then counted 297 million people.

Two more nations were added in 1986: 1) Portugal and 2) Spain. Europe had now grown to 336 million people.

On January 1, 1995, three more nations were admitted to the Union: 1) Austria, 2) Finland, and 3) Sweden. The combined population of the European Union was now 362 million.

It is important to understand that these developments have been taking place at a time when Soviet Communism has fallen into shambles in the East and American capitalism is no longer absolutely superior in the West. Any argument against that fact is silenced by the testimony of our own national debt staring us right in our face. The amazing growth of the European Union has not come to an end but is only beginning.

In the early stages under the Treaty of Rome, the European Common Market tried to establish trade and commerce for the well-being of the Europeans, but the aim of Europe today is nothing less than total integration, forming one solid power bloc to reach world unity.

At this moment, East European nations are desperately knocking on Europe's door asking for admittance. In 1994 the first application for membership was received, as the Daily Mail of April 2, 1994, reported:

Hungary was the first former Communist Bloc country to apply to join the European Union, saying it needed membership to "Guarantee security and integrity." Hungary's bid to move into the Western economic system is likely to be followed this month by Poland and later by the Czech Republic."

The Ten Kings

At the time of the beginning of the European Common Market, speculation was made that when ten nations joined the Common Market it would constitute fulfillment of Revelation 17:12. Here is what that Scripture says: "The ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet, but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." This corresponds precisely to Daniel's prophecy: "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise" (Daniel 7:24). While today we can see plainly that these "ten kings" do not represent ten European nations, I want to quote Dr. Wim Malgo, who made this statement in 1967 regarding the ten kings:

Let us not look for ten countries being members of the European Common Market, constituting the fulfillment of Revelation 17:12. Rather we must look for ten power structures that will develop through the European initiative but will be worldwide.'

I have always fully agreed with this statement because the Bible specifically says ten kings. A king is not a nation. He is an individual person. The uniqueness of a person is that he is distinctly different from another. What then is the meaning of the "ten kings"? This simply means that we should expect the world to be categorized into ten different economic power structures.

In the last few years a number of nations have formed economic cooperation in the East and the West, in the South and the North. Two important treaties recently signed are GATT and NATTA. Many others have been signed or are in the process of being established. In South America, Mercosul, something similar to the Common Market of Europe, is being formed. The same is true for Africa and many parts of Asia. I therefore propose that the world could be divided into the following ten economic power structures:

1. Europe
2. Far East
3. Mideast
4. North America
5. South America
6. South Asia
7 Central Asia
8. Australia and New Zealand
9. Southern Africa
10. Central Africa

These power structures reflect my personal opinion and no doubt will change. However, we know one thing for sure: Power no longer lies in the ability to manufacture and use weapons of war. The time when one country invades another, subdues its citizens, and incorporates territory of the vanquished is past. The "weapons of war" today are found in the banks, financial institutions, and currency markets. The battles are fought in the boardrooms of the executives running global corporations.

The predominant political system is democracy: a product of Rome, popularized by the French Revolution, and solidly implemented by Britain and the United States. Today there is no serious opposition to democracy.

We Are a Global World

A one-world global system is not something we should look for in the distant future; it is a reality here and now. This is not due to some mysterious conspiracy, as some claim, but rather it is an evolutionary process of the democratic free market system.

Let's look at one example. More than 50 percent of a so-called American car may be manufactured in foreign countries, while a foreign car may be largely built in the United States.

"Is your Sony born in Japan? Probably not-Japanese electronic firms now make far more color TV's in other parts of Asia,"' reports the Far Eastern Economic Review. A brand name can no longer be identified by the country of origin because it might be manufactured anywhere in the world. I was shocked recently to discover that a shipment of Franklin Electronic Bibles had been "Made in China"!

The board of directors of Mercedes Benz was challenged to change the standard procedure of imprinting its products with "Made in Germany" to "Made by Mercedes" on the argument that the company is global. Its products are no longer limited to Germany but are being built in many parts of the world. Thus we see that global corporations and financial institutions are the number one driving force toward world unity.

While America has progressed tremendously since World War 11, Europe has progressed faster, and for all practical purposes has overtaken the U.S.A. in leadership. This was made painfully clear several years ago when the German car manufacturer BMW began its search for a "cheap labor nation." The manufacturer found that whereas one manufacturing hour in Germany costs BMW 30 dollars, one manufacturing hour in South Carolina, U.S.A., costs the company only 12 to 15 dollars per hour! South Carolina became the home of the company's new plant.

Our Position Toward a Global World

How are we to respond to the globalization of the world? As Christians, we must remember that we are in the world but not of the world. This means we must take full advantage of these developments for one purpose only: the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people everywhere. Never must we debase ourselves to be actively involved in opposing or supporting the one-world global community. Scripture has clearly told us that this will come about whether we like it or not.

Any attempt to oppose the progressive evolution of a one-world government is doomed to fail. God installs governments, whether they be Communist, dictatorship, socialist, or democracy. Never must we forget that the entire Gentile government system has been placed under the temporary jurisdiction of the devil. He is the god of this world, the prince of darkness.

How much power the devil has is evident from Matthew 4, which describes the temptation of Jesus by the devil. The weapon our Lord used against the devil's temptation was the Word-"It is written." The aim of the devil in this temptation was to receive worship from the Lord. Here we are reminded of the Scripture prophesying that all knees shall bow to Jesus and all tongues shall confess that Jesus is Lord. The devil wants to get that glory for himself, so he offered Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them" (verse 8) "if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (verse 9). It is quite obvious that the devil cannot give anything away that does not belong to him. He rules this world, for he is the god of this world!

When we begin to realize the seriousness of this message and the commandment our Lord has given to us to preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world, we will never find the time, energy, or finances to pursue any other activity except preaching the gospel.

Europe, the Final Kingdom

Having examined Europe's superiority and the integration of the entire world, let us now take a closer look at the unity of Europe. Since the founding of the United States of America in 1776, Europeans have looked toward America with envy. America's European immigrant forefathers did not continually war with one another (except in the Civil War), but all became one: Americans! Instead of diversity came unity. Instead of segregation of the European immigrants came integration. Between the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s, the success became evident. A diverse group of peoples had surrendered its heritage, customs, traditions, and language to become one.

Most U.S. government figures indicate that the approximately 37 million immigrants arriving between 1820 and 1940 originated from the following countries: 6 million Germans; 4.7 million Italians; 4.5 million Irish; 4.2 million British; 3.5 million Russians; 2.5 million Austrians; 1.5 million Swedish, and smaller numbers of other nations. But they all became one.

In Europe the people were divided by customs, language, tradition, and religion, but in America they became one nation, using one language, one currency, one government, one military, and one economy under one flag!

Another reason behind the success story of America is hardly recognized in our day: "freedom of religion." The old Roman system, which Europe had apparently forgotten, was implemented in the New World, just as during the original Roman world empire. Each and every group of people was free to practice its religion-but under the jurisdiction of Caesar. This spirit of unity of America created the material success story of the twentieth century.

Europe: Center of World Religion

Religion, therefore, must become a minor issue if Europe is to be united. The progress toward religious unity has been a long one. Today religion is an insignificant factor in the minds of most Europeans. The conflict between Catholics and Protestants is of no significance except for occasional skirmishes in Northern Ireland. Jews are welcomed and Islam has become the fastest- growing religion in Europe. Europeans no longer oppose Far Eastern religions; they learn from them.

An article in Voice, a publication of the Diocese of Newark, dated January 1989, described the progress of the ecumenical spirit even in America:

"In the fall of 1988," wrote Newark Episcopalian Bishop John D. Spong, "I worshipped God in a Bhuddist temple. As the smell of incense filled the air, I knelt before three images of Buddha, feeling that the smoke could carry my prayers heavenward. It was for me a holy moment; beyond the creeds that each [religion] uses, there is a divine power that united us; I will not make any further attempt to convert the Buddhist, the Jew, the Hindu or the Moslem. I am content to learn from them and to walk with them side by side toward the God who lives, I believe, beyond the images that bind and blind us."'

L'Observatore Romano wrote in the February 10, 1986, Speaking to Hindu audiences at the University of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II noted, "India's mission is crucial, because of her intuition of the spiritual nature of man. Indeed, India's greatest contribution to the world can be to offer it a spiritual vision of man. And the world does well to attend willingly to this ancient wisdom and in it to find enrichment for human living." Need we say more about the religious unity the world is striving for under the leadership of Rome?

The Last Empire

Let me reemphasize that only Europe qualifies for endtime world rulership. The unique new system now being established corresponds precisely to the prophetic Word as found in the book of Daniel, which describes for us the world rulership of the Gentile empires. Notice that Daniel takes great pains to explain the fourth and last world empire. In chapter 2 he addresses King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon:

Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things, and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise (verses 38-40).

The uniqueness of this fourth empire consists of the fact that the last part is made up of a mixture of iron and clay. No doubt iron represents the Roman government, for she is the last Gentile empire. No place better qualifies for the title "Mystery Babylon" than the European city of Rome. In Revelation 17 we notice that this evil woman, the mother of harlots, an abomination of the earth, is identified with this city: "The woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 17:18). According to verse 9, this city is built on seven hills, the hills for which Rome is famous. And according to verse 6, in the city was shed "the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Furthermore, in Revelation 18:3 we see the political-religious activity of this woman called Mystery Babylon. We may search globally, but we will not find another city on earth in which the blood of the martyrs of Jesus was shed, a city that is built on seven hills, and a city that is the world center of religion mixed with politics.

Regarding the clay, we read the following in Jeremiah 18:6: "0 house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter?", saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, 0 house of Israel." No other group or race of people has been integrated into the nations of the world more than the Jews. Today, however, for the first time in 2500 years, the Jews have their own nation, their own land, and their own identity. Based on the prophetic Word, they will be integrated into the family of Gentile nations and become united with the global one-world empire. This fulfills their own prophetic utterance "We have no king but Caesar" on the one hand, and Daniel's prophecy, "Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay" (Daniel 2:43) on the other hand.

In Daniel 7 Daniel sees these world empires pictured by animals- first, a lion; second, a bear; and third, a leopard. But when he comes to the fourth beast, he finds no animal with which to compare it. He writes, "Dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it, and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns" (verse 7). The last and final Gentile empire, under the auspices of democracy, is being established today. It is headquartered in Europe and will be worldwide. "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down and break it in pieces" (verse 23).

The Hindering Elements

For the final implementation of this last empire, two hindering elements must be overcome. The church of Jesus Christ, which is the light of the world, is one. As long as this light is on earth, darkness cannot fully develop and complete its work of deception. Therefore, we know that the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ must be at hand.

The other hindering element is Israel. It is God's special chosen people and is incomparable to any other nation. Israel must become one with the Gentiles. They will be fully incorporated in the new Roman world empire, the European Union. While at this moment Israel has no chance of being accepted into the Union, the day will come when that door will be opened. Then Israel will finally realize what her forefathers shouted almost 2000 years ago: "We have no king but Caesar!" That will be the moment of Israel's greatest deception. Fortunately, it will be of temporary endurance. The Bible says, "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (Jeremiah 30:7). Europe's power play is leading to world unity, even incorporating Israel, and will be successful in establishing the greatest world empire in history. But the end thereof will be the greatest destruction humanity has ever known.

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