Friday, June 29, 2012

NPR: A Baby Step Toward a United States of Europe



http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/06/29/155973136/a-baby-step-toward-a-united-states-of-europe


"So last night, European leaders pulled an all-nighter and agreed(PDF) to create a banking union — to make the eurozone's financial system, at least, more like one big country, and less like a bunch of different countries. The European Central Bank will oversee the banks of all the countries in the eurozone. And the eurozone's bailout fund will be able to lend directly to banks."
- Jacob Goldstein


Photo credit: NPR logo form npr website

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

EU's Most Important Meeting Since It's Founding

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-germany-summit-dallara-idUSBRE85Q0DM20120627

"Not only the future of the euro (but also) the future of Europe is at stake... (The summit) is perhaps the most important since the founding of the European Union," Dallara told German weekly Die Zeit, according to a preview of his comments ahead of Thursday's publication.

My comments:



The creation of this "fiscal union" must be read with the enlightening words of wikipedia:


Control over fiscal policy is considered central to national sovereignty, and in the world today there is no substantial fiscal union between independent nations. 



Nigel Farage on the Undemocratic EU



Long, but very interesting video about how the EU is undemocratic. Very interesting listen, though for those familiar with the situation you might not learn a ton more raw "facts." But he's a riveting speaker and good at explaining.

He pointed out that the Commission is unelected but has the sole power to propose and amend legislation in the EU. EU legislation is about 75% of member countries laws. The European Parliament can only delay or block these measures. It cannot propose any legislation on its own.

The Main Story


Israel 


Israel must return in the end times. 

Many Bible passages imply that Israel will become a country again in the end times. 

Ezekiel 38-39 talks about a time where all the Jews will be gathered back to their land, living safely prior to a surprise attack. God supernaturally saves Israel from this surprise attack, making a name for himself in the nations. Furthermore, Zechariah 14, talks about how half of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be exiled and raped, while the other half won't be. God responds by attacking the nations that attack Jerusalem and becoming king of the whole earth.




Israel has returned!!


1948 - Israel became a country again, just like the Bible predicted.

1967 - Israel takes control of East Jerusalem, just like the Bible implies it will.



The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire must return in the end times.



In Daniel 7, the Bible predicts that 4 empires will rise up, one after another, starting with the Babylonian Empire. Scholars are in agreement that the fourth empire is the Roman Empire. However, the fourth kingdom is defeated when the Messiah sets up an eternal kingdom, where all rulers obey him.

But this poses a problem. If the Roman Empire is defeated by God at the second coming, then where is the Roman Empire?

Answer: The Roman Empire has to come back to life before Jesus comes back to defeat it.

(For a more detailed discussion of what the Bible teaches on this subject, click here).



The Roman Empire has returned!


As the Bible says, Israel will return in the end times. Israel has returned. So it makes sense we should see the Roman Empire starting to return as well.


The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 states. There are many features of this that make it the Revived Roman Empire predicted in the Bible:

  1. Has many characteristics of an empire. Legal experts typically classify post-2009 EU as somewhere between a confederation and a federation, though many lean in the direction of a federation. (1 & 2)
    1. Common immigration policy 
    2. Common currency for the Eurozone 
    3. The ability to form laws for member states on issues relating to internal market, agriculture and fisheries, social policy, energy, environment and other issues. 
    4. A lead foreign minister
    5. A legislative body that proposes and makes laws independent of its member states (The Commission). 
    6. Open borders
    7. The ability to make treaties with international organizations 
    8. The ability to make its own embassies.
    9. The ability to deploy troops for brief missions. 
  2. Exists in the correct time period in history. (Same time as end time Israel). 
  3. Is in the European mainland.  The Revived Roman Empire and its ten kings exist prior to the rise of the Antichrist  Once the Antichrist finally comes, he attacks many areas that were historically a part of the Roman Empire, such as Egypt, areas north of Israel, Libya, and others. He is never mentioned as attacking Europe. (Daniel 11:40-45) Therefore, mainland Europe is the best candidate for the beginnings of this new Roman Empire. 
  4. Has trouble staying united. Daniel 2 says the final empire struggles to hold itself together like iron and clay don't hold together. (Daniel 2:43)
  5. The EU started off composed of many kings. Most empires have one king. The Bible says that ten kings come from this empire. (Daniel 7:24-25)
But where are the ten kings?



Ten Kings from Roman Empire


Ten Nation Confederacy must come from End Times Roman Empire!

The Bible also says that a group of ten kings will arise from this end times Roman Empire. The text of the book of Daniel implies that they will be in Europe. This has led a large number of theologians and prophecy experts to anticipate the rise of a ten nation confederacy in Europe prior to the rise of Antichrist.







Ten nation confederacy has come from the end times Roman Empire!

In 1995, the Brussels Treaty powers became ten member states. For all 15 years of its remaining existence, it stayed at 10 member states. It was called the "Western European Union" and was a separate organization from the European Union. However, it worked very closely with it. For a large part of its life, it acted as the "military arm" of the EU. (3) 





Ten Kings Give Authority to the Beast

Ten kings have a common purpose and give their power to the beast. 

The Bible refers to the end times Roman Empire as a "beast" with ten horns. (Daniel 7) This beast is also present in the book of Revelation. From the context of the passages, "beast" can refer to both the end times government and/or the Antichrist himself. The book of Revelation says that the ten kings have a "common purpose" and give up their power and authority to the beast. Revelation seems to imply they have a common purpose on military matters, since the ten have a common purpose by which they destroy the city symbolically named "Babylon." 

The ten kings surrender!

In March 2010, the 10 nations decided to close their organization. They said that the Western European Union had "accomplished its historical role." The reason they closed was because of the new Lisbon treaty (revised EU constitution) had provisions for mutual defense. In the treaty, the EU has a mechanism for coming to a common purpose on foreign policy matters. They have a "common policy" called the "Common Security and Defence Policy." (1, 3,4) 

The dissolution of the 10 nation alliance came on the heels of the Lisbon treaty, which involved nations giving up sovereignty on many matters and transferring them to the EU. The ten nations issued a statement where they dissolved in favor of the larger EU alliance. (4)



7-Year Agreement With Israel

The Antichrist will make a 7-year agreement with Israel. 

The Bible predicts that a future ruler will make a political agreement with many people for seven years. Furthermore, the context of the passage indicates this pact will be made with Israel. For this reason, theologians, prophecy scholars, and even end time movies have anticipated the Antichrist's famed seven year deal with Israel. Halfway through this seven year deal, the Antichrist idolizes himself in the temple. 

The Antichrist may have made a 7-year agreement with Israel. 

In 2007, the EU started making 7-year political agreements with Israel and other nations. Action plans were made for each country on the new European Neighborhood Policy. This is the means by which the EU funds its neighbors and establishes bilateral relations with them based around its seven year budget. The first political agreement, the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) was established for 2007-2013. (5) 

In 2014, the EU is launching its second 7-year compact with Israel called the European Neighborhood Instrument. This is a more streamlined policy which has more funding available to it than the previous ENPI that covers 2014-2020. (7, 8)

While the Bible predicts only one seven year covenant, this does not preclude others from happening spontaneously. All we know is this. The evidence that the EU is the Revived Roman Empire is staggering. Even more so, the EU now habitually makes 7 year deals with Israel and its neighbors!

One of these deals will be launched by the Antichrist...... It could even be as early as 2014-2020. 



A Common Purpose and a Powerful Position



This common purpose didn't come out of nowhere. After the Western European Union obtained ten members, it created a secretary general position. It was a "double hatted" position, in that the secretary general of the 10 nations also was the EU's foreign minister. Over the course of 10 years, this foreign minister, Javier Solana, began building the power of this High Representative position. This position used to hold little power other than getting member nations to agree on foreign policy. But today, the new Lisbon treaty created the successor position which holds much more power over foreign affairs than it did ten years ago. Whether it be Javier Solana (recently retired), someone in the successor office, or someone else, the position of High Representative is of great interest for those who are looking for the office of the Antichrist.




What Next?


Many theologians and Bible scholars hold these facts about the Antichrist of the revived Roman Empire:


1) Subdues 3 of the 10 kings in his rise to power (Daniel 7:24-25) 


2) Launches a seven year covenant with Israel and many nations. 3.5 years into this agreement, he idolizes himself in the temple (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24;15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; )


3) Militarily engages with Egypt and a country north of Israel (perhaps Russia or Syria). (Daniel 11:40-45)


4) Seeks military conquest over many nations (Daniel 11:35-45)


5) Is extremely arrogant and exalts himself above all others. (Daniel 11:35-39)


6) Comes around the time of Christ's return (Revelation, Daniel 11:35-45-12:2, 2 Thessalonians 2) 

With all of these interesting things happening already in the EU, with hardly anyone noticing, it is especially important that we remain watchful, just as Christ commanded us.




"What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’" - Jesus Christ (Mark 13:37)


For more info on the theological teachings discussed on this page, click right here. 


















Sources:


1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation#European_Union

2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_European_Union

4) http://www.weu.int/Declaration_E.pdf

5) http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/pdf/country/enpi_csp_nip_israel_en.pdf

6) http://eeas.europa.eu/israel/index_en.htm


7)http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/yemen/2011/12/07/visualizza_new.html_8466011.html


8) http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/documents/prop_eu_neighbourhood_instrument_reg_en.pdf



Friday, June 22, 2012

German Bundestag Member: EU Fiscal Treaty "Enemy to Democracy"



http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/european-fiscal-treaty-enemy-democracy

"The fiscal treaty is an enemy to democracy because no elected government would stand a chance of revoking this policy that has been dictated. The international treaty does not allow for unilateral termination. Infringements would lead to court proceedings before the European court and eventually to penalty payments for the country in question. The fiscal treaty is a scandalous deprivation of the will of the population."

Photo credit: Guardian Newspaper

Great Article on New EU Fiscal Treaty



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16057252

"Q&A: EU Fiscal treaty to control Eurozone Budgets"

Great Q&A on New EU Fiscal Treaty

All countries besides the UK and the Czech Republic support it. If they have 12 signatories, they will go ahead and do it. It's set to go into effect January 2013.

Photo credit: From wikipedia. Taken by "ArcCan"

New EU Treaty on "European IMF" to Be Ratified by July 9



http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/21/us-eurozone-esm-start-idUSBRE85K0WV20120621

Summary

All 27 EU member states are working to ratify a new treaty that is set to go into force by July 9. They have a mechanism sort of like it already in place, but they prefer this one because it acts as a sort of international monetary fund for Europe. It's an advantage because when Europe does bailouts it doesn't increase the debt of Eurozone treaties. It's basically a "permanent bailout fund."

However, this is not the most controversial treaty. The most controversial treaty is intended to go into force by this January.

All of these revolve around efforts to resolve the European sovereign debt crisis.


(Image from wikipedia.)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Ten EU Ministers Propose, EMF, EU Army and Budget Controls



http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/999d6264-ba23-11e1-84dc-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1yKTJv2hW

See discussion on Fulfilled prophecy.com here:

http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=63883

(Image of Guido Westerwelle from wikipedia)

Van Rompuy to Propose "Economic and Monetary Union" Plan



http://euobserver.com/19/116362

"BRUSSELS - EU leaders have tasked council chief Herman Van Rompuy with drafting a plan on deepening the eurozone's economic union, potentially via an inter-governmental treaty."


Find courtesy of "James 1:12" at Fulfilled prophecy.com message board. 


Photo courtesy of "Council of the European Union"