Widespread Turmoil
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Europe presently faces several crises. The continent is enduring its worst recession since World War II. Bank losses are projected to even exceed U.S. banks. The Irish, Spanish, Greek and Portuguese economies have been in full-blown crisis, over huge budget deficits.
Also, a staggering 20 million EU citizens are now unemployed. One in five are under age 25.
Persistently high unemployment rates are translating into widespread crime, anger, depression and feelings of hopelessness. Many are turning to extremism. The continent’s social fabric is threatened.
Immigration is another contentious issue. Large enclaves of immigrants now live in Europe’s cities. Due to starkly different cultures and religions, these have not been assimilated into traditional European cultures—and have no intention of doing so. Chancellor Angela Merkel openly declared that multiculturalism has “utterly failed” in Germany. All of this is spawning an anti-immigration backlash, worse than America. Many citizens fear losing their jobs and culture. This has led to frequent acts of violence in its capitals.
Low birth rates are another serious concern. The lack of young workers brings a host of problems: imploding tax bases, collapsing pension plans, severe industry and military recruiting shortfalls, and inadequate care for the elderly. Political and business leaders are struggling with how to address these problems. Demonstrations and riots fill the streets.
Terrorism is another concern. This is fueled by wide-open borders and large immigrant populations. Age-old contentions with Islam are flaring up, especially as the big, fast-growing Muslim population continues becoming more visibly prominent—and aggressive.
Energy is also a concern. Europe relies primarily on the Middle East and Russia for its energy needs. The Middle East is a powder keg of instability. Russia is an unpredictable partner—and historic enemy. Europe’s energy supplies are by no means guaranteed. A possible energy cut off looms large—a nightmare for Europe’s leaders.
Moves toward unification have continually met roadblocks, with constant bickering between member states. Integration remains a thorny issue. A major challenge has been in integrating the newer member countries. Then there is the issue of integrating economies, made worse with the mix of fast- and slow-growing ones. Also the constitution. Even though it has been ratified, it has detractors.
These are just a few of the serious difficulties facing the continent. Both Europe and the Vatican now privately seek a strong leader to address great challenges.
A Leader Will Come!
The Bible is most clear that such a leader will arise. This man will galvanize and unite Europe. Endorsed by, and working with, a powerful religious leader, he will usher in a time of unmatched prosperity. Revelation 18:1-24, with parts of chapter 17, describe satisfied “merchants” trafficking in “merchandise” of every kind as perhaps never before in history. This leader will stun the world by reviving the Holy Roman Empire one final time. He will institute a “world political authority”—and it will have very “real teeth.” The Bible in fact more correctly describes them as “great iron teeth.” A pontiff willing to speak so bluntly—so plainly and with such detail—of his ultimate vision and purpose must recognize that not all ears will miss its true meaning.
Such plainness of speech is here acknowledged.
A revitalized Europe will lead the world politically, industrially, financially and militarily—and in religion. It will one more time become the world’s focus—the axis around which all nations revolve.
Is this speculation? No, it is tomorrow’s news written in advance—recorded in Bible prophecy.
Church and State—A Final Time
We saw that the apostle John recorded in Revelation that “I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Rev 13:1).
Remember, “Beast” is the Bible term for a civil government or kingdom—but also for its leader. This Beast symbolically represents the Roman Empire from its inception, including six “Holy” revivals already past, to its final resurrection in our time!
Remember also that John spoke of a second two-horned beast: “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him [the one just cited], and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast…And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast [immediately—and completely—solving the problem of declining church attendance]; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast [the Imperial model of Roman government]…And he had power to give life [energy—vitality] unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak [edicts will be issued], and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Rev 13:11-15).
This other beast is also a government or kingdom, and it gives power to the first Beast—the Roman Empire. It appears as a lamb, but speaks as a dragon. In other words, it is not what it seems—it is sinister and evil.
Never lose sight of this!
Most recognize that Jesus Christ is depicted in Scripture as a lamb. But recall that Satan is always depicted as a dragon. Notice again: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan…” (Rev 12:9).
So this second beast appears to be of God, but is really of the devil. Its two horns indicate it is not only a government, but also a church. Now ask: what religious organization is both a church and a government? The chilling answer is most plain—if you have eyes to see.
Notice this second beast gives power to the first—the Roman Empire. This has been happening since Justinian’s crowning in AD 554. Since that time, the two entities have when necessary worked closely together. Roman emperors have acknowledged the supreme authority of religion throughout the empire. They understand the benefits.
This will happen again!