Coming: A "United States of Europe"!

The Rising Chorus!

Speaking in Berlin, former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called for the creation of a "United States of Europe… to avoid future economic crises," declaring "we will have to give up national sovereignty" to a common government ("Former German leader calls for 'United States of Europe,'" Reuters.com, September 4, 2011). This conviction is being voiced increasingly around the world!

At a conference in Paris, officials of the European Central Bank stated that dealing with the financial crisis in Europe would require the European project to be "completed" and that this would require a "federal government with a federal finance minister" ("Spectre of fresh EU treaty returns to haunt 'incomplete' Europe," euobserver.com, September 6, 2011). The Council on the Future of Europe has issued a policy statement calling for both a fiscal union and a political union of the European states that will include a "common security, energy, climate, immigration and foreign policy"—all administered by a central European entity—and that moves in this direction are "inevitable" (ibid.).

Recently, the head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, observed that dealing with the European debt crisis requires quicker and more decisive action, and that "the markets are demanding more integration at least in the euro area" ("Markets will drive a two-speed Europe, says Barroso," euobserver.com, September 7, 2011). In New York, an official with Citigroup, the largest financial services firm in the world, said "the eurozone is likely to fall apart unless the European Union's member states fuse both on the fiscal and political level… Europe needs to stand up and decide if it is going to be a 'United States of Europe' or a 'patchwork quilt' of independent states" ("Citigroup says only 'United States of Europe' will save euro," euobserver.com, April 21, 2011).

This rising chorus of voices is beginning to urgently echo ideas that have been circulating in Europe for some time. Now the same ideas are being heard across the political spectrum in Germany. "German Euro-federalists have woken up after a long slumber. It is no surprise that Joschka Fischer, the Greens' elder statesman, should call for the 'United States of Europe'. More striking is that Gerhard Schröder, a former Social Democratic chancellor, uttered the same words, as did Ursula von der Leyen, the labour minister and a leading Christian Democrat" ("Germany's euro question," The Economist, September 10, 2011).

In his book, The United States of Europe,former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has pleaded for the creation of a federal government to establish a "United States of Europe." He envisions a more deeply integrated Europe that could boost the continent's economy and more effectively fight organized crime.

Ancient Prophecies Come Alive!

While modern scholars and skeptics assume the Bible is nothing more than a collection of myths and legends, the God of the Bible boldly claims that He alone is capable of "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand'" (Isaiah 46:8–10). About 2,500 years ago, the God of the Bible revealed to the prophet Daniel that a fragile federation (iron and clay) with links to the ancient Roman Empire would arise in Europe just prior to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth (Daniel 2:34–44). During the first century ad, the Apostle John prophesied that the relatively sudden rise of a powerful political "beast" capable of making war will surprise the world, and that this beast will be aided by a another beast—a great religious leader who will work signs and wonders and deceive the peoples of the world to follow the political beast for a period of 42 months—3½ years (Revelation 13). John predicted that ten kings will give their power and authority (surrender their sovereignty) to this political beast—and this satanic system will make war with the returning Jesus Christ (Revelation 17:12–14). The European political beast is also pictured as an economic power deeply involved with the merchants of the earth—who will mourn when Jesus Christ brings the whole system down at His return (Revelation 18).

In light of these ancient prophecies about the surprising appearance of a European power with war-making powers and links to the global economy, it is sobering indeed, to see world events developing along the same lines! Not only is the European debt crisis generating calls for a United States of Europe, the biggest EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain) "want to develop a plan for a European Union military headquarters" to conduct military operations around the world—despite objections by Great Britain ("EU countries propose military headquarters," United Press International, September 9, 2011). This initiative could lead to the fulfillment of a long-cherished goal of creating a European Army. While Bible prophecies speak of ten kings being part of this European beast, it is worth noting that EU treaties provide an option that allows "nine or more member states to press ahead on an EU project without the others." The "core" members of a newly minted United States of Europe could fulfill these prophecies in the days just ahead!

At the same time that the leading nations of Europe are proposing to forge ahead with federal European plans, comments are being aired about reducing the status or the number of countries in the 27-nation European Union. A growing chorus of politicians across the EU, including senior-level German lawmakers, are now openly discussing the "taboo" of excluding Greece from the euro zone ("Deficit Sinners' Flags Should Fly at Half-Mast," Der Spiegel, September 9, 2011).

Several founding members of the EU have proposed making highly indebted states "wards" of the European Commission to monitor their financial condition. "The prime minister of the Netherlands on Wednesday said that countries receiving aid should either cede control over their budgets or leave the euro zone. 'Countries which are not prepared to be placed under administratorship can choose to use the possibility to leave the euro zone,' the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said" ("European Leaders Escalate Tough Talk on Greece," New York Times, September 8, 2011). The ideas currently under discussion—to reduce the number of nations in the eurozone or forge ahead with a core group of nations to form a United States of Europe—would certainly help these ancient prophecies come alive today—right before our eyes!

Contrary to what secular skeptics want to believe today, Bible prophecies have been inspired and preserved by a real God—the God of this universe—who is bringing to pass what He predicted thousands of years ago. This is why Jesus Christ warned "Watch… and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" at His coming (Luke 21:36).