Baron zu Guttenberg returns from exile.

EU Vice President Neelie Kroes invited Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg to Brussels “to advise on how to provide ongoing support to Internet users, bloggers and cyber-activists living under authoritarian regimes.”  He has been living in the U.S. for the last several months in a type of self-imposed exile, while working with a major political think tank.  Baron zu Guttenberg acted as a former “Federal Minister of Defence, and of Economics and Technology, in Germany,” and was thought by many to be in the running to be the next German chancellor, prior to the revealing that he had plagiarized large portions of his doctoral dissertation (Europa.eu, December 12, 2011).

Baron zu Guttenberg’s relatively quiet return to Europe has not gone without notice. Some have accused him of attempting a political comeback─something the Baron has denied. However many believe that public opinion will be forgiving of his editorial misdeeds given the proper amount of time.  This sentiment was reflected by the EU Vice President when she was pressed about zu Guttenberg’s checkered past: “Kroes insisted it was she who approached zu Guttenberg and not the other way around.  ‘I am looking for talents, I am not looking for saints’” (Financial Times, December 12, 2011).  

Scripture does reveal that at the time of the end, a “strong man” will come onto the scene to lead Europe.  This man will have the power and charisma to lead Europe in some amazing ways (see Daniel 9:27, 11:21-23; Revelation 13:1-10).  Although we do not yet know the future role of zu Guttenberg, he is descended from royalty, he is highly educated and well connected, and he is ambitious.  He is definitely one person to watch, as even members of the mainstream press recognize.