French Push for Ten-Nation Defense Force

French President Emmanuel Macron is the man some are now calling “Europe’s leading figure” (Deutsche Welle, March 16, 2018). From his growing seat of power, he has created a new “10-nation coalition of the willing” to spearhead the European defense initiative (Politico, May 2, 2018). “Frustrated by the big-tent, low-ambition start to the European Union’s so-called Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in defense agreed last year at Germany’s insistence, the French leader is pressing ahead with a small core of like-minded nations outside EU and NATO institutional structures.” Germany plans, reluctantly, to participate in the start of this elite group of nations. “Drawing Berlin deeper into defense cooperation remains a French priority. Only Germany has the money to make major next-generation armaments projects feasible, and only the Franco-German engine can drive the EU forward,” however inconsistent it has been of late.

Bible prophecy predicts that a group of “ten kings” will come together in Europe at the end of the age (Revelation 17:12–14). These “kings” will give their power over to an entity the Bible calls “the beast.” Ultimately, this group will attempt to fight Christ at His return (v. 14). Although the current configuration of ten nations embarking on this French-led defense initiative is no doubt not the final group of “kings” mentioned in Revelation 17, it is sobering to see a smaller, more dedicated group of ten within the larger European Union moving forward together when the larger group seems more reluctant, creating a picture that powerfully evokes an image of the end-time scenario.

The EU remains in a state of flux, and its configuration appears to be changing. Students of Bible prophecy should continue watching not only the Middle East, but also Europe, as God—the one who “removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:21)—continues to bring His ancient plans to pass (Isaiah 46:8–11). To learn more about future prophetic events in Europe, watch our telecast entitled “The Beast of Revelation.”