Growing European Power Vacuum

A reporter recently observed, “The European Union brought peace and prosperity to a troubled region in the decades following World War Two. But it may lack energy and become impotent in the decades ahead” (Reuters, September 16, 2024). While nations across the EU struggle and stagnate financially, and the political climate becomes polarized, member nations feel like they are being “bullied” by Russia, China, and even the United States—leading one journalist to lament, “It’s a sad, bad future.”

While Europe’s working-age population is declining, like those in the U.S. and China, the EU’s relatively stagnant economy since 2015 places it at a great disadvantage to the American and Chinese economies that have been growing during the same time period. Mario Draghi, former Italian Prime Minister and past president of the European Central Bank, recently produced an EU-commissioned report on the economic future of Europe, in which he calls for massive reinvestment in the European economy and harmonization of military production across the EU. His recommendations could greatly impact Europe’s future, but will Europe’s leaders follow his recommendations?

Today, Europe appears to be in the doldrums politically and economically, yet Bible prophecies indicate that it will undergo drastic changes in the years ahead. The Bible speaks of the emergence of a powerful political figure called the “beast,” who will lead a group of European nations that will have a powerful impact on the world (Revelation 13:1–8). This political figure will be backed and influenced by a prominent religious figure (vv. 11–14). How will this happen? To learn more about Europe’s real future, be sure to watch “The Prophesied ‘Beast.’”