Vatican Plans for Europe

In July of 2003, the Vatican approved the release of Pope John Paul's proposed Decalogue for constructing a new Europe—10 points the Catholic Church has formulated to guide the current efforts to unify Europe. The document carries the theme of "Ecclesia in Europe" [the Church in Europe] and expresses the papal hope that Europeans will build a "Europe of values" and not just a "Europe of merchants."

The proposed Decalogue states that "Christianity is the religion of all Europeans" and that the [Catholic] Christian faith provides the only solid foundation and the only guarantee for making Europe "a family of nations" and "a model for other nations of the world." According to the Pope, "this is why in the future European Constitution reference must be made to the religious heritage" of Europe—particularly Christianity—and why the Catholic Church must play a major role in building the new Europe. With the Church defending the dignity of the human person the Pope envisions "the Europe of the future will be a Europe of love that promotes a culture of solidarity.

However, the Vatican Decalogue for Europe has a significance that few realize today. While the Pope's plans for Europe resound with hope and idealism, the reality of what lies ahead for Europe will be very different. Bible prophecies in chapter 17 of the book of Revelation describe a federation of ten nations that will arise in Europe just before the return of Jesus Christ. The Bible indicates this federation (called a beast) will be ridden by a woman for a short period of time, and that the political-economic beast will eventually turn on the woman "and make her desolate" (Revelation 17:16-18). Bible prophecies reveal that Europe's real future will be marred by strife and division that will shock and surprise the world (Revelation 18:1-8), and witness the demise of a once powerful and influential church.

In these Scriptures, the woman is symbolic of a great church that will dominate and heavily influence the political-economic beast that arises in Europe at the end of the age. The Decalogue issued by the Roman pontiff clearly represents the intent of the Catholic Church to play a dominant role in the emerging European federation. Bible prophecies indicate the emergence of a powerful church presiding over a re-united European federation will be a key event that will announce the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth is just round the corner. The Bible reveals the future of Europe does not conform to the Vatican's plans for Europe!

This is Doug Winnail, with commentary for the Living Church of God.