France Activates EU Mutual Defense Treaty

“For the first time in EU history, defence ministers unanimously decided to activate the ‘mutual defence clause’ of the EU treaty. ‘France is requesting help and assistance from Europe. And today all Europe, united, answers yes’... ‘The European Union expressed its strongest, full support and readiness to provide all the aid and assistance asked for and needed.’ French president Francois Hollande had invoked article 42.7 of the EU treaty in an address to the parliament Monday. ‘If a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory,’ the article states, ‘the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power’” (EU Observer, November, 17, 2015).

World events are testing EU unity. Bible prophecy has long foretold the emergence of a European power comprised of “ten kings” (or nations) who share their power, and headed by a person known as “the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13). This empire will have strength of iron but be unstable as clay (Daniel 2:41-43). The impact on Europe of a fully-activated Mutual Defense Treaty is something to watch. For more information on these important topics, read our booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?