Nations compete for Arctic resources.

Melting ice in the Arctic has fueled global lusts for energy and natural resources. Many nations are lining up to join the Arctic Council to exploit these new resources. “... China, India, Japan and South Korea are seeking permanent observer status…. Canada, Iceland, Norway, Russia, the USA and EU members Denmark, Finland and Sweden are currently members, while six indigenous groups are permanent participants… the EU is seeking permanent observer status for itself” (Deutsche Welle, May 14, 2013).

The EU bid for membership is putting pressure on Canada—the Council’s next leader. The EU product ban [on seal products] has prompted “indigenous groups to circulate a petition urging the government to keep the EU out unless the ban is repealed” (ibid.).

U.S. attention is directed at China. “If you’re an American strategist today, you are afraid of China as much as you used to be of Russia 20 years ago… What we’re seeing is that the Arctic in the 21st century will be the center of the world. Not Central Asia, not the Middle East… If you control the Arctic, you control the world” (ibid.).

Bible prophecies indicate a European-led Beast Power will eventually control a global economic system (Revelation 17:17-18; 18:3, 9-24), and this Beast will be “troubled” by an Asian superpower (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 9:13-18; 16:12). Those who understand Bible prophecies will not be surprised that the EU and China are both seeking to control this vital, resource-rich region.