A gentle bull?

The British public is still mainly oblivious to what Brussels is up to. The ID card is being issued initially to some non-British citizens who want to stay in the country. Home Affairs minister Jacqui Smith has played down the fact that there is no Union Jack or recognizable British icon other than the coat of arms to be found. There is, however, a symbol used that is being seen more and more on European Union documents.

What is the symbol and what does it mean?

The motif of a bull moving forward amidst five stars of the European Union harks back to the ancient Greek myth of Europa. This romantic story has it that a lovely young Phoenician princess is seduced by Zeus, who has manifested himself as a bull. "Uncommonly gentle, the bull inspired no fear. Decking its horns with flowers, Europa climbed upon its back, whereupon the bull – Zeus – took off at a trot and dived into the sea." (European Union Law, Chalmers et al., Cambridge University Press, page vii).

Is this beast really benign? It appears to be so at this time, but what does the Bible say will become of the bull and its rider?

Many Bible scholars have made the connection between the Europa myth and the account of the future Babylonian system that will govern Europe in the end days. In this scenario, a great religious system, pictured as a harlot, sits astride a powerful political and military beast.

"And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet (colors often related to religious attire), and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls" (Revelation 17:3, 4).

The prophet Daniel was also given visions of this beast. It was to be the fourth of four, spanning the time from ancient Babylon till the days just ahead. In Daniel 7:23 we read, "The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces."

In verse 25 we are introduced to another ruler who "shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time."

For nearly three and a half years this political and religious union will dominate the world through trade and regulation. Already we are seeing how the European Union is setting the standards around the world for trade. International traders are being dictated to by EU standards and measurements. Soon it will not be possible to export products unless they meet strict EU standards. Next could come rules in the areas of employment. Finally, universal monetary regulation would follow.

The garlanded bull of the Europa myth is a great story but it doesn't end "happily ever after" in the biblical equivalent. The "gentle bull" becomes a raging monster.

The ten horns (kings or rulers in biblical symbolism) turn on the woman: "And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire" (Revelation 17:16).

Would you like to know more about this coming European civil and religious system? Then request your free copy of The Beast of Revelation, or read it online. You will be glad that you did.