It May be Later than We Think
France rejected the European Union (EU) constitution with a “non.” Dutch followed with a rejection of “nee.” Many of the Dutch votes against the EU (also referred to as the United States of Europe) were based upon the EU being too conservative for the Netherlands’ liberal views on prostitution, drugs, and homosexuality.
Shock waves rolled. There had been optimism that soon the United States of Europe would have a common government, judicial system, and inter-country trade without tariff.
Twenty-five countries must vote to approve the constitution before it can be ratified and implemented. When [not if] all twenty-five countries agree, the EU will be the most powerful economic force in the world and have one of the largest armies in the world. It will also be one of the largest producers of food in the world. Sum total, the combined power of the EU will demote the United States to a competitive or secondary position. Even now the George Washington dollar is worth less than the Euro Dollar.
“What do you think this means?” someone asked me.
“Easy answer,” I responded. “It means that God has looked down, listened to the prayers of his children, and said, “Not yet.”
Consider the countries to be included in Daniel’s fourth great nation. Consider their religious bent. A number of the countries are Islamic and Eastern Orthodox Christian. Atheism may be as high as 30[%] in some of the countries. Christian church attendance may be as low as 10[%] to 20[%] in some countries.
Islam is growing in most of the countries. Contrary to what many folks are saying, Islam is not the friend of evangelical Christianity. The theology of Jesus being the Son of God, his blood atoning for sin, and being the only Savior of the world is not consistent with the Koran. Odd, that there is so much talk about the Koran (Islamic holy book) being misrepresented and no mention of how Islam treats the Bible and Christians who believe in the God of the Bible.
Keep in mind that giving to send the gospel of Jesus to other countries is critical for the support of native missionaries and churches. How does this figure into the EU? The answer is that about 80[%] of all missions giving in the world comes from the United States. Analysis: If the United States is crippled, or if laws are passed preventing the sending of money to promote Christianity, it will be a major hindrance to the evangelization of nations.
One might also consider that many of the nations represented in NATO are to be included in the EU. The United States is the strongest nation currently in NATO and has military bases and equipment in many of the countries to be included in the EU. Military equipment of the United States is some of the most sophisticated in the world. It is not inconceivable that some of this military equipment/technology could fall into the hands of persons and countries not friendly to, and certainly not supportive of any Christian evangelism exported from, the United States.
If the EU is not the old Roman Empire revived, Daniel’s fourth and last great kingdom of man, it sure does look and smell like it. If it is not the future seat of the anti-Christ, it must be a close precursor (Daniel 7:19, 23 ff).
What does this all mean? The hour is late. Urgency presses us to a consecrated and dedicated walk with Christ -- that we may see Christ as the hope of the ages, the Redeemer of all mankind, the Savior of the world, and our Lord; that we may feel the passion to go and send the gospel quickly and efficiently to those who have not heard; that we may pray as John prayed: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Until He comes, let us “occupy” (Luke 19:13) in keeping with his command to press against the very gates of hell, with the Church marching into the entire world victoriously.
Pastor Bare
Ephesians 1, 2