The Future Of the United States And Europe Through The Lens Of The Apocalypse
continued
The beast which arises out of the sea
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy...And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" (Revelation 13:1, 3).
Out of the restless political and social masses a final empire arises, which introduces the return of Jesus. Could it be that...
• America has to surrender her leadership in the world to Europe and be brought down to the level of the sea of nations, and...
• That out of this situation a new empire rises from out of the sea of nations and a really New World Order comes into being?
The whole world will wonder at this beast because its mortal wound will be healed and will awaken it to new life. Therewith, the revival of an empire (Rome) is described which fell, rose again and at the end of days will rule the world again. The world would not have to wonder at the United States because this nation is already a world power. The United States was not dead and rises again. But when a completely new world power arises, similar to one that already was, then the whole world will wonder at it.
The people in the United States are wondering at Europe. Certainly, that which has taken place here since World War II is breathtaking:
• The foundation stone for the European Union arose from out of the ruins of Europe.
• A union of trade, peace and democratic freedom grew out of a divided Europe whose nations had waged war against each other for centuries.
• The introduction of the euro has amazed the world. At the moment, its value is higher than the U.S. dollar. A year ago, hardly anyone would have thought this possible.
• The European Airbus company has already overtaken Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer, with regard to the number of orders.
• Europe seems to be constantly growing. That which would have been unthinkable a decade ago is suddenly reality: a fast intervention unit and the East European expansion. Through this expansion, approximately 75 million people will be added in May 2004 at one time.
Isn't this amazing?
An article regarding the East European expansion in the German magazine, Der Spiegel states: "The old world is recreating itself. A world power is forming. Seventy-five million new EU citizens...in the EU of 25, 451 million people are living in 4 million square kilometers. The economic giant - with over 10 trillion euros, her gross national product is larger as that of the USA. Will Europe perhaps even grow beyond its stature with its own constitution, its own currency and its own armed forces and a common foreign and security politics? Only now are the 'United States of Europe,' of which Winston Churchill dared to speak in the midst of the ruins of the continent, arising" (Der Spiegel 50/2002).
Could the United States of the future lose her sole superiority and therewith a third of the world economy? Could America's downfall strengthen Europe in the form of a "reawakening Roman Empire"? I would like to mention, however, that the future world empire will not be limited to Europe, but to the United Nations (Revelation 6:2) and therewith, it will include the U.S., but no longer without the superior position she possesses.
Professor Dr. Immanuel Wallerstein said with regard to a war against Iraq: "This war will shake the Arab world, it will shake America and it will accelerate the division of Europe from the USA." Another report said, "Should the terrorists succeed in carrying out further attacks on the West, such as that of September 11th, 2001, then great parts of the economy are threatened with collapse...a long anti-terror war, possibly connected with great losses, could lead to Europe turning from the USA and forming a new bloc with China and Asia. The USA would lose her leading ruling role in the world, also on account of the fact that investors would prefer to invest their money in Europe or Asia."
It is no secret today that Saddam Hussein is no longer collaborating with the United States, but with the Europeans, where the world's second-largest store of crude oil is concerned. Who does it surprise that America will probably go to war against Iraq? The American Foreign Minister recently said that an attack on Iraq would also serve to secure the oilfields. What did he mean by this?
Europe is lacking the "man of trust" today who has the charisma, the greatness and power to get a grip on the world.
Experts also warn, in connection with Europe's enlargement, that the new union of states could produce further fears, terrorization by mafia mobs and immeasurable corruption, and lead to a chaos that would make Europe impossible to rule or keep under observation. Consequently, a suitable president could perhaps offer the solution to these problems.
One thing we know already today: the developments of the endtimes are taking their course and gaining momentum.
After the last beast arose from out of the sea, Daniel saw the Son of man return with the clouds of heaven to set up a worldwide kingdom, like a mountain which filled the whole world (Daniel 2 and 7). All the events in this world are steering towards this greatest event of all. Therefore we should concentrate our lives on the returning Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lord is coming - are we ready?
Revelation 22:16-17 says: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." The prophecies in the book of Revelation are written for the orientation of the Church of Jesus Christ so that she can pass them on. But they should also serve to prepare her for the imminent Rapture.
The "bright and morning star" points to the return of Jesus for His Church, while the "Sun of righteousness" means the return of Jesus for His people, Israel.
We are called to prepare for Jesus' return in all of our ways. Peter wrote, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation" (1st Peter 1:13-15). The New International Version translates the last part of verse 15 as "...be holy in all you do."
There are a few practical admonitions in these verses for each one of us, which I would like to express as challenges:
• Live towards the Rapture!
• Have the mind of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8)!
• Be sober and do not let yourself be captivated by the endtimes' emotional approach!
• Put your trust in the grace of God alone as the foundation of your life!
• Be obedient to the Lord!
• Do not conform yourself to the lust of this world that so easily gains power over you through television, literature, money, false goals and other things!
• Turn your eyes away from everything that contaminates them!
• Do away with everything that leads you astray!
• Get rid of everything in your life that hinders your sanctification!
• Be holy in everything you do (not merely 80 or 95% but 100%)!
There is only one safe place in the whole universe
Air raid and nuclear shelters with lead tiles to protect against radioactivity can be found around the world in great numbers. But only the Rock, which is Jesus Christ, can offer true security for time and eternity. We can only find true protection in Him. Only in Him can we overcome our fear of the future. Only in Him do we find security in all of our insecurity.
Those who belong to the Son of God through the rebirth may rejoice with the Psalmist and the prophet Isaiah, "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:2). "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee" (Isaiah 54:10).
You are not destined to perish with this world, but to find eternal security in Jesus Christ, and to pass on the message of salvation in Him.
("Die Zukunft der USA und Europas im Focus der Apokalypse" by Norbert Lieth, Mitternachtsruf, February 2003)
1 | 2 | 3
|
