Daniel 2 and 7 both contain prophetic scriptures which inform us of the sequence of events which will occur as we watch end times prophecy unfold. According to both chapters, we will see a revival of the Roman Empire come together during the last generation, the same generation that will see all end times events conclude - before the Second Advent of Christ. We believe the European Union, which has now expanded and includes the Mediterranean Union, provides a perfect fit, both geographically and politically to fulfill that prophecy.
The next development, according to Daniel 2 and 7, will be the development (from the "Revived Roman Empire", aka the EU) of 10 Kings, which will represent a diverse "mixed" group of people:
"Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom...and just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united any more than Iron mixes with clay." (Daniel 2:41-43).
Then, in chapter 7 we see the sequence of events in referring to the 10 kings (aka the "horns" of the beast) which will arise from the EU:
"The ten horns are the ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones...He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints...the saints will be handed over to him..." (Daniel 7;24).
In other words, the antichrist will come from these 10 kings, or stated differently - will arise out of these 10 Kings. The 10 Kings will appear first THEN the antichrist will arise.
The book of Revelation includes more details on these ten kings and how they will exist exclusively for the purpose of serving the antichrist.
"The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom but...will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They will have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast." (Revelation 17:12).
For prophecy watchers, this is interesting, because we may see the development of 10 kings prior to the Rapture of the Church. At some point, we would also expect to see some sort of division of these 10 kings, into two "halves" since there are two feet on Daniel's statue described in chapter 2. Recall that the statue's two legs, representing the "original" Roman Empire ("iron") - revealed the east-west division of the Roman Empire, which is well known historically.
It is fascinating that the number "10" keeps appearing on the prophetic watch. For several years, the focus has been on a group within the EU, the "WEU" ("Western European Union") which contain 10 "Member States"(read here). The WEU houses the military infrastructure of the EU and contains the 10 most powerful members of the EU. Will this evolve into the "10 Kings" of Daniel and Revelation? Its anyone's guess at this point, but something worth watching.
Another possibility, as made popular by the "Left Behind" series, is to see the world evolve into 10 "regions" of power, or 10 Unions representing these regions. I find this fascinating because if one googles or searches by requesting information on "World Unions" you will quickly see how there are 10 "unions" currently forming or already formed in the world, all loosely based on the model developed by the EU. The 10th union and probably the last union formed would be the NAU, or the North Americal Union.
I find it even more interesting that the EU already envisions such a regional consolidation of countries into 10 unions:
(see here). If each of these regions were to have a representative leader (President? Prime Minister?), then it would be very very interesting for a prophecy watcher.
Perhaps even more interesting is to watch the growth of the EU as it controls the new Mediterranean Union, essentially an outgrowth of the EU. This is interesting because it appears to fit perfectly with Daniel 2's statue. Again, based on the prophecy given in Daniel 2, we would expect to see the EU grow into "10 Kings" before the rise of the antichrist. The antichrist will come FROM these 10 Kings. We see today that the Med Union is again meeting. Even more interesting is the fact that the Med Union has created 10 leadership countries (Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia). Ten countries.
Again, the number 10 keeps appearing. Not only that, but these 10 countries have been divided into a northern half and a southern half. This was done to reflect the cultural and religious diversity between the northern half (predominately "old europe" and the Roman Catholic Church) and the southern half (predominately Muslim). Recall that Daniel 2 informed us that the EU's growth would be a diverse mixture of people who would not remain united.
The Med Union is calling the meeting of these 10 countries the "5+5 Forum"(read here).
Which of the above scenarios will evolve into the 10 kings? There is no way of knowing yet. Each of the above scenarios: The WEU, the 10 world "Unions" or regions, or perhaps even the Med Union's division into the "5+5" is worth watching. It is worth noting that neither of the above descriptions may evolve into the 10 Kings - as the 10 Kings of Daniel and Revelation may be completely different and unexpected. However, at this time, all are worth watching closely.
Also in the news - and something else worth watching - is Russian troop movement (again) in Georgia (here), in direct violation of the EU-brokered cease fire that ended the fighting last year. According to this article Russia now occupies new territory within Georgia. In addition to the obvious intent of Russia - to have complete control of oil in the region - I believe that Russia is attempting to create a pathway into Israel, from the north as described in Ezekiel 38-39. By moving further west into Georgia, such a pathway will be almost complete. Something else worth watching.
Additionally, the IMF is growing in power and influence in terms of a world economy, but thats a story for another day.
Keep watching - it looks like another birth pain could be approaching.
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