Revelation 17 presents us with the final phase of the European Beast. The nations of Europe finally give their power and strength to a centralised system of power and control. The Roman Catholic harlot rides the beast. She is the one who takes control. After centuries of struggle to regain her power in Europe, it is ironic that she finally achieves this goal after Armageddon. Christ and the Saints are victorious in Jerusalem and prepare to establish the Kingdom in the aftermath of Israel’s defeat and subsequent salvation. The tragic irony of this is that the Catholic Church believes this to be her finest hour. Just like Belshazzar’s drunken party in the face of imminent destruction, so too will European nations have confidence to make war with the Lamb (Rev 17:14; Psalm 2). Revelation 19:11–21 provides an explanation of this final confrontation.
When we go back to Revelation 16 however, we see that the Roman Church begins her recovery before Armageddon. So too does the Holy Roman Empire, a United Europe. The verses in Revelation 16 are dramatic in their succinctness and simplicity. We are told that the dragon and the beast reappear before Armageddon. So too does the Papal false prophet, who worked “miracles” through the Dark Ages (Rev 19:20). The dragon is the Eastern Roman Empire with its Orthodox Church. The last reference to this is in Revelation 13:4. We have seen the revival of this system in Russia since 1988 and it will finally be revealed in all its arrogance and brutality when Russia moves south through Turkey just prior to occupying the Holy Land (Daniel 11:40–45). It is therefore highly likely that the Saints will have been taken to judgment before this occurs.
The Beast of the Earth returns
The beast of Revelation 16:13 is the “Beast of the Earth” of Revelation 13:11–18. This was the Holy Roman Empire which brutally suppressed believers for over 1000 years. It had two horns, representing a religious leader (pope) and a political leader (emperor). The fact that this Beast reappears after its kingdom became full of darkness after the French Revolution is remarkable. It is a miracle.
On 1st December 2009 Europe once again had two horns. It also became a legal entity, an empire. For the first time in over 200 years, Europe now has both a political and religious leader. Then on 3rd December Russia signed a deal with the Vatican, establishing full diplomatic ties. Within the space of three days we have the appearance of the very three powers that bring the world to Armageddon:
“EU Lisbon treaty comes into force: The EU’s Lisbon Treaty has come into force, marking what Sweden’s P r i m e M i n i s t e r describes as a ‘new era’ for the 27-nation bloc. Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is steering the EU presidency, says the treaty makes the EU ‘more open and more democratic’. Critics say the treaty will cede too many national powers to Brussels. One of the treaty’s key areas is the removal of national vetoes in a number of areas.” (BBC, 1.12.09)
“russia and the vatican establish full diplomatic ties: Russia and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, the Kremlin has announced. The Announcement comes after President Medvedev met Pope Benedict XVI while on a visit to Italy. The move follows improvements in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican.” (BBC, 3.12.09)
As we would expect, this latest phase in European Unity has not gone down well in Britain. As the Tarshish of Ezekiel 38, we expect Britain to eventually stand aside from latter day Catholic Europe:
“papers unhappy over lisbon treaty: The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has gone down very badly with most newspapers. The Daily Express is deeply unhappy, describing it as ‘the end’ of Britain. The country, it feels, has ‘been sold down the river’. The Sun believes Britain has been ‘betrayed’. The Times suggests we are seeing what it calls ‘the dawn of a new Europe’. The Daily Mail is interested where the treaty leaves David Cameron’s ‘cast iron’ pledge to offer the British people a referendum. The Mail thinks Mr Cameron is now ‘under intense pressure’ to hold a national vote on Europe if his party wins power.” (BBC World News 4.11.09)
“standing alone still an option for britain: Britain has not even had a first referendum, as a result of an elaborate European conspiracy. Whether it is in Britain’s interest to remain in the EU has become a matter of legitimate debate. We have to ask whether we are partners in a failed marriage.” (The Australian 6.10.09)
The Lisbon treaty is not just another signed piece of paper. It has far reaching implications, changing the whole power structure of Europe. Europe has become an Empire – the Holy Roman Empire:
“more than 50 eu embassies open ac ross the world: More than 50 EU embassies have opened across the world since the Lisbon Treaty came into force 3 weeks ago. The move has led to fears that British consular facilities could be shut down as Brussels establishes itself as a world power. Critics say the 54 new embassies will shift power away from the British foreign office towards a new EU diplomatic service. The decision to give 54 of the European Commission’s 136 delegations full ambassadorial status was taken without any public announcement…” (UK Daily Telegraph, 22.01.10)
“pope: europe must not forget ‘christian roots’: Pope Benedict XVI urged the EU not to forget its ‘Christian roots’ as he received the EU’s new envoy to the Vatican on Monday. European values are the product of a long history in which Christianity played a vital role, he said. ‘When the Church reminds Europe of its Christian roots, it is recalling the fact that the founding fathers of the European Union were inspired by Christianity,’ he said. The pope said the Church wanted to help in the construction of the EU.” (EU Business, 19.10.09)
Russia’s religious and military intrigue
Meanwhile Russia continues to move forward economically and militarily. She is forging vital alliances with nations who will accompany her in her future domination of the Middle East:
“moscow hopes to sign arms contracts with libya: Russia is looking to sign a series of contracts for the delivery of fighter jets and air-defence systems to Libya, a defence industry official said.” (RIA Novosti, 22.01.10)
“russia to start iran nuclear plant in 2010: Russia will this year start up the reactor at Iran’s long-delayed Bushehr nuclear power plant, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation said.” (Reuters, 21.01.10) Russia is preparing for war. Mr Putin has openly spoken about war with those countries who stand in Russia’s way. Russia’s tentacles continue to extend to many parts of the globe. Putin also continues to re-establish the power and authority of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia:
“russia forsees war over arctic oil: Russia has raised the prospect of War in the Arctic as nations struggle for control of the world’s dwindling energy reserves. The country’s new national security strategy (has) identified the intensifying battle for ownership of vast untapped oil and gas fields around its borders as a source of potential military conflict within a decade. Mr Putin accused the West last year of coveting Russian energy reserves, saying: ‘Many conflicts, foreign policy actions and diplomatic moves smell of oil and gas….’ (The Australian, 15.05.09)
“Putin gives boost to law on church property return: The Russian Orthodox Church looks set to become a major owner of property in Russia after a long-delayed law on returning religious property seized by the Bolsheviks got a push from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Real estate analysts have said that given the value of land in Moscow and other cities, the law could put the Church in the league of the gas and railroad monopolies, Gazprom and Russian Railways” (RIA Novosti, 14.01.10).
“russia, turkey reinforce key strategic partnership: Following the meeting between Russian PM Vladimir Putin and Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow on 13 January, Moscow and Ankara have come closer to building a ‘key’ strategic partnership by agreeing to deepen cooperation. Putin said that Russia has won Turkish support for all its major oil, gas and nuclear projects. He (said) that Ankara had pledged to fully clear Russia’s South Stream before November 2010, when building is due to begin. Putin also said the governments of Italy, Turkey and Russia should consider signing a deal to support the proposed Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline, an oil link between Turkey’s Black Sea coast and the Mediterranean. He said cooperation between the two states should involve asset swaps between major firms and added Russian firms were ready to take part in privatization of Turkey’s state assets. Both Putin and Erdogan pledged to increase the use of national currencies in bilateral trade, currently at $15.3 billion, which the leaders want to boost to $100 billion within the next five years.” (New Europe, 17.01.10)
This is an amazing development. Russia’s move south is described in Daniel 11:36–45. These verses are an explanation of Daniel 8:23–25, which says the latter-day Roman Empire will be re-established by craft. It is “by peace he shall destroy many”. Russia is carefully manoeuvring events through clever diplomacy. There are many in the world who are worried:
“Russia will now have two major energy partners, Germany in the north (North Stream) and Turkey in the south (South Stream). No wonder Europe becomes jittery every time Turkish president or prime minister goes to Russia, or their Russian counterparts visit Turkey. Europe assumes that Turkey is leaning increasingly toward Russia and fears that this may revive Russia’s imperial ambitions.” (RIA Novosti, 13.01.10 – emphasis added).
The gathering storm
As all these events are playing out, we also see the convergence of events in Israel and the Middle East. Moderate Arab nations are being drawn closer to Israel due to their common enemy Iran. These are the Sheba and Dedan countries which will question Russia’s move south (Ezek 38:13). Israel has apparent security, and also confidence, but is also wary of the threat from an Iran backed by Russia.
This threat has now reached a critical point:
“israel and iran: the gathering storm: Israel finds itself in a paradoxical state: more secure for now, but acutely anxious about the future; closer than ever to some Arab regimes because of a perceived common threat from Iran and its radical allies, yet more demonised by its Western friends. Israelis see a global campaign of ‘delegitimisation’ akin to efforts to isolate white-ruled South Africa. Europe is regarded as increasingly hostile. There are doubts even about Israel’s great ally, America, after a spat over Jewish settlements in the West Bank.” (The Economist, 7.01.10)
“space launch will enter shehab-4 ballistic missile into operational service: Iran is set to test a two-stage Safir-type missile in space…. Iranian military and political sources believe the West will be struck dumb by the new Iranian missile going operational and its amazing range… Most of all, they hope Israel will count the cost before striking at their nuclear installations. Iran is winding up its preparations for a possible American or Israeli attack on its nuclear projects. The program’s overall objective is to turn out hundreds of missiles in quantities for overwhelming US and Israel missile shields.” (Debka, 6.11.09)
“israel’s tricky target: Israeli PM Netanyahu warned at the UN recently that ‘the most urgent challenge facing this body is to prevent the tyrants of Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons’. Iran has all the technology and production and manufacturing capabilities needed for fission weapons. Any strike that flies over Arab territory or attacks a fellow Islamic state would stir the ire of Arab states, Russia, China and several European countries. This may not stop Israel. Hardly a week goes by without another warning from Israeli officials that a military strike is possible and that Israel cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran… Some experts believe Israel could use penetrators, which may include a nuclear-armed variant, to destroy the underground chambers at Natanz (which are) defended by modern short-range Russian missiles. Israel might also have to deal with a Russia that would be far more willing to sell Iran advanced fighters and surface-to-air missiles if Israel attacked the Russian-built reactor at Bushehr.” (The Australian, 16.10.09)
“iran’s nucl ear endgame is near: We are now moving into the endgame of Iran’s decade-long drive to acquire the hardware and technology to build a nuclear bomb. What happens next could determine whether Iran becomes a nuclear-armed state, whether the region is plunged into another war, or whether Iran and the Arab world embark on a nuclear arms race. President Ahmadinejad has once again calculated that attack is the best form of defence. The Iranian strategy is clear: defy the West, woo Moscow and Beijing, and build up support in the developing world. The crisis is likely to feed into the increasing tensions in the region between Sunni and Shia Muslims, who are already at odds in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and the Gulf states. Further hostilities could break out with Iran, the main Shia power in the region, as it supports its brethren against the Arab states.” (The Australian, 1.12.09)
At the time of writing it was also reported that the US “is accelerating the deployment of new defences against possible Iranian missile attacks in the Persian Gulf, placing special ships off the Iranian coast and anti-missile systems in at least four Arab countries.” (Sydney Morning Herald, 1.02.10)
Endgame in the Kingdom of Men
The battle of Armageddon will be focused on Israel and particularly the city of Jerusalem. In Zechariah 12–14, Jerusalem is mentioned over 20 times. When we look at events in the Middle East today, we observe the storm clouds gathering over the Holy City. Consider the following headlines:
“israel won’t surrender christian sites to vatican” (Israel Today, 10.12.09)
“vatican, israel joust over jerusalem site” (Los Angeles Times, 23.12.09)
“catholic bishops criticise israel on palestinians” (Israel National News, 14.01.10)
“russian church and state gaining ground in holy land” (Economist, 17.12.09)
The Economist article said that “a Russian flag in the centre of Jerusalem, in such close proximity to the Holy Sepulchre, is priceless.” The Russian Church is the most significant landowner in Jerusalem (apart from the Israeli government) and it will want to protect its holy sites. Ezekiel 36:2 says that the invader at Armageddon will consider the Holy Sites (“the ancient high places”) an important part of the spoil. European leaders also cannot help continually pressuring Israel over these issues:
“europe’s israel obsession: (Europe’s new Foreign Minister) used her maiden speech in the European Parliament to fuel the Continent’s No 1 international-affairs obsession: trashing the Jewish state.” (Wall Street Journal, 22.12.09)
“europe: jerusal em should be joint ca pital : EU foreign ministers urged Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday to make Jerusalem their shared capital, prompting a swift, angry reaction from Israel.” (Associated Press, 8.12.09)
As if that wasn’t enough, think of what other benefits there are for the power which occupies Israel and the Middle East:
“significa nt quantities of oil discovered in israel: An everlasting hope of finding significant amounts of oil in Israel may have been realised with the announcement that ‘significant quantities’ of oil were found in a well in the area of Rosh HaAyin, a city located east of Tel Aviv. Earlier this year, a huge gas field was discovered off the Mediterranean Coast. The gas is expected to be on line in three years and is anticipated to help Israel become self-sufficient in gas.” (Israel National News, 24.12.09)
What more do we need to see?
The labour pains are continually getting stronger and closer together. And from every aspect of Bible prophecy too! Do we feel weak and overburdened with the pressures of this life? Are we just staring at the ground – right when Christ is about to step into the world? “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).