Russia, Ukraine, and the Rise of the European Union :: By Britt Gillette

Published on: May 25, 2022 by RR7

For decades, Christians have speculated on whether or not the European Union is the final world empire outlined in the Bible. The Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation point to a revived Roman Empire that will appear in the end times (Daniel 7:23; Revelation 17:10). Since World War II, prophecy watchers have paid careful attention to the slow and steady unification of western Europe. The alliance now known as the EU has faced numerous growing pains along the way. These include squabbles over a single currency, trade rules, debt bailouts, Brexit, and hundreds of issues.

The latest infighting centers around the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While some EU members have called for a complete embargo of Russian oil and natural gas, others have made it clear they will never agree to such restrictions. For example, Germany claims they can move forward with a ban on Russian oil by year-end, but Hungary has unequivocally said, “No.” Without Russian supplies, Hungary runs out of energy. Germany does too. The only difference is its leaders continue to delude themselves into believing they can survive with zero Russian energy.

The EU put itself in a terrible position of weakness. Entering 2022, they were dependent on Russia for 30% of their oil and almost half of their natural gas. When the EU supported sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the international banking system cut off Russia’s foreign dollar and euro reserves. This meant if Russia continued to accept dollar and euro payments, they would be trading oil and gas in exchange for worthless currency they couldn’t spend.

So, what did they do? Russia demanded payment in either rubles or hard currency such as gold. European leaders threatened to sue for breach of contract. They vowed never to accept such an arrangement and threatened any European energy company that dared to comply. That was last month. Today, dozens of European countries and companies are paying for Russian oil and gas with rubles. The latest is French energy group Engie, whose largest shareholder is the French government.

When it comes to foreign policy, the EU is divided. Each nation continues to operate its own foreign policy. They can’t agree and rarely speak in one voice. To me, this failure to agree is yet another reason to believe some form of the EU will become Daniel’s prophesied final empire. Why? Because this EU characteristic aligns with the empire Daniel describes.

For instance, the Bible says this final world empire will be a kingdom:

Divided (Daniel 2:41)
Made up of weak and strong nations (Daniel 2:42)
Of nations trying to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other (Daniel 2:43)
That fails to hold together or “gel,” just as iron and clay don’t stick together (Daniel 2:43)
From among the ancient Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26-27)

A Global Empire

Right now, no empire rules the world, much less a global empire of ten nations or ten kings. This means the EU in its present form is not the global empire foreseen by Daniel. However, this doesn’t mean it won’t become that empire. Most likely, it’s an early stage of what will become the Antichrist’s global empire. Why? Again, the EU fits every one of the characteristics outlined above. The Antichrist’s empire will be:

1) A Revived Roman Empire – The global empire from Daniel’s vision is built on the ashes of the ancient Roman Empire. Why do I say this? First, the ruler of this global empire is the Antichrist. According to Daniel, the Antichrist will arise from the nation whose armies destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Daniel 9:26). That nation was Rome. So the global empire’s ruler will come from Rome.

Second, when explaining Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel described five empires that will rule Israel before Jesus returns. Those empires were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a ten-nation alliance (Daniel 2:36-45). He describes each successive kingdom, but he makes no distinction between the fourth kingdom and the ten-nation alliance (Daniel 2:40-43). In other words, the ten-nation alliance will be a new form of the fourth kingdom – Rome.

Later, Daniel has another vision. This time, he sees four beasts, each representing a world power that will conquer Israel (Daniel 7). We know the fourth beast is Rome because it conquers the third beast, Greece (Daniel 7:6). But we also know it will come back. Why? Because it “will rule the whole earth” (Daniel 7:23), and it will be ruled by the Antichrist (Daniel 7:24-25). Rome neither ruled the whole earth nor was it ruled by the Antichrist. Also, this empire is yet again described as a ten-nation alliance (Daniel 7:20), and the ancient Roman Empire never took the form of a ten-nation alliance.

Today, the EU sits on the ashes of the ancient Roman Empire. Ancient Rome occupied nearly every part of the current EU member nations, including Italy – home to Rome itself.

2) A Divided Alliance, Loosely Held Together – The global empire Daniel described will also be divided (Daniel 2:41). It will struggle to hold itself together, just as iron and clay struggle to hold themselves together (Daniel 2:43). Do we see this type of alliance when we look at the EU? Absolutely!

Since its inception, the EU has harbored an odd collection of politicians, governments, economies, currencies, and militaries. From the Schuman Declaration in 1950 to the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007, the rise of the EU has been marked by a struggle to agree on important issues. These include arguments over a single currency (the United Kingdom and Denmark opted out), disagreements over how to handle debt crises (the Greek bailouts), and disputes over open borders (the Syrian refugee crisis). Each step along the way, the EU struggled to survive.

Until recently, Brexit was the latest example. Critics pointed to Brexit as evidence the EU is not the coming global empire. But the exact opposite is true. Brexit is a perfect example of the EU’s struggle to stay together, “just as iron and clay don’t hold together.” Now, the EU’s dividing issue is how to deal with Russia. Arm Ukraine? To what extent? Ban Russian imports or pay for oil and gas in rubles? Yet again, EU member countries can’t agree on a unified policy. It’s the latest example of why the EU is a “divided alliance” (Daniel 2:41). It’s a union of weak and strong nations struggling to bond together (Daniel 2:43), and this is exactly how the Bible described the final world empire.

3) An Alliance of Weak and Strong Nations – As I write this, the EU contains the world’s 4th, 6th, and 7th largest economies (Germany, the United Kingdom, and France). And yes, I’m still counting the UK as part of the EU. When the pro-EU politicians come back into power (which is probably only one election away, given the massive food and fuel inflation we’re seeing), and the UK remains out, then I might concede the UK is no longer part of the EU. Until then, I still count it as part of the EU. The EU also contains the world’s 113th, 114th, and 132nd largest economies (Iceland, Cyprus, and Malta).

When it comes to military spending, the EU contains the world’s 4th, 6th, 7th, and 11th largest militaries (the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy). Yet, it also contains the world’s 78th, 79th, 87th, and 90th (Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Estonia).

Alone, not a single EU nation is a world power. Together, they are the world’s greatest economic power. Combined, their military spending is second only to the United States. In fact, several European politicians have called for an EU army. Don’t doubt it – the EU is a superpower. It’s a revived Roman Empire made up of weak and strong nations. And this is what the Bible says will exist just before Jesus returns.

Vassal States of Russia?

In a world governed through the use of force, many geopolitical experts say the reality is the EU has become a collection of Russian satellite states. Despite all the grandstanding over Russia sanctions and threats of military force, the cold harsh reality is Europe needs Russia’s fossil fuels. Without Russian oil and natural gas, the lights go out. Industry comes to a screeching halt. Come winter, people freeze. This means, on the world stage, the EU is in a position of weakness. They’re beholden to Russia. They don’t resemble anything close to a world superpower. Therefore, the conventional wisdom says Europe’s power on the world stage is fading and will soon come to an end. But I would argue this is exactly the state the Bible says the final world empire will be in just prior to devouring the world.

If the EU is the world empire described in the Book of Daniel, then its current weakness will soon transform into overwhelming strength. But how?

We don’t know for sure how this will happen, but we could be witnessing the seeds of this transformation right now. Ironically, the catalyst for change may very well be the state of weakness the EU finds itself in now. Its failure to speak with a single voice when dealing with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and its reliance on the U.S. and NATO when it comes to defense have led to calls for the creation of a new executive position to formulate a common EU foreign policy and new calls for the creation of an EU army.

In an opinion piece, the foreign ministries of Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic called for Europe’s foreign ministers to “give the EU’s new high representative greater leeway to respond to rapid developments when core European values are at stake and allow the EU to become more agile and proactive on foreign policy.”

When the EU finally decides to assert itself on the world stage, it will become a mighty superpower. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has likely moved that day closer to reality. It highlights the weaknesses of current EU institutions. This will likely spur significant change in those institutions.

What Happens Next?

Look for EU advocates to push for greater unification, particularly in regard to a unified foreign policy backed with the threat of a EU military force. The current disagreements appear to show weakness, but this weakness won’t last. All the volatility we’ve seen so far makes it more likely the EU is an early phase of the alliance Daniel described. It’s the mirror image of the revived Roman Empire the Bible says will appear in the last days (Daniel 2:40-43, Daniel 7:23-24). It’s made up of weak and strong nations (Daniel 2:42). It’s divided against itself (Daniel 2:41), and the effort of these nations to come together and strengthen themselves is volatile and unstable (Daniel 2:43). These bible verses sound a lot like the EU, don’t they? I sure think so.

If the current crisis in Ukraine results in a single EU foreign policy and a unified EU military, the EU will take one more step toward becoming the global empire Daniel described.

Keep looking up, because Jesus is coming!

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Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus as well as the books Signs of the Second Coming and Racing Toward Armageddon. Receive his book 7 Signs of the End Times for free when you sign up for his monthly newsletter.

World Economic Control Prophesied: …There Yet? Part 1 :: By Wilfred Hahn

Published on: May 25, 2022 by RR7

Vladimir Lenin, the one-time head of Soviet Russia, was quoted as saying: “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.” Breathtakingly, an acceleration of that magnitude appears to have unfolded in the early months of 2020.

No sooner did the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe that a new future for the world seemed to have already been well pre-planned. One cannot be blamed for thinking that a cadre of policymakers around the world had been waiting for the next crisis.

Crises, whatever their kind, act as catalysts in human affairs. Panicked fears and societal uncertainties serve as an impetus for new and unorthodox policy decisions by political leaders and policymakers. Of course, many of these are well-meaning but also may have deleterious consequences.

However, one does not need to invoke far-fetched conspiracy theories to explain why crises come about … how they are triggered, and how they prey upon common and predictable human behaviors. In this respect, crises are a normal feature of mankind’s societies; they have been the constant companion of human existence.

Crucially, however, there is one conspiracy of cosmological dimensions that has been playing out over many generations of humans. It is a conspiracy that requires no speculation, being clearly mentioned in the Bible.

“A master of intrigue will arise” (Daniel 8:23). He will “[…] take his stand against the Prince of princes” (verse 25). The power behind him is Satan himself. Also, Psalm 2:1-2 reveals that all the world’s rulers will take a stand against God at that time. A hierarchy of evil and dark forces work in unison and coordination to that goal (Ephesians 6:12).

Conveniently, crises can serve as a clandestine cover under which to push forward a long-term agenda against God. For example, mankind is very vulnerable to fear and greed. Satan knows this very well. He, therefore, surely loves hyperactive financial markets around the world. He ruthlessly uses these human penchants and weaknesses to his advantage.

It is, therefore, reasonable to accept that crises and their attendant human responses of fear and panic do play into the glove of those who have an agenda to advance. They can seize the opportunity of a populace that is willing to compromise or accept a loss of freedom for the sake of security and prosperity.

These trade-offs lead down a very treacherous road … one that is well-documented throughout history and also in the Bible, as we will show. Why? Because such changes and trends borne of crises are usually cumulative and not easily reversed.

Consider the advances of science and technology. These are always a step leading forward, never to be reversed or lost. It is similar with policymaking in respect to human rights, centralization of power, globalism, censorship, central banking, etc. These humanist advances are often one-way developments: give an inch, and when a facilitating crisis arrives, then take a mile.

An undeniable trait of history is that a genuine crisis—whether health-related, economic, of public safety and/or civic order—always and everywhere enhances the powers of top-down, authoritarian leadership.

Without a doubt, these types of nefarious shifts are being witnessed in bright lights around the world today. In fact, this writer would even state that these “ripening” trends have accelerated as perhaps never before in recent years … now kicked into supersonic speed following the latest global crises.

Consider that Freedom House, even before 2020 ever arrived, had already counted 14 consecutive years of declining freedom worldwide.^[1]Looking ahead, it would not be surprising to observe this trend to be in further freefall.

We live in an age where globalization has progressed rapidly (though possibly experiencing an ebb for a while); a global brotherhood of man through the common interests of commerce, speaking as if with one language and objective.

The rebellious unification of world rulers and elites against God and His Son Jesus Christ is already far advanced.

Essential to this agenda is a final financial entrapment of all mankind to force all to worship the Antichrist. Economic captivity, therefore, plays a key role in the last days. A diabolical trapper has been setting in place an endtime money snare.

How did the world get to this late date … this rendezvous with History? It required a lot of planning and plotting … forward steps followed by backward steps, then again forward.

The end goal is to entirely entrap humanity, allowing him fewer and fewer options. Ultimately, a stern world ruler (Daniel 8:23) will be revealed, forcing humanity to comply with his agenda of rebellion.

As already mentioned, it is a plot to which the Bible testifies. In fact, right from the first Book of Genesis, an endtime program of enslavement of mankind is foreshadowed.

In the Beginning, a Blueprint

Bible scholars say that the entirety of Scripture is enfolded in its first book. As such, one will also discover that much prophecy is foreshadowed in the Book of Genesis.

Consider the Biblical account of Joseph, seen as a wondrous story. However, in our interpretation, it provides a surprising endtime conspiratorial blueprint, which is urgently germane to our day.

Readers will surely be shocked to learn that the story of Joseph would offer just such a perspective. After all, wasn’t the story of Joseph about the remarkable rise of a young man who had been sold by his brothers to Midianite traders traveling to Egypt? Starting out as a slave, he eventually rose to the very top of that era’s geopolitical echelon as a chief regent of Pharaoh. Egypt at that time was the most powerful country in the world.

How did Joseph come to this position?

While Joseph was in prison in Egypt (after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife), Pharaoh experienced a vision of seven “fat and sleek” cows coming out of the Nile. These were followed by seven ugly and lean cows, who then ate up the seven fat cows. He was perplexed. He then saw a second vision, which repeated the message of the first. Only this time, it was seven full heads of seeds, followed by seven heads that had been withered and scorched.

However, Pharaoh and his entourage were not able to decipher the meaning of these dreams. And so, Joseph was called out of prison to interpret the meaning of the vision, as he had done before for his two jail-cell companions. He told Pharaoh that the visions revealed God’s plan to allow seven years of abundance in Egypt, to be followed by seven years of famine.

God had enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, as well as recommend a public works program. In response, Pharaoh appointed Joseph to prepare the nation for a seven-year drought. He was put in charge of the entire kingdom.

Just as Joseph had said, seven years of abundance did occur, which were followed by seven years of famine. While other lands had no grain, in the whole land of Egypt there was plenty of food.

It then becomes a very heart-rending story. It reveals what humanity will do in order to quell the pangs of hunger … to be saved from a crisis of whatever kind. In desperate times, having little choice, people will strike bad deals … ceding freedoms and increasing their vulnerability to rich despots and totalitarian regimes.

Fourteen years later, the entire commercial and societal structure of the known world at that time, as well as almost all the land in Egypt, came under the control of one man—Pharaoh—due to Joseph’s management. Pharaoh ended up becoming an all-powerful, economic potentate. Such was the case in Egypt almost 4,000 years ago, when Joseph reigned as vice-regent.

How did this happen? A more detailed examination of this account reveals many levels of prophetic foreshadowing, these serving to provide endtime warnings for the world and Christians living today.

A Sometime Misinterpreted Story?

The Bible story of Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, is a popular favorite of children and adults alike. Not only does it celebrate the ultimate blessings that accrued to a righteous man, but it also shows how God can miraculously enter into the seemingly unfortunate occurrences of our lives and ultimately work them out for good (Romans 8:28).

However, now with new eyes, the account of Joseph’s deeds raises many questions.

Joseph began the operation of stockpiling the harvested grain of the seven fat years. According to the original edict (Genesis 41:34-35), Joseph and his commissioners were to take one-fifth of the harvest and store the grain inside the cities. Joseph did not pay for the excess grain; he collected one-fifth as a tax.

During the seven bountiful years, the stockpiles eventually became so large that he was no longer able to keep an account of their size (v. 49).

Then, as was prophesied, “The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end” (v. 53).

When Egypt and other lands “began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph and do what he tells you'” (v. 55). And they did so.

Then “Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians” (v. 56).

Scripture tells us that, receiving payment, Joseph collected all the money that was found in Egypt and Canaan. Again, we note that Joseph collected ALL of the money in these lands as payment. Joseph took every last penny in return for grain so that people might eat and be saved from the famine.

What was the result? Joseph then controlled all payment specie. He deposited all of this money into Pharaoh’s coffers.

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1 https://freedomhouse.org/article/media-restrictions-today-will-harm-democracy-tomorrow

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

If you have questions or other perspectives, you can contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com. Please note that for reasons of volume and investment securities regulation, he cannot give financial advice.