Reshaping Europe, 1992 and Beyond. Europe To Wield Global Power—such are the exciting news headlines seen today. Our readers have sent to us news articles with these headings and we do have a keen interest in these events, especially as they point toward the revival of the Roman empire.
That the power of Rome will be revived, we have no doubt. Luke writes of the times of the Gentiles. (21:24.) What are these? These times began when God gave the dominion of the world to Nebuchadnezzar: "wheresoever the children of men dwell.” These times of the Gentiles run on through four great powers.
1. Babylon.
2. Medo-Persia.
3. Greece.
4. Rome.
The ten-horned beast of Rev. 13 is the original Roman empire, but largely modified and in a new character.
The beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet: but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Rev. 17:11-13.
The times of the Gentiles still run on and will go on until Christ comes and puts down the last great head, the beast, who receives "his power, and his seat, and great authority." from the dragon or Satan (Rev. 13:2.)
What we are seeing in Europe surely points toward the closing times of the Gentiles. The driving force behind man's efforts for union is necessity, and the power to effectuate this union is money. One of the headlines in 1988 said, "Many believe the E. C. (European Community) has no choice but to move toward a single currency." Recently the headline was, "European leaders take a big step on monetary union and currency." Now they are talking about a "centralized economic decision-making and a single European currency.”
One of our contributors of information writes to us saying, "It is nice that God gives us information like this to remind us that we are nearer home." Certainly this is true, and for the believer we rejoice in expectation of the coming of our Lord and Savior to take us to the Father's house at any moment.
We do not expect to know who will be the ten who receive power "as kings." Nor do we expect to know who is the personal beast, nor who is the two-horned beast or antichrist. But it is possible that these two may be alive on the earth even now. We do encourage our readers to look into the prophetic scriptures. In this issue we have several articles which take up prophecy. The Lord said about the Holy Spirit. "He will show you things to come." John 16:13. Do we not want to know these things? About one fourth of the Bible is prophetic. What God makes known of the future always comes to pass. Ed.
EARTHLY-MINDED HEAVENLY-MINDED
Satan tempts the saints to seek to be like Lot, when they ought to like Abraham—to seek to be earthly-minded instead of heavenly-minded persons.