The outlines of the shadows being cast by coming events are becoming more and more distinct. Never before have men been so willing to take measures to bring about a union of Western European nations. The obstacle to all such federations has always been the national pride which refused to accept anything that looked like an encroachment on national sovereignty. This trait is inherent in nations; and it is obvious that only circumstances of extraordinary gravity would induce any nation to sacrifice its full independence to a common league. Men have to be prepared for such radical changes by degrees. They have to be made willing by the awful consequences of remaining alone and aloof. This transition in the thinking of the people of the Western European nations, and to a large extent in the United States, has been brought about by the growing menace of Russia.
The subjugation of Eastern Europe to Soviet aggression had been conceded and discounted, but the suddenness of Russian expansion by the coup in Czechoslovakia and the preliminary steps to the same thing in Finland has brought the Western peoples to the realization that there is no real ground for smugness, nor any real basis for supposing that her conquests will stop at the so-called "iron curtain.", Russia has become more than ever power-conscious; and there is no single nation in Europe strong enough in itself to resist her encroachments which lead to eventual domination N o w, brought abruptly to see that France, Italy, or some other nation may next feel the bear's claws, men are awakening to see that the only safeguard of the anticommunist nations lies in a Western union plan; that is, a defensive political and military alliance among themselves, and with the United States, which will be capable of halting Soviet expansion. Russia cannot through diplomacy, be persuaded to stop; the only thing that will stop her is a closely knit organization which will be strong enough to back its word with superior force. Thus the Russian threat is preparing men to be ready, in self-defense, to unite in what Scripture has long foretold—a revived Roman Empire It seems evident from Scripture that Russia will be stopped at about where she now is; and it is at this point that the Western Nations have come to the conclusion that their safety lies in union. No mention is made in prophecy of a conflict between Russia and the Western Powers; therefore it is not unlikely that the formation of a coalition formidable to Russia will be sufficient. (We must guard against being prophets; and at this point we add the comment that there may be things which will intervene between now and the, prophetic events.)
Surely the coming of the Lord is VERY near. We had not thought to see this much before the coming of the Lord, and now only a circumstance and a few weeks time would be necessary for the "ten kings" to become united. When the time comes, God will "put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." Rev. 17:17.