Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, will step down from his position tonight, as the Lisbon Treaty comes into force on December 1st. A few weeks ago, Czech President Klaus became the last European leader to sign the treaty, despite objections that it would give unelected officials in Brussels "even more power". That prediction was realized just this week, when previous unknowns, Belgian President Van Rompuy and Labour Baroness Ashton were 'chosen' by EU leaders to fill the roles of EU President and Foreign Minister during secretive meeting. Van Rompuy, a self-proclaimed federalist who envisages Europe-wide taxation as a means of funding the European Union, was virtually unheard of outside his native country until he was put forward as a candidate for the presidency. While Baroness Ashton has never been elected to any of the positions she has held in the United Kingdom. She was chosen to be a Baroness in the House of Lords by the Labour government, and has no previous experience in directing foreign policy. The two candidates were chosen precisely because they were perceived to be safe bets who wouldn't 'rock the boat'. Largely euro-sceptic nations such as Britain will not see a weak EU presidency as a particular threat to British freedoms. Nor will the Council of the European Union, the heads of state governments, feel intimidated by two unknowns.

Quote: "After 10 years as European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana leaves his post on Tuesday with a mixed diplomatic record, from a durable peace in Macedonia to failed consensus on Iraq. The 66-year-old Spaniard hands over EU diplomacy to Britain's Catherine Ashton, 53, who will command a more powerful position created by the reforming Lisbon Treaty with a new, and eventually vast, European diplomatic service.

I had though Javier Solana could have been a good candidate for the person the Bible describes as the Antichrist, but it looks like will be no longer the case. I first heard about Solana on Herb's Prophecy Fulfilled website. There were a lot of interesting facts surrounding the man. His position as EU High Representative was formed under Article 666. He drafted a document called Recommendation 666. He was heavily involved in the Middle East through the Barcelona Process, which would later became the Union for the Mediterranean. He spear-headed the European Neighbourhood Policy. And he was tipped to become the EU's first Foreign Minister, had the Lisbon Treaty been ratified on time. But when 2007 passed, I realized the European Neighbourhood Policy could not be the 7 year covenant mentioned in Daniel 9. The Church is still here. There is no agreement over Jerusalem. The sacrificial system has not recommenced. And there is no peace in the Middle East. Of course I still believe the position Solana held, and the positions these two unknowns will hold, will be the position that the Antichrist will eventually occupy. The Bible foretells that the Antichrist will be of the people who destroyed the city and sanctuary in 70 AD (Daniel 9:26). Daniel 7 also has the 'little horn', another name for the end-time world ruler, rising out of the revived Roman Empire. I do still believe we are living in the last days. Nobody knows for certain when the end will come. Not even Satan knows that. Only when Satan is cast down out of the second heaven, will he know that he has just a short time left (Revelation 12:12). Some people have though Hitler was the Antichrist, and other world leaders that have since fallen by the wayside. While they were not the Antichrist as described in the book of Revelation and other places, I think that in every generation Satan has had a man in place who could have become the Antichrist. But only the Lord knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), so only He knows who the real Antichrist will end up being.

The important thing is, not when the end will come or how it will come, but have you made preparation for it? Noah prepared an ark to the saving of his house (Hebrews 11:7). God's judgement fell in one day, and destroyed the entire world. But Noah was ready. Lot's nephews scoffed at the thought of God's judgement falling upon Sodom. The next morning the city was completely destroyed. God's judgement will fall upon this world in the not too distant future, and it will also come unexpectedly (Matthew 24:37-39). What will you do? The Bible describes Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2nd Peter 2:5), who's preaching saved his family and condemned the world in their unbelief. Lot brought the message of salvation to his family. And we bring the message of salvation to you today. The Bible declares that all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If God is to be righteous He must punish sin. The penalty for sin is death (Ezekiel 18:4) and eternal separation from God in a place called the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). This will happen to you if you die in your sins (John 18:21,24). But God is also love. He created you (John 1:10), He loves you (John 3:16), and He wants you to be with Him forever. Jesus Christ bore God's punishment for your sin when He died upon the cross. He suffered and died in your place. And now God can be fully righteous in forgiving you, for another has paid your debt. Why don't you turn away from your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today. He will not turn you away.

Isaiah 53:11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Source EU Business, Times Online

This week, euro-sceptic Czech President Klaus became the last EU head of state to sign the Lisbon Treaty, paving the way for its adoption into European law before the end of the year. Klaus' initial refusal to sign the treaty, which he had said would give unelected officials in Brussels "even more power" and would create a "democratic deficit" in Europe, had given faint hope to Euro-sceptic parties in Britain that the nightmare of a federal European super state could be averted. British Conservative party leader David Cameron had promised a public referendum on the issue so long as it had not become law, but the Czech president conceded that there was no way he could hold off signing the treaty until a British election brought the Conservatives to power. Klaus did the deed on Tuesday, and the prospect of a British referendum was subsequently consigned to the dustbin of history. Cameron has now pledged that no more British sovereignty will be usurped by Brussels eurocrats. But many in the UK will perceive his promises as nothing more than a bolting of the stable door after the horse has fled, for the Lisbon Treaty will give the European Commission legal authority to acquire whatever powers deemed necessary to fulfil the mandate set out by the treaty, without requiring the prior approval of national parliaments or their electorate. Only the consensus of the European Council (member state governments) and the European Parliament is necessary. The European Parliament is little more than a talking shop, and as we have seen with the Czech signing of the treaty, state governments will not want to be seen to be 'rocking the boat'. So much for democracy. Now EU leaders are now focusing on the task of choosing who will fill the roles of EU President and Foreign Minister, which will be created when the Lisbon Treaty comes into force. Former EU Trade Secretary, Peter Mandelson, has expressed hopes that the European Union will soon emerge as a global leader on the world stage.

Quote: "Speaking 48 hours after David Cameron redefined Tory policy on the EU, the business secretary told his audience that a totally reordered global economy was on the way, requiring serious new thinking in Europe. "We will either step into a meaningful economic and political role in a multipolar world, or we will have merely a walk-on role, forced to follow others' lead," he said. "In other words, will we drive the agenda, or become a subsidiary of a process driven and shaped elsewhere, but above all by the G2 – meaning the US and China?" With new emerging powers and economic forces in the world, Europe was the "essential force multiplier" for all of its member states, he said.

The idea of European integration is not of itself evil. The Bible teaches us that we should be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but that which is of God (Romans 13:1). And even the Lord said, when speaking on the subject of taxation and military occupation, that we should render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's (Matthew 22:21). But that doesn't mean that we must agree with everything the government says or does. The Bible also teaches that when human government, which was instituted by God for the purpose of enacting His laws, contradicts the Word of God, God is to be obeyed rather than men (Acts 5:29). And this is what it will come down to in the end. As you can see, the instruments of the Antichrist's power are now being prepared. The Lisbon Treaty is paving the way for one man to have complete control over the revived Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26). As as Mandelson hopes, he will be a global leader who will unite the world politically (Daniel 7:7), religiously (Revelation 13:3) and economically (Revelation 13:17). But this government will be set up in direct opposition to the person of Christ (Revelation 13:2), with the sole purpose of preventing His Second Coming to Earth and the establishment of the eternal state (Revelation 17:4). As I said before, the idea of global governance is not of itself evil. The men that run it may be evil. But the idea is not. But this proves to us that there is only one person who has the right and ability to govern this world, and that is Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 21:27). He has the right as Creator (John 1:10). He has the right as King (Luke 1:32). And He has the right as Redeemer of this world (Revelation 10). Jesus Christ is everyone's Creator, whether they believe in Him or not (Amos 4:12). And Jesus Christ is everyone's King, whether they accept Him or not (Matthew 25:40). But Jesus Christ is not everyone's Redeemer. He is only the Redeemer of those who will trust Him as their personal Saviour. Unless you are bought with the blood of the Lamb, you remain a devoted subject of the prince of darkness, whose doom will be forever sealed in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Do not let that be your fate (Revelation 21:8). Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Revelation 19:11-13
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Source Prague Post, Guardian

Quote: "The former British leader is a prime choice for those who want "Mr Europe" to have global recognition factor and a touch of the kind of leadership charisma that is not traditionally associated with the EU. British officials are bullish that Mr Blair "may well" be anointed as the EU's first president, with French support and lukewarm German consent, at an EU summit on October 29. The job description, along with salary, terms and conditions, remains unwritten and the text of Lisbon Treaty is not illuminating when describing the new role or its powers. To a great extent the personality will shape the post and if Mr Blair is the chosen one then he will have a massive influence on shaping a presidency that will rival national leaderships and overshadow the EU. Other Brussels institutions, especially the European Commission, are intensely aware that if Mr Blair takes the job, which does not require a popular election or vote, the EU will never be the same again. Power will shift irrevocably to the Council of the EU, which represents national governments and lead to the creation of Europe as continental bloc to rival the United States and China. The Commission will be left its internal role as policeman of the single market while President of the Council becomes an international colossus.

Unfortunately the Telegraph have hit the nail on the head. I couldn't think of a more charismatic personality to lead the EU than the former British Prime Minister. When he first became prime minister of the United Kingdom, people used to refer to him as 'Mr President' because of the manner in which he ran the country. One of the first things Blair did upon taking office was to reduce the amount of time given to Prime Minister's Questions, thus limiting his accountability to parliament and the people. He recruited more spin-doctors to manage the media than any previous British government. And he brought Britain into a war with Iraq without obtaining the consent of parliament, which decision eventually led to his downfall. Of course he did leave his 'legacy' behind him. He helped to secure a measure of peace in Northern Ireland, and now hopes to repeat that achievement in the holy land through his role as Special Envoy for the Middle East Quartet. There is no doubt Blair has the makings of a president in the eyes of the world, and I emphasize, 'in the eyes of the world'. He is a good orator and is well known on the international stage. But it takes more than just fair speeches to make a president. As the Scripture states, those that rule over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (2nd Samuel 23:3). I cannot judge Blair's character or motives. And I don't know whether he is a saved man or not. Only God knows. But I do know that he has brought some very unholy laws into this country, and any person who passes laws that are contrary to God's Word cannot be said to be ruling in the fear of God.

The Bible predicts that in the last days, a great leader will arise out of the revived Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26), who will command the attention of the entire world (Revelation 13:3). This leader will be a great orator who will speak blasphemies against God and against His people (Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:5-6). He will seek to change times and laws (Daniel 7:25), and will preside over the dividing of the land of Israel (Daniel 11:39). But the world will not care what policies this leader stands for, so long as he can unite the people and solve their economic problems. Dr Paul-Henri Spaak, the first president of the UN General Assembly, once said, "We do not want another committee, we have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people, and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he God or devil, we will receive him". As you can see, with the passing of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, the world is one step closer towards the fulfilment of these prophecies. But there is hope. There is another who has been chosen to fill this position. He has been elected by God (1st Peter 2:6). He does not judge after the sight of the eyes or the hearing of the ears, but He is just and in righteousness He judges and makes war (Revelation 11:19). He is the only one who can bring true justice and lasting peace to this fallen world (Isaiah 11:3-5, 9:6-7).

Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

That person is Jesus Christ. He is the Stone of Israel (Genesis 49:24) which the leaders of the nation rejected (Matthew 21:42). He is the one who was tempted by the devil after He fasted in the wilderness, and yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He is the one that was tried by both Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod, who could find no fault in Him (John 19:6). He was the one who was tested when He was on the cross of Calvary, and was able to exhaust the wrath of God against sin (Isaiah 53:11). He has passed every test. He is the sure foundation that is worthy of our trust (Psalm 40:2). The question is, have you believed on Him for the forgiveness of sins? The verse says those who put their trust in Him shall not be moved (Psalm 62:5-6). Believe on Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 12:46-47
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Source BBC, Telegraph

Quote: ""The nature of democracy is really at stake," she said. "My basic test of democracy is: can I get rid of them? By casting a vote, you can change the people who are in control of you." The former law lecturer and MP for Birmingham Edgbaston added: "Lisbon does not give you, as a citizen, the means to control the executive or the politicians who decide on your behalf, and that's the hurdle it fails on." The treaty contains a "ratchet clause" which means that national vetoes - such as that possessed by Britain - can be scrapped without the need for referendums or political summits. Voters will also be unable to remove a powerful new EU president, who will be selected by EU leaders rather than by a poll of the electorates in member states.

As you can see, with the adoption of this new European treaty, the way is being prepared for the arrival of the person the Bible calls the Man of Sin (2nd Thessalonians 2:3). The Bible teaches us that during the last days, a final world empire would arise out of the ashes of the old Roman Empire. The prophecy of Daniel speaks of four world empires that would rule over the nation of Israel. They were Babylon (Daniel 2:38), Medo-Persia (Daniel 5:28), Greece (Daniel 8:21) and Rome (Daniel 9:26). Although there have been many other empires that have conquered the Middle East, only these four have ruled over the Jewish people while Israel was a nation. Other prophecy scholars have claimed that since Rome never ruled over Babylon, Rome can't be considered to be the successor to the first three empires. But the nation of Israel is the key to understanding God's prophetic timeline. The Arabs have never ruled over Israel when it was a nation, so I can't see the final world empire arising out of the Arab world. Indeed I don't think that could ever happen, for it would constitute a reversal of God's promise to the Jewish people. God gave the Arabs land, but He gave the land of Israel to the Jews (Psalm 105:8-11). There are other Scriptures which seem to indicate that the final world empire would arise out of Europe, and of course there are many references in official European literature, coinage and architecture which affirm this. The Bible indicates that this final world empire will devour the whole world (Daniel 7:23). But it will come to its end. For the Bible states that "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed", Daniel 2:44. How shall this kingdom be set up, and who will establish it?

Daniel 7:13-14
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 

Daniel's vision of the Messiah is repeated several times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ referred to it during His trial before Caiaphas (Matthew 24:30). The identity of this 'Son of Man', if it was ever in doubt, is made clear for us in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 5:6
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

There is only one person who is able to forgive sins, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God, who bore away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He was the one who was slain for us (Isaiah 53:10). He is the one who has redeemed us to God through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20). Why don't you turn away from your sins. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today, and be translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Source Telegraph, Times Online