Leaders of the Arab League gathered in Tripoli today to discuss French President Nicholas Sarkozy's proposal for the establishment of a Mediterranean Union. The formal announcement declaring the formation of a Mediterranean Union is scheduled for next Monday, but several Arab states have expressed concern about the idea. Some states fear that the new bloc will be dominated by the more wealthy European nations, while others dislike the term 'union', fearing that this will imply a normalization of relations with certain undesirables amongst them. But the main problem seems to be the inclusion of Israel in the bloc. Arab leaders fear that Israel's membership of the Mediterranean Union will mean they will be forced to normalize their relations with the Jewish state. According to the Arab League Initiative, Israel must hand back all territory captured during the Arab-initiated Six Day War and absorb an influx of millions of Arabs, in return for peace and a normalization of relations with neighbouring states. The European Union officially endorses the Arab League Initiative, but Israel has repeatedly rejected the plan, fearing it would result in the demographic annihilation of the Jewish state. Even if Israel was to accept the Initiative, there is no guarantee that Israel's relations would improve with their neighbours, who have only shown a hostile intent towards the Jewish state. Today's summit was organized by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has repeatedly refused to recognize Israel's existence, never mind it's right to exist.

Quote: ""They will forge a common stand on participation," an Arab diplomat said. "The only worry is the idea that Israel might join without needing to make any tangible concessions in peace talks with the Palestinians and Syrians." The union was originally proposed by France as a way of boosting ties with the European Union's southern neighbors and improving trade and security cooperation. "The most serious aspect (in the proposed union) is that it establishes a union with Israel before we Arabs unite," Libyan official Ahmed Qaddaf al-Dam told the London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat."

Meanwhile, the Arab League is pressing for assurances from the European Union and the United States that a Palestinian state will indeed be established before the end of this year, as promised at the Annapolis peace conference last year. Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa made the comments during a two day state visit to Slovenia, which currently holds the presidency of the EU.

Quote: ""I trust there will be a serious discussion about the prospects of peace in the Middle East, and on whether it will be possible as promised to have a Palestinian state by the end of the year," Mussa told a joint news conference with Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel. Mussa arrived Sunday on a two-day visit to Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. US President George W. Bush is scheduled to meet European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso in Ljubljana on Tuesday. "We hope... there will be a viable real state by the end of the year. This is a question that should be addressed to him (president Bush), an appeal that should be expressed," Mussa said.

As we can see from today's news, it seems that the expected announcement of the establishment of a Mediterranean Union may act as a catalyst to speed progress in the Middle East peace process. The Arab League will not be willing to partake in any project that legitimises Israel's right to exist, but the European Union will not want to see the project fail either. They are seeking to counteract Iran's influence in the region, which has so far brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war, carnage to Iraq, missiles to southern Israel and spurred a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The EU will either have to water down the project, or else force through a Middle East peace agreement by the end of this year, in accordance with Arab demands.

It's interesting that this Mediterranean Union should come into being now, just a few months before the latest deadline expires for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Daniel 9:27 states that the Antichrist will strengthen a covenant between many nations in the Middle East for a period of seven years. Now the Bible doesn't explicitly state what this covenant will entail, but it seems that it will guarantee Israel peace and security and enable the Jewish people to rebuild their Temple (Daniel 9:27, 2nd Thessalonians 2:4). Some have speculated this seven year covenant between the Antichrist, Israel and the Arab nations may already exist in the form of Javier Solana's European Neighbourhood Policy. This Mediterranean Union will effectively be an extension of that policy. That may be part of the puzzle. But I believe that the seven year period mentioned in Daniel will follow the Jewish calendar. The next seven year period begins on October 1st, 2008. The Bible doesn't specifically say that a Palestinian state will be created, but Judea and east Jerusalem will be handed over to the Gentiles following the breaking of the Antichrist's covenant (Zechariah 11:2, Revelation 12:2). If 2008 sees the beginning of Daniel's seventieth week, we should be expecting some sort of agreement between Israel and the Palestinians to be signed before October 1st. Whether or not this happens may depend on the Arab response to the Mediterranean Union project. Whether 2008 sees the beginning of the Daniel's seventieth week or not, we are assuredly heading towards the fulfilment of this prophecy.

The Lord said that conditions that would characterize His Second Coming would be similar to those that characterized the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26-30). In both these cases God's judgement fell in one day, and came as a complete surprise to the unbelieving world. But His judgement did not fall without prior warning. In the days of Noah, God gave men 120 years to repent (Genesis 6:3). The Bible describes Noah as a "preacher of righteousness" (2nd Peter 2:5), who's preaching condemned the world because of their unwillingness to believe God. The world's response to God's message was to tell Him to depart from them (Job 22:15-17). Only Noah and his family believed God. They entered the ark seven days before the rain came (Genesis 7:4), and they were lifted high when God's judgement fell. Abraham petitioned the Lord to spare the city Sodom for the sake of the righteous in it, but as in Noah's day, none were found to be righteous. The Bible describes Lot as a man who "vexed his righteous soul" from day to day with all the abominations of Sodom (2nd Peter 2:8). Lot warned his family of the impending judgment, but they did not take the warning seriously (Genesis 19:14). Only Lot and his family believed the message, and were warned by the angels to seek higher ground to escape God's judgment (Genesis 19:17). Today we warn you of God's impending judgement on this world. God's ark of salvation is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. He bore God's punishment for your sins upon the cross, and all who believe on Him for salvation shall not perish but will have everlasting life (John 3:16). Do not be like those in Noah's day, who told God to depart from them. Do not be like those in Lot's day, who disbelieved the warning. Escape to Calvary's mountain! Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Genesis 19:17
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Source Haaretz, EU Business

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has stated that the Middle East conflict must not be allowed to hinder the creation of the Mediterranean Union, and that the creation of the bloc may help to bring peace and stability to the region. He made the comments during a three day visit to Tunisia. Leaders from the EU and sixteen Mediterranean states are expected to formally announce the establishment of a Mediterranean Union on July 13th of this year. Under the original plan, Sarkozy had initially proposed that the Mediterranean Union would comprise of only those nations that border the Mediterranean sea. But Germany objected to this idea, fearing that the special status for southern European states could create division within the union. There were also fears that the establishment of a Mediterranean Union could undermine progress being made through Javier Solana's European Neighbourhood Policy. At the time it was announced I didn't believe such a union could come about, for the Scriptures seem to indicate that the last world empire will be a revived form of the old Roman Empire, not a separate entity from it (Daniel 7:23). And it seems that my suspicions were at least partly correct. European leaders met on the 14th of March to discuss the issue and decided that the new Mediterranean Union should include all twenty seven EU states, and that the project should be promoted as an upgrade to the Barcelona Process. Thus the Mediterranean Union will effectively become an extension of the European Union itself. Sarkozy has said he believes that the establishment of the Mediterranean Union will "change the world", for as he previously stated regarding this issue, "in the Mediterranean will be decided whether or not civilisations and religions will wage the most terrible of wars...whether or not the North and the South will clash".

Quote: ""I know that, inside the project of the Union for the Mediterranean, there is the issue of Israel and the issue of Palestine," Sarkozy said. "I'm fully aware that all this is in the background ... but this should not stop us acting. It should encourage us to act." He was addressing university students at the end of a three-day visit to Tunisia to boost cooperation on trade, nuclear energy and migration between the two countries. "Failure ... would mean taking a terrible responsibility towards our children and all future generations," said Sarkozy, adding that the new Union "will change the world".

And it does seem that the Mediterranean is fast becoming the focal point of world politics. When the Apostle John was exiled to the isle of Patmos, which is located on the coast of present day Turkey, he received a vision from God of what will come to pass in the days prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In his vision, John is standing upon the seashore, and he sees a Beast rising up out of the sea. Although the vision is symbolic and the word 'sea' is often used in the Bible to refer to the Gentile nations, the Scriptures do seem to indicate that this final world empire will rise out of the Mediterranean region. As we can see from today's news, the European Union is already seeking to extend its influence over the Mediterranean, in an attempt to bring about peace and stability there. And peace will come. The Bible says that the Antichrist, the leader of this revived Roman Empire, shall strengthen a covenant between Israel and the surrounding nations for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27). But the agreement will fail. 1st Thessalonians 5:3 states that "when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape". And following the collapse of the covenant, Sarkozy's "most terrible of wars" will commence. The Jews call it the 'last battle', during which they believe their Messiah will come and deliver them. The Christians call it Armageddon (in the Hebrew, Har Megiddon), when the armies of the world will be gathered together to do battle against Jerusalem (Revelation 16:16). And the Muslims are taught in the Qur'an that they must make war against the Jews before the day of resurrection will come. The Scriptures make it clear that this time of trouble will be so great that there will be none like it, even since the time when Israel became a nation (Daniel 12:1). But praise God that Israel shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7). For when they have no-one else to turn to, the Jewish people will call upon their Messiah for salvation (Zechariah 12:10), and Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, will return out of heaven with all His saints, and defeat the armies of the Antichrist and deliver His chosen people.

We are not looking for the day of the wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 6:17), nor are we awaiting the appearance of the Antichrist. We "wait for His Son from heaven", who has "delivered us from the wrath to come", 1st Thessalonians 1:10. God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1st Thessalonians 5:9). Jesus Christ is coming back. And He will take all those who have trusted in Him for salvation, to be with Him where He is (John 14:3). Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

1st Thessalonians 5:4-10
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Source Reuters, Likud

Quote: "Although a German national himself, he said, he firmly believed that "the Mediterranean is the cradle of Europe and democracy, the birthplace of which we find ourselves today". Poettering stressed that the Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly must follow in the steps of the European Parliament which "in the past, had limited authorities, but today we have enhanced powers", and urged the Assembly to acquire "expanded authorities, so that its decisions will be binding". 

In other news, comments made by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during a press conference last year seem to be causing a widespread debate on the internet, so much so that at least one news organization has picked up on it. A video of Barroso's comments have been posted on YouTube. During the press conference, Barroso is asked what the EU will be like for ordinary citizens once the 'European project' is completed. In his speech, Barroso dismisses the idea that the EU will become a United States of Europe, a federation of nations similar to that of the USA. He also dispels the notion that the EU is destined to become a superstate, with member states losing their national identities. Nor does Barroso believe that the EU is an international organization, but he thinks that it could be likened to an empire. According to Barroso, the EU is unique from other empires in that it has not been created through conquest, but each nation has willingly agreed to become part of this grand project. Barroso likens the European Union to a "non-imperial empire". And as globalization increases, Barroso says member states will increasingly come to depend on the European Union for their needs.

Quote: ""Sometimes I like to compare the European Union as a creation to the organization of empires... empires... and eh... because we have the dimension of empires. But there is a great difference... The empires were usually made through force, with a centre that was imposing a dictat, a will, on the others. And now, we have what some authors call a non-imperial empire," Barroso responded.

And this is exactly what the Bible predicted would come to pass. The book of Daniel describes four or five world empires that would rise and fall before the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. There was Babylon (Daniel 2:38), Medo-Persia (Daniel 10:20), Greece (Daniel 10:20) and Rome (Luke 2:1). Now there have been other empires that have existed after the fall of the Roman Empire. Some people have emailed me recently on the subject of why America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy. Of course, America isn't the only country that is not mentioned in the Bible. Other nations such as Australia, and even the British empire are not mentioned either. The British Empire once covered over 3/5ths of the globe, yet there is not a single mention of it in prophecy. Why? Because God's prophetic timetable always centres around the nation of Israel. The British Empire did rule over the Holy Land at one particular time, but we never ruled over the Jews when Israel was a nation. But in 1948 everything changed. On March 17th, 1948, five European nations signed the Treaty of Brussels, which would pave the way for the establishment of the Western European Union and ultimately the European Union itself. That same year, on May 14th, 1948, the state of Israel was reborn (Isaiah 66:8). The Bible prophesied that this final world empire, which would eventually rule over the nation of Israel, would be different from all the other empires that have come before it, just like Barroso says.

Daniel 7:23-27
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

According to the book of Revelation, this empire would not be carved out by conquest, but would rise up by itself out of the Mediterranean area (Revelation 13:1). And Daniel states that this final world empire would be partly strong and partly weak, just like Barroso says. For while the European Union would retain in it the strength of the Roman Empire, it would remain divided into nation states (Daniel 2:41-43). As we can see from today's news, the European Union is actively seeking ways in which it can govern the Mediterranean region, and ultimately Israel itself. As one website states, the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly is the only international political body that includes both Israel and Palestinian representatives. Clearly it is the European Union and not the United States of America or any other world power, that is in the position to secure peace in the Middle East. Daniel 9:26-27 states that a leader from this last world empire will arise, who will strengthen a covenant of peace between Israel and the surrounding nations for a period of seven years. And in the midst of this seven year period, the agreement will be broken, and this world leader will turn against Israel, commencing the greatest period of persecution the Jewish people have ever witnessed. 

As we can see, the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. Bible prophecy is no longer the realm of speculation, it is happening here and now for all to see. What does all this mean? Jesus Christ is coming back, just like He promised (John 14:3). God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He has ordained (Acts 17:31). Will you meet Jesus Christ as your Saviour today, or as your Judge tomorrow? Don't leave it until it is too late. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). 

Source Athens News Agency, EUX TV, WikiPedia, EUX TV

Last October, French President Nicolas Sarkozy floated the idea of creating a 'Mediterranean Union', a body comprising of European Union and Middle Eastern states bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The idea received a mixed response, with northern EU states initially opposing the plan, fearing it could divide Europe and create a rival to the 27 member bloc. But yesterday European Union ministers approved Sarkozy's plan, albeit with several significant changes. Whereas previously, only European states bordering the Mediterranean Sea would form part of the new union, now all European states will become members of the new body. The Mediterranean Union will have a joint presidency, with one leader coming from the European Union and one coming from the twelve southern states. Members of the union will hold a summit every two years. The Mediterranean Union union is being promoted as an upgrade to the Barcelona Process, launched by High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana back in 1995. The Barcelona Process, or EuroMed as it has become known, is a framework of agreements between the EU and Middle Eastern states, designed to promote stability and prosperity in the region. Ministers will be discussing the proposal over the next few months, and are expected to formally announce the establishment of the Mediterranean Union on July 13th on this year.

Quote: "Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa called the proposal an "upgrade of the Barcelona process" – the mechanism currently regulating the relations between the EU and the Mediterranean countries – and said it had received support during the EU leaders' meeting in Brussels. "It is now a question of working on this in different forums. It's now a question of doing what is needed so that this project can see the light of day," he said. An agreement was reached to launch the project as soon as possible, "with the principle that all member states will participate," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also said. A formal decision to "transform the Barcelona Process into a Union for the Mediterranean" is expected to be taken today (14 March), Mr Sarkozy told journalists late on Thursday night.

I think I now understand why some Christians believe the Antichrist will come out of the eastern leg of the old Roman Empire. I was a little bit confused about this before, but it is now starting to make sense to me how they arrive at this conclusion. The 'little horn' of Daniel 8 sprouts up out of the Greek empire. Some believe this little horn to be the Antichrist himself, but this doesn't really make sense, for according to Daniel's prophecy, the Greek empire was to be followed by at least another two empires before Christ will return (Daniel 7:7-9). It does make sense, however, if we assume that Daniel 8 speaks solely of Antiochus Epiphanes, and that while the real Antichrist may re-enact what Antiochus Epiphanes did in the Temple (2nd Thessalonians 2:4), not all the verses that speak of this little horn may be applied to both men. Some of the confusion may be due to the fact that Daniel mentions another 'little horn' in chapter 7, and the identity of this man is the Antichrist himself. But this little horn comes up in the middle of ten horns - the ten leaders of the last world empire, whereas the little horn in chapter 8 rises out of the Seleucid empire - one of the four divisions of the Greek empire. It seems that these two 'little horns' are two entirely different people, and so in my mind we should be looking to the European Union and a ten region confederacy for signs of the rising of the Antichrist, and not necessarily to the Middle East.

Daniel 8:9-12
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land]. And it waxed great, [even] to the host of heaven; and it cast down [some] of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Daniel 7:7-9
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn [were] eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.

Of course there are verses in Daniel 8 and 11 which can be applied to both Antiochus Epiphanes and the Antichrist. And long after Antiochus Epiphanes was dead, Jesus Christ made reference to the abomination of desolation as a future event which shall occur at the end of the age (Daniel 11:31, Matthew 24:15). In Scripture there are often double fulfilments of prophecies. For example, Elijah is prophesied to appear to Israel before the return of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5), yet this was partly fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13-14). God's Spirit is prophesied to be poured out on all flesh at the end of the tribulation period (Joel 2:28), yet this has been fulfilled in part through the formation of the Church (Acts 2:17). As we can see from today's news, the European Union is making great strides towards expanding its empire in the Middle East. And this is a sure indicator that the events spoken of in Daniel chapter 7 are drawing near. Jesus Christ is coming back to take those who have trusted in Him for salvation, to be with Him where He is (John 14:3). If He came today, would you go to be with Him? Or would you remain behind to face the wrath of a Holy and Righteous God? Jesus Christ gave Himself for you. He has already borne God's wrath for your sins upon the cross. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Psalm 50:4-6
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God [is] judge himself. Selah.  

Source EU Observer