European Union Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from the Middle East are gathering in Lisbon today for the ninth Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of the nations involved in EuroMed, also known as the Barcelona Process, will be in attendance at the two-day summit. This group includes the 27 nations of the European Union and 10 nations from the Mediterranean area, comprising of Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. Prior to the EuroMed meeting, negotiating teams from Israel and the Palestinian Authority will address EU leaders on progress being made ahead of the upcoming international peace conference. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said he believed the EU would give Palestinians a boost in helping to pave the way for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Quote: "EU officials in Brussels said that while no concrete results were expected to emerge from the Lisbon meeting as far as the peace process is concerned, the fact that the EU was providing traditional enemies a forum in which to discuss issues of common interest was in itself significant. On Tuesday, EU ministers planned to discuss a variety of issues with its colleagues from the Mediterranean. These include enhanced economic cooperation, issues relating to migration and a code of conduit on counter terrorism.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's plan for strengthening Palestinian businesses, universities, police and other institutions will be discussed at the summit, along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal for the creation of a Mediterranean Union. And as the EU prepares to strengthen a future Middle East peace agreement, Israeli Rabbis have cautioned President Bush over his support for a process that will result in Israel ceding Judea and Samaria to pave the way for the creation of a Palestinian state. The Ultra Nationalist rabbis warned that the United States risks facing another unprecedented natural disaster if the Annapolis conference is not immediately cancelled. They stated in their letter to President Bush that the Californian fires should be considered the "last warning" if the US presses ahead with the dividision God's land.

Quote: ""We wrote to President Bush, a man who believes in the Bible, to warn him against the terrible danger to which he is exposing his country by hosting such a conference," Rabbi Meir Druckman, one of eight signatories, told army radio. "The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. God punishes anyone who wants to force Israel to give up its land," he said, alluding to Biblical Israel, which incorporates the modern-day Gaza Strip and West Bank. "There is no doubt the New Orleans flood from the Katrina hurricane was God's punishment for dismantling the settlements," he said of the August 2005 catastrophe that hit the southern U.S.

Although the Scriptures teach that the time of Jacob's trouble is designed to bring an unbelieving nation of Israel back to their Messiah Yeshua (Zechariah 12:10), the Bible warns us that God will also punish the nations that seek to divide His land (Zechariah 12:9). For God may use the nations to correct Israel for its disobedience, but He also holds the nations to account for their actions, especially when they overstep the line. The Lord also demands more of those nations that have received the greater light. Jesus Christ said that if the mighty miracles which had been performed in Capernaum had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah, Sodom would have remained until this day (Matthew 11:23). He said the town had been exalted to heaven, but would be brought down to hell for their unbelief. There are few nations that have received a greater light that the United States of America, and I believe because of this we can expect that they will also receive the greater judgement for dividing God's land.

Jeremiah 25:15-17, 27-29
For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink. For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

Source Monsters and Critics, IMFA, IHT, Nasdaq

Israeli officials close to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are considering whether or not to deploy an international peace-keeping force in Judea and Samaria, ahead of any peace treaty being agreed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Advisors to Olmert believe that an international presence in the region could help to alleviate Israel's security concerns, while providing support for the Palestinian forces that would assume control of the territory. Yesterday the Palestinian Authority sent 300 police officers into Shechem, in what the Palestinians are calling the first stage of the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

Quote: "Diplomats said that if Israel agreed, it would likely insist on combat-ready forces under U.S. command, with troops from Europe and regional powers like NATO member Turkey, a secular Muslim country that has strategic ties with the Jewish state. A three-star U.S. general, Keith Dayton, already serves as security coordinator between Israel and the Palestinians. It is unclear if the White House could contribute American troops given public opposition to the war in Iraq. Ahead of a U.S.-led conference on Palestinian statehood, Olmert has told his cabinet he would not implement any agreements until the Palestinians can fulfil their security obligations under a long-stalled "road map" peace plan. Given Israeli doubts Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces would be able to disarm militants, some diplomats and Israeli officials say a foreign force may be the only available option in the 14 months left in President George W. Bush's term.

Quote: "A European Union source said EU members have expressed interest in monitoring an Israeli-Palestinian accord, but discussions were at a preliminary stage.

European Union leaders have been calling for an international peace-keeping force to be deployed in the region for some years now. Last year European Union MEPs voted in favour of sending an international peace-keeping force into Gaza, to help bring about an end to the cycle of violence. After the establishment of the Palestinian unity government, Javier Solana also called for a force to be sent to the region to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. The EU has offered to send such a force into the region, but has up until now been rebuffed by the Egyptian government and Palestinian parties. Following the Hamas coup in Gaza, Olmert, Solana and Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema once again called for an international peace-keeping force to be stationed in Gaza. But Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh opposed the move, saying Hamas would treat any peace-keeping force as an occupying force. The Israeli government was also originally opposed to the intervention of a third party in the Middle East conflict, but Prime Minister Olmert now believes that if an international peace-keeping force were given sufficient powers to disarm terrorist organizations, Israel would consider it. Following the Second Lebanon War, Prime Minister Olmert gave the green light to the European Union to send its largest ever peace-keeping force into southern Lebanon, to help monitor the cease fire between Israel and Hizbullah. The European Union is also involved in monitoring Israel's southern border, and Israel recently called for the EU to be given more powers to prevent weapons smuggling at the Rafah border.

Someone emailed me of late, almost boasting that they believed that America was the beast risen up out of the sea in Revelation 13, and based this claim on the fact that America was populated largely by Europeans and that the US had the biggest army. But where is America in all of this? According to this article, it is unclear if the US will be able to commit troops to Judea and Samaria due to public opposition to the war in Iraq. I believe that the European Union is the fourth world empire mentioned in Daniel's prophecy. Yes, there have been other empires that have existed between the time of the Old Roman Empire and today's European Union. But Daniel's vision of the four beasts and Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue focus specifically on world empires that would occupy the land of Israel. From AD70 to 1947 Israel was not a nation. But in 1948 both the European Union (then the European Economic Community) and the Jewish state were formed, within three months of each other. Today the European Union is Israel's biggest trading partner, it's the biggest aid donor to the Palestinian Authority, it has been working for peace in the Middle East through the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy for over 15 years, it is the only regional power trusted by both the Israelis and Palestinians and it helps monitor Israel's northern and southern borders.

Now I'm not boasting about all of this. It's not a case of who's got the better army, as my friend that emailed me had thought. I may be a European citizen, but I am Christian first and foremost and I believe that according to Scripture, all these things must shortly come to pass. The Bible states that during the tribulation period, the Antichrist, whom I believe will be a European leader according to Daniel 9:26, will send a peace-keeping force into the Middle East to strengthen a peace agreement in the region. As we can see, Europe is already heavily involved in the region, and today's news shows us just how close we may be to the fulfilment of these prophecies.

Daniel 11:38-39
But in his (Antichrist's) estate shall he honour the God of forces (armies): and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land (of Israel) for (his own) gain.

Source Reuters

I'm sorry if I haven't updated the site much lately, I don't really feel like doing it as I have been feeling quite down yesterday and today. I was making conversation with my work colleagues yesterday, and one girl turned something I said to mean something entirely different, and I tried to tell her not to do it but she didn't listen. It made me feel embarrassed and angry all at the same time, and I'm not generally an angry person. And now I am feeling mentally drained, so I think I need to spend some time alone to recover.  

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced his intentions to hold a summit in France next year to gauge opinion on whether it would be possible to establish a Mediterranean Union between Europe's closest neighbours. The French President had proposed such an idea before, but his idea has so far received a mixed response. Courtesy of Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, many Middle Eastern and North African states have already signed up to the European Neighbourhood Policy. The ENP offers participating states economic incentives in return for political and democratic reforms. Then there is what's known as EuroMed or the Barcelona Process, again the brainchild of Javier Solana. EuroMed serves as a catalyst for peace in the Middle East, by providing a "wide framework of political, economic and social relations between the Member States of the European Union and Partners of the Southern Mediterranean". But Sarkozy's plan for a Mediterranean Union would go much further than that, allowing Middle Eastern countries to set up a union similar to that of the European Union, which would promote peace and stability in the region.

Quote: ""I invite all the heads of state and government of countries bordering the Mediterranean to meet in France in June 2008 to lay the foundations of a political, economic and cultural union founded on the principles of strict equality", Mr Sarkozy said during his visit to Morocco on Tuesday (23 October). He added that "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".

Some news analysts have poured cold water on the idea of a Mediterranean Union, commenting that Middle East states are far too economically and politically varied for the plan to work. The European Commission said efforts to promote regional cooperation should be built on existing structures, rather than undermining the progress being made through the Barcelona Process. Personally I doubt such a plan could be realized. The only Mediterranean Union I see in the Scriptures is that of the Arab nations that are confederate against Israel (Psalm 83). According to my understanding of the Scriptures, Daniel did predict a European Union would emerge out of the ashes of the old Roman Empire...

Daniel 7:23-27 
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, Rome) , 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 (3.5 years). 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.

Although a Mediterranean Union may never be established, the reason why I am commenting on this article is to emphasize the efforts of world leaders to find a solution to the Middle East conflict, and how the fourth beast, a Revived Roman Empire, will play a major role in end time prophecy. What I have also noticed of late is the efforts now underway by world leaders to put in place structures that promote promote religious dialogue. It's easy to see how much of the world is coming under a global economic system. Efforts are also underway to establish regional political alliances, with the AU, the EU, the ASEAN and other unions now being established. Religiously, the world is still very much divided. But this conflict with militant Islam will give world leaders the incentive, even the licence, to build an organization that will unite all religions under one authority. This is foretold in Revelation chapter 13. Clearly the events we are witnessing today point to the soon return of Jesus Christ. Are you for Him or against Him? He died to take away your sins. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.  

Source Business Week

Well here it is friends, it seems the European Union has finally found its "one voice" that has been spoken about for so long. The draft of the new EU Constitution is now available on the internet here (a backup copy is on my website here). I have been keeping record on this site of the many times European leaders have called on Europe to speak with one voice. Javier Solana called for it in relation to energy resources, the European Parliament echoed those calls, Javier Solana called for it in relation to the UN Security Council, former French President Jacques Chirac said it of Solana's appointment to EU Foreign Policy chief, the press said it of Solana and the new EU Constitution, and of course EU propaganda boldly proclaims that Europe is a nation of many languages speaking with one voice. Well if this new constitution is ratified by 2009 as planned, the EU will officially have one voice on the world stage. I wouldn't consider EU treaties bedtime reading material, but I found article 188n of particular interest regarding the EU's new "legal identity". Following the ratification of this treaty, the European Union will now have the power to make and break its own agreements with other nations and organizations, with the guidance of its new Foreign Policy chief. This is quite an increase in political power for the European Union. No wonder the politicians are saying that no further constitutional changes are needed for quite some time. Have a read for yourself...

The new legal identity of the European Union

THE UNION'S RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND THIRD COUNTRIES AND UNION DELEGATIONS
Article 188p 
1. The Union shall establish all appropriate forms of cooperation with the organs of the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Union shall also maintain such relations as are appropriate with other international organisations. 
2. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission shall be instructed to implement this Article.

The new power of the European Union to make and break agreements with third countries, based upon the recommendation of the Foreign Policy chief.

Article 188n
1. Without prejudice to the specific provisions laid down in Article [III-315], agreements between the Union and third countries or international organisations shall be negotiated and concluded in accordance with the following procedure. 
2. The Council shall authorise the opening of negotiations, adopt negotiating directives, authorise the signing of agreements and conclude them.
3. The Commission, or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy where the agreement envisaged relates exclusively or principally to the common foreign and security policy, shall submit recommendations to the Council, which shall adopt a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and, depending on the subject of the agreement envisaged, nominating the Union negotiator or head of the Union's negotiating team.
4. The Council may address directives to the negotiator and designate a special committee in consultation with which the negotiations must be conducted.
5. The Council, on a proposal by the negotiator, shall adopt a decision authorising the signing of the agreement and, if necessary, its provisional application before entry into force.
6. The Council, on a proposal by the negotiator, shall adopt a decision concluding the agreement. Except where agreements relate exclusively to the common foreign and security policy, the Council shall adopt the decision concluding the agreement: 
    (a) after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament in the following cases: 
        (i) association agreements; 
        (ii) agreement on Union accession to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; 
        (iii) agreements establishing a specific institutional framework by organising cooperation procedures; 
        (iv) agreements with important budgetary implications for the Union; CIG 1/07 103 EN Page 104 
        (v) agreements covering fields to which either the ordinary legislative procedure applies, or the special legislative procedure where consent by the European Parliament is required. The European Parliament and the Council may, in an urgent situation, agree upon a time-limit for consent. 
    (b) after consulting the European Parliament in other cases. The European Parliament shall deliver its opinion within a time-limit which the Council may set depending on the urgency of the matter. In the absence of an opinion within that time-limit, the Council may act. 
7. When concluding an agreement, the Council may, by way of derogation from paragraphs 5, 6 and 9, authorise the negotiator to approve on the Union's behalf modifications to the agreement where it provides for them to be adopted by a simplified procedure or by a body set up by the agreement. The Council may attach specific conditions to such authorisation.
8. The Council shall act by a qualified majority throughout the procedure. However, it shall act unanimously when the agreement covers a field for which unanimity is required for the adoption of a Union act as well as for association agreements and the agreements referred to in Article [III-319] with the States which are candidates for accession. The Council shall also act unanimously for the agreement on accession of the Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; the decision concluding this agreement shall not come into force until it has been approved by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements. 
9. The Council, on a proposal from the Commission or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall adopt a decision suspending application of an agreement and establishing the positions to be adopted on the Union's behalf in a body set up by an agreement, when that body is called upon to adopt acts having legal effects, with the exception of acts supplementing or amending the institutional framework of the agreement.
10. The European Parliament shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure. 
11. A Member State, the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission may obtain the opinion of the Court of Justice as to whether an agreement envisaged is compatible with the Treaties. Where the opinion of the Court of Justice is adverse, the agreement envisaged may not enter into force unless it is amended or the Treaties are revised."

Friends, for the first time in history, the European Union will have its own legal identity on the world stage. It will be able to establish its own relations with third countries. It will have the authority to negotiate, modify and suspend its own agreements with those nations. It seems that for the first time in history, the EU will have the capability of fulfilling Daniel 9:27, which prophesies of a Roman "prince" or ruler that would strengthen a covenant of peace between Israel and the Arab nations. As we can see from this treaty, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs will have a central role in establishing agreements between the European Union and third countries. The book of Revelation states that during the tribulation period, all sovereignty on earth will one day be handed over to a man who will head up a world government system. The Apostle John declares about this man that "the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat (position), and great authority", Revelation 13:2. John also records that there was "given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies", and that he would be given "power to continue for forty two months", Revelation 13:5. This world leader will use his powerful position to blaspheme God's name, to persecute the Jewish people and defile the Temple, to make war against the tribulation saints, and to blaspheme those that dwell in heaven. 

With today's news, it seems we have come one step closer to the fulfilment of these prophesies. Time is short. I presently believe that the rapture of the Church must occur before all this comes to pass. I am not dogmatic about this, but this is simply my understanding of Scripture. And so I say, will you be one of the ones that the Antichrist will blaspheme, because he cannot come at them in heaven, or will you be left behind to face the judgements of God, poured out without mixture? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today, and be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

Isaiah 26:19-21
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Source Europa