German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has called for the creation of a 'political union' in Europe, even as fears grow over the future of the European single currency.

He made the comments as he received the coveted International Charlemagne Prize, awarded every year by the German city of Aachan to individuals or organizations that work to promote European integration and unity. Previous recipients of the award have included Paul Henri-Spaak, signatory of the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community; Giscard d'Estaing, author of the EU Constitution; and Jacques Delors, architect of the single European currency. Presumably Schaeuble has been awarded the prize for his efforts in promoting the European fiscal treaty, an attempt to shore up the ever-weakening single currency, and according to the German Foreign Office, is to pave the way for a coming 'political union'.

Quote: “'Europe's political unity must have a face and that face must represent a legitimate power,' he said as he accepted the International Charlemagne Prize in the western German city of Aachen. 'We must now create a political union in Europe," he stressed, calling on policymakers to make the right decisions and think about strengthening the bloc's institutions

And how is this 'political union' to come about? Schaeuble believes the EU Commission should become the new 'government' of Europe, with an EU President being directly elected by the people. For those who are unfamiliar with the European system, EU commissioners are 'chosen' by state governments to represent us in Europe. The commissioners are unelected and unaccountable, both to the people they represent and even to their own state governments, yet they are collectively responsible for drafting around eighty percent of the laws that pass through our own parliaments. These are the people that Schaeuble wants to become the new 'government' of Europe.

Quote: “'I would be for the further development of the European Commission into a government. I am for the election of a European president,' he said at an event in Aachen, reports Reuters. 'I am in favour of being more courageous on Europe," said Schaeuble, who is one of the German government's most pro-European ministers.

The direct election of an all-powerful EU 'super-president' may go a little way to redressing the democratic deficit in Europe, depending on the selection process. But the supposed 'requirement' for a 'super-president' betrays the fact that the EU is fast becoming a 'super-state', though everybody may deny it.

While we do not know exactly who will fill this role of 'super-president', the Bible speaks about a man who will one day hold a position of great authority in the world. According to the Bible, this man will not have to take power by force, rather he will be willingly offered it. The book of Revelation foretells of the Antichrist that Satan “gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority”, Revelation 13:2. You may remember the temptation in the wilderness, when Satan offered to give the Lord Jesus Christ all the kingdoms of the world if He would just bow down and worship him. The devil said, “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it”, Luke 4:6. The Lord Jesus Christ rightly refused Satan's offer, but there is coming a man who will take it up. And he will be received by the people. The Bible says of the Lord Jesus Christ that when He came into the world, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not”, John 1:11. The Lord said to the rulers of the nation of Israel, “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive”, John 5:43. The nation which refused the 'waters of Shiloah' (Isaiah 8:6) will one day accept an idol shepherd who will not spare the flock (Zechariah 11:17). And as you can see, the way is now being prepared for his arrival.

What about you? Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? Do you know your sins forgiven? Have you trusted in Him for salvation? Praise God that the Bible says of Him, “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”, John 1:12. 'As many' shows that there is room for all who come. And it also shows that none shall be rejected. Turn away from your sin and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source Express, EUObserver, Forex Live