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