The fourth plenary session of the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly ended in Athens on Friday, as representatives from the 37 member nations gathered to discuss common issues concerning the future of the region. Greek Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas noted that this year marks the 14th year of the EuroMed conference, which was begun in Barcelona in 1995, and the 4th year since the establishment of the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly. Subjects up for discussion included the need for increased cooperation between the European Union and the Mediterranean states in the fields of energy and environmental protection. Greece has called for the creation of a EuroMed Energy Cooperation, which would ultimately pave the way for the creation of a single energy market covering the EU and Mediterranean states. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the formation of a Free Trade Area between Europe and the Middle East was still a relatively distant prospect, and that the Middle East conflict had largely hindered progress in the region. European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering called on the EuroMed Parliament to acquire greater powers similar to that of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, so that its decisions could have a greater influence in the region.

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 the first 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