After months of intensive lobbying by ministers, the United Nations has finally granted the European Union sweeping new powers, which will allow it to speak on behalf of itself at the UN General Assembly. Up until now, regional blocs have only had Observer Status with the United Nations. But under new rules they will be able to enjoy almost all of the privileges once reserved for nation states. European ministers have been pressing for a change in the way the United Nations is structured following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. The ratification of the treaty granted the European Union its own legal identity on the world stage for the first time in history. It also paved the way for the EU to speak on behalf of its member states at the United Nations as and when there is consensus among them. Previously the EU would have had to address the UN General Assembly through the government which held the union's rotating presidency, but now the permanent president of the European Union will have the right to address the General Assembly as if they were the head of a country. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton, expressed her delight at the decision, claiming that this will enable the bloc to speak with “a clearer voice” on important matters.

Quote: “The EU on Tuesday was given almost all the rights in the global chamber that fully-fledged states enjoy after the General Assembly backed 180 to two a resolution giving the bloc, which until this week only maintained observer status at the UN, the union the right to speak, the right to make proposals and submit amendments, the right of reply, the right to raise points of order and the right to circulate documents.

EU propaganda (for that is what it is) has often made much of the idea that Europe, as a continent of many different languages, now seeks to speak with 'one voice' on the world stage. The allusion is made in official EU literature to the story of the tower of Babel in the book of Genesis, when the whole earth was of one language and the people sought to make for themselves a name lest they be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth (Genesis 11:4). Not only was that in direct defiance of God's command for mankind to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28), but the desire to build a tower the top of which would reach unto heaven, showed a prideful arrogance in man in thinking that he did not need God. Of course we know what happened as a result. God confounded the language, the people left off to build that city, and men were scattered abroad upon the face of the earth.

It seems that today, despite the confounding of our languages, and in an almost arrogant defiance of God's judgement on the sin of Babel, the European Union is determined to make a name for itself and to speak with one voice. The European Union parliamentary building in Strasbourg, modelled after the tower of Babel, is testament to that fact. The designers of the European project are hoping to complete what the people of Babel failed to achieve. But as the Bible states, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it”, Psalm 127:1. Again, the Lord Jesus Christ said in John 15:5, “Without Me ye can do nothing”. He is the Stone which the builders of the nation of Israel rejected, Matthew 21:42. And He will one day become the chief corner stone. Only when Christ is given His rightful place, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will this world know true peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). Are you still trying to reach heaven by your own efforts? Have you given Christ the place He deserves in your life? Turn away from your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

2^nd Peter 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Source EU Observer