Apologies for not updating the website last week. I was taking a needed break from the computer, as my eyes are still a little strained and I don't want to overdo things.

There is only a week to go before the launch of the Mediterranean Union project, and the French government are expecting a full turnout of Middle East leaders for the event. A few Islamic countries are still undecided at whether to send high-level figures to the Paris summit, but most nations have signalled a willingness to attend. Libyan General Muammar Gaddafi has already stated he does not intend to take part in the gathering, objecting to Israel's participation in the group. But it seems that Libya will send a delegation to the Paris summit. The Turkish government is also undecided over whether to send a high-level group to the event, but this is more to do with Turkey's bid to become a member of the European Union. Syrian President Bashar Assad is expected to attend the summit and will hold discussions with French President Nicholas Sarkozy over the situation in Lebanon. He may also meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres on the sidelines of the conference, to discuss the ongoing negotiations over the Golan Heights. It is hoped that the establishment of the Mediterranean Union, or the UPM as it is being called, will create dozens of institutions across the region in the areas of scientific and higher education cooperation, transportation, migration, agriculture and infrastructure.

Quote: "On July 13, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will host the heads of the governments and states of 43 countries, including the EU's 27 countries and the Mediterranean nations, except for Libya, which will send a lower-ranked figure to show its uneasiness over Israel's participation. Through the summit, the French presidency of the EU will launch its controversial project known as the 'Union for the Mediterranean'. During the summit, leaders will have a chance to deliver short speeches on how they see the initiative, the goals, vision and prospects of which will be detailed in a joint statement to be published at the end of summit. EU diplomats in Brussels are still discussing the content of the communiqué, which is where Turkish diplomacy comes in.

Libya's reluctance to participate in the UPM is no surprise, for the Bible states that Libya will be one of the nations that will come against Israel in the latter days (Ezekiel 38:5). This verse also mentions Iran and Sudan, all of them staunch Islamic states, characterized by a hatred for Israel. But clearly July 13th will be a very significant day. One person emailed me recently asking whether this Mediterranean Union could be the final world empire that the man of sin will control. The book of Revelation seems to indicate that there would be seven world empires in history that would rule over the Jewish people.

Revelation 17:10-11
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Five of these empires have fallen. They are thought to be Egypt (Genesis 15:13), Assyria (2nd Kings 17:6), Babylon (Daniel 2:38), Medo-Persia (Daniel 8:20) and Greece (Daniel 10:20). And in John's day, Israel was held captive by Rome (Luke 2:1). It seems that we are now living, or possibly more correctly, will be living in the days of the seventh kingdom, the Revived Roman Empire. I say 'will be', because Israel is not presently under the control of the European Union. Things are leading that way, but we are not there yet. There are leaders in Israel who are interested in joining the EU. And just recently the EU upgraded its relations with the Jewish state. I think the more Israel becomes entangled in the web of the EU, the closer we are to Europe actually 'occupying' the state of Israel. And with the creation of this proposed Mediterranean Union, Israel is set to become a partner with the EU. That brings us to another prophecy in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

When the 'sea' is mentioned in Scripture, it generally refers to the Mediterranean Sea. And at the time of John's vision of the Apocalypse, he was on the island of Patmos, which is located off the southern coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. Could it be that this UPM will be the beast that rises up out of the 'sea'? Could this be the eighth kingdom, which is also of the seventh (Rome)? I don't know. But I think it is extremely interesting that this Mediterranean Union is being proposed now, especially in light of current efforts being made in regards to Syria and the Palestinians. Sooner or later an agreement will be reached. And for those of us who know Bible prophecy, we know what that will mean. Jesus Christ is coming back. Now is not the time for procrastination. As the angel warned the Apostle John, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand", Revelation 22:10. This is why we take the time to warn you of what is coming to pass. This is an urgent matter. We are not promised tomorrow. The Scriptures say, "Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts", Hebrews 4:7. If God is speaking to you about your need of salvation, do not harden your heart. You may not have another opportunity to hear the Gospel. God loves you so much, He send His only Son into the world to die on a cross, so that you could be forgiven of your sins. Turn away from your sins and believe on Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source Reuters, China View, Turkish Daily News, China View, Mathaba