The European Union’s Fatal Flaw
Over the past 1500 years there have been six resurrections of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Most of the time this empire revolved around Germany and the Vatican, along with Italy.
During the Inquisition, 50 million people were killed by this church-state combine! Hitler and Mussolini (both Catholics) resurrected the “Holy” Roman Empire. World War ii also led to the deaths of about 50 million people.
That kind of aggression has been routine throughout the empire’s history. Is it possible it could happen again, in these modern times?
It is time for people to wake up to what is happening in Europe!
America has nearly 60 million Roman Catholics, although they have never been a part of the Holy Roman Empire. Generally, the same can be said of Britain. And America and Britain will not be a part of the next resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire.
That empire is already on the world scene, though most people don’t know it—not even most Europeans. Here is a statement European Parliamentarian Otto Von Hapsburg made: “The [European] Community is living largely by the heritage of the Holy Roman Empire, though the great majority of the people who live by it don’t know by what heritage they live.”
Vatican Moves Right
What is happening today inside the Vatican is disturbing to many, including a large number of Catholics.
As we informed our readers last month, the Sunday Times of Britain published a startling Vatican exposé in its March 12 issue. It quoted senior Vatican officials as saying that Pope John Paul ii has lost control of the Vatican. They cited severe health problems, including loss of critical faculties. On condition of anonymity, these sources claimed that the Vatican power vacuum is being filled by hard-line right-wingers who “are manipulating the pope to the extent of putting statements into his mouth.”
These senior officials are inside the Vatican! They spoke to the press about a subject which, to them, was extremely serious! Is this their way of crying out for help?
John Cornwell, a British Catholic who authored Hitler’s Pope, says the Catholic Church “has now entered a period of acute and unprecedented danger.”
These are statements made by Catholics—even top theologians inside the church.
Why do we hear so little about this in the media? Why aren’t more people heeding what is being said and written about this fierce battle within the Vatican? Are we afraid to face disturbing facts? Or do we fail to comprehend how serious this problem really is?
Political Swing to the Right
The same deadly move to the right is happening politically.
Who in this world has not heard of Jörg Haider? He has made many statements that would have made Hitler proud. (For example, he praised Hitler’s employment policies and called the concentration camps “detention units.”) And he got almost 30 percent of the popular vote in Austria!
It was so upsetting to the leaders of the European Union (EU) that they have removed Austria’s political power within the 15-nation union.
These leaders have not forgotten that Adolf Hitler was an Austrian. He moved to Germany and rose to power within a few years.
But is JörgHaider popular only in Austria? The Spectator of Britain, October 16, 1999, explained (emphasis mine throughout): “I venture a prediction: the forces that have brought Haider within reach of power in Vienna are also astir in Austria’s giant neighbor, Germany. The German political establishment is scarcely more popular with its voters than in Austria. But the German far-right lacks a charismatic leader. Already, Haider has begun to make trips to Bavaria to address meetings of like-minded Germans, who have given him an ecstatic reception. Haider would not be the calculating politician he is if the thought ‘Today Vienna, tomorrow Berlin’ had not entered that handsome head. An Anschluss in reverse? Stranger things have happened.”
Helmut Kohl, the former chancellor, and his Christian Democratic Party have been plagued by scandal. This has caused many of their members to move more to the right. There are fears in Germany that many of these people will move to right-wing fringe parties.
The people’s trust has been shaken. This causes them to move to a stronger leader, as they did during the 1930s.
Fritz Stern, a Columbia University historian, said, “I believe this is the worst crisis the Federal Republic [Germany] has known.”
The roots of Germany’s democracy are frighteningly shallow. An extreme right-wing party won 12 percent of the regional vote in eastern Germany during the 1998 elections. Other elections have had similar results, disturbing even to many Germans.
This problem will get a lot worse. Here is why. The Allies did virtually nothing to denazify the Nazi beast after World War ii. Alan Dershowitz, a Jewish lawyer, wrote in the Rocky Mountain News, September 14, 1992: “Why does the civilized world seem so shocked at the resurgence of Nazism in Germany? It would be surprising if bad economic times did not result in right-wing thugs scapegoating non-Aryans for their woes. After all, the people of Germany —especially the young—have never been taught about the true evils of Nazism and the widespread complicity of the German people in Hitler’s genocidal programs.
“At the end of the Second World War, there were some show trials at Nuremberg, at which a few handfuls of the surviving leaders were convicted.
“The message of those trials was that the blame for the excesses of Nazism was specifically directed only at the leaders. The followers—the tens of millions of Germans who avidly supported Hitler and the tens of thousands who actively implemented his genocidal programs—were let off the hook. Even some of the most complicitous—for example, the Krupps—were pardoned and eventually restored to positions of honor and wealth.
“German ‘denazification’ was largely cosmetic.”
Even many of the Nazi leaders were left almost totally unpunished. They were not made to pay for their sins. As Mr. Dershowitz said, “a calculating potential Nazi would again choose to participate in the genocide on the basis of a simple cost-benefit analysis.”
Considering how these Nazis were treated after the war, we should be shocked if Nazism didn’t rise again!
Politics and Religion
Right-wing extremism is not just an Austrian or German phenomenon. Consider another London Times story, printed on April 18: “Italy’s left-wing government was on a knife edge yesterday after Massimo D’Alema, the prime minister, offered his resignation after a resounding defeat at the hands of the center right in regional elections….
“Signor D’Alema emerged from a 45-minute meeting with the president at the Quirinale Palace to say that although he was not obliged to step down, he had offered to do so when the scale of the right-wing surge in the regional vote became clear….
“The left said that the right-wing alliance (which also includes the post-Fascist Alleanza Nazionale led by Gianfranco Fini) was xenophobic, and its views were close to those of Jörg Haider’s Freedom Party in Austria. The Berlusconi-Bossi joint program proposes tough sentences for immigrant smugglers, strict immigrant quotas and the use of gunboats to open fire on boats carrying illegal immigrants in Italian waters. It also rejects a multiracial society in favor of a ‘Christian society’ based on ‘the primacy of the nation’ and ‘traditional values’ such as language and dress.”
Notice, there is a surge to the right and to a “Christian society.” That means Catholicism. That is a strong move toward resurrecting the Holy Roman Empire!
Does it seem odd that these neo-Nazi movements are also strong Catholic movements? Actually it is not strange if you understand the Holy Roman Empire. It has been that way in all of the previous six resurrections. As recently as World War ii, the pope and Hitler worked closely together. The title of John Cornwell’s book is revealing in itself, referring to Pope Pius xii as Hitler’s pope. God says “you shall know them by their fruits.” The Vatican was the sole heavyweight in helping Nazi leaders escape after World War ii in the infamous ratlines. Almost all of the worst Nazi criminals escaped with the Vatican’s help. This is clearly documented in books like The Unholy Trinity by Mark Aarons and John Loftus (who is also a Catholic).
We have proven these facts repeatedly. And Herbert W. Armstrong warned for about 50 years of the terrible danger of the next Holy Roman Empire.
Britain and America are without excuse.
In March, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar won a historic general election victory that gave Spain’s right-wingers more power than they’ve had since the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975.
Franco was Hitler’s ally in the 1930s and during World War ii! He started his rule in 1939 and it continued for 36 years.
Spain is facing a revival of violent right-wing gangs very similar to those in Germany.
After some anti-immigrant mob violence in Spain in February, the press began to spotlight the resurgence of xenophobia in that country. The World Press Review wrote in their May issue, “Spain is in shock. Political leaders are alarmed and immigrants dismayed, while the media either distort or mobilize against the intolerable. All are stunned by the eruption of hate against immigrants in a country where there are so few….
“Even more serious was the way the fanatic aggressors were largely unrestrained by police forces—a matter the government must look into in a self-critical way….
“What just happened in El Ejido and the suburbs of Almería recalls the Nazi militias’ first actions against the Jews in Hitler’s Germany. Men are hunted down in the streets; homes are torched or entered forcibly; stores are sacked….
“Spain has taken a leap a few centuries backward. It had regressed to the time of Isabella the Catholic and her demented daughter, Juana the Mad, persecutors of anyone who was not Catholic—specifically, Jews and Moors. Those were the dark times of the Middle Ages and the Inquisition.”
The Inquisition was responsible for 50 million deaths! The Holy Roman Empire is back. After 36 years of General Franco, could Italy’s democracy have deep roots?
Spain is solidly Catholic. It has been said by authorities on the subject that there are no Protestants in Spain because they were all killed! This is not a subject to take lightly!
The spirit of Hitler is rapidly reviving in Europe! But the media still doesn’t see what is happening. Perhaps they refuse to see.
All it would take is a serious crisis to make that surge to the right intensify frighteningly. Look what a charismatic leader like Jörg Haider did in Austria. Imagine such a leader over the powerful European Union, especially in a time of crisis.
Worse Than Austria
Hungary is another Catholic country with disturbing political results. After seeing the results in Austria, Hungarian voters pushed a right-winger as their leading presidential candidate. Joseph Torgyan is a fiery defender of Hungary’s rights, though not as xenophobic as Mr. Haider. Still, his nomination set off alarm bells.
Mr. Torgyan subsequently rejected the nomination on April 29 with this telling statement: “My dropping out from active participation in politics…would endanger the right wing’s staying in power after legislative elections in 2002.”
He has a greater vision for the future.
Croatia, another predominantly Catholic country, is about to become an EUmember. Their former president, Franjo Tudjman, died a few months ago. In his long political career, he wouldn’t even admit that his country was wrong in being Hitler’s strong ally in World War ii!
Very few media outlets even recognize this upsurge in right-wing activity in Europe. Stratfor Intelligence is one of the few: “British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, speaking about Austria in advance of a European Union (EU) accession meeting February 14, warned against the spread of nationalist sentiment in Europe….
“Cook’s statement, however, ignores the fact that Central Eastern European countries are already far more deeply nationalistic than Austria could ever be. One example is Hungary, whose far-right Hungarian Justice and Life Party (miep) announced plans February 10 to join forces with one of the ruling coalition’s parties….
“In Hungary, in particular, 65 to 70 percent of Hungarians still support EU membership, according to the head of the Hungarian negotiating team to the EU, Peter Gottfried. However, despite the fact that the government officially condemned the Freedom Party’s rise to power in Austria, public opinion polls have shown most Hungarians are becoming more supportive of Austria’s nationalistic rebellion and more critical of the EU. Despite Hungary’s close historical, political and economic ties with Austria, the focus on Hungarian nationalism only came to the foreground after Austrian nationalism became news.
“A further irony of the European position on Austria is that Austria is only the most vocal of the nationalists. Nationalist sentiment, already simmering in many of the existing European states, is expected to intensify. In this way, Europe is teetering on the edge. One of the only ways for the union to counter this nationalist sentiment is to impose more federal types of constitutional reform. However, the paradox in that situation is clear, that is, moves toward federalization will only cause existing and potential members to react by becoming more nationalistic.”
So we see that the problem is far deeper than Mr. Haider and Austria. “Europe is teetering on the edge.”
The European Union is fast becoming the Holy Roman Empire. It has almost arrived. But your Bible says it will be comprised of ten nations or kingdoms with ten strong leaders, under one supreme ruler.
As we will see, the Bible says Europe is about to fall into the hands of a “vile person” who will cause more destruction than any man ever has on Earth!
Still, most people will refuse to face the truth until it is too late physically!
Many Europeans see it happening but don’t really care! That is the scariest problem of all. That is a sure sign that it will grow much worse.
Agence France Presse penned this report on December 8, 1999: “Racist attitudes are growing in Europe but fewer and fewer Europeans think it is an issue worth worrying about, the European Union’s racism watchdog group said Wednesday….
“Citing a 1997 survey that it deemed still relevant today, the Vienna-based center said one in three Europeans considered themselves as ‘very racist’ or ‘quite racist’—an increase from an earlier large-scale poll in 1989.”
As the Bible says, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). Because the people are lukewarm, or unconcerned, they are infected by a deadly social disease rising in their midst.
They are the silent majority of right-wingers.
And even the most imaginative people could not envision the extent of the coming catastrophe! It is sure to end in disaster.
“A Vile Person”
Let’s turn to the Bible to see where all this is leading. Antiochus Epiphanes came to the Jerusalem temple in 167 B.C. From the spring of 167 B.C. to the autumn of 164 B.C. it was a terror-filled time for Palestine—31/2 years of tribulation.
It was only a type, however, of the end-time Great Tribulation, also to last 31/2 years, to be inflicted on America, Britain and Palestine.
“Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (Daniel 11:20-21). The Companion Bible states that the historical portion ends with verse 20. Verse 21 “passes on to the time which is still (1912) future to us.” And it is still future as we write in 2000.
So there will be a future Antiochus—a vile person. He will be a type of the original Antiochus. We need to see how this will happen.
The Spirit of Charlemagne
“In the year 782, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, became the military champion of the papacy, stepping into the vacuum created by the separation of Constantinople and Rome, and defending the papacy from the Lombards who kept threatening it. Pope Leo iii crowned Charlemagne emperor in Notre Dame Cathedral in 800. The future of Europe was bound up in that event, and the alliance between the papacy and Germany has been of great significance ever since” (David N. Samuel, European Union and the Roman Catholic Influence in Britain).
What is happening in the European superstate is a mystery to most of the world. But that mystery is beginning to be removed. Bernard Connolly wrote a bombshell book in 1995 titled The Rotten Heart of Europe. For years he served at the heart of the Exchange-Rate Mechanism for the EU. He headed the commission unit responsible for monitoring and servicing the system. He labels the European superstate as rotten. Why?
He writes, “It is the battle for control of the European superstate, in which French technocrats confront German federalists, both sides claiming to fight under the banner of Charlemagne. The ‘collateral damage’ from this battle lies mainly in the future, but it could be ghastly” (op. cit.).
Who will get control of this great superstate? The battle can be narrowed down to two nations—France and Germany. Do knowledgeable people really doubt who will win this battle? The nation which controls the money will reign supreme.
“Across the Rhine, successive German governments have, in their pursuit of a ‘European’ cloak for German ambitions, been prepared to accept an apparent cession of national monetary authority—as long as the new European monetary looks, sounds, smells and acts exactly as the German monetary authority now does” (ibid.).
The European Union system has already been called a Trojan horse by a few informed analysts. Mr. Connolly says it is a “cloak for German ambitions.”
We are all well aware of Hitler’s Third Reich. But did you realize that Charlemagne’s empire was the First Reich?
Most of the EU leaders are working to “recreate the empire of Charlemagne”—especially Germany. “It was no coincidence that the Belgian government housed the offices and meeting rooms of the EU Council of Ministers in the Charlemagne building in Brussels.
“It was no coincidence, either, that Giscard and Schmidt agreed to accept the Belgian compromise proposal at a bilateral summit in September 1978 at Aachen, principal seat and burial place of Charlemagne. The symbolism was heavily underlined in both France and Germany; the two leaders paid a special visit to the throne of Charlemagne and a special service was held in the cathedral; at the end of the summit, Giscard remarked that: ‘Perhaps when we discussed monetary problems, the spirit of Charlemagne brooded over us’” (ibid., p. 17).
The spirit of Charlemagne has returned. This king who ruled the First Reich had to wade through a sea of blood to achieve his goal of ruling Europe and establishing Catholicism as the state religion!
Get ready for another sea of blood!
The big question remains unanswered. “In the new empire of Charlemagne, who would play Charlemagne? Exactly the same question was implicit, and left unanswered, at Maastricht” (ibid.).
Soon the world will know who the modern Charlemagne (or Antiochus) is to be. You can be sure he will have Germany’s stamp of approval. His actions will shock the world far more than the original Charlemagne’s. He will lead the world into the greatest “sea of blood” that humanity has ever seen or even dreamed about! Whether we realize it or not, the Fourth Reich has arrived.
Daniel 8 doesn’t tell us the name of the next Charlemagne. But it does tell us the kind of man he is going to be. And it is the worst news this world has ever received!
However, it leads directly to the greatest event ever to occur in the universe—the return of Jesus Christ!
The German leaders today have a hidden agenda, but even they will be shocked at the leader who will get control of the European Union.
Mr. Connolly asked, “Who is going to be Charlemagne?”
He said the outcome could be “ghastly.” Actually, it will go beyond “ghastly”—not only for Europe, but for the whole world!
The Bible labels this Charlemagne as “a vile person.”
Otto Von Hapsburg also said, “We possess a European symbol which belongs to all nations of Europe equally; this is the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, which embodies the tradition of Charlemagne.”
Daniel says Europe’s leaders will “not give the honour of the kingdom” to the vile person. He is so despicable, the royalty of the Holy Roman Empire today will fight against his coming to power. Still, he will gain control of the EU.
The Hebrew word for “vile” also means despicable and contemptible. Gesenius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon defines the word as meaning “to trample with the feet.” That is his attitude toward anybody who opposes him.
Another Hitler?
Satan, the god of this world (ii Cor. 4:4), was the power behind Hitler.
This vile, despicable and contemptible person will come into power much like Hitler did. Hitler was an army corporal during World War ii. He had no royal or dignified background. But he won more and more influence with the people and brutally pushed himself into office.
This vile person “obtain[s] the kingdom by flatteries.” He flatters his way into office when he can. He also takes advantage of the European people as they move to the extreme right, politically.
Hitler was undoubtedly possessed by the devil. Those who knew him said he had three personalities. He was charming, at times in a trance and often in a rage! (You may find a detailed explanation in our free booklet The History and Prophecy of Germany.)
Like Hitler, this end-time vile person could come from Austria. But the power behind him will be the devil, and Germany will be his main tool.
This evil man will come in “peaceably”—or unexpectedly.
The Revised Standard Version says in verses 21 and 24 that he will come in “without warning.”
If the EU were to be left in the hands of the present politicians, Europe would probably remain stable. But they are going to lose control to the political “beast.”
According to Revelation 13, there will also be a religious beast who is a vile person. He will probably come on the scene in a similar manner.
Both beasts—political and religious—are empowered by the devil, and have “one mind.”
The religious beast will look like a “lamb” (Revelation 13:11)—it will appear harmless.
The last resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire will burst on the world scene suddenly, “without warning.” We are the only people who warn the world with God’s message! We must warn Europe that a vile person is going to hijack the powerful European Union!
He is a person unworthy of dignity or royalty. Get ready, it’s coming fast.
This is the terrible and fatal flaw of the European Union. This awesome world power will fall into the hands of a wicked, contemptible person—a master deceiver.
Unless the world heeds our words, they will be shocked as never before!
“He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him” (Daniel 11:24-25). Notice the word “forecast.” The New Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance states that it means the future. So this man will have forecasting ability—a limited prophetic power. Through this man, Satan, who knows Bible prophecy, will forecast his plots.
“And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all” (verses 36-37). He will magnify himself above every god of this world and of the true God. That means Satan the devil will possess this man! That is why he is so vile.
Ever since Lucifer rebelled and became Satan, he has spent all his time speaking against the true God.
“Not By His Own Power”
Daniel also wrote about this man in chapter 8. “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up” (Daniel 8:23).
This all happens in “the latter time”—that means today—now! This vile man becomes “a king” of fierce countenance, understanding “dark sentences.” What does this mean?
“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” (verse 24). This is all done “not by his own power.” He is empowered by the devil! He is consumed with Satan’s thoughts —“dark sentences.” He destroys wonderfully, or mightily, with nuclear weapons. No suffering has ever been so bad (Daniel 12:1).
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” (Daniel 8:25). The New English Bible reads, “he shall conjure up great plans and, when they least expect it, work havoc on many.” Millions—perhaps billions—will be inflicted with his wrath.
He is a master of disguise—coming in what appears to be peace. Those who believe him—friends and enemies—often become victims.
Lange’s Commentary adds that he destroys “with suddenness by a malignant purpose.”
But look at the gloriously good news. This very king and his evil system will be destroyed by Christ! Then the world will have an all-powerful leader who is love. And He will rule forever.
World Marvels at Beast
“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Revelation 13:3). All the world marvels at the beast. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (verse 4). Again we see that the devil is the power behind this empire. The only way to survive—spiritually or physically—is through God’s power!
This time period, which the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, will last for 3 1/2 years (verse 5). “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (verse 7). Even God’s own lukewarm church will be a victim.
Is this serious? Do you see the need to be a doer of God’s word? You must act now, while there is time!
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” (verse 11). Here is the religious beast that looks like a lamb. But he speaks like a dragon—because the devil empowers him also! That is why the religious leader will also be vile and despicable.
God is about to punish America, Britain and Palestine for their sins unless they repent. He is raising up this beast to correct His rebellious people. He will get our attention!
“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” (Revelation 17:8). This beast power is mostly underground at present. In the Greek language that is what “the bottomless pit” means.
That is why “they that dwell on the earth shall wonder.” Marvel would be a better translation for the word wonder. It means this beast power was underground until it suddenly burst on the scene, then the whole world was astonished, amazed and shocked. Suddenly a new world power was acting like a real superpower!
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (verses 12-13). The ten horns are the same as the ten toes in Daniel 2 and 7. They receive their kingdoms for a very short time—3 1/2 years.
These ten nations have “one mind”—the opposite of a democracy! That is where the EU is headed!
These ten kings may be literal kings. If not, they are going to act like kings, with real authority. That is what the massive shift from democracy is about in the European Union. That is why there has been such a rise in right-wing activity. It is fulfilling the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.
There is a fierce political battle in Britain now over this very issue. Many people in Britain see that the EU is dominated by Germany in a very undemocratic way.
And remember, this political “beast” is labeled that way by God. The man ruling it will be like an emperor over the ten kings—and will act like a wild beast! This could not happen in a democracy.
This role of emperor is the fatal flaw in the European Union. The vile person will become the emperor and lead Europe in its most destructive path ever.
He will even lead Europe in an attack against Russia and China, a move which will begin his downfall.
Still, there will be several armies from both sides which remain and will fight Christ at His return. Christ will then destroy these armies and rule the Earth.
So in the end, the bad news becomes the best news ever—the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Best News Ever
The famous prophecy in Daniel 2 gives us the time frame of this glorious event. The image of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented a succession of world-ruling empires down through history (Daniel 2:31-45).
“And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided…” (verses 40-41). This is referring to the final resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire; the ten toes represent the ten kings of that empire.
But notice what happens next. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (verse 44).
We are in the time of the toes of Daniel’s image! These “toes” are now on the world scene and becoming more and more aggressive. And what comes after the toes? “In the days of these kings” gives us a time element. Jesus Christ will return “in the days of these kings” who rule over the European Union! Christ is going to smash the toes—the European Union, or “Holy” Roman Empire. That will be the end of the Daniel 2 image forever!
Christ must return at this time or there would be no flesh saved alive! (Matthew 24:21-22). I repeat, He must return!
Then the saints will be coronated to rule with Christ as His bride (Daniel 7:13-18). What a mind-staggering, wondrous reward God gives to those who do His work today. There will be only one bride of Christ for all eternity! What a magnificent future we have. And it’s almost here!