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This article is taken from http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com
The ancient prophecies state:
After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts (Daniel 7: 7-8 New American Standard Bible).
So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate (Daniel 9:25-27)
I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?" (Rev. 13: 3-4)
It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints (Rev. 13:7-10).
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life (Rev. 13: 11-14).
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six (Rev. 13:18).
After reading the prophecies above, take a look at today's news. In Europe we find a modern day revival of the fourth beast of Daniel -- the old Roman Empire -- in the form of the European Union. This beast has 10 horns -- its 10-nation military alliance known as the Western European Union. The alliance also has a leader who sits in an Office created by a document numbered 666. He also has emergency powers granted by another document baring that same number. Now, this revived empire is facing it's worse crisis in 50 years.
At the same time, three of the original 10 horns are standing in the way of this leader's rise. And, his new powers under the EU's new constitution are threatened because the constitution is reported to be dead. It's said to have received a fatal wound. On top of all of this, this same leader has a covenant with many -- including Israel -- he wishes to personally confirm over the EU's next seven-year budget period Read about it here I And here I And here.
While all this is going on, there is a second beast rising over Israel and the Middle East. Recently, I expressed my concerns about America's religious right movement. In the Bible, the nation that controls the land of ancient Babylon is referred to as Babylon. American troops control the ancient city of Babylon in their occupation of Iraq. And, America has no plans withdrawing anytime soon. Friends, I fear America may soon become that second beast of prophecy. And, at this very moment, the two -- the EU and the US -- are uniting to wage their war against terror and establish a region of peace and stability in the Middle East.
No, I'm not calling President George Bush the false prophet. This is where the religious right may come in. Although I agree with much of this movement's goals, it's partnership with false religion deeply troubles me. You see, at the moment this religous/political movement appears to be ours, and Israel's, best friend. But, once this movement has seated itself in places of greater influence within government, that friendship can change in an instant. And, the Bible suggests it will.
What scares me even more than false religion are our own wolves. You see, a large part of the religious right is made up of evangelical churches who are involved with the popular church growth movements. Some of these movements actually wish to use American might to establish Christ's kingdom on earth.
The most dangerous part of the church growth movement may be the New Apostolic Reformation movement. Not only is it the fastest growing, the stated goal of the movement's leadership is to lead -- by way of their deceiving signs and wonders -- a great civil war against other Christians. These false prophets and false apostles actually identify their movement with the white horse of Revelation. The truth is, the white horse is the Antichrist going forth to wage war against God's people. Now, do you understand why this movement scares me? And, do you see why America's religious right concerns me as well?
Friends, we need to prepare ourselves for what's coming. Things may not come down the way we've been taught. If our popular prophecy teachers were right, why -- in face of all this recent news -- are they remaining silent?
It's time to understand the times.