The Euro returns the empire

The adoption by 12 European countries of a single currency at
the beginning of January possibly holds far greater portent of "end times"
than any event of recent history. From Lapland to the Azores, the last time a
single currency was so widely circulated in Europe occurred during the height of
the Roman Empire. We have seen since the Treaty of Rome in 1957 an inextricable
march towards the unification of Europe. Firstly trade and labour barriers were
relaxed, we now have the Euro and ultimately there will be a pan-European
political union.

There is debate in some quarters that the Euro is "just a
currency". They point to examples of countries throughout the world that share
a common currency without political unity. On a small scale this happens in the
South Pacific with island nations like Niue and the Cook Islands accepting the
NZ dollar as legal tender. Although there is a strong link between NZ and these
island states, they are no longer under the dominion of NZ.

With the Euro however, to claim that the monetary union is
not pushing Europe towards political integration is dishonest. Last year Germany's
Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer argued that the creation of the Euro was a
profoundly political act. The reality is that in order for this single currency
to be successful there must be a political union. Previous attempts in Europe to
establish a common currency during peacetime have failed. The architects of the
Euro realise that the success of their design is contingent on member states
acquiescing sovereignty to one central body. A lack of centralized control will
place at risk the viability of the economic union they have created.

At the moment the climate does not seem right for a political
union. The possibility of such a union was not clearly raised with the
constituents of the 12-member states. As a consequence the suggestion that
political union is now necessary for the success of the economic union is
unlikely to be supported by the general populace. Whilst the push for
integration may not be widely publicized, the possibility of a pan-European
union is more emphatic now than in the days of Charlemagne, Napoleon or the
Third Reich.

The most likely scenario is that political integration will
occur in response to a crisis (real or perceived it matters not to the
protagonists). We have already seen the rapid adoption of laws that cut across
national sovereignty following the September 11 tragedy. It would only take the
failure of one member state to remain within the strict fiscal rules set by the
European Union to trigger the establishment of a controlling body. Already there
are signs that Germany will struggle to remain within the parameters set for
external borrowing against its GDP. This may be the very catalyst that could
foment the return of the Roman Empire.

The unified European economy with a single currency is
without doubt the ongoing fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The signs that Jesus
disclosed to his disciples and recorded for us in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 are
coming to pass. We must not fear the advent of "end times", for prophetic
ministry serves to strengthen our faith in the supremacy and sovereignty of God.
Let us never forget that Jesus shall return in power and glory.

We are however living in perilous times but as the prophet
Hosea said, "His coming is as sure as the dawn". This certainty should
inspire us to preach the Gospel as a witness to all peoples so that the unsaved
may receive salvation through Jesus Christ.

"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads: for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28.