Of great significance is the constellation in the end phase. The world-wide developments politically and also economically make it necessary that the weak and the strong nations co-operate. In this, the seven West nations will take the leading position, as they are also symbolised by the seven heads. We see that a prophetic Scripture can have more than one application.

Finally the leadership will come from the European Community. The foundation for it was laid in the year 1957 through what is called the Roman Treaty. That this treaty has come into existence is already the beginning of the fulfilment of Bible prophecy. Three politicians were mainly responsible for this: Robert Schuman, France, Alcide De Gasperi, Italy, Konrad Adenauer, West Germany. “All of these statesmen were Christian Democrats, Catholic moderates, and their prominence in the movement toward European integration showed the revived influence of Roman Catholic internationalism” (The New Encyclopædia Britannica, MACROPÆDIA, Vol. 9, pg. 771). In reality, the Roman Empire is being revived and has come back to life again.

The renowned president of France, Charles de Gaulle, who made history, had the vision of a Europe that would reach to the Ural mountains. Very strange but true, Mr. Michail Gorbatchev spoke about the same thought at the party congress in East-Berlin in April 1986. We have to watch the quickly advancing developments and look upon them from the view of Bible prophecy and place them accordingly. Everything shall come as it was foretold.

If the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer would have accepted the offer of the Stalin-note from 10th March 1952, then there would have been no East-West border going through one country and finally through the middle of Europe. But this decision had to be taken that way; otherwise the European Community would not have the “engine”. Stalin offered that Germany, which was divided after the war, could be united. The only condition was to become neutral. Adenauer, of course, would have known how the next election with the Protestant population of the German Democratic Republic would have been. So he rejected. Austria availed itself of the offer, became neutral and has not regretted it.

While the seven heads are a solid part of that system which exercises power at the end, the ten horns only receive their power for the last part of the prophetic events to come to pass. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who 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 … For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev. 17: 12–13, 17).

In this Scripture, we are told about a certain hour in which they receive the power. That will be the moment when the last things take place, right towards the end. From the total description it is not hard to see that the ten horns represent East Europe, in comparison to the seven heads which are found in West Europe.

In the last phase, the East also under the leadership of Russia will bow to an united Europe and co-operate. Already today, we can see how step by step they come closer to each other in every field. The economic international obligations, be it in East or West, make this necessary that also the East Block will have to be part of the last system. Another factor is added to it, which is known under the special headline “peace and safety”. They have to come and sit around the negotiating table.

The feet of that image spoken of in Dan. 2, were partly of iron and partly of clay. These are two totally different materials. They stick to one another, but they don’t mix with one another (verse 43). These two elements, iron and clay, can never unite or integrate into one totally. So East and West will remain what they are, but co-operate and work together in the hour appointed for it.

The East European countries are well aware of the doings and ambitions of the Roman Catholic church. They will only tolerate this until a certain point. Because it’s ordained of God, they have to put their power and submit until Bible prophecy is fulfilled. Then they will smash that whore and burn that city with fire. It is THUS SAITH THE LORD in His Word. “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire” (Rev. 17: 16).

It will be a sudden blow, because it says, “Alas, alas, that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgement come” (Rev. 18: 10). So that everybody knows straightaways what and who is meant, the description is being repeated only a few verses after this, “Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and bedecked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” (verse 16). Before the eyes of John the angel demonstrated literally how this great city which ruled the world will find its end, “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city, Babylon, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all” (verse 21).

Already in the Old Testament, we find a description of this great city. Everyone of us, I am sure, has heard about the building of the tower of Babel. Bab-el means “gate of God”. From the original Babel became a Babylon, which means “confusion”, and that confusion reaches up to heaven. The prophet Jeremiah saw the destruction then as though it had already happened, but first gives a description of what the great city has done, “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk; the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore, the nations are mad” (Jer. 51: 7). The wrong teachings have had the spiritual effect, as it is noticed with those who partake of a strong drink. One doesn’t know, where he is going, what he is doing, what he believes, what he says — the orientation is lost. That is the religious condition of the Christianity of today. All have drunk from that cup of Babylon and mixed their own doctrines with it.

Jeremiah continues, “Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed; wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed” (verse 8). As we will see right away from the next verse, there is no healing for Babylon, only for those who come out of it and don’t partake in its sins, “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed; forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country; for her judgement reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies” (verse 9).

Also in Rev. 16: 19 the judgement over the city is described, “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” If we take that great harlot into consideration, the woman that had the golden cup with all the abominable doctrines in her hand, we realise how serious the admonition is. According to Rev. 18: 3, all nations have partaken of it, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” In verse 20, those who are in heaven are to rejoice, because the judgement has come upon the city, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.”

This really religious institution which exercises her power in connection with economic, political and religious might, rules over the kings of the earth, but will be destroyed before God’s Kingdom is established on earth. In Rev. 18: 2, we read as follows, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

It’s overwhelming to see the way the Holy Spirit has inspired the prophets and the apostles thousands of years before these things would ever develop and be manifest, to write about it. In verse 5, we are told that her sins have heaped up to heaven. “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (verse 7–8).

The almighty God has pronounced judgement upon her, and the tools to be used for that purpose are also shaping up. A bomb will be dropped on that great city, and suddenly it will be no more. We can be sure, as all the other things have happened, that this prediction will also become a reality. God means what He says, and says what He means. All who wish to escape damnation should flee, become obedient and follow the voice that comes from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18: 4).

We have to see Russia too as God’s tool of judgement in His hand. The symbols of hammer and sickle are well chosen. Three main hits will follow upon each other at that time. The first one is necessary that the two others, which are found in the Scriptures, will happen. Because of the fear that the U.S.A. should make an intervention, the first hit will be against the U.S.A. itself, with the thought that they could not interfere at least for that moment. The two remaining hits will be upon the Vatican and, as the last one, against Israel. From the military and strategic view it will become necessary to hit the U.S.A. first, because the U.S.A. are taking sides with Israel, and this would make it impossible for the Word of God to be fulfilled, as they would straightaways interfere, as soon as the enemy forces enter Israel.

According to Bible prophecy Russia will unite with the Arabic nations and become their leader, and they will plan a terrible blow against Israel. Bible readers know this big event as the great battle of Armageddon, “Persia, Cush, and Put with them; all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer, and all its hordes; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all its hordes; and many peoples with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited; in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste; but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely, all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm; thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy hordes, and many peoples with thee” (Ezek. 38: 5–9).

But at that moment God will interfere and make a sudden end to the enemies. He has already, long ago, said in what way the judgement would come upon those who at that time will make war with Israel, “And I will enter into judgement against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (verse 22–23).

In Zech. 14: 12, we are told how the judgement will come upon the nations which will go to war against Israel, “And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” This decisive battle falls into the span of time at the end of the apocalyptic judgements. It will take place, when the sixth angel will pour out his vial according to Rev. 16: 12–16. At that time, after this is over, the following words spoken by the prophet will be fulfilled, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed” (Dan. 2: 44). Paul must have had in mind the eschatological events when he wrote the following words, “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (Rom. 9: 28).

Of great significance is the constellation in the end phase. The world-wide developments politically and also economically make it necessary that the weak and the strong nations co-operate. In this, the seven West nations will take the leading position, as they are also symbolised by the seven heads. We see that a prophetic Scripture can have more than one application.

Finally the leadership will come from the European Community. The foundation for it was laid in the year 1957 through what is called the Roman Treaty. That this treaty has come into existence is already the beginning of the fulfilment of Bible prophecy. Three politicians were mainly responsible for this: Robert Schuman, France, Alcide De Gasperi, Italy, Konrad Adenauer, West Germany. “All of these statesmen were Christian Democrats, Catholic moderates, and their prominence in the movement toward European integration showed the revived influence of Roman Catholic internationalism” (The New Encyclopædia Britannica, MACROPÆDIA, Vol. 9, pg. 771). In reality, the Roman Empire is being revived and has come back to life again.

The renowned president of France, Charles de Gaulle, who made history, had the vision of a Europe that would reach to the Ural mountains. Very strange but true, Mr. Michail Gorbatchev spoke about the same thought at the party congress in East-Berlin in April 1986. We have to watch the quickly advancing developments and look upon them from the view of Bible prophecy and place them accordingly. Everything shall come as it was foretold.

If the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer would have accepted the offer of the Stalin-note from 10th March 1952, then there would have been no East-West border going through one country and finally through the middle of Europe. But this decision had to be taken that way; otherwise the European Community would not have the “engine”. Stalin offered that Germany, which was divided after the war, could be united. The only condition was to become neutral. Adenauer, of course, would have known how the next election with the Protestant population of the German Democratic Republic would have been. So he rejected. Austria availed itself of the offer, became neutral and has not regretted it.

While the seven heads are a solid part of that system which exercises power at the end, the ten horns only receive their power for the last part of the prophetic events to come to pass. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who 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 … For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev. 17: 12–13, 17).

In this Scripture, we are told about a certain hour in which they receive the power. That will be the moment when the last things take place, right towards the end. From the total description it is not hard to see that the ten horns represent East Europe, in comparison to the seven heads which are found in West Europe.

In the last phase, the East also under the leadership of Russia will bow to an united Europe and co-operate. Already today, we can see how step by step they come closer to each other in every field. The economic international obligations, be it in East or West, make this necessary that also the East Block will have to be part of the last system. Another factor is added to it, which is known under the special headline “peace and safety”. They have to come and sit around the negotiating table.

The feet of that image spoken of in Dan. 2, were partly of iron and partly of clay. These are two totally different materials. They stick to one another, but they don’t mix with one another (verse 43). These two elements, iron and clay, can never unite or integrate into one totally. So East and West will remain what they are, but co-operate and work together in the hour appointed for it.

The East European countries are well aware of the doings and ambitions of the Roman Catholic church. They will only tolerate this until a certain point. Because it’s ordained of God, they have to put their power and submit until Bible prophecy is fulfilled. Then they will smash that whore and burn that city with fire. It is THUS SAITH THE LORD in His Word. “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire” (Rev. 17: 16).

It will be a sudden blow, because it says, “Alas, alas, that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgement come” (Rev. 18: 10). So that everybody knows straightaways what and who is meant, the description is being repeated only a few verses after this, “Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and bedecked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” (verse 16). Before the eyes of John the angel demonstrated literally how this great city which ruled the world will find its end, “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city, Babylon, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all” (verse 21).

Already in the Old Testament, we find a description of this great city. Everyone of us, I am sure, has heard about the building of the tower of Babel. Bab-el means “gate of God”. From the original Babel became a Babylon, which means “confusion”, and that confusion reaches up to heaven. The prophet Jeremiah saw the destruction then as though it had already happened, but first gives a description of what the great city has done, “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk; the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore, the nations are mad” (Jer. 51: 7). The wrong teachings have had the spiritual effect, as it is noticed with those who partake of a strong drink. One doesn’t know, where he is going, what he is doing, what he believes, what he says — the orientation is lost. That is the religious condition of the Christianity of today. All have drunk from that cup of Babylon and mixed their own doctrines with it.

Jeremiah continues, “Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed; wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed” (verse 8). As we will see right away from the next verse, there is no healing for Babylon, only for those who come out of it and don’t partake in its sins, “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed; forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country; for her judgement reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies” (verse 9).

Also in Rev. 16: 19 the judgement over the city is described, “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” If we take that great harlot into consideration, the woman that had the golden cup with all the abominable doctrines in her hand, we realise how serious the admonition is. According to Rev. 18: 3, all nations have partaken of it, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” In verse 20, those who are in heaven are to rejoice, because the judgement has come upon the city, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.”

This really religious institution which exercises her power in connection with economic, political and religious might, rules over the kings of the earth, but will be destroyed before God’s Kingdom is established on earth. In Rev. 18: 2, we read as follows, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

It’s overwhelming to see the way the Holy Spirit has inspired the prophets and the apostles thousands of years before these things would ever develop and be manifest, to write about it. In verse 5, we are told that her sins have heaped up to heaven. “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (verse 7–8).

The almighty God has pronounced judgement upon her, and the tools to be used for that purpose are also shaping up. A bomb will be dropped on that great city, and suddenly it will be no more. We can be sure, as all the other things have happened, that this prediction will also become a reality. God means what He says, and says what He means. All who wish to escape damnation should flee, become obedient and follow the voice that comes from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18: 4).

We have to see Russia too as God’s tool of judgement in His hand. The symbols of hammer and sickle are well chosen. Three main hits will follow upon each other at that time. The first one is necessary that the two others, which are found in the Scriptures, will happen. Because of the fear that the U.S.A. should make an intervention, the first hit will be against the U.S.A. itself, with the thought that they could not interfere at least for that moment. The two remaining hits will be upon the Vatican and, as the last one, against Israel. From the military and strategic view it will become necessary to hit the U.S.A. first, because the U.S.A. are taking sides with Israel, and this would make it impossible for the Word of God to be fulfilled, as they would straightaways interfere, as soon as the enemy forces enter Israel.

According to Bible prophecy Russia will unite with the Arabic nations and become their leader, and they will plan a terrible blow against Israel. Bible readers know this big event as the great battle of Armageddon, “Persia, Cush, and Put with them; all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer, and all its hordes; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all its hordes; and many peoples with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited; in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste; but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely, all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm; thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy hordes, and many peoples with thee” (Ezek. 38: 5–9).

But at that moment God will interfere and make a sudden end to the enemies. He has already, long ago, said in what way the judgement would come upon those who at that time will make war with Israel, “And I will enter into judgement against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (verse 22–23).

In Zech. 14: 12, we are told how the judgement will come upon the nations which will go to war against Israel, “And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” This decisive battle falls into the span of time at the end of the apocalyptic judgements. It will take place, when the sixth angel will pour out his vial according to Rev. 16: 12–16. At that time, after this is over, the following words spoken by the prophet will be fulfilled, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed” (Dan. 2: 44). Paul must have had in mind the eschatological events when he wrote the following words, “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (Rom. 9: 28).