For over 1200 years, the Popes of the Roman Empire ruled over the Kings of Europe from Rome. These iron fisted rulers held the European states together for over a millennium through fear of persecution and through the dread of eternal torment. This all came to an end in the late 18^th century when the people of France wholeheartedly rebelled against Papal authority, eventually taking the Pope of Rome captive. Several years later, Napoleon helped bring a further end to the Vatican’s hold of Europe by dissolving the “Holy Roman Empire”. The Papacy’s hour of greatest humiliation came when Napoleon took his golden crown in the fashion of the Cesar’s of ancient Rome and crowned himself Emperor in the Pope’s presence.

 Had Napoleon ceased to pursue his ambitions of re-creating the Roman Empire, he could have enjoyed a life long reign. But instead, Napoleon ventured on, seeking to bring the now independent nations of Europe back together under his own rule. The result was devastation and death across the European continent. Napoleon found himself hated even by his fellow countrymen and finally exiled. All of these things happened because Napoleon ventured against the will of God. At this point, I must proclaim a very clear message. “What God has divided, let no man join together”. 

For the next century, Europe enjoyed a time of relative peace. So in effort to ensure greater stability across Europe, Queen Victoria (Often referred to as the Grandmamma of Europe) cleverly positioned many of her grandchildren beside the Kings and Queens across Europe. Through these arranged marriages, the monarchies of Europe made their efforts to merge the interests of the European nations  together for a second time. But the curse of God fell upon Europe as strife arose among the closely knit families. Again the

Next appeared the despotic Adolph Hitler who rose up with his German war machine. His sweep across Europe seemed unstoppable. His ambition was much like that of Napoleon, for he also wished to become the undisputed conqueror of Europe and unite the nations under his rule of force. Once again, the nations of this earth were drawn in to the chaos, resulting in the deaths of over 50 million men women and children. Notice that with each attempt at joining these nations, either by force or by stealth, the outcome was failure.

  Then came the U.S.S.R. and viciously took away sovereignty of the eastern European nations. Forty years passed as the U.S.S.R. slowly, but surely enlarged itself upon European soil and nearly brought our entire world to the brink of nuclear destruction. Finally in 1989, the European nations of communist Russia fell one by one like dominoes, bringing an end to the aspirations of the U.S.S.R. where today it remains captive in the world’s political abyss.

With its checkered past, the Papacy has re-emerged and is boldly exerting its influence upon the European nations. Pope John Paul II, the man our world has turned to for the past twenty five years as its spiritual leader has been affectionately called, “Father of the new Europe”. John Paul recently declared, "Today I invite the local Churches to commit themselves ever more firmly in favor of European integration".  (Pope John Paul II - February 2004).  If this recent venture is not soon aborted, the present efforts to unite the nations of Europe will serve as the fuse that ignites the long feared conflict of Armageddon!

 In 1979, Saddam Hussein ordered the rebuilding of the city of ancient Babylon. Unfortunately for Saddam, his grand ambition went contrary to a 2700 year old prophecy which stated, "Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms...will be overthrown by God…She will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations” (Isaiah 13:19-22). Twenty five years after Saddam’s declaration, Babylon (pictured right) still lies in ruins while Saddam was captured and paid the ultimate price for proudly disturbing the prophecy.