Europe

This is a fascinating time to be living in Europe. This morning, a new socialist president took office in France. Rumors are swirling that if Greece can’t get a government formed this week, it might be leaving the euro zone. Citizens are demonstrating in streets all over Europe against austerity measures. They want jobs and growth. Quite a few European economies are officially in recession again. The only countries that are showing growth are Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Germany. The state of economics in Europe is at best iffy. For the most optimistic, recovery is coming, but it will be slow—like years away. (I have a feeling the protesters won’t be patiently waiting.)

The European Union is presently comprised of 27 countries with six candidates waiting for approval. If, as some predict, economies collapse and the euro collapses, does this mean we could soon see some stronger countries gobble up other countries? Could we see unity in order to save the weakest links? I’ve heard faint murmurs and wonder if there’s anything to them. Prophecy says there will be ten kingdoms. (Revelation 17)

When is the beginning of the end? Are we there? Good questions! The Bible says we won’t know the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13) The angels in heaven are in the dark, too. (Matthew 24:36) And, God views time very differently than we do. (2 Peter 3:8)

At the end of the “war to end all wars” (World War I), people were thinking they were in the end times. When World War II ended, they were thinking the same thing; conditions in Europe were horrible. With the economic crisis today, nuclear capabilities in Iran, Islamist governments gaining power in Arab countries, the decline of the U.S.A.’s financial stability, Russia and China beefing up their cavalries and arms programs, continued disagreements between the Palestinians and Israel, we are thinking again that just maybe we’re close to Jesus’ second coming.

Of course, there’s no way of knowing. The important thing is to be ready, watching, and waiting when our Bridegroom comes. (See the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.) Are we ready?

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).