Does Revelation Predict a European Army?

The Book of Revelation predicts how the Antichrist’s allies give him their sovereignty, especially as it relates to their military power. Yet to understand this, we need to explore what Revelation says about the Antichrist and his kingdom.

The “beast” in Revelation is the same ten-horned beast described in Daniel 7. However, Revelation 13 goes into much more vivid detail about this beast with ten horns:

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (Revelation 13:1-4 ESV) (1)

The Revelation beast is worshiped because of its extreme military might. This aligns with what Daniel teaches about the Antichrist. He will be obsessed with military power and will be a violent military conqueror.

Daniel 7 describes the beast with ten horns as being “terrifying” and “dreadful.” However, he doesn’t tell us anything about what it looks like. Yet describes Revelation describes the beast as a monstrous hybrid. It is a mixture of a bear, a lion and a leopard.

This is no coincidence. Recall that the first three beasts of Daniel were a lion, a bear, and a leopard. This means that the Revelation beast will swallow up the kingdoms that the previous three empires once ruled. Therefore, the end-time beast will include the character and territory of Babylon (Iraq), Medo-Persia (Iran), and Greece. (2)

The Beast is a Kingdom and a Man

We know that the above describes a political organization, since the beast has ten horns, which represent ten different kings from a kingdom. However, the text goes on, and describing the “beast” like it is a specific person:

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:5-7 ESV)

Throughout Revelation, references to the beast usually refer to the beast like he is a specific person, with a kingdom. This is consistent with Daniel 7, which talk of the ten horned beast as a “kingdom” but also speaks of it like it’s an individual. There is no such thing as a king without a kingdom. Nor does a kingdom exist without a king. Therefore, references to the “beast” in Revelation refer to the Antichrist and his kingdom, interchangeably.

With this understanding of the beast, we can now delve into how the Antichrist consolidates his power.

(We will use the more literal NASB translation, and compare it to the ESV later):

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

15 And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His [b]purpose [c]by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is the great city, which [d]reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:12-18 NASB) (3)

Very Similar Language in the Same Passage

In verse 13, the ten kings give their “power and authority” to the beast. This is a lot like verse 17, where the ten give their “kingdom” (NASB) or “royal power” (ESV) to the beast. Therefore, verse 13 and verse 17 contain very similar language.

...Yet With Important Differences

Though they sound similar, there are important differences. In verses 12-13, the ten only give their “power and authority” to the Antichrist. But in verse 17, it uses stronger language, wherein the ten give their “kingdom” (NASB) or “royal power” (ESV) to him. Furthermore, verses 12-13 do not mention hatred of “Babylon” as the motivation for the power transfer, whereas verses 16-17 do mention this.

The repetition, yet slight variation, allows for the possibility that authority is transferred to the Antichrist in two phases. Furthermore, it would be unsurprising if there was a time gap between them, since there are verses between the two transfers.

This would not be unusual, since time gaps are common in prophecy. This is true even when they might initially seem close together.

As we saw in another article, Phase 1 of the power transfer is already complete. This happened when the 10-nation WEU alliance transferred their ability to go on joint military operations to the European Union. As a result, they created a new committee, the Political and Security Committee to oversee the new military operations. Because of Recommendation 666, Solana was made chairman of this new committee. As a result, these joint military operations were placed under the leadership of Javier Solana.

Common Purpose in the Military Domain

Verse 17 describes the beginning of phase 2. It says:

“For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.” (Revelation 17:17 NASB)

This “common purpose” is in the context of the violent destruction of an end-time city called “Babylon.” Therefore, the “common purpose” is in the military domain. The word for "one purpose" (verse 13) and "common purpose" (verse 17) are the same in Greek. (4) Therefore, English Standard Version renders them both as one mind, as you can see below:

By 2009, the 10-nation Western European Union had transferred all of its functions to the European Union. As a result, they closed down in 2010. (5, 6)

In the document dissolving the WEU, they listed a few reasons why.

Building on the achievements of the WEU and the principle of European solidarity, the EU has taken on crisis management tasks since 2000 and has now developed a Common Security and Defence Policy. (6)

The first reason they list is the fact that the European Union has taken over “crisis management” military operations since 2000. The second reason is that the EU has now developed a “Common Security and Defence Policy” under its new treaty. This was formerly called the “European Security and Defence Policy.” Yet it was renamed under the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force in 2009. (7, 8, 9) Here we have a common policy, (i.e. a common purpose) in the military domain, just like Revelation says.

Yet neither of these were the nail in the coffin. The EU’s new treaty had a “mutual assistance clause,” which meant that if one country was attacked, all the other members would provide all the aid and assistance in their power. (9, 10) The language was considerably weaker than the mutual defense language in the Western European Union treaty. (11, 12) Yet it was good enough for the member countries to close the organization. (13)

One Mind

As mentioned above, the ESV Bible provides the alternate translation of “common purpose.” More literally, it means “one mind.” This is the same word used for “one purpose” found in verse 13. Below, you can compare the NASB and ESV translations of this word.

European Union officials, and lead Antichrist candidate Javier Solana, sometimes use language like this when describing EU military cooperation. They usually do this when describing the EU’s group of military commitments, called Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). This is part of the EU’s common security and defense policy. When talking about PESCO, Solana writes:

Use the treaty basis for permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) to move European defence integration forward with a group of likeminded states. (14)

Solana said this in a report which talks about how to improve EU’s “Common Security and Defence Policy.” As mentioned before, this is a term that mirrors the wording in the NASB translation: “common purpose.” However, when using the term, “like-minded,” Solana also talks similar to the ESV as well, which is “one mind.”

Furthermore, in their Q&A on European defense, the European Commission refers PESCO in the same way.

The Lisbon Treaty allows a group of like-minded Member States to strengthen their cooperation in the area of security and defence. It is open to all Member States which meet the criteria and make the necessary commitments. (15)

Permanent Structured Cooperation is a part of the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon that had been unused until fall of 2017. Countries who meet the criteria can work together on military projects. Some projects relate to making it easier for their armies to go on missions together. Others relate to buying or upgrading new weapons together. (16, 17)

Giving Sovereignty to the Antichrist

The Bible also states that the ten will give their “kingdom” to the beast.

“For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.” (Revelation 17:17 NASB)

The Greek word for kingdom means, among other things, that the ten give their sovereignty to the Antichrist. (18)  According to Strong’s concordance:

In a 2016 article Javier Solana stated that:

The security and defence of the European Union touches on a core area of national sovereignty. (19)

In his 2016 research paper, Javier Solana said that:

“…the deepening of CSDP [common security and defense policy] could imply a loss in their autonomy of decision-making, and in some cases a loss of sovereignty.” (20)

Here Solana explicitly states that if the EU countries were to deepen the military common purpose, it would mean a loss of sovereignty for them. This is strikingly similar to what the Bible says will happen.

Back in 2010, he said:

“In Europe, countries have made voluntary transfers of sovereignty. Voluntary! No one has forced them, is the first time in history where transfers of sovereignty are freely made.” (21)

This sounds a lot like Revelation 17:17, where the ten are “giving” their “kingdom” to the beast, which implies a voluntary transfer of sovereignty that is freely made, just like Solana says.

The Bible text demands that all former members of the 10 nation WEU alliance give their kingdom to the beast in the military domain. Though other countries may do this as well, it is mandatory for the original ten kings to be part of this coalition. As a result, it must include the UK, even though they are bound to leave the EU in October 2019. (22) This is even more problematic because Brexit campaigners frequently used fear of being sucked into a “EU army” as a reason to vote to leave the EU. (23, 24)

European Intervention Initiative

In September 2017, the newly elected President of France proposed a “European Intervention Initiative”, or EI2. As a result, in June 2018, 9 countries signed up to the new intervention force plan. Against all odds, this includes the UK, which would have been unthinkable in 2016. The goal of the EI2 is for member countries to work together on when and where to deploy troops to intervene in crisis situations throughout the world. (25, 26, 27)

This chart shows substantial overlap between former WEU countries, and those that have joined or applied to join the EI2:

(28, 29)

What about Greece and Luxembourg?

Luxembourg was the original location that the EI2 letter of intent was signed. (27) Luxembourg strongly supports European military unification. (30) It is a small country, so it would want to increase its weight by being in greater European defense structures.

Greece is open to the EI2, as long as it gives PESCO a chance. (31) One French defense newspaper implied that Greece would have been approached by President Macron to join the initiative. (32) They are strongly in favor of European military integration, so it is very likely they will join later. (33)

A European Defense Treaty?

In Revelation 17:12-18, the ten kings and the beast launch an unprovoked attack on the end time city called “Babylon.” However, in Daniel 11:40-45, the Antichrist only engages in military conquests after being attacked first. Therefore, when the ten give their “kingdom” to the beast, it must somehow involve the power to initiate an attack under certain circumstances, not just defend. This is consistent with the European Intervention Initiative, which involves decision-making about launching military intervention operations, not defending against attack. (25, 26, 27)

Furthermore, Revelation 18 describes how the city of Babylon is wiped off the map in a “single day,” being “burned up with fire.”

For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
   death and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned up with fire;
   for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”

And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
   you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.” (Revelation 18:8-10 ESV)

This sounds like the aftermath of a nuclear bomb. Therefore, the Antichrist also has the power to initiate a nuclear attack as well, not just a military intervention operation.

This is particularly interesting, because some political think-tanks have suggested that France use its nuclear arsenal to provide a nuclear “umbrella” to protect Europe. This would be in response to Donald Trump’s statements which question his willingness to defend European allies in the event they are attacked. (34, 35) Since the EI2 is a French initiative, it would be unsurprising if the EI2, and the French nuclear umbrella were somehow linked in the future. (25)

The ability to launch military operations, especially one that is nuclear in nature, would require a special treaty. This is how European countries have transferred sovereignty to the EU in the past. However, not everyone would be keen on a defense treaty, which only some people would sign. This is why the treaty needs to be made outside the EU, even though the member countries may overlap. Interestingly, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, also wants EU countries to sign a treaty on defense. (36) Perhaps this will be done in the context of the European Intervention Initiative.

Of course, top Antichrist candidate, Javier Solana, would agree with a plan like this. In 2015, he  said that the EU needs to focus on:

a political and military ability to autonomously conduct intervention operations beyond the EU’s borders. (14)

A Commander-in-Chief?

So…does Revelation predict a European army? It does not necessarily predict a single European army. However, it does predict that a group of ten kings (and likewise a group of ten armies), will exist in the end times. Interestingly, the EI2 is itself not an army, but a group of armies that intend to do military operations together.

EI2 members may want to have a commander-in-chief to guide the military operations once they are launched.  The EU’s common security and defense policy missions are led by the EU High Representative. (37) In the interest of strengthening European defense overall, it would make sense that the High Representative also lead the EI2, which is outside the defense structures of the EU. If top Antichrist candidate, Javier Solana, were to become High Representative again, he would be a natural candidate to lead such a group of forces.

Will Javier Solana be given authority over European military forces?

References:

1. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
2. Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. CO Springs, CO: Victor, an Imprint of Cook Communications Ministries, 2004. Old Testament Edition
3. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. As found in the https://www.biblegateway.com/
4. “Revelation 17 Interlinear Bible.” Biblos.com. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/17.htm.
5. "Shaping of a Common Security and Defence Policy - EEAS - European External Action Service - Western European Union." EEAS - European External Action Service. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/common-security-and-defence-policy-csdp/5388/shaping-of-acommon-security-and-defence-policy-_en#The+Western+European+Union
6. "Statement of the Presidency of the Permanent Council of the WEU on Behalf of the High Contracting Parties to the Modified Brussels Treaty – Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom." Western European Union. March 31, 2010. Accessed October 22, 2018. http://weu.int/Declaration_E.pdf.
7. “Shaping of a Common Security and Defence Policy.” EEAS. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/common-security-and-defence-policy-csdp/5388/shaping-of-acommon-security-and-defence-policy-_en#The Treaty of Lisbon.
8. “The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).” EEAS. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/common-security-and-defence-policy-csdp/431/common-security-and-defence-policy-csdp_en.
9. “Shaping of a Common Security and Defence Policy.” EEAS. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/common-security-and-defence-policy-csdp/5388/shaping-of-acommon-security-and-defence-policy-_en#The Treaty of Lisbon.
10. “Collective Defence.” EURLex Access to European Union law. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/glossary/collective_defence.html.
11. “Text of the Modified Brussels Treaty.” Western European Union. Accessed September 25, 2019. http://www.weu.int/Treaty.htm.
12. “ECFR.” Article 42.7: An explainer, November 19, 2015. https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_article_427_an_explainer5019.
13. “Collective Defence.” EURLex Access to European Union law. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/glossary/collective_defence.html.
14. Blockmans, Steven, and Giovanni Faleg. "More Union in European Defence." Centre for European Policy Studies. February 26, 2015. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.ceps.eu/publications/more-union-european-defence.
15. “Questions and Answers: the Future of European Defence.” European Commission, June 7, 2017. https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-1517_en.htm.
16. “About.” PESCO. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://pesco.europa.eu/about/.
17. “PESCO: Member States Driven.” Accessed September 25, 2019. https://pesco.europa.eu/.
18. “Strong's Greek: 932. Βασιλεία (Basileia) -- Kingdom, Sovereignty, Royal Power.” Biblos.com. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://biblehub.com/greek/932.htm.
19. Solana, Javier, and Steven Blockmans. “EU Defence Plan Is 'No Game-Changer'.” EUobserver, December 16, 2016. https://euobserver.com/opinion/136315.
20. SOLANA, Javier, Angel SAZ-CARRANZA, Maria GARCÍA CASAS, and Jose Francisco ESTÉBANEZ GÓMEZ. On the Way towards a European Defence Union - A White Book as a First Step. European Parliament Think Tank. April 18, 2016. Accessed September 25, 2019. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/535011/EXPO_STU(2016)535011_EN.pdf
21. StopMakingSenseTV. "Javier Solana: Europe Must Be a Laboratory for a Possible World Government System." YouTube. June 05, 2015. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBP-9xLOJXk.
22. “Brexit: All You Need to Know about the UK Leaving the EU.” BBC News. BBC, September 16, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887.
23. Besch, Sophia. “Waging War on the Myth of an EU Army.” POLITICO. POLITICO, February 17, 2017. https://www.politico.eu/article/waging-war-on-the-myth-of-an-eu-army-referendum-britain-brexit-debate/.
24. Lis, Jonathan. “Brexiters' Scaremongering about a European Army Is Just Another of Their Lies | Jonathan Lis.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, January 25, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/25/brexiters-european-army-myths-franco-german.
25. Taylor, Paul. “Emmanuel Macron's Coalition of the Willing.” POLITICO. POLITICO, May 12, 2018. https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macrons-eu-defense-army-coalition-of-the-willing-military-cooperation/.
26. Lebrun, Maxime. “Feature: Behind the European Intervention Initiative.” ERR, July 5, 2018. https://news.err.ee/844385/feature-behind-the-european-intervention-initiative.
27. Boffey, Daniel. “Nine EU States Sign off on Joint Military Intervention Force.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, June 25, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/25/nine-eu-states-to-sign-off-on-joint-military-intervention-force.
28. “List of 28 Delegations.” Western European Union . Accessed September 25, 2019. http://www.weu.int/Delegations.htm.
29. “European Intervention Initiative.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 24, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Intervention_Initiative.
30. “Luxembourg Defence Guidelines for 2025 and Beyond.” Directorate of Defense - The Government of Luxembourg, December 2017. https://defense.gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/la-defense/luxembourg-defence-guidelines-for-2025-and-beyond.pdf.
31. EFSTATHIOU, Yvonni-Stefania. “PESCO: The Greek Perspective.” IRIS France, November 2018. https://www.iris-france.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ares-34.pdf.
32. Gros-Verheyde, Nicolas. “Deux Petits Nouveaux Dans L'initiative Européenne D'intervention.” B2 Bruxelles2, September 19, 2019. https://www.bruxelles2.eu/2019/09/19/deux-petits-nouveaux-dans-linitiative-europeenne-dintervention/.
33. Papadopoulos, Yiannis. “What Is the Position of Greece on European Defense Integration?” Quora , May 10, 2017. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-position-of-Greece-on-European-defense-integration/answer/Yiannis-Papadopoulos-1.
34. Herszenhorn, David M. “Europe's NATO Problem.” POLITICO, April 18, 2019. https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-nato-problem-defense-procurement-training-research/.
35. Witney, Nick. “Building Europeans' Capacity to Defend Themselves.” ECFR.EU, June 25, 1970. https://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/building_europeans_capacity_to_defend_themselves.
36. Momtaz, Rym. “Macron Calls for Big EU Changes in 'European Renaissance'.” POLITICO. POLITICO, April 18, 2019. https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-european-parliament-election-calls-for-big-eu-changes-in-european-renaissance/.
37. “Organisation Chart of the EEAS.” EEAS, July 5, 2019. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3602/organisation-chart-of-the-eeas_en.

Photo Credits

• EUFOR Soldier: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-troops-train-for-balkans-role