United Church of God

Pastor’s Corner - February 1st, 2020

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A Congregation of the United Church of God

Pastor’s Corner - February 1st, 2020

Welcome to this special Saturday edition of the Pastor’s Corner. (Read: Sorry this is late...)

Well, it’s official. The United Kingdom is no longer a member nation of the European Union. 

Finally completing a process that was kickstarted by referendum in June of 2016, Brexit ends 48 years of the UK being a part of some version of a European Commonwealth or Union, and propels Ephraim into the future as a completely sovereign nation again. 

Mr. Armstrong discussed the difficulties Britain would experience as a part of this union in the March 1973 edition of the Plain Truth magazine. In the article, Prosperity or Calamity: Now That Britain Is In the Common Market, which can be found here, he states the following:

“Britain is going to look back on Monday, Jan. 1, 1973, in all probability, as a most tragically historic date—a date fraught with ominous potentialities! For that date marked the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Community.  “

Since that time - there has been ‘ominous potentialities’ as Britain and its people had the values and regulations of the EU foisted upon them from an economic, social and legal standpoint. Their military might has withered, and their government has had challenges as the pendulum of public perception has swung back and forth.

He went on to conclude:

“Britain’s entry into the European Community portends a tragic situation. Britain will be faced with a dilemma.” 

Britain did face a dilemma, Should they give up their sovereignty to Brussels to be a part of the collective? Give up the pound sterling? Align with EU regulations and embargoes in order to trade with member nations, these are all dilemmas which Britain has faced in the nearly 5 decades as a member nation. 

The bible prophesies the coming time in which Britain and the United States as the representatives of the Northern 10 tribes—those who received the birthright portion of blessings from Genesis 48-49—would experience a time of trouble at the time of the end. 

That time of trouble comes at the hand of a resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire. These prophesies can be found in Daniel 2, Daniel 7, Daniel 11 and Revelation 17. 

In Revelation 17, we see a culmination and integration of these prophecies to make a clearer picture.  

The woman in this prophecy, representative of Babylon, the false religion and governmental system that is in conflict to God, rides this beast. 

The beast has seven heads, representative of the seven hills or mountains upon which the woman sits, which are seven kingdoms or kings (heads of those Kingdoms) 5 of these heads were, one is, and one will be. 

These heads are reincarnations of the same system—the Holy Roman Empire, a unification of religion, economic and military might that has risen and fallen several times now throughout human history. 

1. Emperor Justinian

2. Charlemagne

3. Otto I

4. Charles V

5. Napoleon

5 have fallen...

6. German and Italian Aspirations of a United Europe 

One is... 

We are currently in this era of the prophecy. A time where the visions of Germany and Italy in the 1930’s have been achieved, not by military might, but through diplomatic and economic means. 

This European Union has brought unprecedented peace and prosperity to its member nations despite the occasional financial missteps. What is missing at this time is the backing of a religious power to cement it as a revival of the Holy Roman Empire. That is likely to come.

One is Yet to Come...

The final head which comes up will unite 10 European Kingdoms again under a common banner and behind a strong leader, bringing the Holy Roman Empire to the forefront again. 

These are kings that do not yet have authority and power. So it is not the current leaders of these member states necessarily, but could be a future iteration of the EU, or perhaps a different union all together. This union is partially strong and partially fragile, and will be comprised of 10 nations, or regions of nations. Daniel 2 states these 10 nations are made of iron and clay, partially strong and partially fragile. Given the economic struggles of some of the member states in recent years, you can see how it might be “partially strong and partially fragile.” With a partnership with Babylon, (likely Rome) the Holy Roman Empire will be resurrected for the 7th time. 

Throughout all of these revivals is the Holy Roman Empire, there has been one common factor—the beast these heads are attached to. The various heads are simply incarnations of the same old adversary. As Revelation 17 describes, the beast is part of the 7th, as he has been part of all of those before.

This is the beast spoken of in Revelation 13:4, who will coalesce and strengthen the 10 nations described in Daniel 2, and Revelation 17:12-13.  He himself is the 8th, and the 10 nations will eventually turn on Babylon and align themselves fully with the beast power.


The world, it’s merchants and leaders will mourn the destruction of Babylon the Great. 

It is the rise of this 7th head, as well as the end-time beast power which persecutes the Church, and causes the time of Jacob’s Trouble, a persecution of Israel and Judah foretold in Jeremiah 30:7. The modern day nations of Britain, the United States and Israel. 

It is this beast power and these nations and kings that are responsible for the deaths of the two witnesses, and the incredible persecution of God’s people. It is these kings that will be in power at the time of Christ’s return. That are hiding in the rocks and cliffs praying for death. He is the Rock which destroys these kingdoms, shattering the feet of the man of bronze in Daniel 2, and the mountain which grows out of that impact is a Kingdom which will exist for eternity. 

With Britain a sovereign, non-EU nation again, this prophecy takes one step closer to fulfillment.  Prophecy is being fulfilled before our very ehyes. Have a wonderful Sabbath and continue to pray, “Thy Kingdom Come”.