World News and Trends: The drive toward a European superstate
Ever since the first postwar steps toward the formation of what we now call the European Union (EU), occasional setbacks have stood in the way of unity.
However, from the founding Treaty of Rome, in 1957, onwards, the trend has undeniably moved in the direction of an integrated Europe and, according to Bible prophecy, toward a European superpower that will astonish the world.
Germany's new chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, has said to his parliament that Bonn will use its 1999 presidency of the EU "to drive forward" European integration. William Hague, British Conservative Party leader, immediately reacted by warning that "the single currency posed 'risks' to Britain's independence after Gerhard Schroeder ... spoke of his ambition of creating a federal Europe on German lines" (emphasis added).
Mr. Hague further responded that the German chancellor "has been honest enough to admit 'what many fear': that the single currency is an important step on the road to political union."
Make no mistake. Events in Europe are moving steadily towards what the Bible refers to as the formation of a "beast" power. Conception occurred many years ago, and the embryo is fast growing in the European womb. History, however, shows that the eventual birth will not be easy because serious economic and social strains have almost always been the precursors of major European dictatorships.
A few leaders in Europe are already talking of a common army (excluding the United States) that would entail many states in one uniform, perhaps under one flag, and sending soldiers out to fight under one command. This would require the subordination of certain sovereignties to a dominant central authority reminiscent of this biblical passage: "And the ten horns ... are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [a short time] as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast [a supranational political leader]." (Sources: The Daily Telegraph [London]; Revelation 17:12-13).
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: January - February 1999
Course Content
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
