However, the collective set of crowns on all ten of the horns indicates also that the modern-day countries within the geographical area of the old Roman Empire will be united, organizationally, to a limited degree, when they voluntarily swear allegiance to the Antichrist. Thus, the existence of the ten horns on the symbolic empire head of the Antichrist demonstrates these countries will be a part of his new empire. But, the fact that the ten horns will be crowned, individually, indicates these Roman countries will retain their national identities and political sovereignty even though they will be united, organizationally, when they become a part of the Antichrist’s empire. Accordingly, it will be the man, Antichrist, who will forge a new empire into existence, not an existing empire which will appoint a leader as many people suppose.

Moreover, Revelation 17 predicts that the beast (i.e., Satan within the Antichrist) and the ten horns will receive power ,and that they will retain this power for only a short period of time. That is why it is so significant that there have been very determined efforts, recently, to unify Europe even though the geographical boundary lines for the ten toes and the European Union currently do not coincide with each other. However, many more countries are scheduled to join the European Union as members by May 1, 2004, and when that happens, the European Union will encompass virtually all of the modern-day countries within the geographical territory of the ancient Roman Empire. So at that point, all of the “Roman” countries will then be united, organizationally, and ready to become a part of the Antichrist’s empire. (Rev. 12; 13:1-2).

Therefore, the European Union is important, prophetically, because it has been preparing people in that part of the world — philosophically and politically and economically — for their participation as members of the new world empire which the Antichrist will forge into existence within the near future. Additionally, in a move that will further enhance preparations for entry into the empire of the Antichrist, the European Union has even created an organizational mechanism which can quickly be adapted to the new circumstances of the moment. Thus, the modern “Roman” countries are moving towards a limited form of unification so that they will be ready to swear collective allegiance to the Antichrist soon after he creates a new Middle Eastern empire. Accordingly, those prophetic developments will mark the point at which the “last days” empowerment of the ten horns and the beast will begin:

Revelation 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (KJV)

“They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another...” This prophetic phrase simply indicates that the political leaders and the Royal families in the “Roman” countries would attempt to forge political alliances with one another, sometimes even through inter-marriages between their families, but never would there be any lasting confederations or alliances among them. Although sometimes it is said this scriptural passage teaches that demonic activity, both on and above the earth, will explode in frequency and intensity just prior to the Return of Christ, this passage actually does not address that issue at all. Instead, it clearly focuses exclusively on matters related to the ten toes if the complete scriptural context is taken into consideration.

Daniel continues by stating that a stone “cut out without hands” will strike the symbolic image, causing it to crumble. Since all of the symbolic image will be intact and standing upright at that future point in time, this means that all of the modern-day countries within the geographical area of all four of these biblical world empires will not only be in existence, but will be rich and powerful as well. The stone (the “chief cornerstone,” our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus) will then grow into a “mountain” (i.e., an empire or kingdom) which will eventually cover all of the earth. We are informed that this means God will establish an eternal Kingdom which will smash the sovereignty of all earthly kingdoms, thus making every country throughout the world subject to the ruler ship of God forever. (Dan. 2:44, 45).

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