Led by Berlin, a select group of 10 states has formed to ‘revive the ideal of a united Europe.’
The name “Berlin Club” evokes images of a secretive organization, one in which wealthy old aristocrats gather together to drink scotch and plot to conquer the world.
By Brad MacDonald
Time will tell, but that impression might not be too far from
reality.
Created and led by Germany, the “Berlin Club” met for the first time
on March 20 in Berlin. There’s a lot we haven’t been told about
Europe’s latest club of elitists. What we do know is that it’s the
brainchild of German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, that it is
comprised of Europe’s most pro-unification states, and that it exists to
reinvigorate the unification of Europe.
Germany is joined in the club by Poland, Belgium, Italy, the
Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Luxemburg, Spain, Denmark and France.
The select group is scheduled to meet at least four more times to
discuss proposals for closer integration, and plans to publish its
conclusions in a final report. The club’s agenda is long, and includes
discussions about European security and border control, fiscal and
economic government, and ways to stabilize growth.
Yesterday, Presseurop translated an article from the Spanish abc newspaper reporting that “10 countries
have formed the ‘Berlin
Club’ to revive the European project.” According to the abc article, Berlin’s goal is to “create a
kind of ‘club’ committed to developing formulas that, in these times of
crisis, will revive the ideal of a united
Europe” (emphasis added throughout). Since Europe’s financial
crisis began in 2008, the EU has been hit with one crisis after another,
with each being reported by many as another nail in the coffin of a
United States of Europe.
Clearly Germany hasn’t got the memo, and isn’t prepared to give up
on unification just yet.
In a separate but apparently related development, Westerwelle stated
in a March 9 meeting with EU foreign ministers that the EU needs a new
constitution. “I think we have to reopen the debate about a European
constitution again,” he said. “We have a good treaty, but we need a
constitution … as there are new centers of power in the world.” Many EU
states disagreed with the German foreign minister. But not all.
Following Westerwelle’s statement, Reuters reported March 10 that
nine EU nations had agreed to gather in Berlin on March 20 to discuss
creating a new
EU constitution. While the leaders involved have been
characteristically vague, it appears Tuesday’s (March 20) meeting in
Berlin about a new constitution was in fact the same one the abc article identified as the first gathering
of the “Berlin Club.”
If so, then it appears the first priority of the 10-member
German-led Berlin Club is the creation of a new European constitution.
So much for the opinions of the EU’s other 17 member states.
So much for European integration being a collaborative process that
involves consensus, compromise and transparency.
So much for democracy!
It seems Germany, together with nine or ten other states loyal to
the supreme goal of unification, is determined to make the dream of a
United States of Europe a reality. It won’t be easy; as Europe’s
financial crisis is making clear, the process will be fraught with
hurdles and challenges. But Germany and a few select allies are not yet
ready to abandon European unification.
Bible prophecy demands we watch Germany, and especially the “Berlin
Club,” closely. In Mystery of the Ages, the late Herbert Armstrong
explained how the prophecies in Revelation 13 and 17 foretell the
resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire. He wrote, “… Daniel 7, and
Revelation 13 and 17, is referring to the new United States of Europe
that is now forming, out of the European Common Market, before your very
eyes!”
Notice what Mr. Armstrong forecast next: “Revelation 17:12 makes
plain the detail that it shall be a union of 10 kings or kingdoms that
(Revelation 17:8) shall resurrect the old Roman Empire.”
The Trumpet has continued Mr. Armstrong’s forecast and
explained repeatedly that a closely integrated group of 10 nations, or
groups of nations, would emerge out of the 27-member EU behemoth that
exists today. We don’t know for certain if the Berlin Club constitutes
this group, but it’s absolutely possible. The formation of the Berlin
Club does, however, prove that certain European elites know that the
only way to European unification is if select states unite behind
Germany to form a devoted, streamlined core.
Among the many details given in Revelation 17 about the now-forming
resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire, it identifies this core bloc as
being comprised of “ten kings.” Mr. Armstrong believed it was possible
that the 10 nations or kingdoms that would comprise this combine might
even be ruled over by 10 literal kings, coming from the various
monarchies of Europe. If this is the case, then we should expect to see a
renaissance of royal leadership in Europe.
With this in mind, it’s interesting to consider recent remarks by
Germany’s Prince
Philip Kiril of Prussia, a great-great-grandson of Germany’s last
kaiser. Speaking to Germany’s Die Zeit newspaper last Thursday,
Prince Phillip called for the reinstatement of a king in Germany.
Reinstituting the monarchy in Germany, he explained, would help unite
the nation, boost confidence and pride and speak to people’s emotions.
It’s difficult to predict precisely how these developments will play
out. But while there’s uncertainty surrounding the details, there’s
little doubt about the broader trends in Europe. First, it’s now
patently obvious that Europe’s financial crisis has thrust Germany
forward as the unchecked financial and political authority in Europe.
Second, it’s clear that every European country serious about unification
has fallen in line behind German leadership.
Finally, despite Europe’s perilous financial state and the immense
political uncertainty, the creation of ventures like the Berlin Club
prove that Germany and a few select allies have
not abandoned the dream of creating a United States of Europe! •
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