Africa’s powerful neighbor

Germany and Iran “are racing to get as much control of North Africa as they can,” wrote Gerald Flurry in our April 2013 issue. Since then, Europe has drastically stepped up its involvement in North Africa. Most notably, French troops helped retake Mali from radical Islam, and now they are looking to do the same in the Central African Republic (“North Africa’s Policeman,” page 27).

Why? Europe imports huge amounts of resources from North Africa. A European Union Institute for Security Studies report in May referred to it as Europe’s “zones of privileged interest”—its backyard—and proposed ways to project power there, independent of Washington.

North Africa is a key part of Europe’s confrontation with Iran. These two powers are already fighting for control of this real estate. Bible prophecy tells us that Europe will get complete control of North Africa and probably have strong trade ties—at least—with the rest of the continent. Daniel 11:42-43 tell us that Europe will conquer Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia.

This conquest will mean that Africa’s vast natural resources will flow in great quantities to Europe. Revelation 18:12 begins by listing the “gold, and silver, and precious stones” this European power will have. It then includes “all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood.” Some of the riches on this list come primarily from Africa.

North Africa will also be a major part of Europe’s slave empire. Two countries will contain the bulk of Europe’s Hebrew slaves: Assyria and Egypt (Isaiah 11:11, 16; 27:13; Hosea 9:3; 11:11; Zechariah 10:10-11). Many of Europe’s captives will be forced to work in the heat of the African sun to bring this wealth back to Germany.