Benjamin Franklin’s poignant political cartoon “Join or Die” struck a chord with the disunited colonies in the French and Indian War in 1754, and was picked up again two decades later as the symbol of colonial freedom in the war for independence. That idea, while not illustrated in so many words, could well be the rallying cry of the European continent in the months leading up the European Parliamentary elections in May 2014.

Europe will become strong. In many ways, it already is. The eurozone has several very stable economies, as well as a few larger states with healthy manufacturing and exports sectors. But looking at the big picture, the political and economic architecture of Europe is going to have to change to prevent a bog-down in the next few years.

A New Focus

A recent essay by Nicolas Berggruen and Nathan Gardels says of the European Union: “To accomplish its mission in the 21st century, however—to become more than simply ‘a defensive reaction to horror,’ in the French philosopher Andre Glucksmann’s words—it needs to move forward now toward greater integration” (Foreign Affairs, July-August 2013). As these astute political thinkers noted, Europe, as whole, needs to become more unified politically and economically—and soon—if it wants to successfully compete in the global sphere in the coming decade.

If nothing is done in the next year or two, Europe will be succumbing to the American strategy of simply kicking the can down the road; it will fall far behind nations like China and be utterly unable to compete globally. That is the forecast of Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg and former president of the Eurogroup: “The European percentage of global economic output is in free fall. In 20 years time, China will have more economic weight than the U.S. or Europe …. Europe used to be a muscleman, but it is now suffering from muscle atrophy.”

Structurally Inefficient

It’s not for a lack of desire; Europe wants to compete, but there is ballast to be dealt with. Take, for example, the collection of periphery states on the Continent. They are smaller, economically unstable or unprofitable in many cases, and many suffer from high unemployment rates—the bottom line is that they contribute less to the eurozone, yet require help from the more powerful members. There is a debilitating level of financial insecurity and uncertainty at the moment—to the level that a permanent fund was created to inject funds into faltering economies. And then there’s the regulation: “The European Commission estimates that the administrative burden that EU–wide legislation imposes on businesses is $160 billion—and that does not include the economic costs that regulation creates by distorting incentives to produce and innovate” (Cato Institute, May 22).

Something has to give. Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez said it was “ridiculous” for member states to insist on nationally-focused rules in what is supposed to be an integrated union, geared toward economic production and growth on a globally-competitive scale.

For the Greater Good

What is the answer? In every area and to some extent, the individual must be sacrificed for the collective.

“Although a federal Europe must be open to all EU member states, forward movement toward it should not be blocked because some are not yet willing to go there, but nor should it be imposed from on high. … It is an illusion to believe that a strong political union can be build on the weak allegiance that results from tweaking treaties” (Foreign Affairs, op. cit.).

Europe can’t survive on “tweaking treaties” much longer. Its ability to compete and maintain global influence relies on wholehearted commitment from all members to a transformation of the current political architecture and regulation. Such a transformation could result in 10 specific or definite blocs within the greater European whole, correlating with the prophecy of 10 kings in Revelation 17:12.

Germany’s Role

One of the keys to deeper European integration is Germany. As one of the most financially stable member states and the fourth most competitive economy in the world, Germany holds the keys to the financial success of a European federation. It will be directly involved in bringing economic stability and affecting change. “… Germany will have to realize that its own self-interest calls for it to bear the burden of resolving the current account imbalances within the eurozone” (ibid).

The latest International Monetary Fund (imf) report on Germany identifies the nation as a “regional anchor of stability” and describes it as playing “a pivotal role in the development of policies and the evolving architecture of the European Monetary Union.”

Current Chancellor Angela Merkel probably knows that structurally something must change in order for Europe to continue competing internationally, and at the same time fund the kind of welfare states that citizens are used to. But in the lead-up to the German elections, “Mutti” Merkel has backed away from her previous call for more Europe. The Christian Democratic Union platform is still staunchly supportive of strengthening a collective Europe, but now the German prime minister wants to avoid conversations about Europe in 10 or 15 years, and instead focus on more immediate issues. She isn’t anti-EU, but she isn’t interested in yielding German national power or interest to Brussels. And at the moment, she has put European issues on hold, in favor of less touchy domestic policy.

Even if Angela Merkel remains in her position after the elections on September 22, she may not remain there for long if she doesn’t come back in line with the push for a more united European continent.

Her domestic focus is not enough for some. On August 30, in a refreshingly clear-cut analysis of the situation in Syria and its relevance to Europe and the world, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has criticized his nation’s current “checkbook” and “offset” foreign policies. He pulled no punches when he criticized German political leaders on both sides for believing that their “economic weight creates enough leverage to compensate for Germany’s failure to realize its full potential as a capable and responsible member of the Atlantic alliance and international community.”

It goes beyond responsibility. In fact, according to Ullrich Fichtner, writing for Der Spiegel, the rest of the world wants Germany to step forward as a regional and global leader in the years to come. Europe has to become more integrated to remain relevant; though Germany will not fully yield its own interests to another nation or group of nations, it has the power and stability to be a regional leader.

It appears nobody’s arguing that Germany is a bad choice to be a global leader, except for the current leadership. According to Fichtner, “When it comes to foreign policy, Germany is oddly idle. Germany is being administered, not governed. It could be a soft giant, but when it looks in the mirror, it sees itself as a gray mouse. But that’s just an optical illusion” (emphasis added).

More Europe, More Germany

A trend has emerged. Karl-Thoedor zu Guttenberg criticized Germany’s non-confrontational approach to the Syria situation. The imf said that Germany has a pivotal role in shaping future European fiscal structure, and has a stabilizing role to play in the region. One of Germany’s top reporters essentially came out and called for a changing of the guard in Berlin, in order for the nation—and Europe with it—to impact the global geopolitical sphere. In early August, the Bundeswehr announced that it was shifting its structure to be prepared for worldwide war.

Europe must seek deeper integration and restructure politically and financially in order to develop into a global power in the coming decade. There needs to be someone to set taxes and banking standards and regulations across the eurozone, with state interests taking a backseat. The European Commission president needs to be more representative of the European citizens, which would “give a face” to political unity.

If these statements don’t shake students of Bible prophecy, then nothing will! As far back as February 1934, Herbert W. Armstrong boldly prophesied that Germany would rise once again at the helm of a unified European power. On the surface, his statements seemed unbelievable to many, since that nation was still a smoldering heap of rubble after its defeat in 1945. To this day, Gerald Flurry has continued to support Herbert Armstrong’s prophetic message through the Trumpet and the Key of David program.

While in the mid 20th century it may have seemed a stretch to imagine a powerful, assertive Germany impacting the international scene again, now just a few decades later, it isn’t nearly as hard to picture.

“More Europe” is the cry, and that will mean more Germany. For those who have eyes to see it, the prophecies of Daniel 11 and Revelation 13 and 17 are rapidly moving toward fulfillment.

For more information, read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.