Last November, France and the United Kingdom signed a joint defense agreement. It comprises two treaties covering the joint deployment of both countries’ armed forces, the combining of equipment and communications, and nuclear deterrence.

This has set a precedent that Berlin and Brussels are eager to exploit. The UK-France defense pact will now have a domino effect on other European Union member nations as EU elites move aggressively to shape a combined European defense structure. They will use the EU-France precedent to push EU member states into a series of similar alliances designed to merge EU nations’ fighting forces into a pan-European defense structure under a single centralized high command.

“Implemented correctly, these treaties could become a hopeful precedent for the entire European Union,” former EU foreign-policy chief Javier Solana recently stated. “By transcending strictly national limits, these treaties chart the future path of European defense” (New Europe,January 3; emphasis mine throughout).

Noting Britain’s former traditional resistance to accepting “a Europe with autonomous military capacity,” Solana sees the Anglo-French defense deal as the sign that Britain has come on board with the rest of Europe in support of a combined European defense force. He then goes on to declare that, “Likewise, the joint expeditionary forces established under the treaties could lead to the eventual creation of a wider structure, as they already contemplate ‘bilateral cooperation with nato, the European Union, the United Nations, or other operations’” (ibid.).

This development of a combined European military force as envisaged by Javier Solana is entirely consistent with what the Trumpet has long forecasted—even two years before the enabling effect of the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, right on down to its clarification in the latest Lisbon Treaty/EU constitution of 2009! Not only that, a combined European army was consistently pointed to as a future fulfillment of Bible prophecy by Herbert Armstrong for 50 years during his lifetime! Now we stand on the cusp of it becoming a reality. The year 2011 is set to see further merging of the European Union’s defense structure along the lines established by the Anglo-French agreement.

Inveterate watchers of the developing Eurobeast know that this process will lead to the loss of sovereign control of the defense capability of each nation that joins this process—“transcending strictly national limits.” What is of greatest concern, given past history, is that the industrially, economically and politically strongest nation within Europe—Germany—will have the strongest say in the structure and the location of the high command to which the amalgamating European defense structure will report.

It is Germany, in particular that nation’s defense minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, that is behind the push to consolidate European defense industries. This is but a precursor to the consolidation of Europe’s defense forces. The whole process has the support of the United States and of nato. But the dangers inherent in such a combined European military force at a time when Guttenberg is rushing to professionalize Germany’s own military structure—under a singular high command—are extreme. This is especially so when the likes of Solana observe that (ibid.):

[T]he EU has undertaken 24 missions in Europe, Africa and Asia, differing in nature, scope and aims, and combining military and civilian means.Today, the EU is being asked to conduct complex missions in adverse circumstances. In doing so, Europe must draw on the lessons of its past successes. We Europeans need to respond favorably, quickly and effectively. Defense missions must be more adaptable, prompt, multinational and multi-instrumental.

Elsewhere in his article, Solana implies that Europe could well fill the increasing gap in global security being created by a U.S. on the wane.

As he states, “The Franco-British agreement does … imply progress toward joint European military action, both in Europe and on the international scene, which will encourage the U.S.” Yes, this may well encourage a U.S. administration blind to history and blinded to the realities of the monster that is arising in Europe today.

At a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the drafting of the United Nations charter, Herbert Armstrong was of but four in attendance who had also witnessed that entire event in June 1945 as an accredited press representative. Commenting on that occasion in his personal column in the Plain Truth magazine, he observed (October 1985):

Out of the United Nations 40 years ago emerged two major military powers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Between them was Europe. This “humanity’s last chance” for human survival and world peace split Europe down the middle. We have had a divided Europe now for 40 years …. There is now a dynamic movement toward a united Europe—a resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire …. The European Parliament meets in Brussels, in Strasbourg, France, and in Luxembourg, with a staff working vigorously for a reunited Europe, and working out a constitution for this coming third super world power. At the European Community’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, a very large staff are working for a single united European currency, one united military force and one economic structure.Do not discount the possibility that this resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire may start by some arrangement to reunite East and West Germany first.

Five years later Germany was reunited. By 1992 the Maastricht Treaty was signed, enabling the establishing of a single European currency. By January 2010 the Lisbon Treaty was promulgated—a virtual EU constitution—enabling rapid progression toward the consolidation of a combined European military force! In our February 2010 edition, our editor in chief declared the Holy Roman Empire is here! All this is absolutely consistent with the farsighted prophetic vision of Herbert W. Armstrong!

How did he know? What was the source of his unerring predictions concerning world events that have turned out in exact detail according to his prophetic utterances of multiple decades ago?

If you really want to find out, read our booklets Does God Exist? and The Proof of the Bible. They will open your eyes to a whole new perspective on world affairs, and their real meaning and future impact on your life.