We have been prophesying for over 70 years that a strong dictator is about to rule over Europe. We proclaimed that he would not be voted in by the public. We have also said for many years Britain would not be a part of the final European Union.

A recently revealed secret plot shows that all of these prophecies are being fulfilled now!

The British Express printed an article on May 4 titled, “EU Plot to Scrap Britain.” “Senior Eurocrats are secretly plotting to create a super-powerful EU president to realize their dream of abolishing Britain, we can reveal,” it began.

“A covert group of EU foreign ministers has drawn up plans for merging the jobs currently done by Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.

“The new bureaucrat, who would not be directly elected by voters, is set to get sweeping control over the entire EU and force member countries into ever-greater political and economic union. Tellingly, the UK has been excluded from the confidential discussions within the shady ‘Berlin Group’ of Europhile politicians, spearheaded by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle” (emphasis mine throughout).

This “new bureaucrat” is going to get control of the EU by flatteries—not by being voted into office. That means that he and a few cohorts will hijack the powerful EU. It will be led by Germany, the only powerful economy in the Western world.

There may be a few small twists and turns, but this secret plot is going to usher in a fierce dictator! Bible prophecy makes that powerfully clear.

Back to the Dark Ages?

The Express secret-plot article continued: “Opponents fear the plan could create a modern-day equivalent of the European emperorenvisaged by Napoleon Bonaparte or a return to the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne that dominated Europe in the Dark Ages. …

“Euro-M.P. Paul Nuttall, of the UK Independence Party, said: ‘This is a truly ridiculous idea that must never be allowed to happen. It sounds as if they are trying to go back to the days of the Holy Roman Emperor.’”

For about 70 years we have been prophesying of the Holy Roman Empire and emperor soon to appear on the scene. It will be the seventh and last head of that superpower.

Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in the 1956 Plain Truth magazine that “Britain will be no part of it!”

This very moment, that prophecy is coming true. That is what the secret plot article made very clear. Britain is being kicked out.

Mr. Nuttall said that this Holy Roman Empire idea “must never be allowed to happen.” But it can’t be stopped because it has God’s approval (Revelation 17:17). Our free Daniel booklet explains why. And you desperately need to understand!

This resurrected Holy Roman Empire is going to be the most destructive force ever on Earth. It is time for this world to understand what is happening in Europe!

Referring to the “Berlin Group,” Tory Foreign Office minister Lord Howell of Guildford said, “While the UK is not part of that group, we understand that one idea under discussion is a merger of the positions of president of the European Council and president of the European Commission.” Lord Howell added: “A merger of the two presidencies would create a potential conflict of interest, undermine the quality of the EU’s decision-making processes and upset the institutional balance within the EU.” Lord Stoddart said: “These sorts of informal discussions within the EU have a habit of rapidly being transferred into formal proposals.

“Since the government is not party to these discussions, its reservations are academic.

“Such a merger would represent a massive shift of power into the hands of a single, unelected bureaucrat. The government should be taking this far more seriously and voicing its objections very strongly.”

He added: “The holder of this new office would be both Europe’s political and administrative leader, giving them far more powers than those given to the U.S. president.”

The French Election

These secret plotters saw the end of the Franco-German axis coming in the lead-up to the May 6 French presidential election. These two nations had led the EU from its inception. The plotters then moved to help form a German-Italian axis.

Germany and Italy are the first two nations of the 10 nations or groups of nations to form the Holy Roman Empire. The other eight are already a part of the EU and probably eager to join Germany and Italy.

Germany and Italy have been at the heart of the Holy Roman Empire throughout the ages. When Hitler and Mussolini became allies in World War ii, it was the sixth head of the Holy Roman Empire. Mussolini even called their union the Holy Roman Empire.

This new German-Italian axis—including the worldwide power of the Vatican—is a major shift in Europe’s direction. These two leading nations are going to shock the world as they demonstrate their worldwide ambitions—which they have done in the past. (For more information, request our free booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.)

The secret plot has pushed France aside and Britain out. Now these plotters are working hard to find their strong leader.

We believe we may know who he is and who they are seeking to fill that strongman role.

We won’t have long to wait for his appearance. He may play a key role in choosing the other eight nations or kings. Then the world will see the horror of what this dramatic shift means!

“Germany inevitably would emerge as the leader of a united Europe,” Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in the November-December 1954 Plain Truth edition—a statement that most people only ridiculed. “All Europe is actually ready—just waiting for the confidence-inspiring leader—an international all-European Hitler, and it is on the way. That man is there somewhere.”

It’s all happening exactly as we have prophesied for 70 years! It is time for this world to wake up!

“Historical pressures, well apart from Putinism in Russia, are coming to the fore on the Continent—pressures that were long suppressed by the aberrations of World War ii, the Cold War, the division of Germany, and the rise of the EU,” National Review Online wrote April 24. “The so-called German problem—the tendency of Germany quite naturally at some point to translate its innate dynamic economic prowess into political, cultural, and above all military superiority—did not vanish simply because a postmodern EU announced that it had transcended human nature and its membership would no longer be susceptible to ancient Thucydidean nationalist passions like honor, fear or self-interest.

“If you have doubts on that, just review current German and southern European newspapers, where commentary sounds more likely to belong in 1938 than in 2012.”

The year 1938 was one year before World War ii began. In World War ii, Hitler and Mussolini made Europe and much of the world bleed. But that was only a small dress rehearsal of what is about to occur!

The strongman of Europe could even appear on the scene this year.

A Prophecy for Today

We have been warning our readers to watch for this development for years. I went back and reread an article I wrote on the subject 12 years ago, in our June 2000 issue, based on the Bible’s prophecies. The uncovering of this plot to create a European super-president makes that article far more relevant today than it was 12 years ago!

The remainder of this article is essentially a reprint of that article from 2000. Please consider these prophecies in light of what is happening in Europe right now.

Let’s turn to the Bible to see what to expect in the time just ahead. Antiochus Epiphanes came to the Jerusalem temple in 167 b.c. The spring of 167 b.c. to the autumn of 164 b.c. was a terror-filled time for Palestine—3½ years of tribulation.

It was only a type, however, of the end-time Great Tribulation, also to last 3½ years, to be inflicted on America, Britain and the State of Israel.

“Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (Daniel 11:20-21). The Companion Bible states that the historical portion ends with verse 20. Verse 21 “passes on to the time which is still (1912) future to us.” And it is still future as we write now.

So there will be a future Antiochus—a vile person. He will be a type of the original Antiochus. We need to see how this will happen.

The Spirit of Charlemagne

“In the year 782, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, became the military champion of the papacy, stepping into the vacuum created by the separation of Constantinople and Rome, and defending the papacy from the Lombards who kept threatening it. Pope Leo iii crowned Charlemagne emperor in Notre Dame Cathedral in 800. The future of Europe was bound up in that event, and the alliance between the papacy and Germany has been of great significance ever since” (David N. Samuel, European Union and the Roman Catholic Influence in Britain).

What is happening in the European superstate is a mystery to most of the world. But that mystery is beginning to be removed.

Bernard Connolly wrote a bombshell book in 1995 titled The Rotten Heart of Europe. For years he served at the heart of the Exchange Rate Mechanism for the EU. He headed the commission unit responsible for monitoring and servicing the system. He labels the European superstate as rotten. Why?

He wrote, “It is the battle for control of the European superstate, in which French technocrats confront German federalists, both sides claiming to fight under the banner of Charlemagne. The ‘collateral damage’ from this battle lies mainly in the future, but it could be ghastly.”

Who will get control of this great superstate? The battle can be narrowed down to two nations: France and Germany. Do knowledgeable people really doubt who will win this battle? The nation that controls the money will reign supreme.

“Across the Rhine, successive German governments have, in their pursuit of a ‘European’ cloak for German ambitions, been prepared to accept an apparent cession of national monetary authority—as long as the new European monetary authority looks, sounds, smells and acts exactly as the German monetary authority now does” (ibid).

The European Union system has already been called a Trojan horse by a few informed analysts. Mr. Connolly says it is a “cloak for German ambitions.”

We are all well aware of Hitler’s Third Reich. But did you realize that Charlemagne’s empire was the First Reich?

Most of the EU leaders are working to “recreate the empire of Charlemagne”—especially Germany. “It was no coincidence that the Belgian government housed the offices and meeting rooms of the EU Council of Ministers in the Charlemagne building in Brussels.

“It was no coincidence, either, that Giscard and Schmidt agreed to accept the Belgian compromise proposal at a bilateral summit in September 1978 at Aachen, principal seat and burial place of Charlemagne. The symbolism was heavily underlined in both France and Germany; the two leaders paid a special visit to the throne of Charlemagne and a special service was held in the cathedral; at the end of the summit, Giscard remarked that: ‘Perhaps when we discussed monetary problems, the spirit of Charlemagne brooded over us’” (ibid).

The spirit of Charlemagne has returned. This king who ruled the First Reich had to wade through a sea of blood to achieve his goal of ruling Europe and establishing Catholicism as the state religion!

Get ready for another sea of blood!

‘A Vile Person’

The big question remains unanswered. “In the new empire of Charlemagne, who would play Charlemagne? Exactly the same question was implicit, and left unanswered, at Maastricht” (ibid).

Soon the world will know who the modern Charlemagne (or Antiochus) is to be. You can be sure he will have Germany’s stamp of approval. His actions will shock the world far more than the original Charlemagne’s. He will lead the world into the greatest “sea of blood” that humanity has ever seen or even dreamed about! Whether we realize it or not, the Fourth Reich has arrived.

Daniel 8 doesn’t tell us the name of the next Charlemagne. But it does tell us the kind of man he is going to be. And it is the worst news this world has ever received!

However, it leads directly to the greatest event ever to occur in the universe—the return of Jesus Christ!

The German leaders today have a hidden agenda, but even they will be shocked at the leader who will get control of the European Union.

Mr. Connolly asked, “Who is going to be Charlemagne?”

He said the outcome could be “ghastly.” Actually, it will go beyond “ghastly”—not only for Europe, but for the whole world!

The Bible labels this Charlemagne as “a vile person.”

Otto Von Hapsburg also said, “We possess a European symbol which belongs to all nations of Europe equally; this is the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, which embodies the tradition of Charlemagne.”

Daniel says Europe’s leaders will “not give the honour of the kingdom” to the vile person. He is so despicable, the royalty of the Holy Roman Empire today will fight against his coming to power. Still, he will gain control of the EU.

The Hebrew word for “vile” also means despicable and contemptible. Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon defines the word as meaning “to trample with the feet.” That is his attitude toward anybody who opposes him.

Another Hitler?

Satan, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), was the power behind Hitler.

This vile, despicable and contemptible person will come into power much like Hitler did. Hitler was an army corporal during World War i. He had no royal or dignified background. But he won more and more influence with the people and brutally pushed himself into office.

This vile person “obtain[s] the kingdom by flatteries.” He flatters his way into office when he can. He also takes advantage of the European people as they move to the extreme right, politically.

Hitler was undoubtedly possessed by the devil. Those who knew him said he had three personalities. He was charming, at times in a trance and often in a rage!

Like Hitler, this end-time vile person could come from Austria. But the power behind him will be the devil, and Germany will be his main tool.

This evil man will come in “peaceably”—or unexpectedly.

The Revised Standard Version says of Daniel 11 that he will come in “without warning.”

If the EU were to be left in the hands of the present politicians, Europe would probably never pose a real threat. But they are going to lose control to the political “beast.”

According to Revelation 13, there will also be a religious beast led by a vile person. He will probably come on the scene in a similar manner.

Both beasts—political and religious—are empowered by the devil, and have “one mind.”

The religious beast will look like a “lamb” (Revelation 13:11)—it will appear harmless.

The last resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire will burst on the world scene suddenly, “without warning.” We are the only people who warn the world with God’s message! We must warn Europe that a vile person is going to hijack the powerful European Union!

He is a person unworthy of dignity or royalty. Get ready, it’s coming fast.

This is the terrible and fatal flaw of the European Union. This awesome world power will fall into the hands of a wicked, contemptible person—a master deceiver.

Unless people heed our words, they will be shocked as never before!

“He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him” (Daniel 11:24-25). Notice the word “forecast.” The New Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance states that it means the future. So this man will have forecasting ability—a limited prophetic power. Through this man, Satan, who knows Bible prophecy, will forecast his plots.

“And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all” (verses 36-37). He will magnify himself above every god of this world and the true God. That means Satan the devil will possess this man! That is why he is so vile.

Ever since Lucifer rebelled and became Satan, he has spent all his time speaking against the true God.

‘Not by His Own Power’

Daniel also wrote about this man in another of his prophecies. “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up” (Daniel 8:23).

This all happens in “the latter time”—that means today—now! This vile man becomes “a king” of fierce countenance, understanding “dark sentences.” What does this mean?

“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” (verse 24). This is all done “not by his own power.” He is empowered by the devil! He is consumed with Satan’s thoughts—“dark sentences.” He destroys wonderfully, or mightily, with nuclear weapons. No suffering has ever been so bad (Daniel 12:1).

“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” (Daniel 8:25). The New English Bible reads, “he shall conjure up great plans and, when they least expect it, work havoc on many.” Millions—perhaps billions—will be inflicted with his wrath.

He is a master of disguise—coming in what appears to be peace. Those who believe him—friends and enemies—often become victims.

Lange’s Commentary adds that he destroys “with suddenness by a malignant purpose.”

But look at the gloriously good news. This very king and his evil system will be destroyed by Christ! Then the world will have an all-powerful leader who is love. And He will rule forever.

World Marvels at Beast

“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Revelation 13:3). All the world marvels at the beast. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (verse 4). Again we see that the devil is the power behind this empire. The only way to survive—spiritually or physically—is through God’s power!

This time period, which the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, will last for 3½ years (verse 5). “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (verse 7). Even God’s own lukewarm church will be a victim.

Is this serious? Do you see the need to be a doer of God’s Word? You must act now, while there is time!

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” (verse 11). Here is the religious beast that looks like a lamb. But he speaks like a dragon—because the devil empowers him also! That is why the religious leader will also be vile and despicable.

God is about to punish America, Britain and the Jewish nation called Israel today for their sins. He is raising up this beast to correct His rebellious people. He will get our attention!

“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” (Revelation 17:8). This beast power is mostly underground at present. In the Greek language that is what “the bottomless pit” means.

That is why “they that dwell on the earth shall wonder.” Marvel would be a better translation for the word wonder. It means this beast power was underground until it suddenly burst on the scene, then the whole world was astonished, amazed and shocked. Suddenly a new world power was acting like a real superpower!

“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. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (verses 12-13). The 10 horns are the same as the 10 toes in Daniel 2. They receive their kingdoms for a very short time—3½ years.

These 10 nations have “one mind”—the opposite of a democracy! That is where the EU is headed!

These 10 kings may be literal kings. If not, they are going to act like kings, with real authority. That is what the massive shift from democracy is about in the European Union. That is why there has been such a rise in right-wing activity. It is fulfilling the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

There is a fierce political battle in Britain now over this very issue. Many people in Britain see that the EU is dominated by Germany in a very undemocratic way.

And remember, this political “beast” is labeled that way by God. The man ruling it will be like an emperor over the 10 kings—and will act like a wild beast! This could not happen in a democracy.

Consider again that I wrote these words 12 years ago, based solely on the Bible’s prophecies. Now we are reading headlines about European elites trying to create an unelected super-president who can dominate the political scene and elevate Europe to real superpower status!

This role of emperor is the fatal flaw in the European Union. The vile person will become the emperor and lead Europe in its most destructive path ever.

He will even lead Europe in an attack against Russia and China, a move that will begin his downfall.

Still, there will be several armies from both sides which remain and will fight Christ at His return. Christ will then destroy these armies and rule the Earth.

So in the end, the bad news becomes the best news ever: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The Best News Ever

The famous prophecy in Daniel 2 gives us the time frame of this glorious event. The image of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented a succession of world-ruling empires down through history (Daniel 2:31-45).

“And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided …” (verses 40-41). This is referring to the final resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire; the 10 toes represent the 10 kings of that empire.

But notice what happens next. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (verse 44).

We are in the time of the toes of Daniel’s image! These “toes” are now on the world scene and becoming more and more aggressive. And what comes after the toes? “In the days of these kings” gives us a time element. Jesus Christ will return “in the days of these kings” who rule over the European Union! Christ is going to smash the toes—the European Union, or “Holy” Roman Empire. That will be the end of the Daniel 2 image forever!

Christ must return at this time or there would be no flesh saved alive! (Matthew 24:21-22). I repeat, He must return!

Then the saints will be crowned to rule with Christ as His bride (Daniel 7:13-18). What a mind-staggering, wondrous reward God gives to those who do His work today. There will be only one bride of Christ for all eternity! What a magnificent future we have. And it’s almost here!