Update: Greece has requested aid, but this analysis is by no means obsolete yet since reluctant European countries must agree to fund this bailout.
When I woke up on Thursday morning and read about how a member of Germany’s main opposition party supported the expulsion of Greece from the Eurozone (the group of countries that are allowed to use the Euro) [i] I began to wonder whether it was possible for Greece to not be a part of the European Union (EU) when the end times begin. Here is my current thinking on the matter…
For those unfamiliar with what is going on, Greece is currently facing a major economic and financial crisis. Greece’s government has a giant budget deficit that is so high that investors and the EU demand that they reduce it. Greece is unable to print money since they use the Euro so they’ve tried to borrow long-term money and reduce government spending to reduce the budget deficit in the short-term.
The Greek government’s approach to reducing their deficit did not succeed because the government did not have enough will power to make the necessary cuts in government spending for the EU and for investors’ liking. Over the past month the cost to borrow money for Greece has risen dramatically as investors shied away from purchasing or holding onto Greek government debt. In fact, the interest rate for short-term Greek government debt rose above an astonishing 11% on early Thursday. The cost of borrowing from investors is now so high that borrowing from investors is no longer a viable option for Greece.
The Greek government is very hesitant to reduce government spending further because the unions in Greece are threatening severe consequences. There is potential for major political violence or even revolution if the Greek government aggressively reduces government spending even more than they already have to satisfy investors and the EU.
The Greek government possesses the option to seek help from the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the Greek government is very hesitant to seek such help because they would lose a lot of control over their economy and the IMF would force them to make major cuts in government spending and major reductions in pensions that would infuriate Greek citizens. In addition, governments throughout the EU are reluctant to help bailout Greece because using taxpayer money to bail out a country that made huge mistakes is a very unpopular idea with European voters.
The Greek government could pay off its debt and avoid the IMF by defaulting on its debt. The problem with this option is that it would trigger a violent chain reaction that would sink the global financial and economic system like the collapse of Lehman Bros did (many stock markets around the world fell by at least 40% after the collapse of Lehman Bros). Non-Greek political and economic leaders fear this option so much that they are trying their hardest to keep Greece from choosing this option.
The option that is gaining the attention of more people each day is for Greece to stop using the Euro and return to using their own national currency. By abandoning the Euro, Greece would have the option to print money to deal with its deficits. While this would be a major embarrassment for the EU, some commentators view this as the best option. This option does not mean that Greece would no longer be a member of the EU since there are some EU countries that do not use the Euro yet. However, this would be a major step towards Greece leaving the EU because this step would represent Greece’s repudiation of the Euro, a major EU institution. Since the option to stop using the Euro is being considered (despite what the IMF claims) it is well-worth exploring whether it is biblically possible for this situation to eventually lead to Greece leaving the EU.
The Antichrist’s empire will consist of ten kingdoms (Revelation 13:1 and 17:12-13). Many of the kingdoms that will comprise Antichrist’s empire are identified in Ezekiel 38 as contributors to Antichrist’s invasion of Israel.[ii]
- Eze 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
- …
- Eze 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
- Eze 38:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.
I want to focus on Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth (mentioned in Genesis 10 as one of Noah’s sons). Jewish historian Flavius Josephus linked Gomer with the Galatians, who were also known as Gaul. Julius Caesar noted three divisions of Gaul: the Belgae, the Aquitani, and the Galli (Celtae).[iii] These particular three tribes spread throughout Western Europe encompassing the countries of Great Britain, France, Italy, and the Benelux. However, these were not all of the divisions of Gaul as other tribes moved into Central Europe. This suggests that Gomer is represented today by the European Union.
Some people teach that the Antichrist’s complete empire will just comprise the European Union. I disagree with this notion and believe that the European Union will simply be one of the ten kingdoms that will comprise Antichrist’s empire.
Ezekiel 38 does not name every kingdom that will comprise Antichrist’s empire. However, we can find out what other kingdoms will comprise Antichrist’s empire by looking at Daniel 7. Daniel 7 presents four beasts. Three of the beasts described were three past empires that dominated in biblical times: the Babylonian Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Grecian (Seleucid) Empire.
Meanwhile, the fourth beast represents an empire that will be unlike any other. It is characterized by its sheer power and by its ability to dominate the earth. The fourth beast represents Antichrist’s empire.
- Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
- …
- Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Daniel 7 contains an often overlooked detail about the first three beasts. Daniel 7:12 mentions that the first three beasts will be restored for a specific time in history (most likely for the end times).
- Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The ancient Greeks were linked with Javan by Josephus. Javan is one of the nations listed in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10 and one of the nations mentioned in Isaiah 66 as one of the surviving nations following the devastation inflicted on Earth during the end times.
- Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
- Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Isaiah 66 lists Javan as an entity of its own so whatever Javan is represented by today is separate from Gomer, (the European Union).
Some Bible commentators argue that Javan is represented by modern-day Syria because the Seleucid Empire, which maintained the language, customs, and religion of Ancient Greece, had its capital in Syria during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanies IV (a major persecutor of the Jews). I have supported this argument for several years, but I now begin to wonder whether Javan is indeed represented by Greece today and whether Greece is supposed to be separate from the EU. I also wonder whether what’s going on now is the mechanism that separates Greece from the European Union if the two must be separated.
I do not know yet whether it is biblically possible for Greece to leave the EU. As you’ve seen above, a case could be made that it is possible based on where you believe Javan is located. I am not yet convinced, but I am considering the possibility (one must always be flexible when it comes to Bible prophecy). We will find out soon what’s going to happen with Greece because Greece is in a desperate situation.
Notes and Reference
[i] Being kicked out of the Eurozone is not the same as being kicked out of the EU. However, it’s a major step towards leaving the European Union.
[ii] Kingdoms are political entities whereas nations are “people groups” rather than ethnic groups. Kingdoms are a temporary phenomenon that can be destroyed whenever the Lord decides it is time. For instance, the Third Reich was destroyed only after being in existence for twelve years. In contrast, nations generally are not temporary because races tend to endure for thousands of years. For instance, the Jews are the descendants of Canaan, and have managed to survive despite numerous attempts to exterminate them. The entities identified in Ezekiel 38 are nations rather than kingdoms. Since nations/people groups move throughout time we must not focus on where nations were located during Biblical times but where they are located today.
[iii] “Gaul”. Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003
