The woman and the ephah!

The euro currency celebrates 10 years since its introduction on 1st January 2012. To mark the 10th anniversary of its inception the European Central Bank has released a video.

This six minute exercise in propaganda commences with a computer generated image of a woman emerging from a Greek urn before turning into a real life woman. She then proceeds to walks across a series of bridges linking the continent of Europe together. The voice over commentary speaks of the european common heritage, history, shared values and achievements, and that Europe builds bridges and inspires hope.

To watch the video click here 

Repost -

This article was originally posted on 3rd June 2010. It bears repeating in the light of the present media focus on Greece and the Euro.

The debt problems that Greece and other Europeans nations are facing have sparked off considerable discussion about whether the Euro will survive or not. Part of this is due to the scepticism of Germany towards bailing out lesser performing European countries. Their hard won economic strength is at stake because of the failings of these other countries. To the extent that it is being reported that secretly Germany has begun to re-print the Deutsche Mark.

Greece is of interest to Bible believers and readers of the prophetic Scriptures.

As I have listened to various news reports over these past weeks about the problems facing the Euro currency I have been made to think about some things that the book of Daniel has to say about the state of south-eastern European nations immediately prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Daniel ch 8 emphasises the importance of keeping our eye upon the countries of south-eastern Europe and particularly Greece.
Daniel ch 8 is dealing with the time immediately prior to the return of the Saviour. The same period of time is in view in both chapter 7 and 8, cf. v17 … Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision; v19 Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be; v23 And in the latter time of their kingdom.

This chapter cannot be dealing with Antiochus Epiphanes as some claim. He may fulfill some points but he certainly does not fit into the timeframe outlined in these verses. It is clearly yet future.

The ' little horn' is mentioned in both ch 7 & 8. Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them anotherlittle horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things;
Dan ch 8:9: And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Daniel ch 7 outlines the activity that this 'little horn' engages in:
[1] He subdues three of the ten horns, v20;
[2] He will speak against the most high, v25;
[3] He will persecute (wear out) the saints, v25;
[4] He will seek to change times and laws, v25;
[5] He will continue to do for 3 1/2 years, v25;
[6] Upon his destruction God gives the kingdom to His people, v26.

This description ' little horn' is a title for Antichrist. Additional activity is also attributed to him in ch 8. In this chapter Daniel teaches us that Antichrist's destruction will not be by human means, cf. ch 8:25 but he shall be broken without hand. The Lord will personally destroy him at His coming.

The interesting point to observe is where he originates from. We know from ch 7:8 that he will arise from among the ten horns. In ch 8 it is even more specific. He will arise out of one of the four divisions of the old Grecian Empire.

The ‘ he goat’ represents Greece, cf. ch 8:8,21,22. The Grecian kingdom was divided into four after Alexander’s death. History records this. The four divisions generally speaking were:
[1] Egypt;
[2] Syria;
[3] Thrace (Southeastern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece and the northwestern part of Turkey);
[4] Greece.

The significance of Greece in the Prophetic Scriptures

The debt problems that Greece and other Europeans nations are facing have sparked off considerable discussion about whether the Euro will survive or not.

Part of this is due to the scepticism of Germany towards bailing out lesser performing European countries. Their hard won economic strength is at stake because of the failings of these other countries. To the extent that it is being reported that secretly Germany has begun to re-print the Deutsche Mark.

Greece is of interest to Bible believers and readers of the prophetic Scriptures.

As I have listened to various news reports over these past weeks about the problems facing the Euro currency I have been made to think about some things that the book of Daniel has to say about the state of south-eastern European nations immediately prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Daniel ch 8 emphasises the importance of keeping our eye upon the countries of south-eastern Europe and particularly Greece.