Belgium’s King abdicates to his son Philippe, any ramifications?

Philippe of Belgium (Wikipedia)

The King of Belgium is resigning and has abdicated to his son:

BRUSSELS—Albert II, King of the Belgians, abdicated in a televised address to the nation after almost twenty years on the throne, saying he will step down July 21, Belgium’s national day.

“It’s with emotion that I address every one of you today,” he said in the broadcast. “I’m in my 80th year, an age never before reached by my predecessors…my age and health no longer permit me to exercise my functions as I would wish to.”

Albert, 79 years old, will be succeeded by his eldest son, Prince Philippe, 53, who has studied at Oxford and Stanford. He married Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz in 1999 and the couple have four children.

“Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me, he and Princess Mathilde have my every confidence,” he said. “It’s with serenity and confidence that I share this decision.”

The Belgian monarch has a more political role than many of his European peers. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324853704578583383378069280.html

Some in the past have been critical of Prince Philippe and questioned his ability to lead as his father’s replacement (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/belgian-crown-prince-at-heart-of-royal-scandal-8280136.html).

Prince Philippe has met with Europe’s President Herman Von Rompuy in the past (http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/video/shotlist/meeting-with-the-prince-philippe-of-belgium) and also has had a lot of involvement in economic matters.

The Bible tells of a time when Europe will reorganize and that “kings” will rule and then turn their authority over to the Beast power:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

While the above may or may not directly involve Prince Philippe, it does show that a different type of government is coming to Europe.

Notice that certain Catholic prophecies tell of a time that Europe’s governments will change and that one of their leaders (the Great Monarch) will rise up:

Rudolph Gekner (died 1675): A great prince of the North with a most powerful army will traverse all Europe, uproot all republics, and exterminate all rebels. His sword moved by Divine power will most valiantly defend the Church of Jesus Christ. He will combat on behalf of the true orthodox faith, and shall subdue to his dominion the Mahometan Empire…Peace will come to the world.

Pseudo-Methodius (7^th century):…At that same time the Muslims will be killed and they will know the tribulation…The Lord will give them to the powers of the Christians whose empire will be elevated above all empires…The Roman King (Great Monarch) will show a great indignation against those who will have denied Christ in Egypt or in Arabia.

At least one Catholic writer I saw comment about this said that he felt that the first prophesy meant that the republics in Europe would be replaced with monarchies or something similar. That may be. Or they may still use titles such as president or prime minister. We will see.

The Catholic prophecies about change in Europe are consistent to a degree with biblical ones. Yet the “Great Monarch” many of them speak fondly of seems to be the one warned against as the Beast of Revelation and the King of the North in Daniel 11 (for details, please see the article Who is the King of the North?).

While it is difficult to know at this stage if or how Prince Philippe may be involved in end time affairs, since Belgium is one of the countries that I believe will support the Beast/Great Monarch power, Prince Philippe may have more involvement than most could now suspect.

More information can be found in the following articles:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.