Ireland cuts a deal
European Parliament, Strasbourg, France
Ireland, the country that voted against the Lisbon Treaty, then had to have the vote again because the powers behind the European Union would not stand for that, is now getting the “benefits” as well as some of the “costs” of approving that agreement.
LONDON – Desperate to seal a deal for an international bailout, the government in Ireland on Wednesday unveiled a painful, four-year plan for $20 billion in spending cuts and new taxes that would slash unemployment benefits and cut welfare payments for the already hard-hit Irish public.
The move came as the near-bankrupt government scrambles to show negotiators from the International Monetary Fund and European Union that it can cut spending and raise more revenue to meet the conditions of a $115 billion rescue package.
E.U. officials are eager for Ireland to close the deal quickly to ease concerns that troubled Portugal and Spain – two nations now facing renewed pressure from investors – might be next in line for financial lifelines. (Faiola A. Irish government unveils $20 billion in spending cuts. Washington Post, November 24, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/24/AR2010112401510.html?hpid=topnews)
The nations in the European Union are starting to learn that the EU is a supranational government that has benefits that come with a price. Americans will learn that this price will affect them as well (Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided?).
Most of the nations of Europe have given up their sovereignty, though most have not fully realized that yet. Greece learned it earlier this year, Ireland is starting to realize it, and apparently Spain and Portugal are next.
As I reported here last Friday, the head of the IMF told the Europeans that they needed to give more authority to the central EU government (IMF tells Europeans to give up more sovereignty). Also, as I reported less than two weeks ago, the President of the European Union told the Europeans that the age of the “nation-state” in Europe was over (EU President Declares End of Nation State, Britain Skeptical).
While all have not yet grasped that fact, more and more nations (like Ireland) are starting to realize that.
Furthermore, it is not just monetary control that the nations are losing, they are also in the process of giving up military control to the EU as I reported here yesterday (see EU to increase overall military role).
And the Bible shows that a further restructuring of Europe will occur as the Europeans will give up pretty much all power to a leader the Bible calls the Beast:
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. 14 These will make war…(Revelation 17:12-14)
The Irish situation is simply one more step that moves closer to the fulfillment of the above prophecy.
And while I am not questioning the motivation of those who are currently trying to deal with Europe’s financial and other problems, the Bible warns that a truly militaristic power will emerge (cf. Revelation 13:1-4).
But I will ask, how many events have to happen before more people will take the emergence of this coming European empire seriously?
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?
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