If there's anything we learn from the Old Testament book of Daniel, it's the fact that God is sovereign over men and kings. God is even sovereign over lands where He isn't known or acknowledged.

God once taught this lesson to Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon. One day while the king was walking on the roof of his royal palace he began saying to himself, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?"

Before the words were even finished coming from the king's mouth, a voice from heaven said, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you" (Daniel 4:29-31 New American Standard Bible).

God not only took away Nebuchadnezzar's sovereignty, God gave this pagan king the mind of a beast for seven years (seven periods of time). When the seven years ended, the Bible tells us that Nebuchadnezzar looked up and gave honor to the God of heaven.  And, after he humbled himself by acknowledging God’s sovereignty, his human mind was returned to him.

Here's my point: It appears to me some of Europe's leaders may soon be in for a repeat of king Nebuchadnezzar's lesson. At this time the Convention on the Future of Europe is busy working on a Constitutional Treaty for the new, super European Union due on the scene later this year. The problem is, this new treaty has to be acceptable to all 15 heads of the EU member states. If it isn't, it will never be ratified.

Evidently, in all the squabbling and maneuvering, one basic consensus is finally emerging among the Convention delegates. And, believe it or not, that one basic consensus is that power doesn't come from God but from man. According the Euobserver, the Convention's vice president, Guillano Amato, actually said all delegates agreed the EU's power comes from member states -- not "from God or Prodi" (Read about it here). 

The last thing our world needs right now is another re-run of old king Nebuchadnezzar's lesson. Unfortunately, if things keep going in Europe the way they're going, I think it's inevitable. I think we may even see another period -- this time a shortened period of 3 1/2 years -- and another king with the mind of a beast.

Why do I say this? Because, this is what both the book of Daniel and Revelation appear to tell us will happen in the end-times.

And, I say it because God is still on His throne.