In January the EU's six-month Presidency will go to Germany. As you probably know, I think something big in the way of Bible prophecy may be brewing. Everything seems to point to it -- from the conclusions of the recent Euromed Ministerial Conference in Finland, to the release of the Iraq Study Group's report and coinciding shakeups in Washington. On both sides of the Atlantic there is a common and urgent goal -- cooling down a hot, simmering Middle East. 

As dangerous as the situation may be, however, there are other reason for thinking something big may happen. Mixed into this turbulent pot of circumstances we find a pattern of events that, in my opinion, fit perfectly the prophetic picture -- from the rebirth of Israel to a covenant that, starting in January, is about to be confirmed for a period of seven years Israel's AP pdf  I  ENPI pdf.

This brings us back to Germany's EU Presidency. It seems that Germany's Angela Merkel is prepared to lead the way for deeper European integration and more EU presence on the global stage Read about it here. And, at her side, she will have a former member of the EU's Javier Solana's personal staff helping guide her way Read about it here. And Solana, as you know, is the author of the seven-year covenant that's waiting to be confirmed.

As I've been reporting, people are finally beginning to notice Solana Read about it here. But, if you have read my book, you know that I've been following his rise since 1999. What caught my attention was Solana's sudden appearance among a 10-nation military alliance known as the Western European Union. The reason I was watching this alliance is because, since I read Hal Lindsey's, The Late Great Planet Earth, I thought a 10-nation alliance in Western Europe was what we students of Bible prophecy were all to be expecting. However, at that time hardly no one except Constance Cumbey and myself were watching this alliance. But, many are now. 

In January the new director of the UN will take his post. His task is to restructure the weak international body and turn it into a strong mechanism for achieving world peace. An important new instrument that may soon be at his disposal is the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) AoC pdf. If you haven't yet read up on the initiative, I strongly recommend that you do. That's because the AoC is meant to bring about lasting peace in the Middle East and beyond, and make war against all forms of religious fundamentalism. The resolution proposal will be presented to the Security Council in September of 2007. If it makes it through the process, the final vote on the AoC will come in September 2009 -- just in time to be in full force in middle of the seven-year period.

This Thursday and Friday the EU will hold its important December summit Read about it here. With all that is now before us, the outcome of this summit will be especially interesting. In a speech before the EU Parliament, the current Finnish Presidency began its term by saying the EU can't wait any longer for its new Foreign Minister. And, with the EU's energy crisis growing deeper, there is strong agreement the bloc must begin speaking with one voice. In fact, it's even rumored that German plans on giving Solana its seat in the Council. Then, on January 1, it will be Germany's turn at the EU's Presidency.

See what I mean? There's a whole lot going on.

Stay tuned!