I believe 2003 may prove very decisive for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Israel is desperate. The Oslo Accords, the process of Israel trading land to the Palestinians for peace, has been a complete disaster. Israel's security has never been in so much question as it is at the beginning of 2003. 

As I've said before, no matter what they call it -- Oslo, Mitchell, Tenant, Saudi, or Road Map, this peace process will only lead Israel to destruction. The Apostle Paul said:

"While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3 New American Standard Bible).

In this passage Paul was simply reminding the early Thessalonian Christian what Jesus and the Old Testament prophet Daniel had said about the coming of the Lord and the appearing of the Antichrist (Matthew 24:15, Daniel 9:27). As you may know, the Antichrist is to come from this revival of the old Roman Empire we are seeing in this new, super European Union.

Here's where things are getting even more interesting: On January 1, 2003, Greece took over the EU six-month rotating presidency. And, on July 1, 2003, Italy will take over the EU presidency from Greece. Why is this interesting? Let me try to explain.

This order of who controls the EU's six-month rotating presidency in 2003 -- Greece followed by Italy (Rome) -- is the same order of Gentile kingdoms we find foretold in the book of Daniel that will rise to rule over Israel, Greece followed by Rome (Daniel 2: 31-45, 10: 20-21, 9: 26).

Of course, we know this prophecy was about ancient Greece and Rome. However, it's interesting to note the possibility of the same order repeating in Europe with the foretold revival of the old Roman Empire.

Furthermore, at the end of the Greek presidency the EU beast will have its summit. And, guess what? This summit will be held in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

Ironically, it was also to the Christians in Thessaloniki that Paul sent his two most in-depth letters in the New Testament about the return of Christ and the coming Antichrist.

Yes indeed, if ever there was a year for Christ's followers to get serious about Bible prophecy, it's 2003.