The news that EU leaders, on Saturday, approved a "Reform Treaty" to replace the failed EU constitution -- and, with it, approved a foreign minister post -- is no surprise to those who've followed FP. Herb's reporting had anticipated these increased EU powers. What also will be no surprise is if the foreign minister post goes to Javier Solana -- making this already powerful leader much more powerful (despite the startling fact that many people in the world still don't know who this man is).

Of course, the word "Constitution" has been abandoned for "Reform Treaty" and the foreign minister post will now be called "High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy." But the main points of the constitution -- and the job description for the foreign minister post -- have remained intact. The name changes were made to alleviate fears that a European superstate is on the rise. Yesterday, in the U.K. Telegraph, an alarmed Neil O'Brien (director of the Open Europe think-tank) wrote: "Anyone reading what has been agreed in Brussels this weekend will quickly realise that the 'new' treaty is merely the EU constitution with another name." I encourage you to read O'Brien's article here.

The EU's habit of changing words to mask its true actions had often been noted by Herb.

Besides calling for the appointment of a foreign policy chief, the Reform Treaty calls for the appointment of a permanent EU Council president (to replace the six-month rotating presidency). The treaty will allow the EU to enter into treaties as if it were a single country. It also gives the European Court of Justice along with Europol (the EU's police force) greater powers over Member States. (Britain has reportedly received exemption from certain aspects of the treaty, including exemption from cooperation in police and criminal matters and from the Charter of Fundamental Rights.) And Member States will have less veto power over EU decisions.

The treaty also allows for future amendments, which O'Brien fears will allow the EU to give itself even more powers. But O'Brien and other critics are especially frightened about the creation of the foreign policy post, which will combine Solana's current position as the "High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy" in the Council of the European Union with the vice president of the European Commission -- giving Solana (or whoever fills this post) significantly more powers and control of the EU's external aid budget. This person will represent the EU to the world.

The EU heads are hurriedly drafting the text of the Reform Treaty, so they can sign it by December and then put it up for vote to the 27 Member States. Their goal is for it to go into effect in 2009.

What does all this mean? It means the European Union is continuing to appear to meet the description of the Revived Roman Empire that the Bible foretold would arise before Christ's return. And, within the European Union, a job description is continuing to be created with the type of powers the prophesied Antichrist will have.

Staying tuned at FP!

* Please note the new FP e-mail address: fulfilledprophecy@sbcglobal.net