I knew something was up. In fact, the day before yesterday I said:

I'm fairly certain something prophetically significant may be occurring off stage. The reason I say this is not because of having any special inside information. It's because of my understanding of end-time prophecy. The way I see it, Israel may soon have a short time of peace. But, it will be a false peace -- a peace that only leads to war. 

This morning I found that my friend and co-reporter Constance Cumbey may have stumbled on to that something. After posting her Blogspot, and it being too late to call California, Constance also posted the information on FP's discussion board.

 Before getting into Contance's new information, a little background may be needed. You see, I already had strong suspicions that the EU's Javier Solana was up to something bigger than just solving the current Middle East crisis. If you recall, Solana's diplomatic efforts began with a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In statements that followed Blair said the only way this crisis could be settled is with a comprehensive agreement that includes all the issues -- including the Palestinian dispute. In the meantime, Solana was already traveling the region and saying the same thing as Blair. In fact, in an interview where Solana's tactics were questioned, Solana said what he was saying over and over again was the UN cease-fire Resolution calls for a comprehensive settlement. And, it was for that comprehensive settlement he was working.

So, I knew something was up. And, when we add the series of events that appear to be fulfillment's of Bible prophecy, the conclusion to me becomes obvious -- what's happening may be the next fulfillment of prophecy. We may soon be seeing the foretold 70th week of Daniel. 

Here's why I say this: The Bible indicates in the end-times a peacemaker will arise form out of a 10-nation alliance in Western Europe. Some Bible scholars, like the late John Walvoord, even speculated that this peacemaker would come in response to a crisis in the Mediterranean region. It's beginning to look like the "crisis" may have been the events leading to the first Gulf War in 1991. If you recall, it was following the Gulf War that the European Union (EU) began reviving its 10-nation Western European Union military alliance and sponsored an important peace conference held in Madrid, Spain. For the first time, moderate Arab states and Israel were willing to sit together at a peace table. From this conference the Middle East peace process was born. And, this conference was also the beginning of the EU's Javier Solana as a Middle East peacemaker Read about it here.

In 1995, in Barcelona, Spain, Solana went on to negotiate the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace and Barcelona Process. This agreement became the framework for all agreements between the EU and the Mediterranean Basin that were to follow. When it was seen that the Barcelona Process was not achieving its goals, Solana responded with a package of new agreements that together are known as the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). To further strengthen his Barcelona Process, Solana created a new funding instrument for the EU's next seven-year budget period that will begin on January 1, 2007. The new ENP instrument will included more financial incentives and increased political requirements for the participating nations -- in other words, it's a bigger carrot and a bigger stick.

This brings us to the news that my friend uncovered. While the world's attention has been on the details of yet another Middle East crisis, Solana has remained focused on the peace process he helped start back in Madrid Read about it here.

We are in confusing times. And, I get just as confused as everyone else. Because I have a platform to share my views, I am always concerned about getting things right. It may sound trite, but in confusing times, I recall some wise words from my godly mother. She said, whenever I get confused, I need to go back to the basics -- to the gospel message and the things that I know. These words have guided me well. Here are the basics:

Bible scholars say, in the end-times, a new European leader will arise. He will appear among a 10-nation alliance in Western Europe and lead Europe in its last attempt at fulfilling its long held dream of reviving the glory days of the old Roman Empire. These scholars say he will be a genius in all he pursues -- in history, religion, science, military and politics.

And, above all, he'll be a peacemaker.