I'm still taking it all in. I can't say that I'm completely surprised. But, I can't say I was expecting to see what we're seeing either. Suddenly, as if another end-time curtain has been lifted, we find the Roman Catholic Church once again occupying center stage. And, it all happened with the passing of pope John Paul II Read about it here.

Actually, it's not this ongoing revival of the Catholic faithful that concerns me. What concerns me is the way many of our own evangelicals are coming out in support of it. Like I said before, I'm not completely surprised. That's because, Bible prophecy warns us there will be a falling away from the faith of Scripture in the end-times. But, I didn't expect to see so many of our own involved.

Yes, both religious and political Rome are reviving before our eyes. As you know, FulfilledProphecy has been reporting the political revival of Rome since February of 2002. From now on, it looks like FulfilledProphecy will also be reporting Rome's religious revival. You see, according to my understanding of the Bible, both events are major fulfillments of end-times prophecy.

This brings us back to Rome's political revival. According to the EUobserver, political Rome may again be about to fall. Former EU Commission President Romano Prodi is warning, if the French fail to ratify the EU's new Constitution next month, Europe will fall. Prodi says:

We will go through a great period of crisis. The problem will not only be a catastrophe for France, but the fall of Europe Read about it here.

But, that's not what the Bible indicates. I don't believe this modern-day Rome will fall so quickly. In Revelation chapter thirteen we see the rise of two beasts. Beasts in Bible prophecy are kingdoms and kings who rise to persecute the nation of Israel and God's people. The first beast of Revelation has 10 horns and rises from the sea. The second beast has two horns and rises from the earth. I believe the first beast my be political Rome and the second religious Rome.

It is at this point, I would like to ask my readers to set aside their prior opinions and speculations about end-times prophecy. What I would like instead is to focus on the geopolitical realities that are now on the ground before us. There is no doubt we have been witnessing a revival of the Roman Empire. We also have seen the rise of a 10-nation alliance and a new leader who appeared among them. And, this leader is doing exactly what the Bible predicted -- reaching out for the regions of the old Roman Empire. These regions include the nations that surround the Mediterranean -- including Israel.

Here's my point: If these events are truly the fulfillment of the prophecies, than I don't expect to see the fall of political Rome. If the Constitution is not ratified, all that means is the foretold events will come about another way. For example, if Europe were to go into a crisis mode, this could set the stage perfectly for the rise of a strong leader who is believed to have solutions.

In other words, let's not let our preconceived ideas about end-times prophecy keeps us from seeing what may already be standing on stage before us. If you recall, the last time political Rome fell it was only to be replaced by religious Rome. This could happen again. You see, if political Rome begins to wobble, we could see this revived religious Rome stepping in to help.

Friends, both politically and religiously, we could see it all again ...

the rise and fall of Rome.