Recently Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt created quite a stir in our evangelical Christian world when he called for the G8 to be replaced with a group of global regions.

Why did this cause such a stir? Because, this is what happens in the Left Behind books -- the Antichrist appears among 10 kings who reign over 10 global regions.

So, will this be what happens? Will the world be broken up into 10 regions? And if so, will there be 10 kings reigning over these regions along with the Antichrist?

I suspect it's possible. The world could be broken up into 10 regions. After all, it's been said this is what the Club of Rome calls for. However, if it happens I don't think it will occur exactly as foreseen in the Left Behind books. Here's why:

For one thing, the book of Daniel tells us there will only be four Gentile kingdoms -- not five. The old Roman Empire already was the fourth. That means, this last kingdom must be a revival of the old Roman Empire.

For another, not only are we seeing a clear revival of the Roman Empire, we have the 10 nation Western European Union military alliance at its core. And, we have the new office of High Representative created for the purpose of leading their common foreign and security policy.

Some say the WEU has lost its power and is no longer active. But the way I see it, the WEU has become like an empty house waiting to be occupied. And this leaves us with the question why it's there. Here's what I think:

The 10 members of the WEU have need for their alliance, but they have different agendas. Some -- such as Germany and France -- would like to break from their dependence on America. Others -- like Britain and Italy -- want to continue depending on America. So, until the American issue is resolved, the WEU will remain an empty house.

The acceptance this June of the EU's new Constitution is very important to the anti-American side. In fact, the new Constitution is so important to France and Germany they are working on a way parts of it could go into force even if other parts failed Read about it here. 

France and Germany are worried about Tony Blair's sudden call for a referendum where the result may be the pro-American British rejecting the Constitution. They are also angry over British and Italian support for America in Iraq Read about it here.

Now here's where it gets interesting for students of prophecy. Until recently, there were three nations in the WEU alliance who still supported America -- Britain, Italy and Spain. But because of a well timed bombing in Spain, the pro-American Spanish government was replaced with a anti-American government  Read about it here.

Here's my point: There are now two governments left standing in the way of the anti-American factions in the WEU alliance. Once they're gone, the vacant house can be occupied.

Stay tuned!