I have read a lot in the news about the Maastricht Treaty. What is this treaty and what significance, if any, does it have with end-time prophecy?

The Maastricht (mahs'-trikt) Treaty is an accord signed by twelve European countries in Maastricht, Netherlands, on February 7, 1992. It was designed to create an economic union that would develop a single currency by 1999, drop travel and passport restrictions, formulate joint monetary policies, and lay the foundation for future cooperation on topics ranging from defense to environmental protection.

The countries involved in this treaty are: England, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg—the same 12 nations that make up the European Community (St. Paul, MN Pioneer Press, May 19,1993).

This treaty marks another step on the road to that world power which the Bible declares will be present upon the earth after the rapture of the church to heaven (Revelation 13,17). The European Community is certainly the forerunner of that power. Though this community might seem new to us, it actually is only the revival of what once existed in Europe for about three centuries some 1900 years ago. Most of the countries making up the European Community today were part of the old Roman Empire. The millions of people who then inhabited the land formed one single, immense market that had no internal boundaries nor tariffs.

The Maastricht Treaty is designed to reach that same goal today. A few years ago it was reported by USA TODAY that "some leaders in the European Community envision an eventual federal system leading to a powerful United States of Europe." This treaty, when fully implemented, will enable that vision to become a reality.

In October 1993, Germany became the last country to approve this treaty, so the formation of this world power is one step closer. As we consider these facts it becomes clearly evident that "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James 5:8).