European Neighbourhood Policy
and Daniel 9:27

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is an accord, initiated by the European Union (EU), involving many nations.  It has been funded and implemented for a seven-year period (2007-2013).  Indications and assurances of the pursuit of peace, between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and in the Middle East as a whole, are included in the agreement.  Here are two examples:

For Israel and the Palestinian authority, the Neighbourhood Policy is a concrete sign of the EU’s engagement. ... Israel has never been willing to make such commitments in writing to any other partner (Brussels, 9 December 2004).

The EU-Israel ENP Action Plan opened up new possibilities for developing EU-Israel relations by setting out a wide range of areas for greater cooperation including: promoting peace in the Middle East... (The European Neighbourhood Policy Fiches on Partners).

Officially, the ENP went into effect on 1 January 2007.  Technically, though, the European Neighbourhood Policy was finalized in October 2006.

On 17 October 2006, more than €11 billion was allocated to fund the ENP.  This was achieved via the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), specifically for a span of seven years: 2007–2013.  A week later, on 24 October 2006, “general provisions establishing a European Neighborhood and Partnership Interest” were laid down for the same (seven-year) period: 2007 through 2013.

An “Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals” also was adopted in 2006.  Certain reviews and evaluations, including those pertaining to “planned specific actions to improve the protection and welfare of animals,” are to take place in the middle of that seven-year period (2010):

In a table annexed to the Action Plan, the Commission outlines planned specific actions to improve the protection and welfare of animals, some of which are already underway. These include: ... the possible establishment of a European Quality Standard for products emanating from high animal welfare standards (2010) (Brussels, 23 January 2006).

The website of the European Neighbourhood Policy is here:

Frequently asked questions about the European Neighbourhood Policy are here:

Here are the non-European nations included in the European Neighbourhood Policy, at least initially:

Most people would find nothing remarkable about the European Neighbourhood Policy, and indeed there may be nothing extraordinary about it.  On the other hand, it is the conviction of many that the ENP has initiated the prophesied final seven years of this age, which will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ back to earth.

The belief is that, particularly since Israel is a member of the agreement (being the first non-European nation to join), the ENP is the fulfillment of part of a noteworthy ancient prophecy in the Bible, given by the angel Gabriel to the Israeli prophet Daniel:

He will confirm a covenant with many for one “seven,” but in the middle of that “seven” he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (Daniel 9:27).

The final “week” (seven-year period) of the seventy “weeks” of years commonly is referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel.  The most common interpretation is that the “he” in this important prophecy is the infamous Antichrist—anticipated by many, throughout the centuries, to come at the end of the age to wreak havoc upon the entire world.  After the final seven years have transpired, the Antichrist or “lawless one” will meet his demise (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Interestingly, Jesus actually made a direct reference to this important prophecy in Daniel, as part of His Olivet Discourse to His disciples:

So when you see standing in the holy place “the abomination that causes desolation,” spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:15,16).

In 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EuroMed) was initiated.  It also is known as the “Barcelona Process,” since the conference was held in Barcelona, Spain.  EuroMed was an agreement between the EU and a number of Mediterranean nations, including Israel (represented by Ehud Barak) and the Palestinian Authority (represented by Yassir Arafat).  The following was one of the initial declarations:

The participants express their conviction that the peace, stability and security of the Mediterranean region are a common asset which they pledge to promote and strengthen by all means at their disposal.  To this end they agree to conduct a strengthened political dialogue at regular intervals, based on observance of essential principles of international law, and reaffirm a number of common objectives in matters of internal and external stability (Barcelona, 27,28 November 1995).

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_Euro-Mediterranean_Conference — Note in the last paragraph, under the “Role” section, that Javier Solana opened the conference.  Also, in the “Afterwards” section, note that Ehud Barak (of Israel) and Yasser Arafat (of the Palestinian Authority) “had high praises for Solana's coordination of the Barcelona Process.”
• http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/euromed/bd.htm — In the first paragraph on that page, note that the Council of the European Union was represented by Javier Solana.  Scrolling down a ways, in the next main section, with a blue title (Political & security partnership: Establishing a common area of peace & stability), the first paragraph states, “The participants express their conviction that the peace, stability and security of the Mediterranean region are a common asset which they pledge to promote and strengthen by all means at their disposal.”
• http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/euromed — The first paragraph shows how the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, back in 1995, marked the starting point of a wide framework of political, economic, and social relations between the EU and southern Mediterranean nations.  In the second paragraph is a list of all of the 10 Mediterranean nations that signed onto Euromed.  ALL but Turkey also have signed onto the European Neighbourhood Policy (see Nations Included in the ENP).
• http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/faq_en.htm#1.7 — This section (How does the ENP relate to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (“Barcelona Process”)?) shows how the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (also known as the “Barcelona Process”) share the same basic agreements and goals.  The Action Plans of the ENP are fully consistent with the EuroMed acquis communautaire (used in European Union law to refer to the total body of EU law accumulated thus far).  The ENP is considered to be a “valuable complement” to EuroMed.
• http://www.eu-delegation.org.eg/en/special_features/Interim%20Report.htm — This “Interim Report on an EU Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East” came out in March 2004.  In the report, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EuroMed) is referred to as the EMP.  In the Neighbourhood Policy – Deepening the EMP section, it refers to the Action Plans of the European Neighbourhood Policy as being a reinforcement of the Barcelona Process.  (The “Barcelona Process” is another name for EuroMed.)  Also, in the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) section, it mentions that the Middle East peace process is a major preoccupation of the EU.
• http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/en/article_4448_en.htm — In this speech in 2005, by a Vice President of the EU, it is noted how the European Neighbourhood Policy compliments and has objectives similar to the Barcelona Process/EuroMed.  A quote in the seventh paragraph from the end is revealing:

  As I have tried to point out, the European Neighbourhood Policy does not replace the process launched ten years ago in Barcelona. It renews it, clarifies it and breathes fresh life into it.

  In a word, the ENP “confirms” a previous covenant, EuroMed, just as Daniel 9:27 predicts.

It long has been thought that the prophesied covenant would lead to some type of “peace” agreement between Israel and another, or others, nearby, such as the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and/or Lebanon.  A press conference in December 2004 indicated that the ENP would launch an Action Plan promoting this principle.

As per an Overall Assessment in December 2006, support for a future Palestinian State has been expressed.  A Fiches on Partners document indicates that, in deepening the EU-Israel relationship, the ENP would promote peace in the Middle East.

The achievement of lasting peace in the Middle East is a central aim of the EU.  The EU’s main objectives are

• a two-State solution leading to a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on implementation of the Road Map,
• a fair solution to the complex issue of Jerusalem, and
• a solution in the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese tracks (The EU & the Middle East Peace Process).

The prophecy (Daniel 9:27) makes a reference to the “temple” or, as Jesus stated (also speaking of the time of the end), the “holy place” (Matthew 24:15).  Other biblical references to this temple were made by Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and by John (Revelation 11:1).  They refer to the Third Temple, which evidently will stand in Jerusalem in the middle of the prophesied 7 years (that is, after the initial 3½ years).

The Temple Institute, founded in Jerusalem in 1987, has been making steady, ongoing preparations for the construction of the Third Temple on Mount Moriah, where two previous temples stood in ancient times.  Virtually all of the sacred vessels and vestments, including the blue robe of the high priest, have been made and are ready to be used in the Third Temple.  All that is required now is for the holy place to exist, in which all of the religious ceremonies will be performed.

There is no stipulation, in the prophecy, concerning how long the temple will have been standing, prior to the middle of the seven years.  It is possible that it could be built in a relatively short period of time, since it will not be an extremely large structure.  Indeed, it might be standing in place only a few months before the middle of the 70th Week.

Presumably, once the temple or holy place has been constructed, there will be a return to the ancient offerings and sacrifices put into practice by Moses and his brother Aaron, for the Israelites, millennia ago.  These sacrifices and offerings were performed until 70 A.D., when the Second Temple was destroyed.

Just before Passover of 2007, an orthodox Jewish religious group attempted to slaughter a lamb across from the Western Wall in Jerusalem (see Court nixes Passover lamb sacrifice at Temple Mount).  Prior to that, there also have been other attempts to perform animal sacrifices there.

In the Third Temple, which will be constructed at some point prior to the midpoint of the 70th Week, religious practices again will include the frequent sacrificing of animals.  But according to the prophecy, in the middle of the seven years, an end will be put to sacrifice and offering (Daniel 9:27b).

Interestingly, an Action Plan associated with the European Neighbourhood Policy, concerning the protection and welfare of animals, potentially, could require the cessation of animal sacrifices, within the next Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, in 2010.  Very possibly, this could take place during Passover week, which is the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  See also Passover Week 2010 in Part 2.

The Daniel 9:27 prophecy actually is the last verse of a more extensive prophecy, spoken to Daniel by the angel Gabriel (9:21-27).  It indicates, in 9:24, that seventy “weeks” of years “are decreed” for Daniel’s people (Israel) and his holy city (Jerusalem) before sin and transgression are ended and the Most Holy is anointed.  Thus, the final “week” of seventy “weeks” of years, understandably, is referred to as the “70th Week.”

After the seven-year period has transpired, the Lord will destroy the armies which will have occupied and ransacked Jerusalem.  A short time later, the Antichrist will meet his doom (see The Final Battles and final battle).  Essentially, most of the world will worship the Antichrist during the final half (3½ years) of the 70th Week period, after which “the end that is decreed” will be “poured out on him.”

In the Bible, “666” is associated with the “mark of the beast” in Revelation 13:16-18.  This commonly is assumed to be a reference to the Antichrist.  Many believe it is significant that Article 666 and Recommendation 666 are included in the ENP.  They deal with the person who is in a primary position of leadership and power:

• the Secretary-General both of the European Union (EU) and of the of the Western European Union (WEU), as well as
• the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Many believe that Javier Solana is a candidate to fulfill the prophecies pertaining to the Antichrist.  In 1995, Solana was the President of the Council of the European Union when EuroMed was created.  Solana also was the Secretary-General of both the Council of the European Union and the Western European Union when the European Neighbourhood Policy was implemented.

In a speech given on March 17, 2008, to the Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs of National Parliaments of EU Member States, Dr. Solana stated the following:

The situation in the Middle East has again become extremely difficult.  Regardless of all the obstacles, the EU should stay engaged.  That is why I visited the region recently (Israel, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Egypt).  The aim was to de-escalate the situation.

It is positive that the violence has declined and the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians will continue.  I stressed to all my interlocutors that it is vital to maintain the Annapolis process and that changing realities on the ground and implementation of the Roadmap are essential.

The entry of April 14, 2007, on the web page of Constance Cumbey (http://cumbey.blogspot.com) is interesting.  It indicates how Solana’s name appears, in the Bible code, “on every Greek New Testament prophecy ascribed to the prophesied antichrist.”

Many feel that 666 is linked to Islam and may be an encription for “In the Name of Allah.”  If so, it may be that people will not be able to buy or sell anything, in the overall economic market, without the mark on their right hands or foreheads, indicating that they have pledged their allegiance to Allah and have converted, whether voluntarily or forcibly, to Islam.

In any case, the “mark of the beast,” I am convinced, will be implemented worldwide at some point during the final 3½ of the 7 years.  Those opting to take it, ultimately, will wish that they had not (Revelation 14:9-11).

The website of the European Neighbourhood Policy is located here:

http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/index_en.htm

European Neighbourhood Policy

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