The Beast/MBS and the 10 horns or 10 Kings who ‘give their strength and will to the beast for one hour’: The 10 Nation European Military Coalition.
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
If the US won’t defend the Beast, who will?
“The US stands with Saudi Arabia and supports its right to defend itself. The Iranian regime’s threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.” The key phrase is, “to defend itself.” The US is unlikely to do anything more. Bin Salman seems to have got the message, so is looking for alternative support. He has, for example, asked for help from South Korea (a King of the East) to strengthen the Kingdom’s air defence system. Saudi Arabia’s glitter appears to be fading, because the Kingdom is nothing without its oil, and protection for its production facilities. If the US isn’t going to provide that, who is? This is in reference to the recent drone attacks that caused major damage to the Saudi’s Aramco refining facility, despite spending literally $billions on defense.
$Billions spent in military investment and they are incompetent.
Military analysts have noted Saudi Arabia’s penchant for buying the latest and greatest ‘whiz-bang’ military technology, whether it makes sense for them or not. They are like the child who has been given their parents’ credit card and runs to the electronics store a couple times a year and buys all the latest electronic toys their heart desires, because they can. Some military analysts have also strongly and mockingly criticized the Saudis for literally being incompetent in military matters. They have a stockpile of military ‘stuff’ but either don’t know how to use it, or use it poorly and indiscriminately.
Examples include a recent purchase made by the Saudis of a ‘littoral’ combat ship from the US that even the pork-barrel US military establishment doesn’t want or see a legitimate need for it. It glitters on the sea and looks high tech and menacing, though. They have spent $billions on missile and air defense systems, but can’t stop even weaponized drones from repeatedly hitting their airports and oil production facilities. It is an embarrassment. In the US, imagine the outcry and condemnation of our military if an enemy where able to repeatedly hit New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or Atlanta’s airports, time and time again, with drone attacks that caused major damage and traffic obstruction. The Saudis either were unwise and bought the wrong equipment, don’t know how to use it, elected not to be trained properly in its use, or were completely incompetent throughout the entire defense purchasing and implementation process.
Despite the Saudis bravado, swagger and menacing stare, they can’t hit ‘the broadside of a barn with a hay bailer.’ Their ‘swords in the sky’ can’t hit supposed terrorist encampments in Yemen, but they can hit children’s schools and hospitals and other non-military targets causing the loss of thousands of innocent lives, but only the loss of very few Islamic extremists and insurgents. They wildly swing at their enemy but miss poorly and instead hit the unfortunate bystander in the first row at the boxing match. This is not to make a mockery of those being killed in Yemen, which is horrendous from the world’s perspective of it being the worst ongoing humanitarian crisis in the last five (5) years, under MBS’ watch. The Yemen ‘war’ was the very first official act MBS initiated when he was announced as ‘defense minister’ by King Salman. As a growing beast, the first thing he did was to start indiscriminately killing thousands or millions of innocent people and children. He is not only incompetent, but evil with no remorse. There are other examples of incompetence, poor management and little stewardship of their military assets of which I could speak. However, I believe the point has been made as to how ill-skilled the Saudis are in their defense efforts. The world has and is becoming a more dangerous place, all one has to do is consider Iran’s threat in the Middle East. This, in fact, does have the Saudi’s utmost attention. During the tribulation, the US will either be unwilling or unable to defend the Saudis. Likewise Israel. The US is prophetically bowing out of its importance and influence in the Middle East. The Saudis will be ‘on their own’ as will the Israelis be on their own. The Word of God is clear in Ezekiel 38 that none of Israel’s allies will come to her defense when the Gog/Magog coalition comes against her to ‘take a great spoil.’ This has the effect of giving God the glory of protecting his chosen people, and not to someone else. The Jews will know that God is protecting them, and not their allies.
The Saudis are militarily incompetent and will soon have no one to turn to for a military ally. If it wasn’t for the US, no one would be assisting the Saudis. The Russians and Kings of the East are on the sidelines in terms of the Saudi’s defense interests. Where can the House of Saud ‘beg, buy, borrow or steal’ a meaningful, well trained, technologically relevant military force that would be willing to partner with MBS/Beast? Drum roll please …
Get others to do their dirty work.
The only reason the Saudi’s are interested in political normalization with Israel is because of the Israeli’s military capabilities and proximity to Iran. ‘The fig tree has grown and is bearing fruit from the valley of dry bones.’ The Israelis act as a military ‘buffer zone’ between the Saudis and Iran. Over and over and over, the Saudis publicly acknowledge and confirm that Israel is indeed united with them in the regions’ stand against Iran. ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ So the thinking goes. This is well known and understood in geo-political terms. In terms of military capabilities, toughness, discernment and technology, the Israelis are ‘light years’ ahead of the Saudis. MBS known this. He relies on the Israelis for surveillance technology and for keeping intelligence tabs on Iran. The Saudis can’t do this. It is not well known, but MBS has bought Israeli surveillance technology to use on his own citizens. It is reasonably understood that MBS used Israeli cell-phone surveillance technology to hack into a well-known dissident journalist’s phone, prior to his murder by an incompetent Saudi ‘hit squad.’
After every drone attack, after every oil tanker ship detained, harassed or hijacked by Iran, the Saudis cry ‘foul’ and curse at the Iranians and threaten them and warn them of imminent retaliation and retribution. Yada…yada…yada. Nada…nada…nada… Nothing happens. They look to see what the US might do, or should do or are going to do. They are unable or unwilling to do anything on their own. They talk big and growl, but want others to do their military dirty work for them. They can handle bombing schools and hospitals in Yemen and picking on ‘the least among us’, but when it comes time for the ‘real deal’ confrontations, they look to and need for someone else to throw the punches on their behalf. Drum roll please …
Failed Arab NATO and insufficient military strength among MENA member countries.
Most people don’t know, but it is documented in the public domain, that Saudi Arabia along with a few others, unsuccessfully attempted to create an Arabian version of Europe’s NATO. The reasons for a desert NATO were surprisingly similar to those for Europe’s NATO. A united ‘peace and security’ for the region. A united front against religious extremism, against Iran, against pirates, against threatening ‘ideology,’ against a rogue state, against ‘whatever.’ Several serious diplomatic attempts were made to form this coalition, but each met with resounding failure. You could guess 10 reasons why, and be right on at least 7 of them. Who is going to invest in the military, and how much? Whom is going to coordinate it? And how much authority should they have? Where should the military be located in terms of host countries or country? Whom should get the contracts to build the infrastructure? What should be the process when to utilize the military coalition? Where can the ‘desert storm’ go and across which borders? Who will permit it? You get the picture.
Arab tribes and nations are proud people, to a fault. Each one thinks they are more important that the next and should have the most say. No consensus, no agreement, no compromise, no discernment, no leadership. Just a lot of money, big egos and dictators. Like trying to get a bottomless pit of vipers to get along. It didn’t and will not happen. If trapped in a paper bag, they couldn’t agree on the way out.
So, if they can’t agree among themselves how to create a unified Arab NATO, who and where could they get such expertise? And for how long in terms of time. Do they need a military coalition forever? For one year? For seven years? For just ‘one hour’ or a short term campaign? Drum roll please …
With the exceptions of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, individual member countries of MENA (the many) have little to no military strength. Most terrorist groups are better weaponized than the smallest countries. In terms of each country standing on its own militarily speaking, is not a realistic option. Not to pick on the country of Oman as I’m sure they are a fine people. But they probably would have trouble forming an army of a couple thousand camels.
One mind, strength and power. Giving it to the beast.
Revelation 12:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
‘One mind’ = coordinated and single, unified command and control military structure of individual armies. Acting in unison over one chain of command or authority.
‘Power and strength’ = military assets, surveillance equipment, troops, technology.
Where the proposed Arab NATO failed, the 10 Nation European Military coalition will succeed. They will be organized, trained, have modern technology and weaponry, be united, act in unison, presumably be adequately funded. The ‘key’ phrase above is to ‘act with one mind.’ In order for any European military coalition to be successful, regardless of the number of countries involved, they will have to act with a vision of unity and purpose. The combined whole, acting in unison, is stronger than the sum total of the individual parts. This is not rocket science, but it something that Arab countries couldn’t achieve for their own benefit. There is no other logical combination of 10 countries on earth that could collectively assemble a meaningful military presence, let alone being sufficiently united amongst many potential barriers of forming such a coalition. A clear mind also has to consider the many links that exist between major European countries and Saudi Arabia. Arms sales from the UK and France. Financial transactions and investments from and into Europe. Wealthy Arabs own football clubs throughout Europe. Current individual European countries, collectively, condemn Iran’s missile buildup and escalating developments in nuclear missile armament. Europe’s countries know full that they are within striking distance of Iran’s missile technology, let alone Russia’s military capabilities that threaten invasion.
Biblically, the 10 nation military is described as arising out of a revived Roman Empire which fits the narrative of the region covered by Europe. This particular piece of prophecy is probably one of most agreed upon developments in modern times since the European Union was founded. The only question remaining among some people is who are the 10 countries and when? The answer is … it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that Bible tells that this coalition acts in unison, which is no small feat. A clear mind can logically deduce that this military coalition would have to resemble a sizeable military force, whether used defensively or offensively. For instance, what benefit would it be for MBS to work out a military agreement with just the countries of Scandanavia?
Coming back full circle, the only region on earth who is currently reported to be attempting to form any type of a military coalition is? Drum roll please …
Russia, Iran, Turkey, United States and the Kings of the East militaries?
The military strength of countries listed above each has its own prophetic limitations and exclusions.
In Ezekiel 38, the Bible is very clear (if you do a tiny bit of math) that each, Russia, Iran and Turkey (who form the Gog/Magog coalition that attempts to invade Israel) is destroyed by God, for His glory. Specifically, 5/6th of each country’s army is destroyed, leaving a remaining 1/6th to crawl back home. Remember, six (6) is the number of evil man/men. This is no small thing. For both Turkey and Iran to lose 5/6th of their military capability is catastrophic. This single move by God, literally crosses Turkey and Iran off the world map, from a military strength perspective. What about Russia? Russia losing 5/6th of its invading force will also be horrible, but probably not to the point of Turkey and Iran. Russia still has to leave enough troops back home to maintain its borders with Europe and the Ukraine. I don’t believe Russia will be foolish enough to throw its entire military ‘kitchen sink’ at Israel, the way Turkey and Iran will do. Russia will still send back to Moscow 1/6th of its invading army that will most likely be merged with those troops on Europe’s borders.
Here is a question to ponder. If Europe watches and sees Russia attempt to invade Israel, given that Europe has long feared that Russia would do this them, do you think they will quickly feel a sense of ‘urgency’ in getting their military coalition together after NATO has dissolved from the US pullout?
Virtually all of Europe’s larger countries already have established military capabilities, in one form or another. What they currently lack is any sense of urgency, a sense of impending danger or a need for unison. This will change when they see all three; Russia, Iran and Turkey invade Israel. In addition to now having to worry about Russia invading them, Europeans will now also have to worry about the potential of Iran or Turkey possibly invading southern European countries as well. The biggest threat, though, will still be the perceived threat of Russia invading Europe and/or the Ukraine.
The hasty emergence of a quickly unified, 10 nation European military coalition will likely be the result of impending fears brought on by the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel.
What about the US military? As previously indicated, it is no secret that the US is in the process of extricating itself, militarily from both the Middle East and also from the European NATO. The US star is fading on its importance and influence on the world stage, including its eventual removal as protector of Israel. During the tribulation, God takes a divine and supernatural roll in delivering Israel from both the Gog/Magog invasion and from the attempts by the satanic indwelling of MBS/Beast to destroy Israel during the final three and half years of the tribulation. The US is ominously missing from prophecy in the tribulation. Miss Liberty is either unable or unwilling to be involved in any meaningful military capacity. We see through a veil darkly, but this could be the result of the military ranks being depleted by the rapture/harpazo resulting in few people left to command ships, read radar screens and implement all the other tasks and functions that go with operating the world’s largest military force. This scenario could also coincide with the political and social anarchy in the country that will affect any willingness to get involved in any military confrontations elsewhere in the world. There will be too much going on at home to worry about elsewhere. If the US government defaults on its debt and obligations, it won’t be in any shape to maintain its military at its present level and will likely be forced to shrink it (as have many other empires over history) into becoming inconsequential.
Lastly, let us consider China and the other ‘Kings of the East.’ They pose absolutely zero risk or threat to the Beast/MBS. During the first half of 2019, MBS went on an ‘influence binge’ in Asia. He inked many $billion dollar investment deals with India, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Japan and even Indonesia. ALL of these Kings are extremely beholden to the Beast/MBS and Saudi Arabia because of these $billion dollar (in some cases bi-lateral) investments. Most are also beholden to Saudi Arabia for oil/petroleum and are some of MBS’ largest customers. As the old saying goes, ‘you are not going to bite the hand that feeds you.’ For any one of these Asian countries to come against the Beast/MBS would be suicide on many levels. Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? As MBS’ power and atrocities grow over the tribulation, these kings and countries can only stand by and watch, and try to keep their necks safe.
The Bible gives us another clue about the fact that the ‘Kings of the East’ are no threat to the Beast. In fact, they might even be marginal allies.
Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
This is the only reference to the Kings of the East. Prophetically, these countries appear to be on the sidelines during the tribulation in terms of any military involvement with Israel. Taking the above verses literally would indicate the Beast/MBS spreads a lie or deceit about something to the kings from around the world, requiring them to come to Armageddon. This could be a false ruse regarding an energy/oil issue, a security threat by terrorists, we don’t know and are not told. We are told that a deceitful set of lies are issued by Satan, the Beast and The False Prophet in order to prod or prompt not only the Kings of the East to come to Armageddon, but the other kings of the earth as well. This suggests, at the end of the tribulation, the Beast/MBS still has major political influence over these kings in order to get them to come to the Middle East. The ‘dried up’ Euphrates river provides the answer as to ‘how?’ With multi-million troop armies and thousands of military vehicles, tanks, troops carriers, missile launchers, supply carriers, ammunition carriers, et.al, it would literally be impossible for this storm of muscle and machinery to cross a fully functioning Euphrates river by bridge or bridges. The only way for this mass movement to get to Armageddon in the shortest amount of time, is for the river to be completely dried up enough that its banks and bottom are sun baked and hardened. This will allow for heavily mechanized war machinery to travel on it without sinking into muck and mire. Secondly, it is no coincidence that China’s ‘Road and Belt’ initiative dips toward the Middle East and comes near the Euphrates River. This road will allow for the kings of the east to send their amassed armies to the Middle East.
So, if Russia, Iran, Turkey, United States and the ‘Kings of the East’ are out of the picture from a military perspective during the tribulation, who does the leave to protect the beast or carry out his military policies?
Drum roll please …
The Beast/MBS needs help from the 10 nation military coalition for ‘one hour.’ (short time).
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
There are three (3) ‘one hour’ scenarios where the Beast/MBS would need the assistance of military intervention.
- We are told specifically, that the Beast/MBS will require the coalition army to destroy the mystery religion around the world. This would involve being given diplomatic immunity, as kings, in order to be able to enter these countries’ sovereignty to destroy temples, sanctuaries, churches, mosques, shrines, idols, statues. Any false religion’s place of worship and false idols would be ‘fair game’ for destruction. The 10 nation coalition army will literally burn with fire the wooden idols and places of false worship. Not a stone, idol or structure of any false religion will be left standing. This could literally be accomplished in a very short period of time, perhaps in a couple of weeks of time. This is where the leaders of the 10 nations involved in the coalition might be granted status as a ‘king’ for one hour, in order to get geo-political access for the destruction of physical components of the mystery religion.
- As I write this, both Europe and the Middle East are overrun by Islamic extremism (terrorists). Because of unfettered migration from Africa and the Middle East into Europe, Europe is a facing a crisis of terrorist attacks on traditional religious structures and citizens, at large. Terrorist cells have been reported all over Europe and are stockpiling weapons, bombs and other toys of destruction. They are awaiting a call, for whenever it comes, to initiate whatever it is they are supposed to do. Will these attacks be part and parcel of the anarchy and chaos during the tribulation? Rampant terrorism throughout MENA (the many) – Middle East North Africa countries almost goes without needing to be said. In virtually every public statement that MBS has made of a religious nature, he almost always include a reference, in one form or another, of fighting religious extremism (terrorism) and the need for wiping out, around the world wherever it might be, quote “those who give his religion a bad name.” Fighting terrorism was the main goal that was originally driving the effort to create an Arabian NATO. It is likely that as the 10 nation military coalition fights weaponized terrorist groups on its own soil, that MBS may request their assistance in fighting Islamic terrorism in MENA. This could be a very short military campaign over the course of a couple of weeks to destroy hidden ammunition depots, training centers and cell positions. If terrorist groups are backed up in a corner and are entrenched in particular geographies, it may take major military action to eradicate them. Remember, the Saudis like to have other people to do their dirty work.
- Elsewhere in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we are told that the end times Babylon (NEOM) will be destroyed in ‘one hour’ by a great and terrible earthquake on the Day of the Lord’s return or second coming to earth. This one hour earthquake event also corresponds to the timing of Armageddon. It is entirely possible that the Battle of Armageddon will take an hour or less to dispose of millions upon millions of evil men. We are also told that the Beast/MBS will somehow drag the 10 nation military coalition into the Middle East who will participate in the great battle against Christ and his armies from heaven. If we stick to a literal translation of Biblical prophecy, the 10 nation military coalition’s participation in the one hour battle of Armageddon would literally fulfill their ‘one hour’ commitment to the Beast/MBS.
Something to ponder. Any one of or all three scenarios are likely fulfillments of the reference to the ‘one hour’ of the coalition giving their mind and power and strength to the Beast. All three can easily be short term military campaigns. All three require the Beast’s deceptive and lying influence to get the 10 nation military coalition to act on his behalf. The Bible doesn’t tell us if the ‘one hour’ instance occurs only once or multiple times throughout the tribulation. We definitely know, through scripture, that the Beast/MBS needs assistance at least twice… once to destroy the mystery religion throughout countries around the world and secondly, to arrive at Armageddon to fight our Lord at his return to earth. Keep in mind that ‘one hour’ is a relatively very short period of time over the course of a day. A military campaign undertaken during the tribulation over the course of a couple of weeks or months could also be considered a very short time in the context of the seven (7) year tribulation. Although we see through a veil darkly, the Beast/MBS requiring the services of the 10 nation military coalition could in fact be fulfilled by all the individual references listed above, or perhaps just by the coalition’s participation at Armageddon.