Zion vs Babel

Part I – What are we heading for?

An end-time perspective and prayer guide by Harald Eckert

"I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain! … Ask of me, and I will give you the nations as an inheritance, and the ends of the earth as your own." (Psalm 2:6+8)

"And the ten horns that you have seen are ten kings ... These have a unanimous mind, and they surrender their power and dominion to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will defeat them—for He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings—and with Him are the called, the elect, and the believers. … The waters that you have seen, where the harlot (Babel) sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues." (Rev. 17:12-15)

The closer the return of Jesus comes, the more intense the conflict between Zion and Babel becomes. Zion on one side, Babylon on the other. The lamb on one side, the harlot on the other. What is this fight about? About "peoples and multitudes and nations and languages". And where is the church of the end times, the "called, and elect, and believers"? On the side of the Lamb, the Lord of lords and King of kings.

We, the church, the Gentile peoples (non-Jewish nations), the language regions, the regions of the world are in the midst of this global, end-time conflict.

This sketchy essay, which is also a prayer guide, aims to understand more clearly the nature of this conflict and the role it has as "called, chosen, and believers" under the guidance and side of the Lamb. May the Holy Spirit give us revelation and help us to draw the appropriate conclusions!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lord of lords, King of kings, Lamb of God! I thank You for redeeming me with Your precious blood and for forgiving me my sins. I thank You for freeing me from the enslavement of the kingdom of darkness and for placing me in the realm of Your immeasurable love. Please give me more revelation from Your Word and Spirit to this global conflict.

The Essence and Victory of Zion

The word "Zion" appears about 150 times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament it appears 7 times. If you scan this word in the concordance, you can see that this word has a wide range of meanings. The original core meaning was "castle". Later, "Zion" was synonymous with the city of David on the southwestern slope of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Furthermore, the term "Zion" was used both as a synonym for the city of Jerusalem and, more rarely, for Israel. Finally, the prophets used Zion on several levels of meaning: On the one hand, it meant the political, the material, the physical level, especially the city of Jerusalem. At other times – sometimes even simultaneously – the spiritual, the level of redemption, was also meant. So the word "Zion" has a multidimensional meaning in the Bible.

In the New Testament, the two words "Jerusalem" and "Zion" are clearly different from each other. Zion is now used exclusively on the redemption level. The seven mentions of Zion in the New Testament make this clear:

• "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you humbly and riding on a donkey...'" (Matt. 21:5)
• "Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion! Behold, your king is coming, sitting on the colt of a donkey." (John 12:15)
• "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stumbling block and a rock of stumbling; and everyone who believes in him will not be ashamed!" (Rom 9:33)
• "... and thus all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, >Out of Zion shall come the Redeemer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, ..." (Romans 11:26)
• "... but you have come to Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." (Heb 12:22).
• "... That is why it is also written in the Scriptures: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone, and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame." (1 Pet 2:6)
• "And I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, bearing the name of his Father written on their foreheads." (Rev. 14:1)

In summary: In all New Testament passages, Zion is used in connection with the Messiah and/or the New Jerusalem. Important: The majority of these passages in the New Testament are quotations from the Old Testament. Zion's final perspective of redemption thus finds a universal biblical testimony.

In other words, that which was intended and initiated by God from the beginning, and which shines forth again and again throughout Scripture as the final perspective of salvation, finds its final, triumphant goal and fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, in the final unfolding of Zion.

The Nature and Defeat of Babel

In contrast, let us now take a corresponding look at Babel.

The first mention of Babel is found in Genesis 10 – after God's covenant with Noah and creation (Gen 9), and even before the Tower of Babel was built (Gen 11)! In Gen 10 – under the Noachite covenant of grace – the nations were created. In the verses Gen 10:8+10 it says:

"Cush also begat Nimrod; he was the first ruler on earth. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, ...".

The next thing we read about Babel is the account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The motive for this project is found in verse 4:

"And they said, 'Come, let us build a city, and a tower whose top reaches to heaven, that we may make a name for ourselves...' "

To this rebellion, to this arrogance, and to this Babylonian hubris, God responded in a threefold way: Two reactions were reactions of judgment. In the third reaction, God presented the world of nations with a choice.

• Judgment: The confusion of tongues (Gen 11:7)
• Judgment: dispersion over the world (Gen 11:8)
• Choice: blessing or curse (Gen 12:1-3). The nations that want to come back under the blessing of God, as promised by the Lord to all the nations in Noah's covenant, must renounce the "spirit of Babel," the spirit of pride, arrogance, and rebellion against God. They can do this by blessing God's chosen people, the Jewish people, and thus showing respect and appreciation to them.

In other words, by honoring God's people, they are honoring God. Then God again promised his blessing. Conversely, when they reject God's choice, when they reject Israel's calling as God's instrument of blessing for all nations, God responds with judgment, with a curse. This is the first time that the Gentiles, the Gentile peoples, the Gentile peoples, are presented with the choice between Zion and Babel. This choice will permeate human history according to the biblical testimony of salvation history – until the end: Zion or Babel.

The spirit of Babel, the spirit of pride, rebellion against God, fornication and hubris appears prominently a second time: in the person of Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babel, who destroyed Jerusalem in the spirit of Nimrod and deported the elite of the Jewish people to his kingdom. This is what the book Daniel tells us.

And the third time the Scriptures speak explicitly of Babel and of the Spirit who is active in Babel in the book of Revelation, whereby Babel is translated in the New Testament from the Greek language as Babylon.

This short essay is not the right place to go into more detail about the book of Revelation. With regard to Babel/Babylon, only two things should be noted here:

• 1) Babel is judged. This is expressly mentioned in Revelation 14:8, in Revelation 16:19, and in Revelation 18, verses 2, 10 and 21 as well as in Revelation 19:11-21. In Revelation 17, the anti-divine nature and the corresponding mode of operation of Babylon (Babel) is described in the most detail.
• 2) Revelation 17 and 19 report who the judge is: Revelation 17 was quoted at the beginning. Revelation 19 is to be quoted here in conclusion: "And I saw the heavens opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called 'The Faithful and the True'; and in righteousness he judges and fights. (11) … And he is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called >Word of God<. (13) "And out of his mouth proceeds a sharp sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron; …“ (15) And he has written on his robe and on his thigh, >King of kings and Lord of lords.< (16) In other words, the Judge of the nations who were part of Babylon is the Messiah returning.

That there are also peoples who do not fall under this judgment is also read in the book of Revelation in chapter 21. There it says in verse 24: "And the Gentiles who are saved will walk in their light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory and their honor into them."

This corresponds to the testimony of Jesus, who predicts with regard to the judgment of the nations at his return: "But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory, and before him all the nations will be gathered. And he will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left." (Matt. 25:31-33)

Prayer Starter: Lord, I thank You for Your Word! Lord, I thank You for being the Word of God! And I thank You that Your Word is sharper than any double-edged sword. Please send me the Spirit of wisdom, discernment, and revelation. Help me to bow down to Your Word in humility and fear of God. And let Your Word do its work in me! In Jesus' name, amen!

Escalation in our time

The escalation of this conflict between Zion and Babel is evident in our time in the global increase of anti-Semitism = anti-Zionism. This phenomenon tends to go hand in hand with the increase of the antichrist spirit. Especially in the Islamic world. And increasingly so in the Western world.

Regionally, we experienced such historical phenomena in the 20th century, especially in Europe, during the National Socialist era and in the Stalin era. But compared to today, these were regional phenomena. If we look at anti-Semitism in the United Nations, it becomes clear that these developments have been reaching a global dimension for several decades. The stage for the final escalation stage is being prepared.

Our positioning in this end-time conflict

Revelation 17:14 says, "... and the Lamb shall conquer them—for he is the Lord of lords and the King of kings—and with him are the called, the elect, and the believers."

In order for us to overcome under the protection and side of the Lamb for Zion and against Babylon, I would like to give us three indications:

• Be sure of your destiny! It is not a coincidence, but the will of God from time immemorial that you and where you were born. Your family, your nation, your biography and your imprint – as difficult as some things may have been – none of it is a coincidence! Everything may serve you, your vocation and your mission in the Lord for the best in your lifetime! This is what your Creator and Your Redeemer tells you!
• There are two levels of salvation: you as an individual, as an individual, as a child of God. And you as part of a group – family (clan/tribe), a language group, a people, a nation. The book of Revelation (e.g. 17:14) speaks of "peoples, tribes, tongues and nations". It addresses this collective dimension of judgment and grace. As Western (Hellenistic) Christians, we usually have a hard time with the collective level due to our imprint. I only gained access to my collective responsibility and calling to the extent that I understood revelation about God's way with Israel (as the chosen people). God has good thoughts, thoughts of blessing, thoughts of redemption for every clan, every language group, every people and every nation. If we seek him on this level, he will let us find him!
• Seek relationships with other Christians who are on the same quest – on both levels. Jesus, the "Head of the Body," wants to confirm you or lead you forward—depending on what His plans are for you. If necessary: Renew your devotion of life to Jesus, renew your priorities, seek first the kingdom of God and the King of this kingdom and trust that HE will provide everything else at the right time!

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus! Thank you for wanting and loving me from eternity! Thank you for that, where and how you created me! I thank you for my family, my language, my people, my country. I thank you for the time and generation I was born into. And I thank you for your destiny that lies on my life and for the natural and spiritual gifts that you have entrusted to me. Today I lay down my life anew for you. Be thou my king, my lord, my head! Cleanse and sanctify me! Connect me with other believers who are also devoted to You and follow their personal and collective calling! To your glory! Amen!

Growing in the Spirit of Zion

Viewed in this light, the connection of the worldwide church of Jesus with Zion takes on central importance. Because the greatest biblical promises lie in the bond with Zion and with the Lamb. This begs the question: How can we personally and collectively deepen our connection with Zion? How can we make room for Zion in our lives and work as individuals and as expressions of the body of Christ on different levels? Here are some suggestions:

• The love and devotion to Zion and the love and devotion to the Lamb are closely interwoven in the perspective of Jesus' return. The Lamb, the Messiah, returns to Zion:

"But on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem I will pour out the Spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look upon me whom they have pierced..." (Zech 12:10)

"But the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as (then) on the day of his battle, on the day of battle. And his feet will be on the Mount of Olives on that day, which is before Jerusalem to the east; … And it shall come to pass in that day that living waters shall flow out of Jerusalem... And the Lord will be king over all the earth..." (Zech. 14:3-4, 8-9)

"And when he had said this, he was lifted up before their eyes, ... (and the angels spoke – author's note:) This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come again in the same way that you saw ascend to heaven! Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives..." (Acts 1:9+11-12)

• Let us look in depth for biblical revelation on Zion and Jerusalem. Opinions differ on Zion/Jerusalem:

"Behold, I am making Jerusalem a cup of reeling for all the nations around it, ... And it shall come to pass that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all nations, ... and it shall come to pass in that day that I shall seek to destroy all the nations that are advancing against Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:2,3,9)

"For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations together and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will go to court with them there ... . Let the nations arise and go up into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will sit in judgment over the nations around me. … Hosts after hosts arrive in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord in the valley of decision is near. … and the Lord will roar out of Zion, and will make his voice heard from Jerusalem..., the Lord is a refuge for his people, and a stronghold for the children of Israel. … But Jerusalem will be holy..." (Joel 4:1, 2, 12, 14)

„… And Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles, until the times are fulfilled." (Lu 21:24)

• Prayer for the redemption of Jerusalem and prayer for the return of Jesus go hand in hand:

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May it be well with those who love you!" (Psalm 122:6)

"O Jerusalem, I have placed watchmen on your walls, who shall not be silent for a moment all day and all night. … until he raises up Jerusalem again, and until he sets it up for glory on earth!" (Isa. 62:6-7)

"... for I say to you, from now on you will see me no more until you say, >Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord<" (Matthew 23:39)

• The church of the Lamb is the church of the Sermon on the Mount, especially the church of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-15). These conclude with an encouragement and a promise. The Encouragement (v11):

"Blessed are you when they reproach you and persecute you, and falsely speak every evil word against you for my sake. Rejoice and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The promise: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes bland, what is to make it salty again? It is good for nothing more than to be thrown out and trampled on by the people. You are the light of the world. A city that lies on the mountain cannot remain hidden. Nor do you light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on the lampstand; so it shines to all who are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (vv 13-15)

• The church of the end times is – like the early church – the church of the one new man:

"For he is our peace, who made them one, and broke down the partition of the fence, ... for through him we both have access to the Father in one Spirit." (Eph. 2:14+18)

"But if some of the branches (of the noble olive tree; Author's note) And you have grafted yourself into them as a wild olive branch, and have shared in the root and the fatness of the olive tree, do not rise up against the branches. … For God's gifts and calling cannot repent of him." (Rom 11:17-18:29)

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither servant nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ." (Galatians 3:28)

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, ..." (Rev. 22:16)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, returning Judge of the world, I thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross and for Your love for Zion! Please make both greater for me in my time, in my life! Make me salt and light in the midst of the increasing darkness and lukewarmness! Let me be even more rooted in Your history of salvation, in Your redemptive intentions with the people, tribes, languages, peoples and nations of which I am a part! Thank you for being Alpha and Omega! Thank you for being the beginner and finisher of my faith!

Overcoming the Spirit of Babel

I would like to sketch the spirit of Babel as follows:

• The spirit of Babel is, in short, the spirit behind Nimrod, the tower builders of Babel, Nebuchadnezzar (in his tyrannical phase, his main activity), and the Antichrist and Babel. It is a spirit of pride, a spirit that hates God and everything that God stands for—especially His people of Jews and Gentiles and everything that Zion stands for. It is a spirit of violence, fear, lies and manipulation. A spirit related to this is the spirit of Amalek, the most aggressive enemy of Old Testament Israel. The spirit behind Jezebel, as well as other spiritual and physical mortal enemies of Israel and their idols/gods, are also cut from the same cloth.
• In his end-time discourses, Jesus speaks of "lawlessness abounding and love growing cold in many. (Matt. 24:12) Paul speaks in 2. Thess. 2 of the "man of sin" and "son of perdition, who resists and exalts himself above all that is called God or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God as a god and pretends to be God." It is worth reading the whole chapter, in which the antichrist spirit and also Paul's advice to the believers at Thessalonica are described in more detail. The keyword that seems important to me here is "lawlessness", that is, the massive confusion in legal as well as in moral terms as a characteristic of the antichrist spirit. The decisive standard by which the Bible measures social lawlessness is the Ten Commandments.
• In the description of the "harlot" of Babel, especially in Revelation 17 and 18, some characteristic features appear. I would like to highlight three of them:

• What is to be understood by the fact that the antichrist spirit practices "fornication" with those in power, kings, despots, politicians? My understanding is that these personalities sacrifice their conscience, character, integrity and lifestyle to the "harlot" and use their power and influence to receive corresponding benefits from her, from this spirit. Corruption, wealth, more power, luxury and pleasure gain are the seductive counter-benefits of the "whore", the antichrist spirit.
• Special mention is also made of the "merchants" several times. For example, in Revelation 18:11ff it says: "And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over them, because no one buys their goods any more..." (...) When one sees this in conjunction with the power of the merchants over the Antichrist control system using the number "666," it becomes clear how much they have benefited from the Babylonian system: "And it causes a mark to be given to all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the servants, on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one can buy or sell except he who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is the wisdom! He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666." (Rev. 13:16-18)
• Revelation 18:22 also mentions "harpists, singers, flute players, trumpeters, and artists" whose services are no longer needed after the judgment of Babel. To me, this speaks of the Babylonian cultural scene and the entertainment industry associated with it and its seductive powers.

Kings, merchants, artists – all these are in danger of being seduced and seducing others. We are all in danger of our attention and devotion being diverted from the Lamb and Zion by the influence of these forces. But the Lord has a special grace in store for the "called, the elect and the believers" (Rev 17:14). To the apostles and prophets of this era, he says: "Rejoice in them, O heaven and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged himself on her (on Babel)!" (Rev 18:20)

These five groups of people are among the overcomers! Let's take a closer look at them:

"But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to their purpose." Romans 8:28. All those who sincerely follow Jesus are called back again and again, like the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1ff, to the first love.

elect: "For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,..." (Romans 8:29) We can become more and more like Jesus if we, the elect, follow him.

Believers/saints: "And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now has come salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the reign of his Christ.' For the accuser of our brethren was thrown down, who accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and did not love their lives unto death." (Rev. 12:10-11) "Here is the perseverance of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and faith in Jesus!" (Rev 14:12)

Faith grows. Faith has to prove itself. Every probation is another step in growth. If we train this in everyday life today, then Jesus gives us courage that in the future we will not have to fear the last test, the last test.

Apostles and prophets: "Therefore you are no longer strangers without citizenship and guests, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Jesus Christ himself is the cornerstone" (Eph. 2:19-20)

"And He hath given some apostles, some prophets, ... for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ, ... for the edification of himself in love." (Eph 4:11-16)

"Rejoice in them, O heaven and you holy apostles and prophets; ..." (Rev 18:20)

The cooperation of apostles and prophets is a key for the church of Jesus in the end times. Paul calls it a foundation in Ephesians chapter two. In Ephesians four, he makes it clear that the interplay of the so-called fivefold ministry for the maturation and strengthening of the body of Christ depends on this fundamental togetherness. And especially remarkable is the fact that apostles and prophets are explicitly mentioned and honored after the victory of the Lamb over the Antichrist! I can only encourage those of us who are concerned to reach out to this mystery, to the realization of this vocation and promise in togetherness! It seems obvious to me that this will decisively strengthen the overcoming power of the body of Christ in the final battle of this age.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank you for the prophetic guidance that Your precious Word gives us! You give us! We need this orientation and the warnings and promises associated with it so urgently! Help us to take Your warnings seriously where You mean us and call us to repentance! Help us to take Your promises seriously, to return to our first love and to grow in the fear of God, trust in God and obedience! Please make me, please make us overcomers together! And please release apostles and prophets on different levels, who make their irreplaceable contribution to this!

Part II - The Struggle for Europe

The peculiarity of Europe and a strategic sketch by Harald Eckert

The salvation-historical framework in which we move in the battle between Zion and Babel has been discussed in Part I of this essay. In the current Part II, we will outline what this struggle could mean for the faithful in Europe.

The specificity of Europe

In contrast to the global view, it is

• That Western Christianity in the age of the Church Fathers and in the Middle Ages was decisively shaped by the Roman Catholic Church
• That this imprint – as far as Zion is concerned – took place largely under the auspices of replacement theology
• Replacement theology, on the other hand, is primarily a fruit of the Hellenistic, especially Neo-Platonic influence on the Church Fathers. The anti-Semitism that already existed in antiquity was thus changed and reinforced.
• That the Reformation movements – especially the Lutheran ones – were largely unable to overcome this imprint
• That the Holocaust could happen in Europe as a fruit of this undesirable development
• That this failure of Christianity has not been the subject of profound repentance either in the Church or in the wider society
• With the consequence that anti-Semitism in Europe is currently escalating anew, both inside and outside the Christian community. In this phenomenon, the Christian and Islamic replacement theologies of the rapidly growing Islamic population in Europe reinforce each other.
• As a positive and a moment of hope, it should be noted that, against the background of various predominantly pietistic revivals in the 18th and 19th centuries, there were currents in parts of Europe that felt deeper revelation from the Word of God in the direction of the return of the Jews to Israel, the restoration of the statehood of Israel and the expectation that "all Israel will be saved". Some of these currents are still alive today.

Biblical Promises for Zion – Against Babel

The prophet Isaiah says: "Behold, this is my servant whom I preserve, my chosen one, in whom my soul is well pleased. I have set my spirit upon him; he will carry justice to the Gentiles. He will not shout or make a fuss, nor let his voice be heard in the street. He will not break the bruised reed, and he will not extinguish the smoldering wick; truthfully he will bring forth justice. He will not faint or collapse until he has established justice on earth, and the islands will wait for a lesson." (Isa 42:1-4)

The evangelist Matthew quotes this Isaiah passage as follows in reference to Jesus: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased! I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will preach justice to the Gentiles. He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the bruised reed, and he will not extinguish the smoldering wick until he brings out the right to victory. And the Gentiles will hope in his name." (Matt. 12:16-21)

In my opinion, these quotes are consistent with Daniel's vision of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the image:

"You, O king, looked, and behold, a sublime image. This picture was enormous, and its brilliance extraordinary; it stood before you, and its sight was terrifying. The head of the image was of pure gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and loins of brass, his thighs of iron, his feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched until a stone was torn loose without the help of human hands, and the image struck his feet, which were of iron and clay, and crushed them; and they became chaff on the summer threshing floor, and the wind blew them away, so that no trace of them was to be found. But the stone that had shattered the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2:31-35).

What is the connection between these different prophecies and our topic of "Zion vs Babel"? I see the following indications:

• King Nebuchadnezzar is king of Babylon. Babel was the world power at that time, destroyed "Zion" (the temple in Jerusalem) and deported part of the Jewish population to his kingdom. Also Daniel and his friends. So it is the same conflict "Zion vs Babel" in that time, which is increasingly occupying us again today.
• The stone that smashes the statue and destroys the image in Daniel's vision I identify with the messianic kingdom of peace that dawns at the return of Jesus. At that time, the stone becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth.
• The reference to the reign of God in the Messiah over all the earth, the Messianic kingdom with Jerusalem/Zion as its capital, is tantamount to the establishment of the justice that the Gentiles hope for in the prophecy of the smoldering wick and the bruised reed in Isaiah 42 and Matthew 12.

Bible commentators oriented towards salvation history, such as the English Bible teacher Derek Prince, interpret the statue from Daniel 2 historically and chronologically, as follows:

• The golden head corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire ruled by him
• The chest and arms made of silver represent the following world empire, the Medes and Persians.
• The hips and genitals were made of brass (or copper) – this was the subsequent Hellenistic empire of Alexander the Great and his successors
• The feet made of iron correspond to the next world power – the Roman Empire.
• Then come the cloves – partly made of iron, partly of pottery clay, a mixture. The iron content can be understood as the continuation of the Roman Empire. Historians usually understand the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (until 1806) in this way. Some historians also see the EU as a modern variant, a kind of resurrection of the Roman Empire.
• The question of pottery clay is controversial. Maybe Islam in Europe?

In any case, according to this understanding, the toes reach into today's generation. And into this constellation the stone "rolls" according to Daniel's vision. The return of Jesus is approaching! The fight is getting more intense!

A fresh approach

In my opinion, this battle between Zion and Babel requires a fresh approach. Let's call it a fresh "cross-vocational" or an apostolic-strategic approach. I think that the Lord encourages and shakes us up so that different commissions and vocations move closer together!

• a) in the spirit of Ephesians 2 (Jews and non-Jews, apostles and prophets in Christ in the power of the cross, and
• b) in the spirit of Ephesians 4 – the fivefold ministry – in the common mission to lead the church of Jesus to maturity.

This requires a broad horizon!

The Total Mandate to God's People in the End Times

The Word of God gives us as His people a threefold, common, eschatological mission:

• The fulfillment of the Great Commission.
• The preparation of the bridal congregation.
• The restoration of Israel.

Under this horizon, mission agencies, Israel organizations, local churches, but also Christians in the business world, all generations, all those who are called and vocations in the congregation and society may move closer together.

• For the sake of Europe's vocation!
• For the sake of our Judeo-Christian heritage on our continent!
• For the sake of the kingdom of God / Zion!

In the past, separate movements and works have usually formed around each of these different commissions. In different spiritual currents and denominations. All of them had a justification in their time. Everyone has come or is reaching its limits. Expansion of boundaries comes through mutual perception, fertilization and completion under the larger common horizon as a concretization of the body of Christ under the headship of Jesus.

At the center of moving together lives "Zion". Many today also call this the "kingdom of God". The kingdom of God has Zion in its heart. The kingdom of God is centered on Zion. The kingdom of God, the Messianic kingdom (Revelation 20), unfolds after the return (Revelation 19) and finally culminates in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21 and 22), where the new heaven comes to the new earth in the final fulfillment of Jesus' prayer "Our Father".

Crystallization Points

I would like to mention seven crystallization points in which we can gain concrete experiences of moving closer to the Lord, closer to Zion and closer to the eschatological vocation of Europe:

1. Seeking the presence of God together
   There is a need for spaces for the encounter with God in worship in repentance, in purification, reconciliation, liberation and sanctification, for revelation, release and alignment from and to the Lord
2. Research, strategic intercession and spiritual warfare
   Nehemiah, after coming to Jerusalem, first did his research; he took stock and on this basis had God show him a solution strategy. Intelligent research sharpens the ability to sensitize and concretize in prayer, in intercession, in spiritual warfare.
3. Incubators for Apostles and Prophets at Different Levels
   Apostles and prophets are different; They must mature, practice, grow, "flow" together and become fruitful. Where and how can this happen, at different regional levels and with different missions and priorities? Ideally, the leadership teams of these crystallization points have an apostolic-prophetic character. But it must not stop there.
4. Communication internally and externally
   Communication is a gift, an art and an anointing. God is a communicator. The Bible is an instrument of communication. The Holy Spirit inspires communicatively (dreams, visions, words of wisdom, ...)
5. Education and training
   To make an impact in Europe, we need leadership, teams, different vocations, talents and anointments that learn to work together. Training is an important building block in achieving these effects.
6. Projects and fields of work
   The gentleman will show concrete projects and fields of work. Projects are characterized by a definition (time frame, personnel, budget, etc.). Fields of work consist of a special team for a specific task for an indefinite period of time.
7. Festivals and highlights
   We can learn from Israel that holidays and festive gatherings were very important.

In what spirit do we want to move?

We are like a wick that glows but is continually fanned by the Spirit of God so that it does not go out. We are like a bruised reed, cracked and dependent on the Lord not breaking us completely, but always raising us up again. We are the limping, like Jacob, the weak, like Paul, the poor in spirit filled with the foolishness of the cross but independent of the wisdom of this world. We are a small flock that walks the narrow way. As such, we become the stone that rolls from Moriah, from Sinai, from Calvary towards our world, towards Europe, and overcomes the kingdoms of this world in order to establish His kingdom.

The next step

If we want to apply this perspective specifically to Europe, we need an apostolic-prophetic meeting in Europe. Maybe first in a small circle. With the aim of jointly examining this vision and networking on the basis of this perspective.

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