Riots Rock Europe and Beyond

COVID-19-related riots have erupted in Europe as a reaction to nationwide lockdowns and isolation of the unvaccinated. Riot police in Brussels “were forced to use water cannon and tear gas as peaceful demonstrations turned violent” (Telegraph, November 22, 2021). Netherlands police opened fire on a crowd wounding four. Austria, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, and Switzerland also experienced demonstrations by citizens who see these aggressive restrictions as governmental overreach.

National governments point to rising COVID-19 rates and struggling health care systems as justification for extreme measures. Germany is debating forced vaccination of all citizens. Slovakia announced a “lockdown for the unvaccinated” (Euronews, November 19, 2021). Austria will require all citizens to be vaccinated beginning February 1 (AP, November 22, 2021). On France’s Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, riots have continued for days and caused road and travel closures across the island (AP, November 21, 2021).

Yet, COVID-related unrest is just one of Europe’s current ills. Analysts warn that Europe has entered a new stage of instability. “Accumulating external threats and internal divisions, coupled with a weakening US security alliance, relentless Russian subversion, and power-hungry China’s war on western values are exposing fundamental strategic weaknesses” (The Guardian, November 21, 2021). A power vacuum is growing, and some would argue that Europe needs a strong leader if it is to survive as a union. Bible prophecy foretells a coming time when ten leaders in Europe will give their power over to one strong, single leader (Revelation 17:12–13). This coming union of church and state will then control world commerce for a time. We are watching the continent descend into a type of chaos that will eventually see a temporary reprieve as Europe’s prophesied rise comes to pass. To learn more about what is coming for Europe, be sure to read or listen to The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?