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HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123
Pasadena
July 24, 1983
Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:
A staggering turn in world events may occur suddenly at any day from now
on. God has been holding back these world-shaking events. But now they may
strike suddenly while the world least expects it.
The very first issue of The PLAIN TRUTH magazine appeared February
1934--just 50 years ago lacking about 6 months. The article starting on the
cover
page warned of a coming sudden appearance of a resurrected "Holy Roman
Empire" in Europe--a union of 10 nations in Europe under one government, with
one united military force. For 50 years I have been crying out to the world the
Bible prophecies of this coming "United States of Europe"--a NEW UNITED
SUPERPOWER PERHAPS MORE POWERFUL THAN EITHER THE SOVIET
UNION OR THE UNITED STATES!
No one believed me then. But since then the European Common Market has
appeared, with 10 nations cooperating commercially in a tariff-free common
market.
Also there have arisen in Europe two outstanding political leaders, both
writing and speaking out and writing books, saying "EUROPE MUST UNITE
POLITICALLY." One of those was called the "Strong Man of Europe," Dr. Franz
Josef Strauss. Some 12 years ago I entertained him at dinner in my home in
Pasadena, and he spoke to the faculty and students of Ambassador College. I have
maintained contact with him. He wrote the book The Grand Design.
The other arrived two weeks ago from Munich, West Germany, to have a
meeting with me. He is Dr. Otto von Habsburg, head of the 700-year-old House of
Habsburg, which ruled the Holy Roman Empire in the dynasty prior to Napoleon,
and one of the most prestigious royal families in Europe. Dr. Habsburg was born
the Archduke of Austria. His family was exiled during World War II, and he
rejected Nazism and sided with the Allies during the war. He has since renounced
his title. He very probably has a more clear grasp of international affairs than
any
man today. He is author of the famous book The Social Order of Tomorrow, giving
a design for reunification of Europe startlingly close to the biblical
description of
this prophesied resurrected Europe to occur just prior to the Second Coming of
Christ.
I had long wanted to meet Otto von Habsburg personally. I missed meeting
him in Athens, Greece, last November, returning from my visit to our churches in
South Africa and in Nairobi. However, Ellis La Ravia, vice president of the
Ambassador Foundation, had arrived in Athens a couple days ahead of me from
Pasadena. He attended a meeting there of the European Parliament, of which a
leading member is Dr. Habsburg, who expressed regret at missing a meeting with
me. He said then he would be so occupied with the then coming West German
elections and sessions of the European Parliament, the very first date he could
be
free would be July 10 of this year. He said that on that day he would fly to