What is Rome’s role in the end times?

Rome, when used in “end times” context, refers to what is expected by scholars to be a revival of the ancient Roman Empire as the foundation for the political entity over which the Antichrist will initially rule. It’s really interesting: Daniel is the first one to prophesy concerning the Roman Empire (Daniel 2), and he’s doing it at a time before the first one even existed, along with talking about another future one (Daniel 7). And then John (in Revelation) talks about it before the one he is currently experiencing has collapsed (in fact, it was arguably at its historic high point) in Revelation 13 and 17. Scholars point to today’s European Union as a possible precursor of what will become this revived Roman Empire. The Scriptures talk about a confederation of 10 nations that will be ruling in relative harmony when the Antichrist initially comes on the scene; this is after the Rapture. Since the European Union consists of more than 10 nations, it is thought that, absent some nations abandoning that union, that the future Roman Empire will consist more accurately of 10 “regions” versus specific countries, which would still keep it in line with prophecy. Eventually, of course, the Antichrist will rule the world, but only in the timing of God, who will use the Antichrist (and the Tribulation in which he rules) to fulfill His own final plans for the world. God, not the Antichrist, will eventually reign supreme, and forever.