I Heard This Whisper in the Night: Europe Will Rise Again
A personal revelation and a vision for the future
The Night Vision
It began not with a shout, but with a whisper. In the quiet watch of the night, in that place between sleep and waking, a clarity descended upon me that was unlike any ordinary thought. It was a voice, resonant and sure, speaking a simple, profound truth:
“Europe will rise again.”
But what is my business with Europe, I quipped? What’s the connection and why is this word coming to me?
The words hung in the air, charged with a divine weight. They were not a question, not a hope, but a declaration. A promise. And yet, they immediately sparked a deeper questioning within my spirit.
Rise again? The phrase implies a previous fall. If this was a promise of restoration, what had been lost? How had a continent so rich in history, faith, and culture—the very cradle of global Christianity and the Enlightenment—found itself in a position needing to rise?
So I decided to write this down as an exploration of that night vision. It is an attempt to understand the depth of the fall, so that we might truly appreciate the height and nature of the promised rise. It is a journey from diagnosis to hope, from acknowledging the shadows to anticipating the dawn.
Where Has Europe Fallen? The Seven Pillars of Crisis I could Think Of …
The voice spoke of a rise, but to understand that future, we must courageously assess the present. Europe’s fall is not one of economic collapse or military defeat, but a deeper, multi-layered decline.
- Spiritual Decline: The Empty Cradle
Once the burning heart of global missions, sending reformers and evangelists to the ends of the earth, Europe is now a post-Christ landscape. The great cathedrals stand as beautiful museums to a faith that has largely retreated. The revival fires of Wales, Azusa Street’s German roots, and the Wesleyan fervor that transformed society are embers growing cold. We see a form of godliness, but widespread denial of its power (2 Timothy 3:5). - Moral & Cultural Erosion: The Loss of North
Objective truth has been replaced by moral relativism and hyper-individualism. The sacred institutions of family and life are often treated as disposable preferences. The sanctity of life is challenged by policies on abortion and euthanasia, and spiritual apathy has become the norm, with faith often mocked in the public square. Those who once vehemently uphold the righteousness of God now shows great interest in the church of Satan. Those who once printed and distributed free Bibles worldwide, now join Satan to enforce the spread of LGTBQ-RSTUVWXYZ. I can only hope that the alphabets I added would be sufficient as things dips more. - Historical Guilt & Identity Crisis: The Shadow of the Past
Europe’s colonial legacy—a history of exploitation, slavery, and cultural destruction—casts a long shadow. This has bred a culture of shame, denial, and defensiveness. Instead of leading to repentance, this guilt has often created an identity vacuum, leaving Europe unsure of its values and paralyzed on the world stage. - Political Fragmentation & Weakness: A House Divided
The grand project of European unity is strained by internal nationalism, economic disparity, and bitter debates over sovereignty, immigration and rising disruptive political-religion. Brexit was a symptom of a deeper instability. This internal division weakens Europe’s ability to project cohesive strength or moral leadership globally. - Demographic Decline: A Fading People
Across the continent, birth rates have plummeted far below replacement levels. The result is an aging population, with fewer young people to drive the economy, innovate, and carry culture forward. A society that does not reproduce itself, either biologically or spiritually, is a society that begins to fade from history. - Loss of Global Relevance: From Center Stage to the Sidelines
The era of European empires is over. In its place is a continent that often reacts to global events rather than shaping them. Leadership in technology, innovation, and diplomacy is now wielded by the United States, China, and emerging powers. Europe’s voice is often fragmented, conflicted, and ideologically unclear. - A Form of Spiritual Justice? The Great Reversal
Perhaps one of the most profound signs of this fall is what could be seen as a divine reversal. The very nations in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean that European missionaries once evangelized are now experiencing explosive spiritual growth and demographic energy. Today, missionaries from these nations are coming to Europe, and migration is bringing the world to Europe’s gates. It is like a living echo of the Scripture: “The last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16). The nations once ruled are now inside the gates.
What Does “Rise Again” Mean? The Nature of the Promise
If the diagnosis is deep, the promise is profound. But we must be clear: this rise, if it is from God, cannot be a return to imperial pride, nationalist domination, or cultural arrogance. That was the old Europe. The promise is for something new. A humble yet properous Europe. A new fire for God.
This rise is about:
- Spiritual Awakening, not Secular Power: A fresh wave of the Holy Spirit reviving hearts across the continent, from pubs in Dublin to cafes in Paris, office blocks in Frankfurt and apartments in Warsaw.
- Humility, not Hubris: A rise founded on repentance. This means a true healing from colonial wounds—not through denial, but through acknowledgment, reconciliation, and a humble seeking of forgiveness.
- iRighteous Cooperative Leadership, not Global Dominance: Europe finding its voice to stand for truth, human dignity, and justice in a increasingly complex and darkening world. Leading by example, not by force.
- Unity in Spirit, not Just in Policy: A supernatural knitting together of hearts across ancient divides—North and South, East and West—forged in shared faith and purpose.
How Will It Happen? The Seeds of the Rise
The promise of a rise implies a path. God’s patterns are consistent throughout history.
- A Revival Led by the Unexpected: God uses the humble and the overlooked. This new revival may not be led from traditional pulpits, but through grassroots movements, migrant churches, and new monastic communities burning with passion.
- The Return of the Spiritual Children: This is perhaps the most beautiful potential part of the promise. The spiritual sons and daughters of Africa, Asia, and Latin America—whose ancestors found faith through European missionaries—are now arriving with vibrant, resilient faith to help rekindle the fire in the lands that grew cold. They are not a threat; they are an answer to prayer.
- Repentance as a Foundation: True strength begins with brokenness. A rising Europe must confess the sins of its past—both the historical sins of empire and the modern sins of pride, secularism, and apathy from God. This repentance is not weakness; it is the source of its future moral authority.
- A New Cultural Confidence: Healed from its guilt and renewed by its faith, Europe can rediscover a positive identity—one that celebrates its beautiful cultures and histories while firmly grounding them in timeless truth and open-handed generosity.
Final Word:
Europe has indeed fallen in many ways. But the grace of God does not abandon fallen people or places. It specializes in them. The promise whispered in the night is a call to prayer, to hope, and to participation.
This rise is possible. But it must be:
- Spirit-led, not man-driven
- Repentant, not nostalgic
- Righteous, not imperial
The dawn comes after the darkest night. Let us be among those who watch for it, pray for it, and welcome it.
Europe will rise again!
Amen.
For further reflection…
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14