Discover books from Instant Apostle.

Last year we interviewed Manoj Raithatha, pioneer of Christian publishing house Instant Apostle. Now Prophecy Today readers give their verdict on a selection of Instant Apostle books.

The Judas Trap: Why people mess up (and how to avoid joining them)

Derek Williams (2016)

Ian Farley comments.

This stimulating book takes a look at the infamous apostle, unpacking why he did what he did before asking how we can avoid acting in the same way. Williams takes a generous view of Judas and encourages us to think more carefully about him – which draws the reader in, although deeper theological questions about Judas’ betrayal are not dealt with at length.

Williams does not restrict himself to figures from the Bible, however, but also includes a plethora of modern illustrations that help unpack his points. Some of his comparisons are hard to swallow – nevertheless he does well to remind the reader that every human, no matter how given over to darkness, also has within them the possibility of turning back to the light. God does not give up on anyone.

Each chapter contains a list of suggestions for readers to apply, and the final chapter provides a good and helpful summary of the characteristics of the renewed Christian mind – the kind of people we are called to be. Thought-provoking, at times controversial, and eminently readable.

The Judas Trap (256pp) is available from Amazon for £5.75.

Refugee Stories: Seven personal stories behind the headlines

Dave Smith (2016)

Maureen Trowbridge comments.

These stories of the lives of refugees make disturbing reading – even as one learns of the persecution and traumas they endured before the dangerous journey to safety. Reading this book gives one a deeper understanding of their circumstances and engenders a growing compassion for them, plus an awareness that things often remain difficult for them even after reaching Britain.

The refugee crisis may well cause consternation by being something of a Trojan horse for Islamic extremists. In the face of this, it is good to be reminded of the genuine plight of so many hundreds of thousands fleeing the horrors of war, poverty and persecution.

The author of the book is the founder of the Boaz Trust which works with destitute asylum seekers. This book is both challenging and well worth reading.

Refugee Stories (225pp) is available for £9.98 (new) on Amazon.

Found By Love: A Hindu Priest Encounters Jesus Christ

Rahil Patel (2016)

Derek Bownds comments.

Found By Love tells the true story of Rahil Patel, a young Indian who was drawn deeply into Hinduism as a teenager and pursued the call to become a swami, a priest set aside to minister to the Hindu gods.

Despite being favoured in his new ‘calling’, Rahil grew restless with questions as he came across inconsistencies in Hinduism, religious practice that left him dissatisfied, and always a still small voice inside saying “You’re not supposed to be here. You’re in the wrong place.” Eventually, he abandoned his high-profile position and flew from India to London. One day he wandered into a church, and knew he had finally come home. He had been found by love – and over the next two years he was stripped of the scars of the past, and given new life.

This is the story of one who tried so hard to reach God by his own efforts but discovered that his standing before God depends entirely on Jesus. In place of a human guru, Rahil found the eternal Saviour. Instead of a title and rank and constant searching and doubt, he has been given sonship and truth. In place of rules, he has found grace and a loving community. How can it not be a good read?

“…one of the most enthralling books…once I started to read it I found it so absorbing I could not put it down. I thoroughly recommend it and feel sure you’ll feel the same about it too!” ~ Maureen Trowbridge

Found By Love (230pp) is available for £9.98 (new) on Amazon.

Join with us this week to test Smith Wigglesworth's 1947 prophecy of revival.

Smith Wigglesworth was a well-known evangelist. He had humble beginnings in life, took up the trade of a plumber and was then powerfully used in a world-wide ministry of evangelism with miraculous healings and miracles accompanying the ministry of the word. He lived from 8 June 1859 to 12 March 1947.¹

Shortly before he died in 1947, he delivered the following prophecy:

During the next few decades there will be two distinct moves of the Holy Spirit across the church in Great Britain. The first move will affect every church that is open to receive it, and will be characterised by the restoration of the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The second move of the Holy Spirit will result in people leaving historic churches and planting new churches. In the duration of each of these moves, the people who are involved will say, 'This is a great revival.' But the Lord says, 'No, neither is this the great revival but both are steps towards it.'

When the new church phase is on the wane, there will be evidence in the churches of something that has not been seen before: a coming together of those with an emphasis on the word and those with an emphasis on the Spirit.

When the word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest move of the Holy Spirit that the nations, and indeed, the world have ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and Welsh revivals of former years.

The outpouring of God's Spirit will flow over from the United Kingdom to mainland Europe, and from there, will begin a missionary move to the ends of the earth.

Our purpose in highlighting these prophecies in Prophecy Today is to ask our readers to test them afresh, especially with the upcoming EU Referendum in mind. What is God doing in the world in these crucial days? What is he saying to our nation as a whole and to the Church in particular?

God uses the ministry of prophecy in our day but rather differently from Old Testament time. Since the special Day of Pentecost when God began to pour out his Spirit on all believers, the New Covenant brought about a new way when all believers would know God personally. Prophecy comes in whatever way God chooses and it then becomes a matter for our local communities to test together.

Over the weeks leading up to the Referendum of 23 June it is wise for our local Christian communities to seek the Lord for what he has said historically and what he is saying now.

Testing Smith's Prophecy

Last week we considered Mother Barbara's prophecy and sought to discover if it contained an accurate word for the UK. If so, the call to prayer, especially among our women-folk, would be critical in the saving of our nation.

Nevertheless, we have to admit that there were some questions relating to the prophecy that were hard to untangle, such as what it meant for a nation to be saved, especially when no conditions were given except the response to engage in faithful prayer.

Smith Wigglesworth's prophecy is of equal magnitude, but also provokes some questions:

• What of the timing and the validity? Next year the prophecy will be 70 years old. Would that fit with the "During the next few decades" of the first sentence?
• Was Smith Wigglesworth foreseeing the charismatic revival which some would say now needs the stability of a revival in the study of the Bible?
• Is a new thirst for Bible study occurring in our day, and is the dissatisfaction with traditional denominations in our day a manifestation of what was prophesied?
• Finally, will we really witness such an outpouring of God's Spirit as was prophesied? If so, does this have a bearing on our position in or out of the EU?

We encourage you to pray through these and other questions communally, using the 12 tests of prophecy featured in our last issue of Prophecy Today. See what God says and how the prophetic word for our nation is emerging over the coming weeks. Please share any useful insights below.

Next Week: Jean Darnall's visions

References

1 A brief introduction to his life and ministry can be found here.