News of a Brexit breakthrough was a very welcome Christmas present, and I trust and pray it will augur well for the year ahead.
Regaining independence
After the long, dark night of a pandemic that has blighted our country so badly this year, and shows every sign of continuing to do so, ‘Santa’ Boris Johnson brought festive cheer – in the nick of time – with an (admittedly imperfect) trade deal said to be worth £660 billion a year. The Daily Mail’s Christmas Eve banner headline – "Hallelujah! It’s a Merry Brexmas!" – said it all. And I take the use of the Hebrew word meaning ‘Praise the Lord’ as a prophetic statement.
Four-and-a-half years after a referendum that saw 17.4 million people vote to come out of Europe, we have finally broken away following painstaking negotiations with obstinate Eurocrats amid constant bickering at home. We have waved farewell to the globalist super-state apparently designed to bring peace and security following two world wars, but which has instead had us chained and fettered to laws and institutions that defied and constantly undermined our sovereignty. We have regained our independence. Hallelujah indeed!
National repentance required
What on earth possessed us in the first place to join an empire-building, modern Tower of Babel so soon after defeating Nazi dreams of world domination at a cost of 50 million lives? How were we so quickly mesmerised by similar aspirations of a global superpower in exchange for national sovereignty?
It was all a terrible mistake. But at least (as a nation) we have admitted that. Now we need to take the next step with an act of national repentance for the effects the European misadventure has had on our society.
How were we so quickly mesmerised by similar aspirations of a global superpower in exchange for national sovereignty?
Britain’s history of standing alone
In a brutal rape of our independence for which our forefathers fought and died, we have seen Brussels impose a strangulating hold on a once proud nation, with their godless secular humanism undermining our firm Judeo-Christian foundations.
We sold out to the devil, but God in his mercy has given us another chance to take up the noble calling he has long placed on our nation to be a light for Christ.
Against a bleak midwinter scenario, Britain stood alone when some 40 countries banned entry to our citizens as Covid spread its tentacles. We also stood alone in 1940 when the might and terror of Hitler’s forces prepared to invade. But a no-nonsense Mr Churchill (Mr Johnson’s hero) stepped up to the plate and, more to the point, the general populace answered the King’s call to prayer. Thousands queued outside churches around the country, while Rees Howells and his Bible College students persevered on their knees in Wales, and the Lord God Almighty heard our cries and saved us for another day.
Restoring our Judaeo-Christian foundations
That day has come. Now God is calling us to make the most of our independence and restore our Christian foundations, rebuilding the ancient ruins that are symbols of our past strength, and of our faith and hope. I am talking about the laws and statutes based on the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt Sinai and perfectly fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for our sins on Calvary and then poured out the Holy Spirit, who is able to write this law on our hearts.
What with plagues, pestilence and even strange movements in the starry host, we are witnessing many of the major signs indicating the nearness of the Second Coming, with the re-gathering of Jews to their ancient land key among them. And I believe the Lord has a special end-time role for Britain in preparing the way for his return, just as we laid the groundwork for the return to Israel of his chosen people a century ago.
God is calling us to make the most of our independence and restore our Christian foundations.
We’re an island for a reason – so that we could make a worldwide impact for Christ without interference or compromise. After all, aren’t we mentioned in dispatches by the prophet Isaiah some 2,700 years ago? Many believe it is the British Isles to which he refers when writing of the coming Messiah who would “bring forth justice” and in whose teaching the islands would “put their hope” (Isa 42:3f). These islands are mentioned twice more in that chapter – on the second occasion as a place where his praise would be proclaimed (verses 10-12).
Repealing godless laws
By exiting Europe 48 years after joining, we have effectively repealed a major Act of Parliament. And I pray that this signals the beginning of a reversal of many godless laws that have brought shame to our country so we can once more become a model nation with a parliament and judicial system that is the envy of the world.
We must repeal the Abortion Act, Same-Sex Marriage and a host of other laws that contradict our Judeo-Christian foundations, which are even inscribed in Latin on the floor of the House of Commons: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
Leading the way in gospel proclamation
Only by so doing will we be able to fulfil our role of leading the way in gospel proclamation, especially to Israel. In the 18th and 19th centuries we sent missionaries to the ends of the earth, helping to fulfil Christ’s Great Commission. In more recent times some of those countries have sent evangelists back to us, as a thank-offering, to revive our hope in Jesus. They are such a godsend, and it was a real encouragement to see the BBC focus on lively Pentecostal churches over Christmas – their spiritual vitality has been a virtual lifesaver for the British church.
In exulting over the awesome freedom Christ has procured for us through his sacrificial death on the cross, Charles Wesley wrote these triumphant words: “My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”
Nationally, our chains have been loosened; we are freer to serve Christ than we were before. Let us now urge our politicians to make the most of this opportunity by regrouping as a proud, independent nation following in the footsteps of the Man from Galilee.
