An Anatolian Awakening

Evidence found for past and future biblically prophesied earthquakes

Historic events and upheavals point to biblical truth

Prescribing an antidote for a troubled world bombarded by bad news

I read this week, with the faintest molecule of sympathy, of a 28-year-old film star who can’t seem to enjoy a day without being bombarded by the world’s troubles. Poor thing! How she would love to be permanently cocooned from reality in her make-believe world.

But yes, we are constantly assaulted by so much bad news, fake news, propaganda and general noise that we scarcely feel able to think. Mind-boggling.

But here is some good news you may not have heard. Amidst the horror of the Indonesian tsunami, I heard of a pilot who, prompted by God, took off from the very epicentre of the disaster three minutes ahead of schedule – not knowing what was about to happen – thereby saving his 140 passengers from certain death.¹ What made the difference? His mind was in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, however, that is not the norm. Both children and adults are spending a great part of their waking hours allowing their minds to be filled with so much that is destructive and unedifying. Even Christians have fallen for this. No wonder they are being so ineffective in winning a lost generation for Christ. Is there a way out? Well, switching off and allowing the Creator to speak into their lives would be a start.

Mind Over Muscle

Also this week, I was travelling south by train sitting next to a young man reading a book called ‘Mind over Muscle’ - or something like that. I could see he was engrossed, so declined to interrupt and got out my Bible, reading through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which speaks much of the importance of the mind – how we need to focus, concentrate and meditate on the word of God, the ultimate wisdom for living.

He writes about “being one in spirit and of one mind” and having “the same mindset” as Christ. He also talks of enemies of the Cross who have “their mind set on earthly things”. He pleads with those at odds with each other “to be of the same mind in the Lord” and adds that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:2, 2:5, 3:19, 4:2, 4:7).

Both children and adults are spending a great part of their waking hours allowing their minds to be filled with much that is destructive and unedifying – even Christians have fallen for this.

In his letter to the Roman believers, Paul urges them not to conform to the pattern of the politically-correct world of their day (when homosexuality even among the emperors was particularly prevalent), but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom 12:2).

The Prophet Isaiah says: “You will keep in perfect peace those who minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa 26:3).

In Training

My fellow traveller and I were both getting off at the same station, so when he closed his book I asked him if he was a runner. He sure was; in fact, he was an ‘Iron Man’ competing around the world in extraordinarily tough triathlons (taking in a two-mile swim, a marathon and a lengthy cycling course). I have also run many marathons, so there was much to share in the few minutes we had left.

But the point is that we were both reading up on the importance of the mind in our respective commitments. As a runner myself, I know the importance of the mind in determining whether you make it – simply to the finish or to a medal perhaps. You have to jettison the negative thoughts and soak up the positive as you run the race with both body and mind.

The author completes a 10K trail at Castle Howard in Yorkshire in 2010.

It always worked with me – except once, in the Scottish Marathon of 1972, and that disappointment helped to bring me into an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Mind over muscle certainly works; I have proved that in my own experience.

But a mind that is filled with negative news, soap operas from which you need spiritual cleansing and endless Radio 1 music, will rob us of peace. God wants to speak into our lives with his words of wisdom, insight and guidance, but most of us are shutting him out and paying the price as we reap the chaotic, meaningless and immoral harvest into which we have sown.

In Hebraic thinking, the heart is the seat of the mind – in other words, we dedicate our souls and desires to what we have been focusing our minds upon. What we have ‘worshipped’ with our time – be it TV, social media or music – will evolve into a ‘golden calf’ (idol or false god) that can offer us neither hope, direction, purpose nor stability in life.

Many of us – even those who sit in church pews – have effectively been brainwashed in our political, ideological and sociological thinking by BBC news bulletins, television dramas and the like, rather than having our minds informed, washed and cleansed by the word of God.

In Hebraic thinking, the heart is the seat of the mind – in other words, we worship whatever we focus our minds upon.

Passion and Teamwork

Back to a sporting analogy. I have enjoyed watching the Ryder Cup – and golf is another pursuit very much played out in the mind. Although my older brother Rob hit the ball further than me when we played together as youngsters, I would usually beat him in the end because when it came to the tricky, delicate play around the greens, he was generally not up to it.

At the Ryder Cup in Paris last weekend, Europe’s 12 heroes won convincingly (against the odds) thanks to what I’ve dubbed the ‘Poulter Passion’ – demonstrated by the total commitment and focus of mind of players like Ian Poulter, along with their obvious teamwork.

Today’s Church could well do with 12 ‘apostles’ of this sort of calibre, striving together as one with a burning passion to win as many as possible for Christ.

Finally, I was struck by the testimony of a man once heavily involved in satanism who was released from terrible darkness by an encounter with Jesus. After a difficult period of disappointment later on, he experienced a breakthrough when, on the advice of his pastor, he began ‘renewing his mind’ by immersing himself in God’s word.²

References

1 A Miracle In Indonesia. Pilot Says He ‘Heard God’s Voice’ And Saved Hundreds. Joy! News, South Africa, 4 October 2018.

2 The story of Pastor Greg Hibbins, HEART News, October/November 2018. For more information, see www.heartpublications.co.uk

A world shaken by earthquakes and violence can soon expect the Prince of Peace

As the Western world wobbles, rumblings of earthquakes are sending out worrying signals in Israel. The two are connected, I believe.

A quick succession of quakes have rocked parts of Galilee, significantly the region where Jesus lived and conducted much of his earth-shaking ministry which changed the world forever.

He warned that his coming again would be preceded by a number of signs including strange weather patterns – and particularly an increase in earthquakes comparable to the onset of birth pains on a pregnant woman (Matt 24:7f). As they become more frequent and severe, we will know his coming is near.

It so happens that a very big one is due in Israel, according to geologists. When a 6.5 magnitude quake struck Galilee in 1837, it killed up to 7,000 people.¹

The Prophet Zechariah actually predicts that a devastating quake will accompany the return of the Messiah to Jerusalem. So we could be witnessing the closing stages of the present age. Are we ready to face the Judge of all mankind? Are we presiding over righteous laws?

The Bible Criminalised

Here in Britain, freedoms won at great cost are being jettisoned in favour of a new intolerance of those who hold the biblical views on which the country’s great institutions were founded.

You couldn’t make it up, but a man was arrested for reading the Bible outside St Paul’s Cathedral (apparently at the instigation of staff there)² where, nearly 500 years ago, the Bishop of London burnt copies of the Bible in protest at the effrontery of William Tyndale in daring to translate God’s word into a language we could all understand (i.e. not Latin). Tyndale was later burnt at the stake, with St Paul’s staff again implicated in this travesty of justice.

We could be witnessing the closing stages of the present age. Are we ready to face the Judge of all mankind?

The man recently arrested was simply reading aloud the King James Bible, virtually the same as the one for which Tyndale was martyred – 80% of the King James New Testament is Tyndale’s work.

It would seem that this incident is related to a case in Bristol early last year concerning the arrest of a street preacher when a Crown Prosecution Service lawyer told magistrates that publicly quoting from the King James Bible “in the context of modern British society must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter”.

It is against this background that Christian charity Barnabas Fund is campaigning to ‘Turn the Tide’ against the erosion of religious freedom and calling for a new law to protect it.

Violence and Chaos

Before returning from a visit to the capital earlier this week, I picked up a copy of the London Evening Standard³ and was greeted with the front page headline ‘How do we turn the tide?’ – referring to the latest teenage victim of the violence which has swept the city in recent months.

This is another sign of the end times. For Jesus also said: “Just as it was in the days of Noah [which were marked by violence], so will it be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26).

As the paper launched a special investigation into its causes, they are discovering – surprise, surprise – that its roots lie in what police call ‘adverse child experiences’ (ACEs). In other words, in the home, which is what many of us have been saying for decades.

The home is the breeding ground either for good or for evil, which is why it is so important for legislators to place the welfare of the family above all else. But instead the family is under severe attack from all sides.

But there is hope, according to a recent survey⁴ which found, among other things, that teenagers now enjoy spending more time with family. It certainly seems that they are crying out for meaning and purpose; for something bigger than themselves.

The home is the breeding ground either for good or for evil.

Suicide is another big killer among the young, fuelled in part by the superficial hedonism encouraged by the media which soon enough leaves its victims feeling empty and worthless. Violence is even perpetrated on a massive scale in the so-called interests of ‘health’ – nine million babies have been butchered before birth since the Abortion Act was passed more than 50 years ago. And we call ourselves civilised.

Peace, or War?

In addressing the protest against President Trump’s visit to Britain, Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I wish to live in a world of peace, not of war.”⁵ Quite apart from the hypocrisy of such a statement from someone who has referred to terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah as ‘friends’ and has failed to effectively deal with anti-Semitism in his own party, it betrays extreme naivety. After all, Mr Trump managed to get the world’s most feared dictator to the negotiating table. Was that not a gesture of peace?

Yes, we all want peace, and it is possible, but only through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Yet there is a paradox here which needs to be understood. Jesus came as the long prophesied Prince of Peace (see Isa 9:6) who would ultimately bring war to an end at his second appearance when people “will beat their swords into ploughshares” (Isa 2:4).

But he also came as one who divides. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt 10:34). This was a warning that choosing him would cause division even among families because he stands as the ultimate test of whether you are for or against God. He is God come in the flesh. Those who are for God choose him; those who are against God reject him, leaving them as enemies of both God and his disciples.

Jesus came as the long prophesied Prince of Peace who will ultimately bring war to an end, but he also came as one who divides.

And yet he has bridged the gap between sinful man and a holy God by taking the punishment for sin we all deserve. God the Father has heaped all our sins on him so that we can enter his presence free of sin, and at peace with both God and man.

In addition, the barrier of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been broken at the cross where Jesus died; that is where you will find true peace among men. It is no fairy-tale; I have seen both Jew and Arab embracing one another in reconciliation through their common love for Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, after discovering what he has done for them at the Cross (see Eph 2:14-18).

True Security

Meanwhile, as Israeli residents – especially in Galilee – watch out for further ground movements with a degree of trepidation, we are reminded of what the Prophet Haggai reports the Lord Almighty as saying: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations [the Messiah] will come, and I will fill this house with glory” (Hag 2:6f).

The New Testament Letter to the Hebrews reminds its hearers of this word, adding: “The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (Heb 12:26f).

The world around us is tottering. But are we secure? Are we living in a world which cannot be shaken because of our absolute trust in the Lord?

Notes

1 Jerusalem News Network, 9 July 2018, quoting the Jerusalem Post. 

2 Barnabas Fund, 10 July 2018.

3 17 July 2018.

4 Conducted by British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

5 Daily Mail, 14 July 2018.

What can Christians expect from the coming times of volatility - and how can we prepare?

As was announced last week, we at Prophecy Today believe that God will not now hold back from shaking Britain. For many years his warning signs have not been heeded - signs of the very same nature that Amos highlighted when he warned Israel of their departure from the ways of God (Amos 4).

In Britain there has been a long-standing expectation of a severe economic shaking - even in secular circles. This financial shaking will surely be more severe than that which accompanied the hurricane which hit the south of England in 1987, impacting the markets in the following days.

One might have thought the recession of 2007, seen as the greatest since the Great Depression of the 1930s, was the severe shaking that we were expecting. Now it seems that even this was a warning shock pointing to something much more severe ahead.

God’s Shakings Are Immense

The Book of Revelation predicts the fall of all the cities of the nations (Rev 16:19) and some see in Revelation 18 the foretelling of a total, global financial collapse in the space of just an hour (Rev 18) – a phenomenon which would not have been possible just a few decades ago, but which today could happen very easily. Whatever shaking is coming to Britain in the near future will likely be a precursor of this, though not the final woe that impacts the world.

In Britain, even in secular circles, there has been a long-standing expectation of a severe economic shaking.

God’s shakings are immense, nevertheless. Clifford Hill, in last week’s editorial, took us back to the times of Jeremiah to liken what is happening in Britain to the judgment that was about to fall on Judah. Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem just as Jesus did around 600 years later, when he prophesied its fall under the Romans, including the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

The return of Israel to God following this major shaking and her second exile into diaspora is still not complete.

So let’s take the fallout of an imminent shaking in Britain very seriously. If Jerusalem was not preserved, who are we to say that a dramatic collapse could not occur to once-protected Britain?

Obvious Weaknesses

A financial recession or collapse would, of course, impact incomes, savings, businesses and investments, with enormous consequences. People would fall on hard times. But there is a possibility here of even greater fallout: a breakdown of law and order.

There is already an atmosphere of discontent with and distrust of authority enveloping the country, especially among young people. This could easily turn into resentment, and violence could erupt on our streets.

A brief perusal of the political scene in Britain reveals a landscape ripe for volatility: a perceived weak Conservative Government appearing to fail with Brexit (or even appearing to succeed!), Government failure to fulfil election promises, health and care systems on the brink of collapse. There is also the possibility of another general election and the Labour Party led by Corbyn coming to power, which itself could dramatically fail, further dampening the hopes of many. The weaknesses are many and obvious, with tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire brewing up to a fervour problems that have already been bubbling away for some time.

Yet, for the Church, this is not an entirely negative picture. We must see it as a day of opportunity for the Gospel. But how will it be to minister in such troubled times?

Prepare!

Consider the interval between Malachi’s prophecies and the coming of Jesus – the 400 ‘silent years’ when God seemed to be inactive. We know that by the time Jesus came to minister to the poor and proclaim the Kingdom, many were demonised and many were sick with incurable diseases. Surely we will find the same when God opens the door for the Church to minister to the needy in Britain, during and after the coming shaking.

A brief perusal of the political scene in Britain reveals a volatile landscape – but this is not an entirely negative picture.

Already we see many people in our nation falling for the temptations of satan and living – or merely existing - outside of the protection of God. Family life is disintegrating, as in the time of Malachi, as a sign of this. The consequences are already telling on many lives, just as in the days of Jesus.

It will not simply be a case of food banks and extra financial support. We will need to be ready with the full scope of spiritual ministries at the time designated by God for a call to repentance that many may yet heed. For the events ahead will lie completely within the redemptive purposes of God.

We may have just a short time to consider this and so the word for the Church today, in this context, surely must be "PREPARE"!

But How?

I would suggest that the first part of our preparation be in our attitude. For those of us who have warned of the decline in our nation for so long, it is all too easy to have the judgmental attitude of Jonah who was sent to Ninevah. We should instead have the attitude of Jeremiah and Jesus who wept over the fall of Judah. When did we last weep for the people of our nation?

We must seek to understand the mindset of this generation, especially amongst young people. Why do they believe what they believe and do what they do? Through understanding and sympathy we will be more ready and able to help when doors of opportunity open.

Secondly, we must turn to prayer. The strategy of prayer triplets was very successful for the evangelistic ministry of Billy Graham (called Mission England) in the 1980s. What strategy for prayer will the Holy Spirit give us for the coming days of ministry in our nation?

We will need to be ready with the full scope of spiritual ministries at the time designated by God for a call to repentance that many may yet heed.

Thirdly, let us fan up the flames of the ministries in our churches. How will we deal with someone needing deliverance or healing as they make steps towards acceptance of the Gospel? How will we minister to those who will emerge with confusion and fear?

Let us be honest: if our spiritual life has dried up leaving a lifeless religiosity in its place, now is the time to seek God for personal revival and re-commissioning for the days ahead. Through watching and praying we must seek to understand the times we are in and the subtle tactics of our spiritual adversary who finds ways of deceiving Christians as well as unbelievers.

Fourthly, of course, we must prepare prayerfully for the practical helps that will be needed when this nation is shaken.

Being Ready

Some years ago, when I lived in Gorseinon close to where the 1904 Welsh Revival broke out, I asked an elderly neighbour about her experience of the revival. I had the following answer: “Oh dear no, that was in the chapels. It passed the churches by”.

Let us be sure that we are ready to serve and participate when the day of harvest comes to us. We do not want to let the opportunity pass us by.

A call to come out of Europe forms a significant thrust to a prophecy of a financial earthquake set to strike Britain.

The prophecy was expounded in a book first published in 1997, and was partially fulfilled by the serious recession of 2008.

But it is believed the 'big one' is yet to come and that it will shake the foundations of the City of London – the world's foremost financial centre – and probably be accompanied by a physical 'quake as judgment on a nation that has forsaken the God of the Bible.

Earthquake in the City?

The book, Earthquake in the City, published by Jesus Is Alive Ministries and co-authored by Clifford Denton and Paul Slennett, takes an in-depth look at the nature of the prophecy, along with its implications and the need for repentance.

Though given to Southend-based Christian bookseller Paul Slennett way back in 1989, it is as relevant today as ever, particularly with next week's EU referendum in mind.

The prophecy speaks of "alarm bells sounding all over Europe" and of an earthquake that will "swallow up the whole City. Whole companies and city institutions will collapse...some never to rise again."

It calls for Church-led repentance which, if taken up, will lead to revival. Then it adds: "In regard to Europe, come out of her...for she will align herself with the Beast and the False Prophet who will arise and appear for just a short while."

This echoes a biblical passage from the Book of Revelation (chapter 18) on the ultimate destruction of a great, but evil, world power – compared to ancient Babylon – that will arise in the last days before Jesus returns.

The prophecy, received in 1989, calls for Church-led repentance which, if taken up, will lead to revival.

Britain Built on Revival

Earthquake in the City reminds us of our Christian heritage, and especially of the Coronation Oath of 1688 through which we have vowed allegiance to the Protestant faith. We are reminded that it was the 18^th Century evangelical revivals that paved the way for 19^th Century social reform including the building of hospitals, the abolition of slavery and child labour, and the introduction of schools for all.

But now we are in the process of throwing away our freedoms, for which we have fought at great cost. Key among these is the undermining of our sovereignty by Europe on an ever-increasing scale. Laws based on the Ten Commandments have now been supplanted by others reflecting secular values and moral relativism.

In addition, Britain – and the Church, which ought to be influencing the nation – should repent of passing godless laws allowing abortion, easy divorce, homosexuality and general promiscuity. And the City will be in the eye of the storm of a coming crash because we have made an idol of the economy. Much of the debate on next week's Referendum has centred on this factor, whereas few have raised the issue of the undemocratic values represented by the EU, or of its disturbing resemblance to the evil world system described in the last book of the Bible (Revelation).

The book warns us of throwing away our hard-won freedoms, including via the EU.

Revival to Come – If There is Repentance

Earthquake in the City also calls on Britain to repent over its betrayal of the Jews, for whom she was given the inestimable privilege of guiding them to statehood. It didn't prevent Israel's re-birth, but we could have done so much more to help them at a time when they were threatened with extinction.

We have allowed godlessness to come in like a flood, and we haven't raised a standard. But, as already mentioned, the prophecy adds a promise of revival if the nation repents.

This week: Paul's Slennett's prophecy about an earthquake in Britain.

The words of this prophecy came to Paul Slennett at an Intercessors for Britain meeting in 1989. He was woken abruptly in the night and found himself writing the words as if they were being dictated. I helped Paul to test the prophecy and we then wrote a book together entitled Earthquake in the City.

Despite being closely involved in the publication of the prophecy I, nevertheless, am endeavouring to take a neutral position in writing this article, including it in this series for the purpose of communal testing. If it is from God, then it carries a serious warning which must prompt a response. Even if at this late stage it is shown to be an invalid prophecy, then it must be rejected.

The Big Picture

Over the last few weeks an overall picture of what God is saying to our nation may have been building up as we have taken seriously the task of testing prophecies about Britain given over many years. Aspects of these prophecies may be especially relevant in light of the coming Referendum on 23 June, relating to our membership of the EU.

If we have our Bibles open while testing these prophecies, and if the prophecies themselves are valid, we should find that they fit well into the overall framework of prophetic fulfilment in which we live. For any age there are particular details within the general picture and to fill in these details is one reason why God may speak.

Another reason why God has spoken through prophecy through the ages is that at such times his own people have become rather negligent in discerning the times. Unfortunately, it is at such a time that the prophetic voice is often rejected. "Why should God speak through that man or woman and not to me?", might be the response, or, "We are doing fine, so why am I being confronted with these rantings?" or, plain and simple, "I don't want to listen". The prophetic task is never easy, and testing prophecy is just as hard as delivering it.

Sometimes God speaks through prophecy when his own people have become negligent in discerning the times.

Paul Slennett's Prophecy

The following is Paul Slennett's prophecy, in full:

My children, the alarm bells are sounding all over Europe, for judgment is being spoken out over the nations. Over your nation, Great Britain, a mighty earthquake is about to occur, an earthquake that will swallow up the whole City. Whole companies and city institutions will collapse in this earthquake, some never to rise again.

My judgment that has been withheld for so long must now be unleashed on your nation in order that my church repent and lead this nation in repentance, for I am a righteous and holy God, just in all my ways, a God who longs to show mercy, but one who will no longer tolerate the unrighteousness of my dear church. It is out of love that I visit this nation with judgment - you must know that this must always be the case. My children, repent now before it is too late, for already the day of my return draws near and you must not be found wanting, like the virgins who did not fill their lamps with oil; but awake, my children, and be my watchmen, and speak with a prophetic voice of the judgment that is about to come upon the nations.

If you repent and turn from your wicked ways, I will visit your nation, Great Britain, once again, not with judgment, but with revival power, and I will protect you from all the strategy of the enemy.

In regard to Europe, come out of her, my dear children, for she will align herself with the Beast and the False Prophet who will arise and appear for just a short while. My children, take heart, for I am with you always. Do not give up, but pray without ceasing and see the salvation of your God.

Weighing and Testing

Here are some points to consider:

• To whom is the prophecy addressed? 'My children' seems to imply that it is to the Church within the nation.
• What are the 'alarm bells'? When the prophecy was presented to the leaders of an Intercessors for Britain meeting, there were unusual weather patterns over Europe, but much more has happened since then. If valid, perhaps the prophecy was given much earlier than was thought at the time. Did God foresee, in 1989, the border and migrant problems in Europe and also the fragile economic conditions that are visible now? What else might these warning bells be?
• What would the nature of the earthquake be? This has caused much discussion, especially during the writing of the book. With physical earthquakes in many other countries, could this be a physical earthquake coming even to London, or is it a metaphor for a financial shaking? We have already experienced financial shaking and economists predict there is more to follow.
  • On the side of the physical earthquake, the very weekend when Kingsway were about to decide whether to publish the book, a national newspaper contained a warning from the British Geological Survey that Britain is overdue for a major earthquake, which we received at the time as a prophetic confirmation. Such earthquakes have occurred historically around once every 200 years. The mainstream media occasionally report with some sensationalism an impending, devastating quake,¹ although experts can never predict with accuracy when, where and with what magnitude such an event may occur. However, it remains that a significant earthquake occurring in Britain is a scientific possibility.
  • When we consider the way God gave advanced warning of the Hillsborough stadium disaster and our recent reflections on how we might have brought warning, we realise how important it is to test this part of the prophecy. Additionally, there have been some Christians who have had dreams or visions of buildings collapsing in London, but what is the Lord really saying? Perhaps if we prayerfully test this prophecy together then he will give further insight and take away our uncertainties.
• It was while this prophecy was being tested, during the writing of the book, that insight was given concerning the centrality of the Coronation Oath to our nation, against which we can assess the nation's falling away from God's ways, especially in the liberalisation of many of our laws.
• Notice that a condition is given in the third paragraph (which we look for in relation to Jeremiah 18:7-8).
• The reason why it is particularly important to test this prophecy at this time is that it includes a clear injunction to come out of Europe. During the writing of the book we reasoned that the only way out would be if a treaty could be re-negotiated, but at the time we foresaw no way, outside of an act of God, for such an opportunity to come about. Now, with such an opportunity, do we really see this as given by God?
• It may seem alarming to speak of the Beast and the False Prophet in regard to the EU, but is this similar to what Boris Johnson spoke about (in a more political way) last weekend, when he warned about the EU fulfilling, in a different way, what the Nazis had in mind?
• If the prophecy is valid then what is the timing? How does it fit with the overriding prophecy from Haggai concerning the shaking of the nations, which we believe is imminent (if not happening right now)? Could it be that we are being shown no less than the fall of cities in the anti-Christian world foretold in Revelation 18:19? Could this be the importance for Britain of taking a first step to repentance by coming out of the EU?

If this prophecy is correct it will fit into the general picture of other prophecies that we can see being fulfilled. Please join us in testing it very carefully, and do contribute to the discussion.

Next time: Some recent prophecies received by Prophecy Today UK.

References

1 E.g. see Connor, S. Expert predicts 5.5 magnitude earthquake could hit London at any time. The Independent, 16 September 2010.

As the dust settles in Nepal, Charles Gardner considers the prophetic significance of earthquakes...

Frightening scenes of the earth shaking in the Himalayan region, bringing death and destruction to Kathmandu while trapping climbers in an avalanche, are stark reminders of our insecurity on this planet.

And although this is a terrible tragedy for the people of Nepal, where thousands of helpless souls were caught in its grip, I believe this is a prophetic sign from heaven as the mountain range known as the 'rooftop of the world' threatens to bring the 'house' down – that is, everything we have held safe and dear during our temporary stay on terra firma.

Wake-Up Call for Israel

In fact, a recent Jerusalem Post editorial referred to the first Nepalese earthquake as a "wake-up call" to Israel, urging the government to ensure that the nation is better prepared for a similar disaster, pointing out that the Jewish state lies on a 'fault' line which runs down the Jordan Valley and that a quake could strike at any moment.¹

Experts have been warning for a number of years that Israel is at risk of a big earthquake in the near future.

Reinforcements are still necessary for schools, hospitals and other public buildings more than 35 years old (ie built before stricter quake-resistance regulations were introduced). Apparently Israel experiences a serious quake every 80-100 years, and the last one occurred in 1927.²

The findings for such a scenario (prepared for Israel five years ago) – that a quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale (less than Nepal's) would kill an estimated 16,000 people and render 377,000 homeless – are sobering indeed.³

Earthquake Prophesied at Jesus' Return

Yes, it's scary, and we should prepare for the worst. However, such an apocalyptic vision will inevitably become reality for Israel – it's in the Bible! The prophet Zechariah foretells of a time, at the end of the age, when all the nations would come against Jerusalem, causing terrible distress. But the Lord himself will go out and fight them in the day of battle.

On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. (Zech 14:4)

In a recent blog for the Times of Israel,⁴ I mentioned how Yeshua, the Jewish rabbi whom Christians (and a growing number of Jews) worship as Messiah, indicated that earthquakes would strike with increasing frequency and severity, as labor pains on a woman in childbirth, immediately preceding his return.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns in glory, he will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will split in two"

And the New Testament records that it was from the Mount of Olives that – 40 days after Passover – the risen Jesus ascended to Heaven. Luke, thought to be the only Gentile to have authored any book of the Bible, said Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.' (Acts 1:9-11)

Verse 12 tells you that this dramatic incident occurred on the Mount of Olives. So we believe that Yeshua, when he returns, will place his feet there and the ensuing quake will shake the foundations of every man and woman on the planet.

Solid Foundations

We must ensure that the foundations of our lives are solid, rooted in an absolute trust of Elohim⁵, and not just in our temporary homes on this earth, so that when everything else shakes around us, we at least emerge with our faith intact. And when all is said and done, that's what really matters. For all who have not built their 'house' on the only strong foundation there is will be left naked, ashamed and forlorn.

If the foundations of our lives are solid, rooted in absolute trust of God, then as everything else shakes we will emerge with our faith intact."

Famous British author and journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, in his book Jesus Rediscovered, wrote:

The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves to be at home here on earth. As long as we are aliens, we cannot forget our true homeland.⁶

There are many people, including Christians, who are convinced things will get progressively better. Their worldview is based on a utopian aspiration that believes our efforts can bring heaven to earth. But as Jews for Jesus international director David Brickner says, this is not the worldview the Bible presents:

Anyone who thinks things will become progressively better in our world either hasn't heard or hasn't believed what Jesus said in the Olivet discourse (in which he discussed the end of the age). In a word, it is cataclysm, defined as 'a flood, a deluge, any violent change involving sudden and extensive alterations, an upheaval, a social or political one'.⁷

Brickner states: "Jesus says to expect a geopolitical, religious, economic, ecological, sociological and astronomical cataclysm".⁸ But as the world around us disintegrates, if we believe and trust in Yeshua, he promises to help us, strengthen us and guide us to a bright and beautiful eternal future where the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).

References

1 Nepal wake-up call, 26 April 2015.

2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.

4 Earth-shaking events are signs from heaven, 29 April 2015.

5 This Hebrew name for God (Gen 1:1) traditionally signifies God as Creator and Judge of all.

6 Fontana, 1969, p30-31.

7 Dystopia: the truth behind the fiction, May 2014.

8 Ibid.