We need not be dismayed - though the earth may shake around us.
The imagery of the Book of Revelation gives a picture of an immense end-time spiritual battle when the powers of darkness and evil are active. This seems very much like the day in which we live, eventually of course moving towards that glorious, victorious day when the Lord Jesus returns to bring in the Kingdom of God. Until then we will need to persevere through days of battle and trial.
Recent history shows us that the “wars and rumours of wars” that Jesus prophesied (Matt 24:6) are indeed a full part of our present-day human experience. Most recently, the horrific disasters in our nation show us that the physical fallout of the spiritual battle is coming very close to home.
Yet not all of the fallout is so easy to discern. Satan’s ways proceed on many fronts, including deception and flattery - so that those he manipulates can think good is evil and evil good.
Earthly Signs of a Heavenly Battle
Central to the battle for the UK is our withdrawal from the European Union. So-called ‘Brexit’ has not turned out to be as easy as was hoped. It has become the centre of the spiritual battle for our nation. Our spiritual adversary will use circumstances to gradually build doubts and cultivate mind-sets that could neutralise the fervour to withdraw cleanly from the EU.
Among those beguiled by the swirling tides of the spiritual battle is Tony Blair, who finds it difficult not to tinker away in the background. There have long been conspiracy theories about the grey-suited men of Europe who meet in private to influence world affairs from behind the scenes. The Bilderberger Group, for instance, a group of powerful politicians and businessmen, are known to have met regularly over many years to chart the course of Europe’s future.
Recent disasters in our nation show that the physical fallout of the spiritual battle is coming close to home.
Tony Blair. See Photo Credits.It is with such people that Tony Blair has been meeting recently, to now come forward with proposals for the UK to remain in a so-called ‘reformed’ EU in a new outer ring. We can be sure he is being beguiled by spirits of darkness to bring forward suggestions to compromise our withdrawal from the EU – all the while thinking himself Britain’s saviour. EU leaders are determined to keep Britain under the jurisdiction of EU law, which is the very thing from which we wish to be set free.
Similarly, there is a battle raging around the Prime Minister to bring her and the Government down. She herself is subject, directly or indirectly, to sinister spiritual attacks to weaken, confuse, disorientate, isolate and undermine confidence.
These are manifestations on earth of the spiritual battle in the heavenlies.
Earthquakes Ahead!
Why is it not as easy as we hoped? Are there more hard times ahead for the UK? This is the serious warning given by Clifford Hill in last week’s editorial. It made me think again of the prophecy that was given to Paul Slennett some years ago which I have supported, especially by sharing in the writing of the book Earthquake in the City.
Membership of the EU is not the only issue on the Lord God’s agenda for the UK. He also wants us to return to him wholeheartedly. This is the key to our understanding why, though we are moving in the right direction in coming out of Europe, that it is through troubled not easy times. The signs are that the Lord’s protection is not secure over this nation. There is a call to repentance in the midst of all else.
God wants us to return to him wholeheartedly – that’s why our exit from the EU is through troubled, not easy, times.
Paul Slennett heard from the Lord, at an Intercessors for Britain conference in 1989, that a “mighty earthquake is about to occur. An earthquake that will swallow up the whole city”. Was this to be a financial earthquake, a physical earthquake or both?
A physical earthquake is certainly possible; indeed, Dr Musson of the British Geological Survey gave a press release in 2010 that appeared in every national newspaper (either on Thursday 16th or Friday 17th September). He warned that London is overdue for an earthquake that could cause billions of pounds’ worth of damage.
There is some logic in the fact that God may remove protection from the nation sufficient to let such an earthquake occur. With the recent experience of the Grenfell Tower disaster, could we really experience such a physical catastrophe? Perhaps.
If we are speaking financially, the economic shaking that beset the nation in 2007 could easily have been a preliminary to further financial collapse yet to come. Whether a coming earthquake is financial, physical or both, it is becoming more and more possible in a previously protected nation for signs to occur that we have not before expected or experienced. These are serious days – days where we must listen to the prophetic word and test it prayerfully together.
God is not vindictive. It is not his pleasure to leave us vulnerable, but to call the nation to repentance so that he can justifiably return us to his protection. The shakings are not what God desires, but he will do or allow whatever is required to give the nation signposts back to him.
Everything Beautiful in its Time
There is redemption, even blessing, possible in all circumstances facing our nation. Let me illustrate.
At this time, I find myself in a challenging situation with the declining health of my wife at the latter end of our lives together. It has helped me understand God’s redemptive purposes in suffering, as is also applicable in many other circumstances of believers in troubled times. I have been reminded of Solomon’s teaching on the times and seasons of life, in Ecclesiastes 3. My prayer had been that God would make whatever he has in store for us as a family beautiful in his sight.
God is not vindictive. It is not his pleasure to leave us vulnerable, but to call the nation to repentance so that he can justifiably return us to his protection.
This, I believe, has turned out to be an inspired response to any difficult circumstances. I had not realised, until I recently had it pointed out to me, that this is exactly Solomon’s conclusion for God’s people in both good and difficult times. His conclusion is, in all times and seasons, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecc 3:11).
Bible-believing Christians should be alert to the troubled times that lie ahead that may be the ‘mighty earthquake’ that has been prophesied. It is time to mobilise the intercessors, to draw near to God in faithful, fervent prayer for all God’s people and for our nation. We need not be dismayed - though the earth may shake around us. Whatever challenges lie ahead, the Lord can turn them into something beautiful if we put our personal trust in him.
