"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps 118:24, NLT)

The Prophecy Today UK Editorial Board asks all our readers to join us in thankfulness to Almighty God that he has given us an opportunity to rebuild our nation in a way that he can bless.

Over the last few months we have encouraged our readers to consider the EU Referendum from a prophetic perspective and to pray together for God's help and leading. We were surely helped by him to fulfil his call to come out of the EU.

We consider this as part of the spiritual battle raging all around the world prior to the return of Jesus - and the battle will continue. Great challenges lie ahead and withdrawal from the EU is just a new beginning for our nation.

Let us commit ourselves to watch and pray even more earnestly, with the impetus and opportunity that this day brings.

Today, let us pause and give thanks to God.

On behalf of the Board,

Dr Clifford Denton

Chairman
Prophecy Today UK

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.

Clifford Hill asks: could Britain be revived to follow God once more?

What will happen next week if Britain votes to leave the European Union? We hear so much about the dire economic consequences of leaving, but very little about the benefits and the prosperity that could follow - if there were a Christian initiative.

Could Britain become a nation under God - and what would this look like?

There is still a statistically significant number of active Christians in Britain and many prayer meetings have been planned over the next week, drawing together thousands of believers fervently calling upon God for his blessing upon the nation. Will their prayers be effective?

What is God Seeking in His People?

God does not rely upon numbers in making his decisions for judgment or blessings. God told Abraham that if he could find just ten righteous persons in Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities would be spared. So what are the things God looks for in his people before pouring out his blessings? It is certainly not large numbers, nor even moral righteousness, although his people are certainly expected to become righteous.

Moses reported to Israel:

The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deut 7:7-9) [emphasis added]

God looks for a particular quality: he primarily looks for people of faith whom he can use in working out his purposes in the world.

Need for Faith

The definitive statement of this mission for Israel is in Isaiah 42:5-9:

This is what the Lord says – he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the Earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

God is a covenant-keeping God who never breaks his promises, but human beings are prone to faithlessness and falling into sin. When this happened with Israel and they cried out to God for forgiveness and help, he willingly forgave them and restored prosperity and blessings to them with a fresh command to do his work in the world – to open eyes that are blind by reflecting God's presence with them.

God is never unfaithful to his people – but when his people are unfaithful to him, he willingly forgives and restores if they return and cry out to him.

That promise was given to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

A similar promise was given to all nations through the Prophet Jeremiah, "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned" (18:7-8).

Need for Repentance

What God also looks for is sincere repentance among people who are determined to do something about the moral and spiritual state of the nation; who are prepared to pray in accordance with Isaiah 59:12: "Our offences are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on God...Truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey".

That prayer was offered by the people who were captives in Babylon – they prayed on behalf of the whole nation. God's response was "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the Lord" (Isa 59:21).

This promise could be available for Britain if even a small number of righteous individuals pray in line with the will of God and are determined to put their lives under the direction of his Holy Spirit for transforming the nation.

God is looking for repentant people who are prepared to pray about the moral and spiritual state of their nation.

Need for Action

What is required is not just faith and repentance - we also need to do something about the state of our nation, where the proportion of the population professing a Christian faith continues to decline year on year. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).

We are meant to be Christ's ambassadors, through whom God can reveal his nature and purposes and through whom the Holy Spirit can be poured out, as in the days of revival described in this week's article by Clifford Denton, when people's lives were transformed by the Spirit of God.

The result could be a nation under God.

A Radiant Future?

What would such a nation look like? Isaiah 35 gives a picture of such a transformation, when the land blossoms with the glory of the Lord through the presence of his people who are filled with his Spirit and radiating his presence to all around them!

Of course, in taking great steps of faith there are hardships and anxieties, and it does require each believer to be involved. But the Lord urges his people to "strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, be strong, do not fear; your God will come" (Isa 35:3-4).

The details of the blessings that can be expected when a nation puts their trust in the Lord are set out in Deuteronomy 28:3-8:

• "You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country." - Peace and security will cover the whole land.
• "The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock – the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks." - The health of the population and the land will be guaranteed.
• "Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed." - The economy will prosper.
• "You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out." - Borders will be secure.
• "The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated." - There will be protection from terrorism and war.
• "The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to" - The nation will experience great prosperity and blessing in all its endeavours.

Surely this scenario is far better than anything being promised by our political leaders!

There is hope yet!

Over the last two months, high profile arguments for and against the UK remaining in the EU have rarely - if ever – laid out an exciting vision for the future. It is up to those who know the ways of God to set out such vision, considering our history and our future based on the Lord's promises.

As a nation we have reached an important fork in the road. Recently on Prophecy Today UK we have tested some contemporary prophecies that warn us of serious consequences of remaining in the EU. Within those same prophecies is hope for the future, should we decide to come out.

A walk with God into the future, as a nation, is the exciting vision that has been missing from the political campaigns so far. We have walked with him before and we can again - so let us pause and consider our history – and what hope in God might bring for our future.

Looking Back to God's Grace on Britain

1. The Welsh Revival

If, through an outpouring of grace and mercy, Almighty God were to revive our nation, it would not be like the action of some centralised bureaucracy. Each of us would be touched personally by the living God.

The Welsh Revival is well-documented, with records telling us of how God came powerfully to the chapels across Wales in 1904-5. A wave of repentance swept the nation, impacting a generation and saving 100,000 souls. It also triggered awakenings in the rest of Britain and further afield in Scandinavia, North America, Europe and elsewhere.¹

Let me personalise this a little.

My wife's favourite aunt lived in Merthyr Tydfil. Auntie Flor had been the headmistress of the primary school that was destroyed in the Aberfan disaster of October 1966 (thankfully, this happened a few years after she retired). Before this, she had always lived in this mining community of South Wales and knew all about the peaks and troughs of Welsh valley life.

A walk with God into the future, as a nation, is the exciting vision that has been missing from the political campaigns so far.

Her father was a Deacon in the local Baptist Church, and proud she was of her Christian roots. She was a child at the time of the Welsh revival and was proud to have sat under the preaching of Evan Roberts, the 26-year old former collier who led it.

I asked her one day, "What are your best memories of Christianity in Wales?" I can hear her voice in my mind's eye. "Dew", she said in the Welsh way, "After the revival, everyone went to Chapel on Sunday morning except those who were too ill to leave home. You would look out of the window and see a sea of people, all going past our window, down the street, on their way to Chapel."

The many revivals embedded in our history witness to us down through the years, so that a little child called Florence could still testify many decades later to what God had done, holding firm to her faith through all the ups and downs of human experience.

2. The Methodist Revival

Before this, in the 18^th Century, another great revival had swept across our nation. God took hold of John and Charles Wesley and of George Whitfield and demonstrated the power of his Spirit to transform Britain.

The historian JP Green, in his book A Short History of the English People (1874, Macmillan), described Britain prior to the revival in these terms:

The English clergy of the day were the most lifeless in Europe...The greater part of the prominent statesmen of the time were unbelievers in any form of Christianity, and distinguished far by the grossness and immorality of their lives...Purity and fidelity to the marriage vow were sneered out of fashion...The masses of the poor were ignorant and brutal to a degree which is hard to conceive...In the streets of London at one time gin-shops invited every passer-by to get drunk for a penny, or dead drunk for twopence... (p736)

There were almost no schools or religious education, no effective policing, many uncared-for poor people, outbreaks of mob violence and unjust penalties for many crimes. That was the background - but not the main point being made by Green at this point in his book. He went on to say of that time:

In spite however of scenes such as this, England remained at heart religious. In the middle class the old Puritan spirit lived on unchanged, and it was from this class that a religious revival burst forth...which changed after a time the whole tone of English society. The Church was restored to life and activity. Religion carried to the hearts of the people a fresh spirit of moral zeal, while it purified our literature and our manners.

A new philanthropy reformed our prisons, infused clemency and wisdom into our penal laws, abolished the slave trade, and gave the first impulse to popular education. The revival began in a small knot of Oxford students, whose revolt against the religious deadness of their times showed itself in ascetic observances, and enthusiastic devotion, and a methodical regularity of life which gave them the nickname of 'Methodists'.

The sinful nature of Britain before the revival was shameful, but God was gracious and led to repentance multitudes of individuals who came under the power of the Gospel. As a result of this, the nation changed with such continuing momentum that God's grace, despite all, brought us to the second half of the 20^th Century before Britain as a whole began to slide back towards levels of sin comparable with the time before the Methodist Revival.

This tells us that, despite all, there is still hope for our nation – hope fuelled by our records, memory and testimony of what God has done before.

The lasting impact of the Methodist Revival on a sinful Britain tells us that there is still hope for our nation - hope fuelled by testimony of what God has done before.

What Might our Nation Yet Become?

God's grace meets us at point of need. The witness of the Welsh Valleys, ringing with hymns of thanksgiving to the saving grace of the Gospel, brings tears to our eyes even now - a hundred years later. Such is the beauty of God's ministry, in what we term 'revival', meeting the people at their point of need.

Perhaps the need of ordinary families in our nation now is like it was in the Welsh Valleys, but perhaps the conditions in the UK today are more like the days prior to the Methodist Revival. JP Green's description of the days prior to that revival only need a little adapting to describe the days in which we live.

The particular needs of our day are worthy of prayer. We have dwelt much upon the decline of our nation over the years in Prophecy Today, bringing warnings and interpreting the signs of the times, such as Amos might have done for Israel (see Amos 4). Due to our ungodliness, it is as if our wall of protection has been breached, leaving us vulnerable. Yet, might future historians look back and observe (like JP Green did over a century ago) that despite all these things, there was a remnant of faith in the Christian Church that turned to prayer, which God answered?

Could the Gospel once more be preached across the nation leading to repentance, so that laws which displease God will be reversed, literature, art and music purified, the media cleansed, education of children renewed, and all aspects of our society centred on biblical truth?

Will future historians look back and observe that despite the nation's rebellion, there was a remnant of faith in the Church that turned to prayer, which God answered?

The ways in which God promised he would bless Israel if they walked with him as a nation are expressed in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Dare we believe such promises could come to pass even now, in our own families and in our communities? This week's editorial lays out some of these promises for us to consider before God.

Conditions for Revival

A revived nation will not come about without repentance, the key to which is the preaching of the Gospel. Some of us who have hoped for and prayed for revival over the years, and who have watched the nation decline instead, have sometimes wondered if ours was a false hope. In human thinking it is impossible...but God.

Jeremiah 18:7-8 gives us the promise and the conditions. Jeremiah was at the potter's house, where he was shown that God could re-model a nation just as the potter can re-model a vessel on his wheel.

The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull it down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. [emphasis added]

Anyone who has come under the convicting power of God's Spirit knows that we are not alone – God himself helps us and brings us to the repentance he requires.

Beyond the Referendum

Is it possible to see withdrawal from the EU as the first steps of repentance, helped by God? Can we see beyond the political campaigns? Can we go on to further steps of repentance buoyed up in the prayers of Christians and the proclamation of the Gospel? Will God help us in this?

As our nation declines, in human thinking true revival seems impossible...but God. He will help us, if we are obedient to the conditions he puts before us.

I have no doubt that he will, but we must fulfil any conditions that he puts before us. That is the seriousness of the fork in the road, the decision point, our nation has reached, and the way we walk afterwards, even if we take the decision to leave the EU.

There will be far-reaching consequences, whichever path we take, but there is no doubt about the wonderful things that the Lord will do in our nation if we respond to his invitation. He has helped us before, and can help us again.

References

1 For further information, see the Wikipedia page on the Welsh Revival. You may also be interested in Voices from the Welsh Revival 1904-1905 by Brynmor Pierce Jones. Bryntirion Press, 1995.

Overwhelmed by the never-ending flood of information and opinion in circulation about the EU Referendum? Help is at hand!

Here is a roundup of helpful resources that we have come across, along with a short overview for each one, so you can decide what it would be most helpful for you to read, watch or share with others. Materials added since last week are in a different colour.

N.B. The materials included here are largely in support of a vote to leave the EU, even though some are published by organisations that have chosen to remain impartial on the whole. It is our firm conviction that a vote 'Leave' is the right way forward for Britain, before God.

If you are looking for resources to support a vote to remain, we recommend Christian Concern's resource list, which features material from both sides of the debate.

READ

Have less than an hour? Read...

• A Christian Case for Leaving the European Union - Duncan Boyd, Protestant Truth Society. Well-argued booklet covering the origins and structure of the EU and current issues in the Referendum debate from a biblical perspective. Available to purchase from the Protestant Truth Society for £1 for single copies. Click here for sample pages and a shorter leaflet version.
• Maranatha Community's call to prayer over the Referendum: What is God's Will for Britain?
• A Christian Perspective on the European Union and the Referendum - Intercessors for Britain. Insightful booklet connecting the rise of the EU with historic empires and discussing issues of citizenship, sovereignty and nationalism from a biblical perspective. Available online but unsuitable for printing – hard copies can be ordered on a donations basis from Intercessors for Britain.
• The Biblical Case for Brexit – Pastor Peter Simpson, Penn Free Methodist Church. Excellent booklet laying out six reasons why Britain should leave the EU on biblical grounds, covering issues like borders, financial management, nationhood and trust in God. Thoroughly recommended. £3.20 for three copies – click here to buy.
• The June/July 2016 issue of HEART News. Features many well-written articles on the Referendum as well as information about local prayer meetings in the South-East. HEART is a Christian outreach paper circulated widely in churches in the South-East, and elsewhere. Some articles are available on the HEART website, where there is also information about subscriptions.

Time no object? You might enjoy...

• Babylon in Europe – David Hathaway. Small book making links between the EU and Bible prophecy and unpacks the deliberate exclusion of God from the EU's constitution and foundational principles. See below for information about David's accompanying film, 'The Rape of Europe'. Click here for our review of Babylon in Europe, and information on purchasing.

For ease of access, here is a full list of all the articles we have published on Prophecy Today UK concerning the EU Referendum, in order of most recent publication.

• A Nation Under God? (Dr Clifford Hill)
• After the Referendum: What Might Our Nation Become? (Dr Clifford Denton)
• Prophetic Call to "Come Out of Europe!" (Charles Gardner)
• D'Day For Europe (Dr Clifford Hill)
• The Threat to British Justice (Dr Clifford Hill)
• Defence of the British Parliament (Viscount Tonypandy)
• Rigging the Referendum? (Dr Clifford Hill)
• Integration Into EU Would Betray Coronation Oath (Dr Clifford Denton)
• Life and Prosperity (Dr Clifford Hill)
• The Referendum: An Exercise in Bullying (Dr Clifford Hill)
• 'Come Out of Her My People': Beyond the EU Referendum (Dr Clifford Denton)
• Boris Bashing (Dr Clifford Hill)
• Britain and Europe: Meltdown and Mission (Dr Peter Carruthers)
• Why Should We Leave the EU? (Helen Belton)
• The Great Debate (Dr Clifford Hill)

WATCH

Have less than an hour? Watch...

• The EU & Magna Carta: The Price of Freedom. Documentary by former lawyers Roger and Kate Stanway, about the nature of the EU and how it impacts upon our own constitution, laws and freedoms. What is the future for British national identity – and even the monarchy – if we remain in the EU? An excellent exploration of the issues we face today. Watch online for free. Runs just over half an hour. Accompanying video series (2015) on the Magna Carta also available.
• A Christian Perspective on the EU and the Referendum. 12 minute Youtube video from Intercessors for Britain, laying out six key debate questions from a biblical point of view.
• Series of short Youtube videos from Christian Voice, narrated by Stephen Green. Covering various aspects of the EU from a biblical perspective. Each less than four minutes long. See the Christian Voice Youtube channel.

Have time for a feature-length film? We recommend...

• Magna Carta Unlocked - Sceptred Isle Productions. Five-episode historical series looking at Britain's heritage through Magna Carta and its impacts down through the centuries. How can we decide our future regarding Europe unless we understand our past? Watch the trailer, stream online (£2 per episode or £5 for all five) or buy the DVD for £12.50 - all on the Magna Carta Unlocked website.
• The Rape of Europe – David Hathaway. Feature-length film proposing a biblical understanding of the EU. Available on Youtube.
• Brexit the Movie. Well-made, feature-length campaign documentary supporting a vote to leave. Secular in perspective. Covers issues of democracy, bureaucracy, trade, the EU's history and its future. Crowd-funded by over 1,800 members of the public. Watch online for free, or click here for details of local screenings, or to host your own. Runs just over an hour (can be watched in shorter segments on the official website). Also available on Youtube.

GO

There are several of meetings happening up and down the country for Christians to pray and discuss the Referendum from a biblical perspective. Here are a few that we know of – do get in touch if you know of others we can feature!

BIRMINGHAM, Saturday 18 June. Every Vote Counts: prayer for the Referendum. Birmingham City Church, The Parade, B1 2QQ. 10:30am-3pm. World Prayer Centre event.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday 23 June. The World Prayer Centre Prayer room will be open from 9:30-11:30am for those who would like to come and pray for the Referendum on voting day. Cornerstone House, 5 Ethel St, B2 4BG.

BRISTOL, Thursday 23 June. Prayer for Europe. From 5:00pm-10:00pm at Keynsham Elim Church, Balmoral Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1AL. Please register your interest here.

ESSEX, Wednesday 22 June. Prayer for the nation and the Referendum. 9am-1pm and 6-9pm at St Mary's, Dock Road, Little Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM17 6EX. More information here.

KENT, Saturday 18 June. Prayer event in conjunction with Thanet PrayerNet. From 7-9pm, Newington Free Church, St John's Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6JD. More details here.

LINCOLNSHIRE, Saturday 18 June. A time of fasting and prayer focusing on the Referendum, organised by Mike and Pat Doherty. 10:30am for an 11am start. The Pavilion, Cleethorpes, DN35 8AB. Register your interest by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LONDON, Saturday 18 June. Intercessors for Britain prayer day. Speakers to include Adrian Hilton, author of 'The Principality and Power of Europe'. 10:30am-6pm, Regents Hall (Salvation Army), Oxford Street, London, W1C 2DJ. Contact Intercessors for Britain for more information.

LONDON, Saturday 18 June. Prayer event in conjunction with Britain Prayer Court. 10am-2pm at the Emmanuel Centre, 9 Marsham St, Westminster, London SW1P 3DW. Click here for more details and to RSVP.

With input from experts in the legal profession, Clifford Hill reflects upon some of the judicial issues involved in the Referendum debate.

The British justice system is incompatible with the system of justice operated by the European Court. That is the verdict of senior lawyers in Britain who have first-hand experience of dealing with the European Union. Problems arise from the fundamentally different traditions of law between Britain and continental nations.

British legal tradition is based upon biblical principles. Above the state entrance to the Old Bailey, Britain's Central Criminal Court, are inscribed the words:

"Defend the children of the poor. Punish the wrong doer".

These words are based upon Psalm 82:3 which says, "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed".

Common Law Tradition

The British traditions of law, based upon the Common Law of England¹ (going back to the days of Magna Carta), are rooted in the Bible. Justice is considered on a case-by-case basis rather than in conformity to some abstract concept of law.

English Common Law is an unwritten law which has been evolving for many centuries. It reflects the common customs of the kingdom and is based upon reference to previous judgments. Precedents are formed as the number of judgments increase on a particular issue and these become guidelines for judges in deciding similar cases.

Changes in society sometimes trigger new issues in law. Common law judges are free to depart from precedent to establish a fresh judgment, thus setting a new precedent. This demonstrates the dynamic character of Common Law which is always changing in order to be relevant in a changing society.

English Common Law is unwritten, dynamic and flexible - relevant to a changing society - and has developed along biblical lines.

European Civil Law

In contrast to British Common Law, European Civil Law is a system based upon ancient Roman law in which judges resolve cases by referring to established principles. The Emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD formed a collection of ancient pagan Roman law.²

The Napoleonic Code in the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, Speyer. See Photo Credits.This became the basis of the 'Code of Justinian', which in mediaeval times quickly spread throughout the countries which now form the western part of the European Union. Local statutes and customs were codified in order to form a harmonised body of law throughout the continent. Historically only England remained apart from this until Britain joined the European Union.

Roman law had its origin in pagan and Imperial Rome and during the 18^th and 19^th centuries its codification was influenced by atheistic and humanistic ethics derived from revolutionary France. This system of Civil Law was adopted by most continental countries producing a strong measure of unification which was adopted by the European Union, replacing national differences in law with international practices.

Since the 18^th Century, political leaders in Europe have regarded legal codes as necessary instruments for establishing national unity and enforcing central authority. Napoleon's objective in the 'Napoleonic Code' was to secure his conquests and this code became the basis of the legal systems of some of the founding members of the European Union such as the Netherlands and Belgium.³

By contrast, European Civil Law is based on established principles and codes collected over the centuries and influenced by both pagan and atheistic societies.

Comparing Civil Law and Common Law

There are fundamental philosophical differences between these two systems of law.⁴ For example, the 'Law of Evidence' which is an integral part of Common Law has no counterpart in the Civil Law practised in the European Union because there is no such thing as 'inadmissible evidence' in continental Europe.

Most continental countries separate their administrative courts, from those that deal with criminal cases and private law disputes. Under Common Law all kinds of disputes are determined in the same courts, in order to apply the same rules of fairness and justice.

In England a fast growing area of law is 'judicial review' which, on a daily basis, challenges the actions of politicians and quangos, thus holding our Government accountable to law.⁵ It is difficult to imagine this happening on the continent under the philosophy of Civil Law. Civil Law systems usually uphold all contractual promises and then enforce penalty clauses. In England Lord Denning in the post-World War II period pioneered a system of justice whereby contracting parties would be protected when the contractual terms are deemed to be unjust.

Another difference between Civil Law and Common Law systems is in terms of personnel. Under Common Law judges are drawn from barristers with many years of practical experience in dealing with justice whereas under Civil Law they are usually career bureaucrats serving the state. Trial by jury is an essential element in Common Law where it is the right of individuals to be tried by their peers. This is not often used in civil law on the continent where cases are decided by professional judges. In some continental countries laymen are used but not as jurors but as lay judges alongside professional judges.

There are fundamental differences between Common Law and Civil Law, which mean different attitudes to evidence, courts, jury and personnel.

What of the future?

The continental system of law adopted by the European Union is imperial and uniform and allows no differences for national law. The EU constantly sends out a stream of legal regulations which change our laws and bind our Parliament and our courts. Even our criminal law is not safe from EU interference and we are not able to deport convicted criminals to their countries of origin who appeal to the European court on grounds of the infringement of their human rights.⁶

In the article by Viscount Tonypandy that we published last week, he referred to the famous case of our Fisheries Act being declared illegal by the European court which overrode legislation passed by our elected Parliament. This effectively destroyed the livelihoods of our fishing fleets working in our own waters from Cornwall to Scotland.

It is the declared intention of the Commissioners of the European Union to move towards closer and binding integration. If Britain remains in the EU, our entire system of justice will be threatened. The threat is from two sources: from the mass of legislation that seeks not only to regulate but to standardise all the member nations of the European Union, and from the decisions of the European court which override national laws of member states.

In a federal Europe, towards which the EU is moving, the system of law that will be imposed upon us will be interpreted by judges who bind our judges by their decisions and there will be no room for our traditions of Common Law.

In a federal Europe, the system of law imposed upon us would leave no room for our Common Law traditions.

Our national heritage, based upon concepts of law drawn from the Bible, will be swept away by the European Union. We must ask ourselves whether it is more important to ensure that justice before God is shown to all people or whether we merely administer man-made laws.

On the 23 June 2016 we will be faced with a choice similar to that offered by Joshua to the people of Israel, whether or not to put our trust in God. He said "If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you." He added the declaration: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!" (Josh 24:20 and 24:15).

References

1 See Common law, Encyclopaedia Britannica.

2 Codex Justinianus, Wikipedia.

3 See The Napoleonic Code, Encyclopaedia Britannica.

4 For differences other than those mentioned here, a useful discussion can be found here: The Common Law and Civil Law Traditions, University of Berkeley, California.

5 See Judicial review in English law, Wikipedia.

6 EU laws 'prohibit UK from sending foreign criminals home'. BBC News, 7 June 2016.

The spiritual battle raging for control of Europe has deep historical roots.

The Prophecy Today Editorial Board met earlier this week and in a time of prayer we were seeking guidance for the content of this editorial, as we approach Referendum day on 23 June.

It is in many senses a 'D-Day'– a decision day which may become a 'Deliverance Day', as it was in 1944.

We were actually meeting on 6 June and we remembered the thousands of young men who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy on that day more than 70 years ago. As we prayed about this it became clear to us that it is the same battle being waged today – a great spiritual battle over Europe.

The Battle to Control Europe

This battle has been raging for centuries. From Charlemagne to Hitler, there have been many attempts to unify and dominate Europe – to bring all the nations of the continent under one ruling authority. What is it about Europe that makes it such a special target for those who want to rule? Why has the continent been driven by war between neighbouring nations for centuries and then in the 20^th Century been the centre of two incredibly destructive and bloody World Wars?

Could it be that there is something in the history of the continent that has got into its very DNA and which is now fighting its greatest battle for control?

Few people would deny that Hitler and his Third Reich were a demonically directed force aiming to control the whole of Europe, from the Irish Sea to the Urals. Today there are many indications that the European Union has a similar objective.

The fact that the EU has chosen to adorn its headquarters in Brussels with the statue of 'a woman riding the beast' from Greek mythology (many Christians relate this to Revelation 17) and has refused to acknowledge the Judaeo-Christian heritage of Europe in its constitution, shows how much pagan and secular humanist ideologies now dominate the continent, which was once the world centre of Christianity.

The battle to unify and dominate Europe has been raging for centuries, in different guises.

Gotthard Tunnel Opening

The opening of the Gotthard Tunnel between Switzerland and Italy on 2 June showed that the pagan spirit is very much alive in central Europe. The ceremony actually involved Satanist rituals with a cohort of acrobats representing miners in orange jumpsuits marching like zombies towards the tunnel entrance. The miners were ritualistically sacrificed in the tunnel and emerged as veiled spirits, at which point an actor dressed as a goat ritualistically consumed and mated with the veiled dancers.

All this took place in the presence of President François Hollande of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Johannes Schneider-Ammann of Switzerland and a very large crowd of sightseers. A group of church leaders also took part in a ceremony, dedicating a plaque to Saint Barbara, said to be the patron saint of miners. For more information, click here for TruNews' coverage. It is surely a demonstration of how far Europe has departed from its Judaeo-Christian roots!

Historical Turning Point

Our prayer time in the Editorial Board meeting led me to explore the spiritual history of Europe. Was there a great turning point in this history that was of huge significance?
I believe there was - and it may be found right back in the fourth century AD when the Emperor Constantine, a new convert to Christianity, called Christian leaders together from around the Roman Empire and presided over the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD - but he refused to invite any of the Jewish leaders of the Church.

Constantine had formerly been a sun worshipper and he hated Jews, who he described as 'detestable' and 'deservedly afflicted'.¹ He made Sunday the official day of rest for the Roman Empire and discarded the Hebraic calendar and feasts, for instance replacing Passover with Easter.

The recent events at the Gotthard Tunnel opening in Switzerland show just how far Europe has departed from its biblical heritage.

Fresco depicting the First Council of Nicaea.From New Testament times the Church had been predominantly led by Jewish believers in Jesus and even after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Jews were still in the majority in the Church. Following the failure of the Bar Kokhba revolt against Roman rule in 138 AD when half a million Jews in Judaea were murdered, all Jews were banned from Jerusalem and Judaea. Gentiles rapidly became a majority in the Church and centres such as Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus and Rome replaced Jerusalem as centres of Christian leadership.

The Council of Nicaea was a seminal moment in Church history, but Messianic Jews were excluded from it by Constantine. The sharp theological dispute between Arius and Athanasius which sorely divided the Church could easily have been resolved by a Hebraic theologian but there was not a single Hebrew-speaking Christian in attendance.

This was a great turning point in Church history when the Gentile Church rejected its Hebrew roots, discarding its biblical heritage and leaving the way open for the growth of anti-Semitism which has plagued Europe ever since that time.²

Jewish Persecution by Christians

Throughout European history since Roman times, Jews have been actively persecuted by Church leaders and slaughtered by Christians. As a young man, it was Luther's fervent desire to see Jews regain their place in the Church. In 1523 he wrote an essay 'That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew', urging Christians to treat Jews kindly. He said that church leaders had treated Jews with great injustice:

As if they were dogs rather than human beings; they have done little else than deride them and seize their property...If the apostles, who also were Jews, had dealt with us Gentiles as we Gentiles deal with the Jews, there would never have been a Christian among the Gentiles.³

Sadly, when the Jews refused to convert to Gentile Christianity he became their enemy, and urged the German princes to drive them from the land. In 1543 he wrote a 65,000-word anti-Jewish treatise, 'On the Jews and Their Lies' which was widely used by the Nazis in justifying their policy to exterminate all Jews in Europe.

In Britain, our record in the mediaeval period was not been much better than the Nazis' in the 20^th Century, with outbreaks of violence in towns and cities across England. In 1190, 30 Jews were beaten or trampled to death in London riots. In the same year, over 150 Jews died in Clifford's Tower in York, 57 were massacred on Palm Sunday in Bury St Edmunds and there were pogroms in several other towns.

These outbreaks of violence continued for another hundred years until in 1263, when 400 Jews were massacred on Palm Sunday in London. In 1278, when 680 Jews were imprisoned in the Tower, 290 were hanged. Then in 1290 the King in Council passed a law expelling all Jews from England – the first general expulsion of Jews from any country.⁴

A great turning point in Europe's spiritual history was the Council of Nicaea, when Jews were excluded and the Hebraic roots of Christianity discarded.

Anti-Semitism Rising Today

Today, anti-Semitism is on the rise again throughout Europe and is especially severe in France and Germany, where there are large communities of Muslims. In Britain anti-Semitism is endemic but often hidden, as in our universities and in large business enterprises such as the Co-op, which boycotts Israeli produce.

Sadly, the roots of this anti-Semitism are in the Church in what theologians call 'Replacement Theology', whereby Gentiles are said to have 'replaced' Jews in their covenant relationship with God.

This false theology, based upon inadequate biblical knowledge, appeals strongly to people with innate racist tendencies and is a powerful force among many church leaders. But it is also responsible for robbing the gospel of power by cutting the Church off from its biblical roots, opening Europe to the power of secular humanism, paganism and the onslaught of Islam.

Spiritual Attack on Europe

Today Europe is under enormous spiritual attack, at a time when it has deliberately rejected its biblical foundations and is adrift in perilous seas, while its leaders lack both compass and rudder.

Economically, they have no idea how to deal with the unsustainable amount of debt and unemployment that has been created across the Eurozone by trying to force all their economies into a single financial system. Meanwhile, mega financial organisations want Britain to remain in the EU to keep the ship afloat a bit longer, so that they can continue making vast fortunes from the mounting crises in the continent.

The rejection of our Hebraic roots has opened the door for centuries of anti-Semitism and the onslaught of other religions.

Europe is also under a great spiritual attack caused by the imploding of Islam throughout the Middle East with conflicts between Sunnis and Shias becoming more violent and destructive by the day. This is creating vast numbers of refugees and migrants - and likely will continue for decades until Islam finally destroys itself - which could take the rest of this century.

In the meantime, Muslims continue to pour into Europe. Without a strong evangelical Church and Christians on fire with the gospel to love their new neighbours and bring them to Jesus, the Islamisation of Europe is almost inevitable – unless God intervenes.

D-Day Approaches

Is it possible that God is giving Britain the opportunity on 23 June to escape the worst of the tragedy that is likely to descend upon Europe? Are we being offered a 'Deliverance Day' from the EU? God has promised that if any nation puts their trust in him he will guarantee their protection and prosperity.

The following are a few of the scriptures that Christians should be considering before casting their vote. A promise given to Israel through Moses lays down a seminal spiritual principle:

When you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you. (Deut 30:2)

This was extended to all nations through the promise given to Jeremiah:

If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. (Jer 18:7)

This month Britain has the opportunity of taking a bold step towards becoming 'A Nation Under God', whose trust is in the Lord. That cannot be achieved without recognising the plight we are in and asking God's forgiveness. Like the father in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, there would be an immediate response from God.

Are the prayers of the faithful remnant sufficiently powerful to save the nation? If Britain votes to come out of the European Union, can we become 'A Nation Under God'? What would such a nation look like?

That is the theme of next week's editorial.

References

1 Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book 3, chapter 18.

2 This has been supported by the anti-Semitic teachings of the 'Church Fathers', including Chrysostom, Irenaeus and Augustine.

3 Luther, M, 1523. That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew. Trans. Walter I. Brandt, in Luther's Works (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1962), pp200-201, 229.

4 See Roth, C, 1941. History of Jews in England. OUP, 3rd revised edition 1978.

Clifford Denton explains how closer integration with Europe would threaten this 'voluntary covenant' with God.

A pivotal point in the debate about Britain's relationship with the EU must be our Coronation Oath, which sets us apart as a nation of declared intention, seeking to live under the rule and protection of Almighty God. With the Bible at the foundation of our laws, setting a protecting boundary for the free and open proclamation of the Gospel in our nation, with thousands of years of history to get us to 2 June 1953, the Queen led the way in commitment at the Coronation service in Westminster Abbey.

Britain has long been betraying this corporate Oath, with law changes that depart from the ways of the Bible. We also believe that the Oath has been compromised by each successive closer merger with the EU, which has no such constitution as ours, being secular and humanistic at its heart.

We reproduce below, with minor editing to bring it up-to-date, an article on this topic that was published in Prophecy Today in 1989.

THE CORONATION OATH: UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WORD FOR EUROPE

Is it a fanciful view of Britain's status before God to see it in covenant terms? God alone knows if that is how he sees his longstanding relationship with us. Nevertheless, so strong was our view of what the Coronation Oath meant that we used the following strapline for the article: "Britain has entered into a 'voluntary covenant' with God, through the Coronation oath. Clifford Denton explains how closer integration with Europe would threaten this unique status."

This is what we published back then. Did we foresee something of immense importance that was not being heeded at the time and that has even greater relevance now?

"What makes Britain special?" we also asked. Have we really been a nation that has been blessed and used by God? We went on to explore these questions, and we would do well to consider them again today in relation to the EU Referendum.

A key to understanding the answers to these questions is in the Coronation Oath. This Oath presents a 'voluntary covenant' with God, and attempts to offer God a framework through which he can help us to manage our affairs according to the teaching of the Bible.

This is not the covenant that God made with Israel. No nation can replace Israel as a covenant nation - but Britain has probably done more than any other Gentile nation to live in a covenant relationship with God. Surely God has helped, blessed and protected us over the centuries, despite our gross imperfections, because of this.

Britain has probably done more than any other Gentile nation to live in a covenant relationship with God.

Strangely, while this oath should be a central issue to consider in our decisions relating to Europe, it is hardly being discussed at all. Most decisions relating to national sovereignty are concerned with self-government rather than the Government of God.

Yet, an alliance with the powers of Europe on financial and political grounds represents a betrayal of the Coronation Oath and a betrayal of God himself, for there is no similar covenant within the constitution of Europe.

Historical Background

The Reformation of the 16^th Century freed Britain of papal control, but the reign of James II (beginning in 1685) threatened to undermine the Protestant framework being formed in British institutions. James' commitment to Catholicism was resisted by some prominent national leaders and this finally led to an invitation for William of Orange to come to Britain in 1688 and redress the nation's grievances.

James fled to France and this was interpreted as an abdication, whereupon a new Parliament was formed and William and Mary (James' Protestant daughter) were offered the Crown. This bloodless revolution was called the 'Glorious Revolution' and became the means by which a more secure Protestant Government could be established in Britain in the framework of (as far as a Gentile nation can go) a voluntary covenant with God.

The Bill of Rights of 1689 ensured that no future monarch could be Roman Catholic and ensured that the monarch would not have unconditional powers. The Government of Britain was put in the form of a contract between the monarch and the people through representation in Parliament.

In 1689, the Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights established a secure Protestant Government in Britain, in voluntary covenant with God.

The Coronation Vow

The Coronation Oath, made law in 1688 and taken first in the Coronation of 1689, was in the form of a vow made before God to govern Britain according to God's laws and in accord with the true profession of the Gospel. The Coronation of every monarch ever since has been a Protestant Christian service centred on this Oath. The promises made by the monarch are contained in the following words, according to law:

The Archbishop or Bishop shall say: "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of this kingdom of England and the dominions thereto belonging according to the statutes in Parliament agreed on and the laws and customs of the same?"

The King and Queen shall say: "I solemnly promise so to do"

Archbishop or Bishop: "Will you to your power cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"

King and Queen: "I will".

Archbishop or Bishop: "Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the gospel and the Protestant religion established by law? And will you preserve unto the bishops and clergy of this realm and to the churches committed to their charge all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain unto them or any of them?"

King and Queen: "All this I promise to do".

After this the King and Queen laying his and her hand upon the Holy Gospels shall say: "The things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep so help me God".

Then the King and Queen shall kiss the book.

These words are taken directly from the Coronation Oath Act of 1688. The monarch cannot be crowned until and unless these promises are made.

Queen Elizabeth II

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth on 2 June 1953 was a solemn occasion. The young Queen went through the Christian ceremony with full conviction of what she was doing before God. Many of us were children then, and there was not the same ease of media communication as there is today, though the use of television was growing quite fast.

Thus many of us did not see beyond the royal splendour of the day to the heart of what was going on, but the Queen made her promises before God, was anointed with oil for the Holy Spirit to come upon her, took communion and was then crowned. The record of this has been kept in heaven as well as at the BBC. We are in a covenant with one another and with God because of this. This is true for all people in Great Britain.

Queen Elizabeth made her coronation vows with full conviction of what she was doing before God. The record has been kept in heaven as well as at the BBC.

Affirming the Promise

For example, every Member of Parliament makes an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the monarch. The wording of the oath is: "I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

This promise is the counterpart to the Queen's Oath so that she and the Government together can seek a way of establishing God's rule within the nation, our God being the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and no foreign god or new age idol.

Similarly, every time the national anthem is sung there is a reflection of the people's allegiance to the Queen and all that the Coronation Oath is intended to convey, and whenever allegiance to the Queen is promised (as, for example, in the promise of Scouts and Guides) acceptance of the Coronation Oath is implied. How many fans at our great sporting events realise that when they sing the National Anthem they are praying a prayer to God? God knows what is intended, even if the words have become empty to most of our nation!

Protection by the Grace of God

So, the British nation has established a framework of government which binds together monarchy, government and state church, also drawing in the allegiance of the people, which reflects what we are calling a voluntary covenant with the living God.

Even though we have had this framework, we have not been a perfect nation by any means, yet surely, by the grace of God, we have been a protected nation for many years. The grace of God is always beyond the bounds of our deserving. We have done a little and he has done much.

We have not been a perfect nation – but because we have had this national framework, we have been a protected nation for many years.

He took us through world wars, helped us become a prosperous nation, and gave us opportunity to reflect his ways to the world through our educational, governmental, financial and social systems as well as through the Church, which was once strong and which has known God's true revivals.

Fall from Grace

God's protection has not gone completely, but surely we are on the brink of disaster. In one generation we have turned away from the absolutes of biblical truth and law and entered an age of relative morality.

Our law structure once reflected God's laws as they are understood from the Bible, thanks to the dedicated and faithful work of many national leaders over the years. But now, our nation is reaping what has been sown through the liberalising of laws. Pornography, adultery, greed, injustice, violence, abortion, degrading sexual practice, divorce and every form of sin is rising (to which, in recent days, we can now add the re-definition of marriage away from God's order).

Contrasting the Coronation Oath with European Rule

In addition, we are now at a decision point regarding deeper alliance with the EU. The Coronation Oath represents a framework of government that is open to God's ways and to his direct help. Europe has no such framework of government.

In one generation Britain has turned away from the absolutes of biblical truth and law, and entered an age of relative morality.

Many people suspect that the religious powers all over Europe will eventually be drawn into the alliance, becoming part of a humanistic economic and political system which will reflect a seductive and anti-Christian religious and spiritual power. Whether this is true or not, we must either change the Coronation Oath or betray it in order to make firm alliance with the powers governing Europe in our present-day.

Even though the Oath was made in 1953, all that it represents is still in full force today. Surely God is more aware of this than we are. Thus, as far as all our unrighteousness is concerned, the time of judgment draws near. As far as Europe is concerned, we must attune ourselves to God's perspective on this key issue, before we risk betraying he who has protected us through the years.

What Should We Do?

The Coronation Oath belongs to the fabric of our national life – we are all involved. We must consider together just what we have offered to God through the institution of monarch, church and state.

But when it comes to the breaking of the Oath, who is responsible? This is a more complex question than we might think. It is not just the Monarch. It is also the Government, along with all who elected the Government. It is also the Church, standing by while our oaths to God are betrayed in the reversal of godly laws and false alliances with other powers. Surely the Queen should also lead the nation into repentance and the church should rise up as the conscience of the nation.

When considered in these terms, it seems almost impossible to achieve a reversal of our decline. Yet surely we know that with God all things are possible, and we have a responsibility to respond at this crucial time in the nation.

It seems impossible to achieve a reversal of our national decline. But with God, all things are possible – and Christians have a responsibility to respond at this crucial time.

The fact that God has preserved Britain as an individual nation, with its own governmental systems, for so many centuries, should be a prompt for us to reconsider any deepening alliance with Europe. We should reconsider what the Coronation Oath represents so that we might preserve and develop our heritage before it is too late.

When the bottom line is drawn it is neither the monarchy nor Europe that is the first consideration. It is the laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel that matter. The Coronation Oath has been the vehicle for their preservation whereby, within a framework of godly laws, there has been a freedom and protection for the true Gospel to go forth across the nation. This is what God has blessed and this is what we are about to give up for financial gain and political advantage within the framework of an ungodly and humanistic empire that is developing in Europe.

We believe that the spiritual powers behind the EU will attack every aspect of our godly heritage, including the British monarchy, to bring it down so that the Coronation Oath will fall with it.

Those who understand these things from a spiritual as well as practical perspective must stand together, because our spiritual adversary has already many people in high places who will use powers of finance, media and politics to drive us into Europe in betrayal of our promises to God. The flattering promises of electioneers who emphasise alliance with Europe will reflect this too. We can expect the powers at work to be both humanistic and seductive.

Endnote

The above article was written when the debate was whether the UK should abolish the Pound and adopt the Euro. The argument remains fresh for this new debate as to whether we should remain in the EU or leave - an opportunity that was barely plausible in 1989.

This week, during which has been the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation Oath, let us prayerfully weigh these things. Should we, despite all else, realise that this opportunity to leave the EU once and for all, though brought about by men, has been given us through the gracious working of Almighty God?

Clifford Hill comments on the increasingly underhand tactics being used by the Government.

What is happening to our British sense of fairness and honesty? The whole of our relationship with the European Union, from its foundation, has been marred by misinformation and a lack of transparency.

Edward Heath was the Prime Minister who took us into the EU, assuring us that we were only entering a 'trade alliance' - although later admitting that he knew this was not the whole truth.¹

David Cameron toured EU capitals last year trying to negotiate reforms which he said were essential to our remaining in the European Union, but the reforms presented to us lacked clear details. The Government's Remain campaign has, since, been notable for a lack of facts and a surfeit of speculation and scare stories.

Are we now descending into tactics that look extremely like electoral rigging? The Electoral Commission has called on Bristol City Council to scrap an EU referendum 'how-to-vote' guide being sent to postal voters (see below), over claims it favours the Remain campaign.²

If you've received a voting guide like this (with a pencil hovering in the Remain box) please get in touch below! pic.twitter.com/ug1YxMtaiJ

— LEAVE.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) May 30, 2016

Next Issues of Prophecy Today

In this issue of Prophecy Today and over the next two weeks we will try to present some of the issues that are rarely dealt with by our political leaders. Today we are re-publishing an article by the late Viscount Tonypandy (a former Speaker of the House of Commons) which we originally published back in May 1997. In this thought-provoking article he warned about the political consequences of being drawn closer into the European Union.

We are also re-publishing an article by Dr Clifford Denton on the significance of the Coronation Oath, which we believe is also highly relevant to the situation today where closer integration into the European Union would bring about profound changes in our national life.

My major concerns are for the spiritual state of the nation and the future for young people, who (according to the polls) are more likely to vote to stay within the EU. Many of them are listening to Government propaganda saying that their future jobs depend upon Britain being part of the EU. But the reverse is true. It is young people who are suffering most in the Eurozone. More than half of all young people in Spain and Greece are unemployed – long-term unemployed with very little prospects of earning a living wage.

The 2015 figures for youth unemployment in Spain were 49.9%, Greece 49.7%, Croatia 43.6%, and Italy 42.7%.³ The latest figures (April 2016) published by the EU show an increase in youth unemployment in Spain 51.7% and Greece 51.1%.⁴

These figures for youth unemployment are an utter disgrace to the European Union and they should be a warning to Britain's young people. Britain's youth unemployment increased slightly during the past year from 15.7% to 16.1% but Germany, the mastermind and dominant power in Europe, remains with the lowest rate of youth unemployment in the EU at 7.4%. The future prospects of employment for young people are most likely to get worse in the EU because of the commitment to an unworkable single currency policy that tries to force all the national economies into one mould.

Young people are more likely to vote to stay in the EU - but across the Eurozone, it is young people who are suffering most.

An Alliance Not by My Spirit

My concern for the spiritual health of the nation is because it is the major determinant of both physical health and prosperity. This has been amply demonstrated in the history of Britain when even those who were only nominal Christians acknowledged that it was the high level of faith and prayer that enabled us to survive the Battle of Britain, when the nation stood alone against colossal odds across the Channel.

In the history of Israel there are numerous examples of that tiny nation surviving against mighty empires when they put their faith in God. It was the major task of the prophets to steady the nation in challenging times. A good example is when the nation faced the danger of invasion from the mighty Assyrian Empire. Instead of calling the nation to prayer the leaders were planning an alliance with Egypt and they sent a large gift on the backs of donkeys and camels to buy the Egyptians' help (Isa 30:6).

Isaiah was outraged. He said:

Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord, to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance but not by my Spirit... Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended upon deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly in an instant. (Isa 30:1, 30:12-13).

His illustration of the wall related to a city wall built of stone in two sections with the centre filled with rubble. This often included the city waste which, in time, rotted and built-up pressure within the wall so an engineer had regularly to inspect the wall for bulges due to the corruption inside. Hence Amos speaks of God setting a 'plumb line' against the city wall to measure its spiritual health (Amos 7:8).

The spiritual health of the nation is the major determinant of both physical health and prosperity.

Isaiah saw so much corruption, lies and deceit, that he feared sudden collapse unless there was a total change in the spiritual health of the nation. He knew that righteousness exalts a nation and brings the blessings of peace and prosperity. He said, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (30:15).

I believe that this is the message that needs to be heard in Britain today. Of course there are many unknowns facing the nation if we decide to leave the European Union, but if we put our trust in God there is no doubt that that he will bless both the health and the prosperity of the nation.

Putting Our Hand into God's Hand

Britain has faced many challenges in the past. Many historians believe 1940 to be the darkest hour in our history when King George VI called the nation to have faith in God. In his 1939 Christmas message he said,

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown". And he replied, "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way." May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.

If only the nation today had this kind of faith, we should have no fear for the future!

References

1 See one of our previous articles, Future Hope or Great Deception?

2 EU Referendum: Row over 'biased' postal vote form. BBC News, 30 May 2016.

3 Unemployment statistics, Eurostat.

4 Ibid.

We re-print an important article on Britain and the EU, by former Speaker of the House of Commons, Viscount Tonypandy.

Viscount Tonypandy, former Speaker of the House of Commons and a committed Christian, was a supporter of Prophecy Today and gave us this article which we published in Vol 13(3), May 1997.

It was a time when Britain was being pressed to join the Common Monetary Fund and there were calls for a Referendum. We feel that it is still very relevant for today.

DEFENCE OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Viscount Tonypandy speaks out about the dangers of Britain being drawn more into the European Union

Because ancient tradition requires former Speakers of the House of Commons to avoid involvement in party political affairs, I want to begin by asserting that the future destiny of this land is not a party political issue, it is bigger than that.

It is for this reason I support the initiative in forcing the question of the European Union onto centre stage. Our people have been kept in the dark about Europe, and many have been lulled into the belief that our future is sustainable only if we obey the diktats of non-elected Brussels bureaucrats.

Losing our Liberties

We are experiencing an unprecedented erosion of our traditional liberties; as both our fishermen and our farmers can testify. We are also suffering an ever increasing interference in our domestic, social, political and economic life. We realise how much dust has been thrown in our eyes, so that we have not properly seen where we are being led.

Monumental and historic decisions have been taken in our name, but they have not been made fully public. A supreme example of this chicanery is provided by our famous Fisheries Act which prevented Spanish fishermen sailing under our flag and taking a quota of the fish allocated to us. After the Bill had careful scrutiny in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords it was sent to the Privy Council where the Queen in person gave her approval. Thus it became law – or so we thought! How wrong we were!

The politically motivated European Court of Justice instructed us that our Fisheries Act was illegal. They defined limits on what our Parliament could legislate. Our Westminster Parliament was humiliatingly put behind the European Union! As a further measure of contempt for Westminster, Europe proceeded to give the bullying Spanish fishermen authority to demand compensation for the period that our Privy Council and our Parliament, by our legislation, kept them out of our waters.

What has happened to this proud nation that we allow anyone to treat us in this arrogant way? Has our pride already been consigned to the history book? Nay, I do not believe that. A national referendum is vital to prove that the fallacy is wrong.

We are still proud to be British and no German dominated European Union will ever succeed in crushing that pride.

Britain today is stirring anxiously as it is beginning to realise the extent of the betrayals we have suffered. Our young people are awakening to the peril threatening their future.

Common Market

The largest Common Market in the world is that forged by Canada, the United States of America and Mexico. They function quite successfully without a common currency! They do not intervene in each other's internal affairs. They are not troubled by calls for integration or by threats to each other's national sovereignty. That sort of common market makes sense. It was for that sort of common market, and only that sort, that Britain linked with Europe!

We have been victims of deceit! Britain said 'yes' to the type of common market we see across the Atlantic. As for a common parliament and a common bank – we have never had an opportunity to give our opinion.

Intrigue in high places has embargoed knowledge of secret negotiations reaching the people. In the name of human rights, we demand the chance to decide our own destiny that is the real issue at this time.

Chancellor Kohl's Aim

Listen to the chilling words of German Chancellor Kohl when he was addressing his own people earlier this year (1997). "The future will belong to the Germans – when we build a house of Europe."

Forgetting that the world was listening he added, "In the next two years we will make the process of European integration irreversible. This is a really big battle, but it is worth the fight."

It certainly was for Germany! As for us, if we fail to read the menace in the German Chancellor's announcement of his aims we shall betray our heritage. When German chancellors outline in advance what their intentions are, it is criminal irresponsibility not to take their threats seriously (surely that is a lesson we have learned from history after two world wars!).

We said yes to a common market - as for a common parliament and common bank, we have never had the opportunity to give our opinion.

Parliamentary Government

My life has centred around Parliamentary Government in this country. I hold it in the highest esteem, because I know that Parliament is not a caucus of clever creatures who are free to do what they like in Government. The House of Commons is an assembly dependent on a mandate from the nation. And every Government is answerable to the House of Commons.

No cabal of politicians elected for a maximum of five years' service as MPs without any guarantee that they will be even Members in any subsequent Parliament has ever been trusted with a mandate to diminish our heritage, or to barter away our liberties.

The question of a single European currency involves explosive consequences for the UK. We are fortunate because we have one of the most sophisticated electorates in the world; our people have an instinct that alerts them to any threat to our democratic way of life. When we, the British people, are given the vital information, we will tell Parliament the direction in which we demand to go. They will not tell us. We will tell them. Our intellectuals are not less able to assess conflicting issues than are our parliamentarians.

In Britain, parliamentarians serve the people. They do not tell us which direction to take - we tell them.

A referendum, conducted before our Government takes decisions concerning either a single currency or irreversible integration, will compel the production of facts that the electorate has every right to know, but which have not hitherto been fully revealed.

British Constitution

Our unwritten constitution is based on a sure foundation, that has served us well for centuries and that is that no Parliament can bind its successors. Yet this fundamental principle disappears if we integrate with the European Union or have a single European Currency which would make it inevitable. Our gold and currency reserves would be handed over to the European Central Bank in Germany as a 'common resource'. Every future parliament in Britain would be bound and manacled to the biased Brussels bureaucrats.

If any future parliament in this land says, "Enough is enough; we wish to readjust our relationship with you", do you think that the Frankfurt Bank would return our gold and currency reserves? Of course not! Chancellor Kohl has outlined his plans for Europe and I take him seriously. He has warned us that he is intent on making integration irreversible.

Once integrated, there will be no getting out. Integration would be the unforgivable crime of yielding up the liberties and rights for which so many of our compatriots nobly fought and died.

Those who believe that they can frighten or bully us into accepting integration make an old mistake. They underestimate the character of the British people; apparent apathy is grievously misleading to them: a steel-like determination to survive as a nation is part of our make-up.

Those who believe they can frighten or bully us into accepting integration underestimate the character of the British people.

Economic Issues

We fool ourselves when we talk of economic advantages in belonging to the European Union. Europe, sadly, is a diminishing not an expanding factor in world trade. Its significance in world markets diminishes daily. This is not my opinion. It is a fact. In any case we shall continue to trade with Europe, even if we are outside the Economic Monetary Union, but never forget global trade is our vital lifeline for our island history.

We need a referendum badly and we need it before any new decisive moves are made by any Government in this country concerning Europe. For me, the issue towers over party political considerations. It is a concern whether this nation survives with its cherished liberties or not. Give us a referendum in time and we will survive. I am in harmony with the sturdy defence of our British Parliament advanced by my predecessors in the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons.

For me to remain silent now would be an act of treason, for such cowardice would betray the noble heritage handed on to me by former Speakers of the House of Commons.

God bless your efforts, as you battle for Britain, I wish you well.