2016 was a turbulent and difficult year by most accounts. How can believers position themselves wisely as we move into 2017?

The New Year 2017 started very much as the old year 2016 ended, with the battle for Brexit growing in intensity. The resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers shook the Whitehall political establishment – or so it was reported. But did he jump or was he pushed? Clearly Sir Ivan could not have led Britain's negotiations to leave the EU successfully when he had a clear preference to remain within the European Union.

Sir Tim Barrow, the new British ambassador to the EU. See Photo Credits.In biblical terms, the principle that can be applied to such negotiations was clearly stated by Jesus, "Whoever is not with me is against me" (Matt 12:30). In this instant, it would certainly not have been in Britain's interest to have negotiations led by a man whose heart was not in the task of achieving a successful outcome.

Theresa May moved swiftly to replace him with another career civil servant who has publicly committed himself to Brexit. Sir Tim Barrow was British Ambassador to Russia from 2011 to 2015 and while in Moscow he established his reputation as a keen negotiator who will give support and advice to our politicians in the coming months of talks in Brussels.

Greater Problems to Come

The Brexit battle is by no means over and may be expected to grow even more intense as the date for triggering Article 50 approaches. But there are much greater problems on the horizon for the coming year, with the turmoil in the Middle East increasing by the day and the threat of terrorism right across Europe a constant anxiety.

The good news is that the threat of terrorist attacks in Europe initiated by ISIS may be diminishing now that the border between Syria and Turkey has been closed, due to Turkey's reaction to ongoing ISIS' atrocities against soft civilian targets (such as the New Year attack upon a nightclub in Istanbul).

The Brexit battle is by no means over and may grow more intense as the date for triggering Article 50 approaches.

These attacks have hardened Turkish public opinion and strengthened the military determination to close the long border with Syria. The effect of this is to deny ISIS direct access to the West and reduce its capacity to recruit and to infiltrate its fighters into Europe. But European nations must face the threat of terrorism for some while yet, as unknown numbers of terrorists may have already come in through flows of refugees, in addition to 'home-grown' militants radicalised on European soil.

Trump Incoming

The great unknown in all this, of course, is what the Trump Administration will do in the Middle East. The policy of the Obama Administration has been disastrous. They clearly backed the wrong side in arming the so-called 'moderate' Muslim rebels in the Syrian civil war. This allowed Russia to intervene on behalf of President Assad which has turned the war in his favour. But a negotiated peace is not in sight. The rebels will never agree to Assad remaining in power and he will never agree to their demands.

A further complication is the involvement of the Kurds, who have proved to be a useful ally in fighting ISIS in Syria, but they will never be acceptable in Arab areas due to centuries-old hostility.

Obama's policy has been primarily aimed at destroying ISIS. This led to US acceptance of Russian military intervention and the reversal of its opposition to Assad who is backed by Iran – an implacable enemy of the West whose stated aim is the destruction of Israel.

Will Trump continue this policy, particularly in view of his friendly attitude towards Putin? But Trump has also declared unswerving support for Israel. If he carries through his declared aim of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv up to Jerusalem, 'the eternal capital of Israel', this could well cause the whole Israeli-Palestinian dispute to explode.

If Trump carries through his declared aim to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the whole Israeli-Palestinian dispute could explode.

UN Resolution 2334US Secretary of State John Kerry, who delivered a blistering speech against Israel in the aftermath of the recent UN vote.

The vote last month in the United Nations Security Council condemning Israel's policy of settlements in disputed territory has highlighted the Arab-Israeli conflict. Obama's refusal to exercise the USA's veto allowed the almost unanimous vote against Israel (see the article by Charles Gardner elsewhere in this issue). The USA's decision was defended in a critical speech by John Kerry a few days later.

Sadly, Britain also voted in condemnation of Israel, once again breaking all the promises we made in the 1920s when we agreed that the whole land from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea would be a Jewish homeland. Winston Churchill was the Colonial Secretary at the time and he stated explicitly that the Arab part of Palestine would be East of the River Jordan in what is now known as 'Jordan' and the west would be Israel. This was officially and formally approved by the League of Nations on 22 July 1921 – the original 'two-state solution'!

There were only 600,000 Arabs living east of the Jordan at that time and they would be peacefully absorbed into Israel, as they are today in northern Israeli towns such as Nazareth where they have Israeli citizenship and vote for Arab MPs in the Israeli Parliament. Churchill stated on 30 March 1921:

It is manifestly right that the scattered Jews should have a national centre and a national home to be reunited, and where else but in Palestine with which for 3,000 years they have been intimately and profoundly associated? We think it will be good for the world, good for the Jews, good for the British Empire, but also good for the Arabs who dwell in Palestine and we intend it to be so; they shall share in the benefits and progress of Zionism.¹

Sadly, Britain also voted in condemnation of Israel in the UN vote at the end of December.

Zechariah 12 on the Horizon?

If Donald Trump carries out his promises to Israel and the USA becomes the first nation to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel established by King David some 3,000 years ago, and the vast injustice that has denied Jews the right to their own land for the past 2,000 years – it may embolden Israel to annex the whole land in accordance with the League of Nations' declaration.

This would no doubt bring strong protests from the Arab nations with the support of all the anti-Semitic nations of the West. This would look very much like the kind of scenario envisaged in Zechariah 12, when all the nations gather against Israel. Jesus himself warned that "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt 24:7-8). Jesus also said that "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Are we approaching that time?

The Prayers of Believers Are Vital

Jesus told his disciples "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7) but he also told them to watch and pray - and in particular to discern the signs of the times, so that no-one is caught by surprise.

Despite this warning, 2017 is likely to bring many surprises, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe, as the great shaking of the nations spreads across the face of the earth (in particular opening up cracks in the European Union). But Britain is likely to find the exit from the EU to be easier than expected and, provided the right decisions are made by our politicians, we may expect to see God's blessing upon the nation and the economy faring better than expected.

Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray – and to discern the signs of the times.

Much is dependent upon the prayers of believers – genuine, heartfelt, persistent intercession is the only thing that will truly protect and change the nation in the turbulent days that lie ahead. Will Christians study the word of God and understand the times, so that they know how to pray? And will they commit their time to faithful prayer? The future of the nation depends upon our response.

References

1 Quoted in Fromkin, D, A Peace to End All Peace. Phoenix Press, London, 2003, p519.

The only way to understand what is going on in the world is through the lens of Scripture and through prayer.

The great shaking of the nations continues unabated as Western post-Christian civilisation crumbles and scenes of carnage in Syria, Iraq and Yemen are almost too horrific to view or describe. Boris was right when, describing the situation in the Middle East, he said:

"There are politicians who are twisting and abusing religion and different strains of the same religion in order to further their own political objectives. That's one of the biggest political problems in the whole region...that's why you have these proxy wars being fought the whole time in that area...There are not enough big characters, men or women, who are willing to reach out beyond their Sunni or Shia group to the other side and bring people together again..."¹

The Truth About Diplomacy

The Prime Minister had just returned from the Gulf where she had been promoting trade and had dined with the Saudi King, thanking him for the security services he provides to Britain. The last thing she wanted was her Foreign Secretary to tell the truth. The British Foreign Office is renowned for its diplomacy – not for speaking the truth!

So Downing Street stated firmly that Boris was not expressing the Government's view. The PM knows that there is too much at stake to speak so candidly: the more weapons Saudi uses in bombing women and children in Yemen, the more we can sell them and provide jobs for our workers. That's what diplomacy is all about! If Boris wants to keep his job, he will have to learn the art of not speaking the truth - just being polite and friendly.

The British Foreign Office is renowned for its diplomacy – not for speaking the truth!

But what is the truth about what is happening in the Middle East - and other parts of the world that are being ripped apart by violence, such as Nigeria and Pakistan?
What is the truth about the people who are living in fear of war in the Ukraine and the Balkan states where Russia is poised to retrieve her much-coveted Empire; or the people of South Korea and Japan as North Korea and China flex their nuclear muscles? What is the truth about the socio-political revolution that is taking place in Europe and the USA?

Political Instability in EuropeVirginia Raggi of the Five Star Movement, now Mayor of Rome.

Of course, our political journalists and social analysts will give us copious explanations. Austria and Italy are the latest nations to be shaken with elections during the past week. It was the first time in 70 years that the two main parties in Austria were unable even to field a candidate in their presidential election. Their candidates were eliminated in the early rounds of preliminary voting. Van der Bellen has become the first 'Green' to head a European state.

Sunday's referendum in Italy was bad news for Prime Minister Renzi who had staked his political future on proposed far-reaching constitutional reforms. Like David Cameron, he immediately resigned after a crushing 'no' vote which confirmed the rise of the anti-globalisation Five Star Movement, or M5S (now the second most popular party in Italy). Earlier this year, M5S won 19 out of 20 towns and cities where its candidates stood for mayor - including Rome and Turin.² 37-year-old lawyer Virginia Raggi, now Mayor of Rome, promises that the city is entering a new era in its history.

This surge in support for populist parties is likely to be reflected electorally right across Europe in the near future, with France, Germany and the Netherlands all due to hold parliamentary elections next year. 2017 promises to be a year of massive political change in Europe. Those EU politicians who have threatened to make Brexit very difficult for Britain may find themselves swept along by a tide of change and financial instability that will create a dramatically different political landscape across the continent.

2017 promises to be a year of massive political change in Europe – we may end up with a dramatically different landscape.

Uprooting to Build Up

Anyone seeking to understand the truth of what is happening in the world today will need to see the whole situation in the context of the purposes of God. The psalmist sets the scene when he says "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Ps 33:10-11).

It is God's desire that all people should know him and understand his nature and purposes – including his good plans for his covenant people, through whom the world will receive the message of salvation, as the Lord planned from the beginning of Creation. Habakkuk neatly sums this up when he says "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14).

In order to achieve his purposes, God sometimes has to do some demolition – to break down barriers and get rid of the things that are directly contrary to his will. Jeremiah was told this at the beginning of his ministry; God said to him, "See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jer 1:10).

This is why God is shaking everything now. There comes a point where human beings, exercising the freedom he granted them from the beginning of Creation, are in danger of destroying the world through the wickedness and violence of their unredeemed nature. At that point God has to say, "enough is enough".

Out of Exile...for a Purpose

He had to do this with his chosen people Israel by allowing the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem. Jeremiah perceived this and actually rejoiced to see God at work: "O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men" (Jer 32:18-19).
Out of the tragedy of the exile in Babylon God brought back a redeemed company of people who would be a light for the Gentiles, "that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isa 49:6).

Immediately after the exile, the Prophet Haggai foresaw the time coming when God would need to shake everything in order to carry out his purposes of salvation and bring his message of love to all people. "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 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" (Hag 2:6).

It is God's desire that all should know him – but in order to achieve his purposes, he sometimes has to do some demolition of barriers and things that are directly contrary to his will.

Great Opportunity for Us

Of course, it is uncomfortable when God is seemingly shaking everything around us. But this is where it is essential for Christians to understand what God is doing and to be active and vocal in teaching those who do not know the God of the Bible. We need to develop our trust in God, so that as things get more difficult, we will not be shaken from the knowledge that the battle truly belongs to the Lord.

This Advent season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the light that has come into the world to scatter the darkness, we have an immense opportunity to bring a message of hope, love and joy into the lives of our families, friends and neighbours - to all with whom we are in contact.

References

1 Published by The Guardian, Thursday 8 December 2016. Click here to watch the video.

2 Italy elections: Big win for Five Star protest party. BBC News, 20 June 2016.

What do the Iraq War and the European Union have in common?

A great shaking of the nations is rapidly spreading across Europe following Britain's decision to leave the European Union. In Italy the anti-establishment Five Star Movement has officially called for a national referendum on whether to keep the Euro, which they say simply does not work for Italy and other nations in the south of Europe.

There are similar calls for a referendum in France, Denmark and the Netherlands. Right across Europe there is a sense of uncertainty as the clamour for change rises among those who are suffering from poverty and a sense of injustice.

The Chilcot Report

In Britain it is surely no coincidence that the Chilcot Report has come out within days of the Referendum decision to leave the European Union and the furore that has been created from those who wanted to remain, many of whom are now clamouring for a second vote. In one damning sentence, Sir John Chilcot neatly exposed the gross error of the decision to invade Iraq. He said, "We have concluded that the UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted."¹

MPs who voted for the war such as Sir David Amess are now expressing deep regret² and saying that the information they were given was flawed – in other words, they were deceived. The military campaign was successfully carried out but there were no plans for what to do afterwards. With the Iraqi Army, Police and Government all disbanded, Iraq rapidly descended into anarchy, looting and sectarian violence. This continues to this day, with Iraq and Syria immersed in a bloody dispute that is unsettling the whole region, with consequences right across Europe.

Across Europe there is a sense of uncertainty as the clamour for change rises among those suffering from poverty and injustice.

No Follow-Up

There is a strange connection between the Referendum campaigners and those involved in the Iraq war – neither of them had any plans for follow-up!

In the week following the Referendum, none of the leaders of the 'Leave' camp came up with any clear plans for the future. The Government, who campaigned for 'Remain', also had no plans for what would happen if the country voted to leave. The Prime Minister resigned; the parliamentary Labour Party became immersed in a leadership struggle. So we have had no stable Government and no effective Opposition! None of our political leaders have been able to give a clear direction for the future.

This has not only unsettled the stock exchange and financial services, it has unsettled the whole of the United Kingdom (particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland) and has also sent shock waves right across Europe.

Deception and Destruction

There is a verse in the Bible that aptly describes what is going on today. It speaks of the day when God will shake all the nations because of their sinfulness. It says "He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray" (Isa 30:28). This chapter in Isaiah begins with the words "'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, heaping sin upon sin.'"

Both the war in Iraq and the European Union fall into this category. Both were conceived in deception. False information was given to the people so that decisions were made without understanding the long-term consequences. The European Union was presented as a trade alliance for economic co-operation – not a 'United States of Europe' in which each country would lose their national sovereignty, with Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies, a common law, a common currency, a common army and a common [anti-Israel] foreign policy.

There is a strange connection between the Referendum campaigners and those involved in the Iraq war – neither of them had any plans for follow-up!

The war in Iraq was said to be to destroy the weapons of mass destruction held by Saddam Hussein which were said to be a threat to the peace of the Western world, but its real intention was regime change – to get rid of Saddam Hussein and replace him with a form of Western democracy which Western leaders hoped would provide an ideal type for the whole Arab world! This reveals their utter ignorance of Islam and Islamic culture!

Recipe for Revolution

When a project is born in lies and deceit, it is doomed to failure. "Woe to those who carry out plans that are not mine," says the Lord. If we human beings deliberately choose to ignore basic standards of honesty and righteousness, turning our backs upon the word of the Lord, we inevitably bring judgment upon our actions. The terrible consequences of the Iraqi war are still being seen and felt right across Europe, every day of our lives.

Similarly, the consequences of the European Union with its open borders and its common currency have created enormous poverty and suffering for millions in some parts of Europe whilst providing vast wealth to others. This is a recipe for revolution – it creates an enormous 'us and them' situation, wherein large parts of the population suffer a sense of injustice and deprivation which eventually build up pressures of social unrest that explode into violence.

Both the war in Iraq and the European Union were conceived in deception – and projects born of lies and deceit are doomed to failure.

Right across the world today the nations are suffering the consequences of unrighteousness. We are part of the generation that has ignored the simple truth of the proverb "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Prov 14:34).

The great shaking of the nations prophesied in Scripture is to provide a strong warning of the danger that lies ahead if we continue along the same path. The great question facing humanity today is whether or not we will heed the warning signs and seek the wisdom of the Lord for the way forward – seeking his plans, which are for our good – for blessing and hope, not for harm.

At a Crossroads

PA/PA Wire/Press Association Images.

Britain stands at a crossroads. Will a righteous Government be appointed to lead the nation into the future? I was attending a meeting of the Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group yesterday, when the Conservative MPs were voting for their new leader. Much depends now on how the Conservative Party members vote for our next Prime Minister.

Will they vote for Theresa May, the present Home Secretary, who is said to be 'a safe pair of hands' – in other words she will continue following the same secular humanist policies that have been pursued by her predecessors (in Westminster she is said to be the one who persuaded David Cameron to change the law on marriage, telling him that it would make him popular with the LGBT community) - or will they vote for Andrea Leadsom, a Bible-believing Christian who regularly attends a prayer group and is not afraid to declare and defend her faith in public?

We ask that you join with us at this time to pray that the right choice for our Prime Minister be made on 9 September – that God's will be done. This is a crucial time in the history of our nation.

References

1 Sir John Chilcot's public statement, 6 July 2016.

2 Letters to the editor: We must learn lessons of Chilcot. London Evening Standard, 7 July 2016.

Mark Dunman reflects on Smith Wigglesworth's prophecy over Britain and calls for continued prayer at this volatile time.

God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarged nations and disperses them. (Job 12:23)

I believe God has responded to the prayers of those Christians who have long felt that the EU was no place for Britain. It is indeed a momentous decision. I support 'Brexit', as it popularly came to be called, for a very specific reason. I believe that Britain cannot fulfil its destiny while spiritually shackled to a European Union which is hostile to our God, the God of the Bible.

Britain's Destiny: Mission and Revival?

What is this destiny? I believe that, in part, this destiny is to support the re-establishment of the State of Israel, but I also believe that it is to fulfil the promises made in the prophecy given by the great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth in 1947, shortly before his death. For those readers not familiar with the prophecy¹ I reproduce it here in full:

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

The second move of the Holy Spirit will result in people leaving historic churches and planting new churches.

In the duration of each of these moves, the people who are involved will say 'This is a great revival.' But the Lord says 'No, neither is this the great revival but both are steps towards it.' When the new church phase is on the wane, there will be evidenced in the churches something that has not been seen before: a coming together of those with an emphasis on the Word and those with an emphasis on the Spirit.

When the Word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest movement of the Holy Spirit that the nation, and indeed, the world has ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and the Welsh revivals of former years. The outpouring of God's Sprit will flow over from the United Kingdom to the mainland of Europe, and from there, will begin a missionary move to the ends of the earth.

I believe this prophecy to be from God. It has already been partly fulfilled. I came to faith in the 1970s during what I see as the first phase of the prophecy, the restoration of the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I lived through the second phase, the planting of new churches. We now await the third phase, a truly amazing revival which will start within our shores and radiate out to Europe and then to the world.

I believe Smith Wigglesworth's prophecy to be from God - it has already been partly fulfilled and we now await its third phase.

Other Christian leaders such as Derek Prince and Jean Darnall have prophesied a time of revival prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Derek Prince saw one great final wave of revival, while Jean Darnall saw fires of revival being lit up all over the British Isles.

Urgent Need for Continued Prayer

I did not believe that this could happen while Britain was part of an increasingly pagan/humanist Europe. To me this is the significance of the vote to leave Europe. Britain could not move forward spiritually while still in Europe; now it has the opportunity.

However, the need to pray is even more urgent. No one pretends that the moral state of this country warrants the mercy of God. The many groups that have been praying below the radar need to continue:

• We need to pray for the Church, most of which seems to view the EU solely in political terms.
• We need to pray for healing and reconciliation between the opposing sides in this referendum.
• We need to pray that we will make a good transition to being on our own – in particular that God will not allow the nation to become disillusioned with its choice.

Finally, we need to pray for a restoration of Christian values and a recognition by the nation and its government of our Judaeo-Christian heritage. We are a tolerant nation and we can live with other religions practising their faiths, but we should not tolerate other faiths (including atheism) attempting to marginalise our Christian heritage. We are a Christian nation and in my view it is perfectly reasonable to ask people of other faiths to respect this fact.

Nevertheless, this will not happen without prayer. Our spiritual enemy, satan, and his kingdom of darkness, will seek to neutralise the result of this Referendum. We have to pray and intercede for what we believe is right for this nation.

Britain could not move forward spiritually whilst in Europe. Now we have the opportunity, the need for prayer is ever more urgent.

Take Heart

I urge all Christians who have prayed for this result to continue and even to step up their prayer. The moral state of this nation is dire, but we can take heart from the fact that God can stir the fires of revival in a nation, whatever its moral and spiritual state, as the Wesleyan and Welsh revivals testify.

What God needs from those who are already his children and in his kingdom, is sustained, heartfelt prayer and intercession. Let us go to it!

Author information: Mark Dunman is the author of two books which we reviewed here at Prophecy Today earlier in the year: Has God really finished with Israel? (2013), which challenges Replacement Theology, and The Return of Jesus Christ: the end or the beginning? (2015), which examines the various millennial positions taken by the Church through history and discusses whether we are approaching the return of Christ any time soon.

Both books are available at markdunman.com, at Christian bookshops and on Amazon. Click here to read Paul Luckraft's interview with Mark from earlier this year.

Notes

1 There is some disagreement as to whether it was Smith Wigglesworth who gave this prophecy. However, he was known to have given a similar prophecy to David du Plessis in South Africa in 1936. What matters to me is that it has all the hallmarks of a genuine prophecy from God (Deut 18:21-22), not least because part of it has been fulfilled. See also Prophecy Today's feature on this prophecy as part of the 'Testing Prophecies Together' series.

God is giving us an amazing opportunity for the advancement of his Kingdom - but there is much work to be done.

In our Editorial two weeks ago we said that the Referendum day was "in many senses a 'D-Day' – a decision day which may become a DELIVERANCE DAY" on 23 June.¹

That, as it turns out, was a prophetic statement. The nation has voted for freedom from the shackles of the European Union.

Of course, all of us on the Editorial Board of this magazine are glad and we see this as a great act of mercy and compassion of God. We believe it is a wonderful answer to prayer. God is giving us an amazing opportunity for the advancement of his Kingdom. But our rejoicing is tempered by the knowledge that the moral and spiritual state of our nation remains unchanged by this vote.

Long Journey Ahead

One of our readers who commented on the Editorial mentioned above said, "...it is glaringly obvious that the UK does not meet the conditions for divine intervention in Jeremiah 18:7-8".²

They saw the Referendum as more like Dunkirk than D-Day, and the little prayer and Bible study groups around the country like the "little ships that played such a key role in evacuating the troops off the Dunkirk beaches."³

This perceptive comment reminds us that Christians are now in the minority in Britain and we have a huge mountain to climb if we are to seize the opportunity that God is graciously giving to us to make a real change in this nation.

Acknowledging the Good of the EU

Prophecy Today was first published in 1985 and since that time we have always sought to present the truth in every situation - even if it has been unpopular. We know that some of our readers do not share our dislike of the European Union and our passion to be free from its restrictions and regulations. We understand that, and we want to acknowledge the good that the EU has done in providing Europe with the longest period of peace in its history over the past 500 years of sporadic warfare and squabbling among the nations.

God has been so gracious to us – but we have a huge mountain to climb if we are to seize the opportunity to make real change in this nation.

The EU has also a good record on human rights and ensuring the fair treatment of workers and opposing gender and racial discrimination. These and many other good things should not be discarded by our leaving the European Union.

There were many advantages in the Common Market that we originally joined some 43 years ago, that have enhanced trade and contributed to good international relationships – peace and prosperity. But the old sinful human lusts for power, and greed for wealth, became the driving force behind the direction of the EU's growth from a small trading association towards a super-state exercising increasingly totalitarian control over its members. This has been its undoing – the corrupting power of power, which has given vast wealth to some and unemployment and poverty to others.

Revolt Against the Elites

Of course the global corporations and bankers and the ruling classes wanted Britain to remain in the EU, but the ordinary working people across the country saw through the facade presented by those who wanted to retain the status quo. The real significance of this Referendum is that it was a 21^st CENTURY PEASANTS' REVOLT.

The politicians who live in the Westminster bubble and London itself, where property prices have been obscenely inflated by foreign capital, have been becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the country. This is a fact that is glaringly obvious from the Referendum voting.

Turmoil and Testing

The greatest casualty in the Referendum Debate has been TRUTH. The amount of mud-slinging and personal abuse, mixed in with deliberate lies and deception, has been a national disgrace. It needs to be followed rapidly by a large amount of humility and forgiveness on both sides of the debate, not merely to quieten things down but to seek genuine unity of purpose for the good of the country.

Of course the immediate future is likely to be characterised by turmoil, not only in the financial markets which always hate uncertainty, but also in terms of social solidarity. This will be the greatest test of David Cameron's leadership: to steer the nation through the next few months until he is replaced in Number 10.

I believe him to be an essentially honest politician – a rare accolade in any age. Of course he has made mistakes, because like the rest of us he is a human being. But there are few politicians who would have had the courage to give the nation a Referendum as he has done! We should honour him for this.

I believe David Cameron to be an essentially honest politician, and we should honour him for his courage to call the Referendum in the first place.

His biggest mistake has been to claim that he had achieved "a reformed Europe" following his whirlwind tour of European capitals. Everyone could see that there were no signs of 'reformation' in the European Union. So when he referred to it people laughed. If only he had said that he had been unable to obtain the reforms that he wanted to see and then led the nation to leave the EU - his political career would have soared!

Weathering the Storm

We must now pray for godly leaders to emerge in Westminster, to lead the nation through turbulent waters. The nation needs leaders who acknowledge the moral and spiritual mess we are in and who are prepared to assert biblical values of truth and honesty with humility before the Lord, emphasising the Judaeo-Christian heritage of this nation and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Lord for the way forward.

God is giving to Britain an amazing opportunity to enter a new era of blessing and prosperity when we have weathered the storm of our exit from the EU. Our leaving is likely to be met with hostility from EU leaders, but we have to be prepared to return good for evil and to find ways of establishing a new partnership with the other nations of Europe, rather than turn our backs upon them and try to live in isolation. That would surely not be right in the sight of the Lord.

We must pray for godly leaders to emerge in Westminster, to lead the nation through turbulent waters.

Trust in the Lord!

After weeks of praying "Thy will be done", Christians need to recognise the outcome of the Referendum as an act of God and give thanks for his goodness. But so much now depends upon our seeking brotherly love and Holy Spirit unity within the Church of all traditions – ancient and new – as the Body of Christ in Britain.

This would be a powerful witness to the nation. Whichever way they voted, many are now nervous of the future. By our love we must "strengthen [their] feeble arms and weak knees" (Heb 12:12) and encourage one another by our trust in the Lord and our devotion to Christ.

All Bible-believing Christians believe in the Sovereignty of God, and God has chosen to give us freedom from the EU. Therefore, we have now to ask the Lord what he wants us to do with the new freedom that he has granted us; not just to be free once again to fish in our own waters and pass our own laws, but to declare publicly the word of God in this land!

We need to recognise the outcome as an act of God – but so much of the future now depends on the Church's response.

There are already signs of God touching the lives of people in some parts of the country and if we are faithful we could see an amazing work of God with many people giving their lives to Jesus and our prayers being answered for his name to be hallowed in Britain, and his will to "be done, on earth as it is in Heaven!" (Matt 6:10).

References

1 Click here to read the editorial.

2 Click here to read the full comment.

3 Ibid.

"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.