We look set for a turbulent autumn and a winter of discontent.

Our political masters are back from their summer break, refreshed and reinvigorated and ready to set the world right. But do they come back to Westminster with any fresh ideas, or is it back to the same old policies, antagonisms and graft? Both main parties are riven asunder from top to bottom with division so we look set for a turbulent autumn and a winter of discontent, with the Brexit battle absorbing the Tories and anti-Semitism troubling Labour.

The resignation of Frank Field from the Labour Party whip and the bitter criticism of Jeremy Corbyn by Margaret Hodge are signs of the deep trouble in the parliamentary Labour Party. The outbursts from Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees Mogg and other strong Brexiteers who say that Theresa May’s Chequers plan is dead in the water are all adding to the sense of confusion and turmoil surrounding Westminster at the moment.

Signs of Judgment

But these are classical biblical signs of judgment. Deuteronomy 28 gives a list of curses that would come upon Israel if they turned their backs upon the word of God and got heavily into idolatry and rejection of the truth.

One of the consequences would be “The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him” (Deut 28:20). This prophecy was certainly fulfilled in 586 BC when Jerusalem including the temple, the palace and all the great houses of the city were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army.

Coronation Oath

Of course, Britain is not in a covenant relationship with God as was the nation of Israel; but our Sovereign, on behalf of the nation, swore an Oath of Allegiance to the God of the Bible in her Coronation Ceremony in 1953. Since then, as a nation, we have steadily turned away from biblical truth, passing one law after another that is directly against the word of God such as: The Abortion Act 1967, The Divorce Reform Act 1969, The Children’s Act 1989, The Sunday Trading Act 1993, The Gender Recognition Act 2004, The Equality Acts 2010, and The Marriage Same-Sex Couples Act 2013.

"We have steadily turned away from biblical truth"

Warnings

It is simply not possible to do all these ungodly things without bringing upon the nation the retribution we deserve. Another warning in Deuteronomy 28:28 says, “The Lord will inflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.” We are certainly seeing this among our politicians today. We have had the truth in the Bible for centuries and as a nation we have chosen to discard it and go our own way.

In so doing, Britain, that had been under the protective cover of God for 1,000 years, moved outside that cover of protection and what we are seeing today is the result. There is no greater example of the rejection of the ‘God dimension’ in public life than Jeremy Corbyn’s behaviour in regard to the Jews and Zionism. 

Zionism

Zionism is the recognition of God’s covenant with Israel that is at the heart of our Judeo-Christian faith. The promise goes right back to the time of Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:2-3).

Has Corbyn never read the Bible? As leader of a major political party in Britain whose Sovereign has sworn on oath to uphold the word of God in the Bible, he surely should have some understanding of what this means and of his own responsibility for upholding biblical truth.

It is a simple historical fact that the people of Israel occupied the land of Israel for many hundreds of years until the Roman army slaughtered half a million Jews and drove the remainder out of the land, destroying Jerusalem, renaming it ‘Capitoline’ and renaming the land of Israel – ‘Palestine’ – ‘land of the Philistines’ – as a deliberate insult to the Jews. That was in AD 135 and they remained scattered across the globe until their land was restored to them in 1948. Until that date the hope of returning to their traditional homeland had been expressed in the term ‘Zionism’ since the 1890s. It was endorsed by British Foreign Secretary Lord Balfour in a 1917 Declaration which was endorsed by Lloyd George and Winston Churchill and became part of British foreign policy.

Anti-Semitism

But anti-Semitic prejudice has plagued the British Foreign Office ever since the 1920s and that is what we see reflected in Jeremy Corbyn and his followers today. Their get-out-of-jail-free-card added to the international definition of anti-Semitism this week allowing them to criticise Israel is a pathetic cover for the anti-Jewish prejudice at the heart of their policy. But the prejudice they are trying to conceal is not just a social attitude. It is, at root, a hatred of God and of the Covenant he made with the people of Israel through whom he has given his teaching (Torah) and revealed his nature and purposes in the Bible; and as Christians believe – He has also given us the Messiah, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Hope

Is there any hope for Britain? Of course there is! Bible-believing-praying Christians should be asking God to use this time of confusion to cause people to recognise our need of God’s help. The 100 young people who have died on the streets of London since the beginning of this year are evidence of a sick society that can only be cured by crying out to God for help. We have reached the stage in the corruption of society that only spiritual revival can cure! None of our problems can be solved by human ingenuity because at root they are spiritual rather than social problems that only God can solve.

None of our problems can be solved by human ingenunity.

Shaking the Nations

It is not only Britain that is in desperate need – the USA similarly is going through a time of political and social upheaval with President Trump under siege in the White House, and Democrats and Republicans hurling insults at one another in the run-up to the November mid-term elections.

Germany, Italy and many other European nations are also going through a period of political turmoil; so too is Australia. Throughout the Western world there are many signs that the great shaking of the nations prophesied in Scripture (Haggai 2:7 and Hebrews 12) are coming true in our generation.

We are rapidly moving towards the time when the situation will become so desperate that Christians will be battering the gates of heaven with their prayers calling upon God to send spiritual revival as the only hope of saving the nations from destruction!

A call to believers to battle for the nation.

I don’t often have a sleepless night worrying about the state of the nation. But I did on Wednesday night after watching the chaotic scenes in Parliament that led to the expulsion from the chamber of the leader of the Scottish Nationalist MPs, followed by their mass walkout.

No, I wasn’t worrying about the possibility of another Scottish Referendum and the breakup of the Union, or about the effect upon our parliamentary democracy of the battle between the Lords and the Commons over Brexit. I was worrying about Bible-believing Christians in Britain being no longer involved in the battle for Brexit.

I am convinced that it was praying, Bible-believing Christians who, through their intercession in the days leading up to the historic 2016 Referendum, helped to produce a majority in favour of leaving the European Union. That this was achieved despite the predictions of the pundits and the enormous effort of the establishment, European and world leaders and the mainstream media, all trying to persuade Brits to stay shackled to the EU, is nothing short of miraculous.

But the Referendum battle was only a minor skirmish in comparison with what is happening now, as the Remainers mobilise their forces to reverse the decision and force Britain to stay within the European Union. That is their intention - nothing less - despite all their protests that they are only trying to ensure good trade deals.

My greatest worry is that I sense that many Christians no longer watch the news and follow the developments in the Brexit process because they are tired of it all, or because it’s all so depressing. Yes, it is! But if Christians opt out of the battle the consequences are unbelievably disastrous. The Bible reminds us that "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labour in vain” (Ps 127).

If Christians opt out of the battle the consequences are unbelievably disastrous.

Have Christians Given Up?

Britain’s prospective release from the European Project and its demonic powers offers a wonderfully open future, potentially full of prosperity and new life. But this can only be achieved where there is sufficient faith in God to allow for his guidance and blessing to be influential in our national affairs.

My fear today is that many Christians have given up battling in prayer for Britain. Yes, I know what I wrote a year ago about not simply praying for prosperity, but that did not mean that we should not pray for God to use these times of trouble to bring a spirit of repentance into the nation.

I strongly believe in God’s promise given through 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).

I note that Jeremiah kept calling for repentance right up to the time when the Babylonian army surrounded the walls of Jerusalem: he knew that if the people put their trust in the Lord they would have been kept safe from the most powerful army in the world, even at that late hour. God would have done something at the last moment to save his people!

But the huge danger today is that many Bible-believing Christians have grown weary of the battle raging among our political masters. What came to me during my sleepless night was that many Christians do not understand the nature of the battle: it is not just a political battle, or a fight to save our democracy; it is part of a major spiritual conflict over the Judeo-Christian heritage – and future - of Western civilisation.

Many Christians do not understand the spiritual nature of the battle.

Spirit of Lawlessness

I believe we have reached a period in the history of the world where the most incredible spiritual battle is taking place - both in the heavenlies and upon earth - for the future influence of the biblical revelation of truth given through the advent, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It may be that what we are seeing is the release of the ‘man of lawlessness’ to which Paul refers in 2 Thessalonians 2. The spirit of rebellion against God, together with the rapid rise of anti-Semitism and the increase in the persecution of Christians in all parts of the world, are symptoms of the great spiritual battle that is raging in our lifetime.

Button worn this week by demonstrators outside Parliament.

Paul warns believers not to underestimate the spiritual powers of darkness that are involved. He says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).

My fear is that most Christians do not understand the nature of this battle. They “have eyes but do not see…ears but do not hear” (Jer 5:21; also Mark 8:18). But Paul wrote that God’s plan was to use the ‘community of believers’ (the congregation of saints) “to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:10)!

Sounding the Call

If I am right in what I believe I am hearing in my quiet times, the world is rapidly moving into a period of incredible turmoil, with Europe and Israel at the centre of the battle. Once the civil war in Syria is over the attention of the Islamic world will turn to Israel and Britain needs to be free of European shackles if we are to respond as we should before God.

The greatest need today is for Bible-believing Christians, not only in Britain, but across the world, to recognise the nature of the battle and to seek the Lord for the right prayer strategy. Then, the forces of light may be mobilised by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring his message of salvation to the nations and overcome the spirit of death that is driving the nations to destruction.

A trumpet call to prayer must be sounded among Christians – and we can all play our part in this.

A plea for clarity one year on from the Westminster attack.

This week members of both Lords and Commons began their day by remembering the terror attack on Westminster Bridge and on the Houses of Parliament. It has been just one year since pedestrians walking across the bridge were mown down by a speeding driver who crashed near the gates of Parliament and ran into the courtyard, fatally stabbing PC Keith Palmer.

People ran from the scene, but one man ran towards the incident: Tobias Ellwood MP, who had both military and medical experience, ran to the dying police officer, trying to save his life while the attack was still underway. One year on, Members of Parliament stood for a minute’s silence in each House and also attended a short commemorative service in Westminster Hall led by the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Speaker’s Chaplain.

In an emotional interview, Mr Ellwood recalled the day and how, on arriving home, he had to explain to his son what had happened to PC Palmer. He paid tribute to the police for their work in protecting Parliament and the public in a day when things seem “to be getting more dangerous and more volatile”.

He said “These attacks will continue unless we step forward and actually participate, become more proactive in dealing with what is a very changing and dark chapter that we are enduring.”

An Islamic Response

On the same day as the MPs were remembering what happened last year I received two leaflets through the post from a friend in Derby. The leaflets had been put through his front door. One is entitled: ‘ISLAM’S RESPONSE TO EXTREMISM’. Its six pages are devoted to presenting a very different picture of Islam – claiming it to be a religion of peace!

The leaflet says:

The horrific actions of extremists, who conduct their brutality in the name of Islam, have led many to question whether Islam advocates terrorism and violence. The truth, however, is that Islam and terrorism are poles apart as there is no justification in Islam for any form of extremism.

MP Tobias Ellwood, who ran towards the scene of the attack, has described this period of British history as dangerous, volatile and dark.

The leaflet says, “furthermore the Holy Qur’an champions the sanctity of life” and then quotes “whosoever killed a person…It shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:33). The bits missed out of this quote are, however, vitally important: they show that it was addressed to the Israelites – to the Jews – not to Muslims!

Moreover, the quoted verse is actually 5:32, not 5:33. 5:33 is quite different – it says “Those that make war against Allah and his apostle [Mohammed] shall be slain or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or be banished from the land”.

The leaflet neglects to mention the many verses in the Qur’an that specifically instruct Muslims to kill Christians and Jews and polytheists – in fact, anyone who does not accept the religion of Islam. It not only says “fight against those who do not believe in Allah…until they are utterly subdued” (Qur’an 9:29), but it also provides a religious justification for the terrorists who do the killing: “You did not kill them but Allah killed them, and when you smote them, it was not you but Allah who smote them so that he might richly reward the faithful. Allah is the one who hears all and knows all” (Qur’an 8:17).

The leaflet also devotes a whole page to denying that Islam practices forceful conversion. It has the headline: ‘IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO FORCEFULLY CONVERT OTHERS TO ISLAM?’ Their answer:

No. The Holy Quran is very clear that mankind has a free choice in the matter of religion. Muslims are encouraged to spread the message of Islam peacefully with respect and love. The Holy Quran is very clear that each person is free to follow or change the faith of his or her choice.

This is the exact opposite of the truth! Mohammed’s practice was to slaughter all the non-Muslim men and take the women and children into slavery, using the girls for sex slavery. This is exactly the practice that has been followed in recent years by the Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq. And the same attitude to non-Muslim girls is repeatedly rearing its head in Britain too, from Rochdale and Rotherham to, now, Telford.

The Ahmadiyya Sect

It is important to note that both the leaflets referred to above were produced and circulated by the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam, which mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims regard as heretical.

The Ahmadiyya are committed to spreading Islam peacefully. Their tagline is “Love for all, hatred for none”. It was an Ahmadi Muslim shopkeeper in Glasgow who took to social media in 2016 to wish his Christian customers a ‘Happy Easter’ – and was later murdered by another Muslim who travelled all the way from Yorkshire to stab him for this act of kindness.

The Ahmadiyya are committed to spreading Islam peacefully – but they are regarded as heretical by mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims.

It was regarded as an insult to Mohammed because the Qur’an instructs Muslims not to make friends with Jews and Christians, which is why Britain now has so many cities like Blackburn and Leicester where there are whole areas that are solidly Muslim, and people don’t even speak English. The Qur’an says to Muslims: “Take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. Allah does not guide the wrongdoers” (Qur’an 5:51).

There is a clear cultural clash here which undermines our Government’s policy of integration. There will never be integration until the mainstream Muslim and Ahmadi scholars sort out their differences and initiate a public debate of the Qur’an; and their scholars give rulings on which of its content they consider to be relevant for today and which should only be regarded as having been given for the Mediaeval period when Islam was first formed.

A Test from the Lord

Such a modernisation could release all Muslims from the obligations of jihad and would be a tremendous boon to Muslim integration in the West – but is it possible? We must, of course, see the rise of Islam in a proper spiritual context, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).

Islam, despite its manifold sects and interpretations, remains a spiritual power set up to rival (and counterfeit and invert) the glorious truths revealed in the Bible about the One True God. Beneath Islam’s complicated exterior are demonic spirits – not least of violence and tyranny – which accounts for its total conflation of religion and state.

Its growing influence in the West – gradually through immigration and demographic growth, and more immediately through terrorisation – is being allowed to happen by our Sovereign God. Why? To test us, to know what is in the hearts of this ‘post-Christian’ generation.

Islam, despite its manifold sects and interpretations, remains a spiritual power set up to rival the glorious truths revealed in the Bible.

Will our politicians and leaders wake up and realise that the ascent of Islam represents a direct assault on what has been the bedrock of our Judeo-Christian culture for centuries – a faith and a set of biblical values which have no equal on this earth – and never will?

Will the public (including the Church!) recognise that our great Christian heritage is worth defending and celebrating, not ignoring and compromising?

And will believing Christians take the great opportunity to witness to the truth of the Gospel which has now, like the Ahmadiyya leaflets, arrived on our very doorstep?

Protests, confusion and cries of abuse have a common root.

In the week that we have been remembering the 500^th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, it is appropriate to look at Europe today where we see the widespread rise of protest movements. Luther’s challenge to the practices of the Catholic Church was a direct challenge to its authority. Today we are seeing challenges to authority in almost every part of Europe – but these stem from a very different spirit.

In Britain, our media never ceases to inform us of the chaos and confusion surrounding the Brexit negotiations. The confusion is not just in Westminster; it is also in Brussels. We are facing so many ‘unknowns’ – political, legal, commercial, as well as ideological. Our politicians and media commentators spend their time consulting their crystal balls trying to discern the future, but only succeed in generating greater confusion.

But Britain and the EU are not the only centres of confusion. Throughout Europe there are signs of growing discontent and dissatisfaction with policies that have been followed by traditional leaders for decades.

Uprisings Against Traditional Authority

Young people in particular are exerting influence, rising up to challenge traditional authority. France, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic have all voted for young leaders; part of a populist uprising across Europe.

The Catalan declaration of independence, challenged by the Spanish Government, has rapidly descended into chaos with their leader running away to Brussels. Austria voted last month for Sebastian Kurz, a 31-year-old right-wing leader who is said to be talking to the far-right Freedom Party in an attempt to form a government.

Throughout Europe there are signs of growing discontent and dissatisfaction.

The Czech Republic has also voted for an anti-establishment leader, Andrej Babis, who obtained 30% in last month’s election.

In Germany, the far-right ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) party won 94 seats in the Bundestag in September’s elections, which was the first time any such party has made gains in Germany since the 1930s. In Italy the two northern regions are seeking to organise a referendum to gain greater autonomy and the populist five-star movement (M5S) also elected a 31-year-old leader.

Abuse and Loss of Trust

Defence Minister Michael Fallon has lost his position because of the recent allegations about sexual misconduct at Westminster. See Photo Credits.Back in Westminster, confusion is not confined to the Brexit negotiations: politicians are greatly concerned by allegations of sexual impropriety among MPs, which has attracted much media attention with women queueing up to tell tales to journalists. ‘Someone touched my knee 20 years ago: I lost my confidence and it ruined my life.’ What a load of codswallop! Has the world gone completely mad?

Of course, if there are incidents of serious sexual malpractice or harassment there should be a safe place where complaints can be lodged and dealt with professionally, but the current politically correct hysteria is ridiculous. Is our society not sufficiently adult to be able to sort out relationships between the genders?

Two days ago I was in my study with the door shut and the young woman who does some cleaning for us was hoovering in the dining room. I heard her phone go and then she burst into loud crying. My wife was out so I immediately went to her and between uncontrollable sobs she managed to say that someone in her family had died. I had hardly ever spoken to her before but I simply took her into my arms and let her cry on my shoulder.

When she quietened down I told her I believe in prayer and could I pray for her? She nodded and I prayed, which brought about a total transformation. She said she used to go to Sunday School as a child but hadn’t been to church for years; so I talked about the love of God and gently gave her the Gospel. Far from accusing me of ‘inappropriate behaviour’, she was profuse in her thanks. We were just two human beings – one in distress and the other offering comfort.

Incidents of serious sexual malpractice should of course be properly dealt with, but the current politically correct hysteria is ridiculous.

Breakdown of Relationships

Surely, all the major problems we see in modern society come down to human relationships which have failed, broken or been abused in some way. The ongoing drama over Brexit and the political instability right across the Western world are but symptoms of this deeper, more systemic problem of human relationships.

In the same way, the current wave of sex scandals delighting the media has its origins in broken human relations – particularly the breakdown of marriage, but also a broader disintegration of trust and commitment to faithful and loving relationships. This is where Christian churches have much to teach secular humanists. In most churches, relationships are a strong uniting factor and churchgoers regularly exchange greetings with hugs or kisses, with no fears of sexual impropriety. Even in Anglican churches, often regarded as formal and cold institutions, sharing ‘The Peace’ is usually an opportunity for hugs all round!

When human relationships are based upon mutual respect and trust, we do not have to worry about political correctness or ‘inappropriate behaviour’. We can just be natural and free from inhibitions and fear of being misunderstood in our relationships with others.

Getting Our Relationship with God Right

But it is vital to recognise that these ideal human relationships are the outcome of a right relationship with God: recognising him as Creator, who made us all (both male and female) in his own image; as Father, who designed us for intimate relationship with him as his sons and daughters; and as Lord, who alone is the true authority, setting out right from wrong and holding us all to account.

When we get our relationship right with God, this automatically puts right our relationships with other human beings, because our whole attitude is different.

We do not seek to ‘lord it’ over others, because we know that we ourselves are no better or worse than they, and all are subject to God. We are enabled to love others and given wisdom to handle difficult times – dealing with differences, misunderstandings, or complex negotiations. Mutual respect in personal relationships leads to the same spirit prevailing over wider issues involving whole communities and nations.

When we get our relationship right with God, this automatically puts right our relationships with other human beings.

The basic problem in Western society today is that we have abandoned this biblical authority structure – once a fundamental part of our Judeo-Christian moral, social and political foundations, enjoyed by our forefathers. These were passed on to us, but they have been despised and rejected. We have rebelled against God’s good plan, inverting his model for right and blessed relationships and deleting God from the equation.

The Apostle Paul went to the heart of this issue by saying “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” (Rom 8:7, ESV). The answers to our difficult personal relationships and our complex international relationships all lie in getting our relationship with God right.

It’s worth just meditating on a few verses from Psalm 119:

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (vv33-37)

Terror attack sadness points to resurrection gladness!

“He laid down his life for each one of us.”

An appropriate comment to hear around Easter/Passover, I’m sure you’ll agree.

The words are those of Jonathan Osborne, senior chaplain to London’s Metropolitan Police, speaking about the brave officer who died confronting a terrorist trying to attack Parliament.

Khalid Masood stabbed PC Keith Palmer after mowing down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge. Monday’s funeral of PC Palmer was a sad day indeed for all of us, and for me it coincided with the funeral of a much-loved pastor as well as with the anniversary of my late wife Irene’s burial 17 years earlier.

But then I realised how it was all happening around Easter when Jesus, the Jewish Messiah and Saviour of the world, also laid down his life for us all. As the innocent Passover Lamb without blemish, he was led to the slaughter for our sake. For “we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6).

I don’t wish to belittle what PC Palmer did – it is true that he gave his life to preserve our freedom, as so many soldiers have done over the years. And he is worthy of being called a hero. But our nation needs to remember afresh the debt we owe to our Lord Jesus, who gave his life that we might truly live, knowing and serving God without fear because of our certain hope in the resurrection to come, for which Christ has paved the way.

Certain Hope

That’s why neither of the two personal funerals to which I have referred was without hope. There was sadness, of course, at the earthly passing of loved ones, but it was accompanied by the joy of knowing they have gone to a better place and that we who believe will one day be reunited with them in glory.

PC Palmer is worthy of being called a hero. But our nation needs to remember the self-sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, who gave his life that we might truly live.

Yes, Jesus suffered the cruellest possible execution – and could have summoned legions of angels to rescue him. But he hung there for our sake. “For he was pierced for our transgressions…” (Isa 53:5). But “after he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied” (Isa 53:11).

The risen Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnesses (1 Cor 15:6). That he conquered death is a fact of history. But if you too want a certain hope of the resurrection, you must believe in Him (John 3:16).

The Apostle Paul writes of Christians: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:19f).

That fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah 25:8 – that “he will swallow up death forever” – and of Hosea 13:14: “Where, O grave, is your destruction?” And Paul answers the rhetorical question with a resounding: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Cor 15:54-57).

I am so encouraged that the words of Jesus will be displayed on many London buses this Easter, thanks to the vision of Revelation TV founder Howard Conder. How appropriate too, coming in the wake of the London terror attack, that the iconic red buses should be reminding us all of how Jesus died for us.

Lighting a Flame for the Gospel

As we continue to celebrate 500 years since the start of the Reformation, we would do well to remember one of England’s greatest heroes, William Tyndale, who gave his life so that the entire English-speaking world would be able to know the resurrection power of Christ. He defied the leaders of Church and state by translating the Bible (then only available in Latin) into English so that “even a ploughboy” could understand it.

He was burnt at the stake for his troubles. But in doing so he lit a flame for the Gospel, and for freedom, that has since fired the hearts of millions to know, love and serve the Saviour who died on a cross in Jerusalem that first ‘Good Friday’.

How appropriate, in the wake of the Westminster terror attack, that London’s iconic red buses should be reminding us all of how Jesus died for us.

The Roman authorities, religious Jews and our own sin all played a part in the crucifixion of Christ. But ultimately it was God’s doing for, as Isaiah foretold, it had to happen – because “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6) and “it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer…” (Isa 53:10).

When Irene died all those years ago, I remember so well how, at the funeral, I looked at the coffin and wondered how I was going to bear up, especially in giving the eulogy, when God spoke clearly into my spirit: “She is not here; she is risen!”

May that be your hope too this Easter and Passover tide!

Though Wednesday brought fear to London, God has made opportunities for his love to be shown.

We bring you a report from David Foster and the Manor Park Christian Centre, who have had opportunity in the aftermath of the attack to show God's loving care to London Met police.

London Terrorist Attack & MPCC’s Ministry to the London Met Police

One important ministry of the Catering Team of Manor Park Christian Centre has been to cater for regular Police Breakfasts that we host for the London Metropolitan Police here in Newham. The MPCC Catering Team come in the day before to set-up and decorate the tables and to start the food preparations. Since another Police Breakfast was planned for this morning, Thursday 23^rd March, the MPCC Catering Team were just finishing all their preparations when the terrorist attack took place on Wednesday afternoon.

The Police Breakfasts are always an opportunity for our Catering Team to lovingly serve the Met Police here in Newham. A small number of police, usually up to 36 police, from the 1,000 strong police force here in the London Borough of Newham are given an opportunity to attend these breakfasts. As Met Police Chaplain here in Newham, I have the opportunity to share a short relevant Biblical message with the police officers who are in attendance at the Police Breakfasts and then to pray for them.

With the unfolding aftermath of the terrorist attack in Central London, I received a telephone call late on Wednesday afternoon from the London Met Police to say, not surprisingly, that the Police Breakfast we were planning would need to be cancelled. This was certainly understandable considering the circumstances. After a quick consultation with the MPCC Catering Team, the decision was made to still prepare at least some of the food which had already been purchased and to instead take it to the main Newham Met Police Station in Forest Gate at 10:15am on Thursday morning. I then sent word to the Met Police to let them know about the new plans.

When the food was delivered this morning at the Forest Gate Police Station, I was quickly ushered into the Acting Newham Metropolitan Police Borough Commander’s office where he said: “David, I hope you don’t mind me doing this, but..." ...whereupon he grabbed me and gave me a big bear-hug. With tears in his eyes, he said: “Thanks so much to all your Catering Team. You don’t how much this means to us!” We both stood together for a few moments, choking back the tears.

What I was then told was that many of the London Met Police who had been policing the area of the terrorist attack since Wednesday afternoon were from Newham. With over 1,000 police officers stationed in Newham, many of them are often called upon to also help with events such as the terrorist attack. Word had been sent to these police officers, who had been working for over 19 hours straight in Central London since Wednesday afternoon without having any opportunity to eat, that there was food waiting for them at the Forest Gate Police Station. As hungry, tired police officers started arriving at the station from Central London, I sent word to our Catering Team that more food was needed, if possible. They quickly prepared more food, which was delivered to the Forest Gate Police Station. Upon arrival, one of the commanding officers took a photo of the food and sent the photo to New Scotland Yard as a testament to the loving care and service that had been shown to London’s Met Police.

Some of the police officers commented that the Police Breakfast had ended up having a far greater impact upon London’s Met Police than we had originally planned. For the MPCC Catering Team, what could have initially been seen as a disappointing cancelled ministry opportunity was turned into a far greater opportunity than could have ever been imagined. God’s purposes and plans stood firm. God’s Word holds true. “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (NIV, Psalm 33:11).

David Foster

Manor Park Christian Centre

What is the word of the Lord to Britain?

What is the word of the Lord to Britain today as we grieve for the families of those who lost their lives in this latest act of terrorism that has shocked the nation?

The enemies of peace have struck a blow at the very heart of our civilisation and democracy with the indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians going about their ordinary daily lives in the tourist centre of London. It is a crime of unspeakable savagery that is hard to imagine how any human being can carry it out – to deliberately drive a car at pedestrians and to attack an unarmed policeman with a knife.

First: we can be sure that God is grieving with those who have lost loved ones and is reaching out to them in his compassion and comfort. This is where the Christian scriptures penetrate the darkness and wickedness of humanity by reminding us that “God is love; and whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

The Apostle John also reminds us that “If anyone says, ‘I love God’, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:19-21). Although this was addressed to Christians, its teaching also means that we should reach out in love to our Muslim neighbours who are no doubt fearful of retribution falling upon them because a fellow Muslim has carried out this atrocity in the name of Allah, their god. We have to remember that not all Muslims follow the creed that has been embraced by Islamic State.

Speaking the Truth about Islamic Terror

Nevertheless, a great danger facing us is that we do not know how many radicalised Islamists there are in Britain (or any other Western nation) today, which creates fear and uncertainty. This is not helped by the problem that most Muslims have not integrated into Western society but remain a separate enclave. We do not know what they teach in mosques as much of their teaching is in Arabic. This inevitably creates suspicion.

Christian scriptures penetrate the darkness and wickedness of humanity by reminding us of God’s love.

Ik Aldama/DPA/PA ImagesThe terrorist who drove the car and killed people in Westminster was doing exactly what Islamic State has called for in a statement that has many references to the Qur’an, where Muhammad calls upon Muslims to kill Christians and Jews. A small part of the statement is quoted below:

If you are not able to find an IED¹ or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman, or any of their allies. Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him down from a high place, or choke him, or poison him.²

If this statement shocks us, it is because our Western leaders and the media have been brainwashing us for years with lies about Islam being a religion of peace. These lies are now coming back to haunt our leaders – both politicians and church leaders.

It is dangerous to say that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam – it has everything to do with Islam, because it is the policy that Muhammad established for the forcible propagation of the Islamic faith. But there is a conspiracy of silence in the Western media and among our political leaders to suppress the truth. The only journalist I know in Britain who tells the truth is Melanie Phillips, who published an excellent article on this subject yesterday.³

This is a Spiritual Battle

There will be no peace in the Western nations where Muslims have settled in great numbers during the past 40 years until we recognise the spiritual nature of the battle that is raging across our part of the world today. Part of this battle for truth is between the teaching and practice of Jesus and the teaching and practice of Muhammad.

Surely even secular humanists can see that it is better for humanity to follow the teaching of the man who said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:43).

By contrast, Muhammad’s teaching was, “And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists [Christians and Jews] wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush." (Al-Tawbah 9:5).

Part of the battle for truth is between the teaching and practice of Jesus and that of Muhammad.

Alerting Us to Danger

If we return to our original question at the beginning of this article, we need to ask: Why did the Lord allow this act of terrorism to happen in Westminster? Could it be that God is using Islam to shake the nation, alerting us to the major spiritual battle that is taking place for the soul of Britain?

This battle is typified by the woolly-minded politically correct platitudes that have come from our politicians since the attack on Parliament, such as the statement by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who said:

The British people will be united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values. Values of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. Values symbolised by the Houses of Parliament. Values that will never be destroyed.⁴

It is platitudes like this that have got us into the problems we face today! We can no longer go on sweeping the real issues under a secular humanist carpet. The issues we face are far too serious! It is a battle between truth and lies, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness of which Islam is a part. The liberal intelligentsia, who have been creating a climate of deception for decades, do not realise how they will suffer if Islam gains power in this land.

The Church is Responsible

Meanwhile, there has been no large-scale, co-ordinated strategy among mainline church leaders for communicating the truth of the Gospel to Muslims. It is the churches in Britain that are particularly responsible for the spiritual state of the nation!

The liberal intelligentsia do not realise how they will suffer if Islam gains power in this land.

But largely we have left Muslims to set up their own mosques, to bring in imams who do not speak a word of English and to establish separatist communities – a kind of voluntary apartheid – in Britain.

The city of Leicester is the only place I know where the churches have come together to form a united outreach to the Muslim community, though this is on a relatively small scale.

Overcoming Deception

There has been no national policy, from politicians or from the Church, of engaging with Muslim leaders to call for a critical examination of the Qur’an and the teaching and practice of Muhammad and its relevance for today, as Clifford Denton calls for in his article this week. Until this is done, the teaching of Islamic State, who claim to be followers of Muhammad, doing exactly as he did, will continue to be a thorn in the flesh of Western society.

We are suffering from a large dose of what Jesus described as spiritual deception:

Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand… For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matt 13:13-15)

But how can the politicians in Westminster understand if they never hear the truth from church leaders – or even from the bishops in the Upper House of Parliament?

Surely God holds his Church responsible for the state of the nation today?

The sword of judgment fell very quickly upon David Cameron’s career when he crossed a red line, but even this message of warning was not heeded by Parliament. Is not this one of the reasons why God has now shaken the whole of Westminster?

References

1 Improvised Explosive Device.

2 Griffin, A. Isis told supporters to run French over with cars before Nice truck attack. The Independent, 15 July 2016.

3 In the midst of grief, still confusion. Melanie Phillips, 23 March 2017.

4 Home secretary: Terror will never destroy our values. ITV News update, 22 March 2017.

Clifford Denton calls for new clarity about Islamic terrorism.

A lesson for Britain on what education is all about.

Whatever else you may say about Israel – though the cradle of Judeo-Christian civilisation, they are clearly now as secular as the rest of us in the West – they are currently being blessed by a leader who believes in the importance and authority of the Bible.

Whereas former British Prime Minister Tony Blair trumped education as the all-important issue of his tenure, Israeli PM Binyamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu has been more specific.

At the start of the school year, he announced to his cabinet that "excellence and Zionism", with an emphasis on Bible study, were at the root of an education "revolution" his government wanted to bring about. "First of all the study of the Bible," he said. "We must make a major effort; this is the basis for why we are here, why we have returned here, why we stay here."¹

What a contrast to the way things are run in Westminster, seat of the British Parliament. Of course there's much talk about raising educational standards, but we have cast the Holy Scriptures to the margins of our schools, and there are even efforts by humanists to wipe out their influence altogether. Yet without the Bible, our knowledge is incomplete. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (Prov 1:7)

We have cast the Holy scriptures to the margins of our schools.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Love never fails... But where there is knowledge, it will pass away" (1 Cor 13:8). And he is not talking about gushy love, but the 'agape' (Greek) love that is unique to those who have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus.

Britain's Greatness Built on the Bible

It was in holding to the authority of the Bible and proclaiming its truth that Britain became a great nation whose influence covered the globe, and it was because we believed in its literal veracity that we were privileged to help pave the way for Jewish restoration – both to their ancient land and to their Lord.

Our spiritual forefathers such as William Wilberforce, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Simeon and Bishop JC Ryle saw from the scriptures that Christians should pray for and facilitate Israel's return. And they played a crucial role in the modern-day re-birth of the Jewish state.

But our Jewish brethren also need the "new heart" Ezekiel prophesied (Ezek 36:26) if they are to fulfil their God-given role as "a light for the Gentiles" (Isa 49:6). Mercifully, Mr Netanyahu is paving the way for this spiritually with his declaration of intent.

Tragically, however, neither Church nor state in Britain is following this kind of lead, as they once did, caving in on all sides to politically correct pressure undermining the Bible's authority. The result is increasing breakdown in society, with all too few children growing up under the love and discipline of a mother and father.

Current Disunity Over Scripture

Key to Israel's restoration was an Anglican society called CMJ (the Church's Ministry among Jewish people) who are still doing a great work among God's ancient people today. But the Church of England, with which they are linked, is literally at the point of breaking up. And the issue is...the Bible's authority!

A dozen evangelical² parishes in the South-East – including representation from the Diocese of Canterbury, the ancient heart of Anglicanism – are currently in discussions toward what could lead to a formal split over the 'watering down' of biblical teaching on issues of marriage amid talk of 'blessing' services for same-sex couples. They are setting up 'embryonic' structures that could be used were a split to take place.

The Church of England is literally at the point of breaking up.

The Rev Dr Peter Sanlon, Vicar of St Mark's Church in Tunbridge Wells, said: "If senior leaders of the Church of England water down the [church's] teaching on key issues like homosexuality, then this synod could easily evolve into a new Anglican jurisdiction."³

Threat of Schism

This development coincides with news that Bishop of Grantham Nicholas Chamberlain has become the first Church of England bishop to publicly declare he is gay and in a relationship, albeit celibate.⁴ And it has emerged that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was aware of this at the time of his consecration last November.

Bishop Chamberlain said he adhered to church guidelines under which gay clergy must be celibate and are not permitted to marry, and Archbishop Welby has stated that "his sexuality is completely irrelevant to his office".⁵

Yet an increasing number of priests have married or plan to marry same-sex partners in defiance of the ban and Archbishop Welby told a recent Christian festival that he was "constantly consumed with horror" at the Church's treatment of lesbians and gay men.⁶

Disagreements over sexual issues have already caused schisms within the wider Anglican body – in Canada and the United States, for example. But it was on the Bible's authority that a Judeo-Christian civilisation was built that became the envy of the world. Israel's future – their protection from enemies and hope of a Messiah – is bound up in the authority of the Bible. Pray for Mr Netanyahu.

Notes

1 Jerusalem Post, 30 August 2016. Also quoted by Jerusalem News Network on 1 September 2016.

2 A term signifying belief in the absolute authority of the Bible on all matters of faith.

3 Church of England parishes prepare for a possible schism. Christian Concern, 31 August 2016.

4 Sherwood, H. Bishop of Grantham first C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship. The Guardian, 2 September 2016.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.