Lynda Rose, of Voice for Justice, shares her perspective on the spiritual state of the nation.

Last week, at their conference in Bournemouth, we saw the BMA vote in favour of de-criminalising abortion, the practical effect of which would be to make termination legal for any reason up to birth.

Immediately after, following a proposed Labour amendment to the Queen’s Speech criticising the ‘inequality’ of not allowing abortion in Northern Ireland (and to avoid defeat by a Labour and Conservative ‘coalition’ of MPs who oppose the DUP stance on abortion), the Government hastily put in place measures to pay for Northern Irish women wanting abortion to cross the Irish Sea and have the procedure for free on the NHS.

It would seem that we are rapidly approaching a time when only the self-obsessed will survive. Though perhaps, realistically, that won’t be for very long; in their efforts to justify once-forbidden behaviours - cloaked in the language of rights, tolerance and diversity - proponents of the new so-called ‘morality’ seem hell-bent on destroying the foundations on which our society is built, along with the lives of a sizeable part of the generation to come. To put it bluntly, there won’t be enough children to ensure our survival, while a significant proportion of those that are born will voluntarily become ‘infertile’.

Worship of the Demonic

Since the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967, the UK has seen the slaughter of almost 9,000,000 babies – for no apparent cause other than that their conception at the time, for whatever reason, was unwanted. Worldwide, this is genocidal slaughter of the innocent on a scale never before seen in the history of the world.

It is frighteningly reminiscent of the blood sacrifice offered to Moloch, the Canaanite god who demanded child sacrifice, and whose worship so fatally attracted the Jews, bringing upon them the wrath of God, the destruction of their nation, and their consequent exile from the land. But why, unbelievers ask, should something so seemingly trivial as the odd sacrifice to a local deity provoke such an over-the-top response?

Since the 1967 Abortion Act, we have witnessed genocidal slaughter of the innocent on a scale never before seen in world history.

The answer from the Bible is clear. In the Ten Commandments, and consistently from that point on, Yahweh expressly forbad the Jews to follow the religious practices of Egypt and Canaan. The reason was simple; such worship was demonic, feeding spirits hostile to God who wanted to challenge His rule and keep the human race in bondage to death. And any such worship, especially blood sacrifice, fed these spirits - by the exercise of choice intensifying their illegitimate control over followers, and fatally damaging any relationship they might aspire to with God.

At any time, worship of the demonic is dangerous, because it gives form to, and intensifies, evil. To put it another way, it gives evil a hold that it wouldn’t otherwise have. So now, the blood sacrifice of 9,000,000 babies on the altar of sexual freedom and women’s rights has fed a spirit of death that is voracious in appetite, and is increasingly asserting control over the nation. Indeed, as a result of this modern-day ‘worship’, the Moloch spirit has grown so powerful, and its hold over the nation so strong, that it is challenging the sovereignty of God.

Spiritual Hubris

This is spiritual hubris with a vengeance, but because men and women have increasingly rejected obedience to God – placing themselves outside his protection - its influence has become like a suffocating cloud: a spiritual smog blotting out the light.

All have been affected, tainted by the contagion of evil spread through re-branded and Godless morality – even ‘believers’ have fallen under its sway and are blinded, so that they now assert abortion is okay, and that any form of relationship is good, provided only there is ‘love’. Whatever next? Will we sanction marriage to a sibling, or to the family dog, or a gerbil? The suggestions might appear bizarre, but nothing, it appears, is off the table, because increasingly we are seeing good branded as evil, and evil as good.

All have been tainted by the contagion of evil spread through re-branded and Godless morality – even ‘believers’.

This is madness. Whatever the followers of this new religion would have us believe, God has not changed and, as sure as night follows day, judgment follows sin. So now, perhaps more than at any other time in our history, the UK is at a crossroads. More than that, humanity is at a crossroads, and the fate of the human race hangs in balance.

We Have to Choose

The reality is that there’s a massive spiritual battle now raging ‘in’ and ‘over’ the nation, and this spirit of death, fed with the blood of the unborn and bolstered by lesser spirits of chaos and confusion, is seeking exterminate anything and everything challenging its rule. The recent apparent success of Islamic terror attacks, combined with the ever-increasing disarray of government and society, is testimony to its success so far, and there is every possibility that things will get worse. We could even see armed conflict on our streets.

There is however good news – and it is very good news – because, whatever crisis we face, the Lord remains in absolute control. He could easily dispatch this dark spirit and its cohorts and save us - but he will only do so if we turn back to him and repent.

The truth is, we cannot worship both God and the devil, so we have to choose. The nation has to choose. And only if we make the right choice and repent will we have any hope of banishing this dark spirit from our land.

Mark Dunman calls for continued prayer over Brexit.

For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Cor 10:3-4, RSV)

A year ago I wrote an article for Prophecy Today entitled The EU Referendum – a Springboard for Action, in which I related the Smith Wigglesworth prophecy to what I thought was happening through the result of the Referendum.

Since then many Christians and groups of Christians have been praying that Brexit will be implemented and not reversed or side-lined by our political leaders. Many were pleased that Theresa May who had voted to 'remain' nevertheless embraced the mantle for Brexit with enthusiasm. Christians and leavers alike were aware that the Remain group would fight back.

Recently the nation has been shaken by a series of events: three terrorist outrages, the horrendous fire in West London and the general election result. Christian supporters of Brexit have even wondered whether they were still in God's will by supporting our exit from Europe. What might be going on in the spiritual realm? In my view satan has bided his time since last June with minor skirmishes, but now, nearly a year later, he has gone for a major counter-attack.

Historic Counter-Attacks

As an older Christian I find comparisons with the Second World War quite helpful.

Most readers will know that God called pockets of believers such as Rees Howells to intercede for our nation and for King George VI himself to call for national days of prayer (seven in all). By December 1944 the Allies thought the war in the West would be concluded very soon. They were going forward on a wide front across France and Belgium - when suddenly Hitler struck back with a concentrated thrust through the Ardennes Forest, in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. There was panic, not least among some senior military commanders, but calmer heads prevailed and the counter-attack was defeated, although at considerable cost in Allied lives.

As our nation has been shaken, Christian supporters of Brexit have even wondered whether they were in God's will to back our exit from Europe.

Hitler could not have won the war at that stage, but had the breakout succeeded he could have caused considerable damage and delay. Likewise, satan cannot win this war, but he can and will try to deflect God's purposes.

Strategic Prayer

What, then, are the lessons for us in relation to Brexit? Above all, we must persevere in prayer. Hitler was motivated by satan's spiritual kingdom, the same enemy opposing Brexit. In light of this, it has been very encouraging to read David Noakes’ recent prophecy given at East Grinstead on 17 June,¹ which refers interestingly both to the adversary's great rage and to his fear. We could add to that his relentless tenacity. For example, battle was joined over the recent Queen's Speech (see Clifford Denton's article in this week's issue). We need to pray for the right kind of Brexit, as well as Brexit itself!

I believe this prophecy reinforces the message of Smith Wigglesworth that God does have plans for Britain, despite the way the nation has fallen away from his standards. David’s prophecy clearly states that we are in a war and that war has costs. This is absolutely scriptural (2 Tim 2:3-4, 2 Cor 10:3-4, Phil 2:25, to quote just a few scriptures). To be effective at waging war, an army has to be able to defend itself as well as attack. Scripture provides principles by which to do this.

Principles in Prayer

For an individual or group planning to pray strategically about Brexit, it is vital that we are each submitted to God first, being spiritually and morally right with him, so he is able to clothe us with the protective armour of God (Eph 6:13-18).

While we pray on our own, it is also important to pray with others – whether part of our own fellowship or not, although the covering of a church or Christian ministry is desirable. Prayer should be led by the Holy Spirit and, importantly, we should not engage with large-scale principalities and powers over Europe (e.g. Eph 6:12-13) unless specifically instructed by the Lord.²

God does have plans for Britain, despite the way the nation has fallen away from his standards.

The Remnant’s Responsibility

David Noakes's prophecy refers to a remnant of believers who hold fast to God's word. This is especially true of Brexit, where the Church at large has failed to discern the spiritual significance of the European Union. It puts a responsibility on the remnant to carry through God's plans. As the prophecy says, God is in charge, but we know from the scriptures that he has chosen his Body, his army of Christian warriors, to help bring these to fulfilment.

Mark Dunman is the author of two books which were reviewed by Paul Luckraft in Prophecy Today in 2016.

Notes

1 Let me say straight away that every prophecy must be weighed within the Body of Christ. I personally believe that David has the mind of the Holy Spirit. His prophecies combine God's heart of compassion with his judgment.

2 It is well worth reading Francis Frangipane in 'The Three Battlegrounds' who warns against the dangers of undisciplined battle. We need humility and wisdom before God in this battle.

Disaster awaits if we don’t stand with the Jewish nation.

The moral backbone of the UK Government is once more being tested – this time on the crucial issue of whether or not we will stand with Israel in her time of need.

Stalked by terror and threats on every side, the Jewish state is potentially in as great a peril now as its people were under the Nazis, with an estimated 120,000 missiles pointed at Israeli cities by the Iran-sponsored, Lebanese-based terror group Hezbollah.¹

And supporters of this vile enemy of democracy have been allowed to march through the streets of London waving an intimidating flag featuring an assault rifle, and calling for the destruction of Israel!

De Ja Vu in Parliament

In the wake of a petition signed by over 10,000 people calling upon the UK Government to ban Hezbollah which Home Secretary Amber Rudd has promised to consider, a House of Commons debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was called on Wednesday.

It was perhaps aptly summed up by the sense of de ja vu expressed by one participant as ‘two-state solution’ mantra once more echoed through the chamber.

But Israel clearly still has friends in the UK who understand their predicament. Conservative member John Howell made the point that no lasting peace was possible if Palestinians continue to be indoctrinated to hate Jews and Scottish Conservative Ross Thomson called for a full ban on Hezbollah, adding that Israel was “truly a beacon of democracy in a troubled region”.

Israel clearly still has friends in the UK who understand their predicament.

Fellow Conservative Theresa Villiers added that glorifying terrorists was part of the problem, mentioning how 25 Palestinian schools had been named after them, and quoting PA leader Mahmoud Abbas as saying, “We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem.”

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt commended Labour’s new MP for Peterborough, Fiona Onasanya, for blaming man’s frailties rather than religion for causing these problems after she had referred to the UK Parliament’s motto, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” (Ps 127:1) – inscribed into the stone floor of the central lobby and written in Latin.

Unfortunately, the general misunderstanding of Israel being the ‘occupying power’ skews the narrative in favour of the Palestinians, whereas in truth the Jews are entitled to every square inch of Judea and Samaria – and much more – according to the terms of the international treaty signed at San Remo in Italy in 1920.²

Need to Ban Hezbollah

The aforesaid petition, launched by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), follows the 18 June Al-Quds march through central London during which anti-Israel protestors carried Hezbollah flags.

The terror organisation is banned throughout the world – including by the Arab League – but only its military wing is proscribed in the UK. This provided the legal loophole allowing marchers to show their support for its political wing. Yet, by its own admission, Hezbollah does not differentiate between its political and military wings.

The general misunderstanding of Israel being the ‘occupying power’ skews the narrative in favour of the Palestinians.

“If Britain is to genuinely say ‘no to terror’ then all terrorist organizations must be banned without compromise,” says CUFI UK executive director Des Starritt. “Following the Arab League and the United States in proscribing Hezbollah is one simple step that the UK Government can take in ensuring that extremism will not be tolerated in this country.”

Indeed, what is so complicated about that?

The organisation shamelessly calls for the destruction of Israel and now has “more missiles below ground in Lebanon than the European NATO allies have above ground,” according to Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.³ “Hezbollah has placed these positions next to schools and other public institutions, putting innocent civilians in great danger,” he said.

In fact, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot says “every third or fourth house” of southern Lebanon’s civilian population is being used as a human shield for terror activities.⁴

Meanwhile mortar shells have been fired across the Israeli border from the Tehran-backed Syrian army, increasing the prospect of global conflict, possibly also involving Russia.⁵ And Iran’s long-held aim of wiping Israel off the map was graphically demonstrated at the UN where a photo was shared showing their use of a Jewish ‘Star of David’ symbol as a target for a ballistic missile test.⁶

Our Fates Are Intertwined

It’s time our politicians faced up to the fact that the terror tactics we have recently witnessed in Manchester and London were first used on the streets of Israel. Now even Muslim London Mayor Sadiq Khan has reportedly sought help from Israel on security matters.⁷

The Bible says very clearly that if you bless the seed of Abraham, you will be blessed; but that cursing will bring judgment (Gen 12:3). In the days leading up to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, Britain ruled the waves and it was said that the sun never set on our empire. But in the last 100 years, during which we have repeatedly betrayed Israel, we have not only lost our empire, but have fallen into decadence and confusion.

Surely we are not suggesting that Israel deserves terror, but we don’t?

The terror tactics we have recently witnessed in Manchester and London were first used on the streets of Israel.

Speaking of the future glory of Zion, the Prophet Isaiah wrote: “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined” (Isa 60:12).

And it’s also worth noting that former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has urged support for Israel on the basis that “if it goes down, we all go down”.

He argues that the Jewish state is at the cutting edge in the battle between militant Islam and the West and, in a Times article, concludes: “Israel is a fundamental part of the West which is what it is thanks to its Judeo-Christian roots. If the Jewish element of those roots is upturned and Israel lost, then we are lost too. Whether we like it or not our fate is inextricably intertwined.”⁸

Notes

1 IDF: Hezbollah has forces in ‘every 3rd or 4th house’ in Lebanon. World Israel News, 22 June 2017.

2 See elsewhere on this site for details.

3 See note 1.

4 Ibid.

5 Avni, B. Why Iran and Israel may be on the verge of conflict – in Syria. New York Post, 27 June 2017.

6 Halon, E. The target for Iran’s recent missile test? A Star of David. Jerusalem Post, 28 June 2017.

7 E.g. See here and here.

8 Aznar, JM. Support Israel: if it goes down, we all go down. The Times, 17 June 2010.

We continue to explore the ministries of the non-writing prophets.

In part three of a series which looks at the relevance of the message and ministry of the non-writing prophets, Jock Stein considers the lessons that can be learned from the life of Deborah.

Deborah is not the only prophetess mentioned in the Bible but, she is the only woman who combined political and religious leadership. As such, her prophetic style is an important model, even though the judges in the Old Testament were transitional leaders between the patriarchs and the kings.

Deborah first appears in Judges chapter 4, during a period of oppression for Israel. The Israelites had sinned against the Lord by intermarrying with the Canaanites (Jud 3:5-6). They had also become increasingly dependent on the Canaanites for their trade and, indeed, their survival. As a consequence, the Lord had allowed them to be ruled by Jabin, a Canaanite king, and his general, Sisera. The Canaanites controlled the roads in the Esdraelon valley and had exercised this control for twenty years, during the twelfth century BC. Sisera and his 900 chariots used military technology to oppress the Israelites, until, that is, the intervention of Deborah.

Wife, Prophetess, Judge

Judges chapter 5, which is a song of triumph, celebrating the way that Israel defeated Sisera and came into freedom, gives us some useful background information. The people had been prevented from travelling and trading freely (5:6). They had been reduced to poverty (5:8), in contrast to the situation later on when the roads were re-opened (5:10). Sisera was hated, especially by women; his mother is pictured dreaming about the Israelite girls he and his men would capture (5:30), while the general statement found in 2:18 uses a word for oppression which implies rape.

Deborah is identified in Judges 4:4 as a wife, a prophetess and a judge; and in 5:7 as a ’mother in Israel’. Here, the Bible cuts right across the neat rules of Protestant conservatism and Catholic tradition. God raised up a woman who was a leader and a wife. She is also a model of team leadership — recognising the military authority of Barak, the Israelite general, but at the same time bringing him a command from God.

Against Barak, who had accepted the status quo of Canaanite oppression, Deborah opts for Godly rebellion. Barak defers to her judgment on condition that she goes with him. This is a clear indication of Barak’s recognition of Deborah's social and spiritual authority.

God raised up a woman who was a leader and a wife.

Two aspects of the prophetic ministry are linked with this story. First, the faithful listening to God and hearing from him; second, the faithful sharing of what he says. In Judges 4:6, Deborah sends for Barak and tells him what God has told her concerning what Barak is to do, along with the encouraging word that God would deliver Sisera into his power (4:7).

There is another link here, between prophecy and interpretation, which in the New Testament is more often left to the whole church; God tells Deborah not only what is going to happen, but who is going to make it happen, i.e. Barak. It is vital for anyone with a prophetic gift, and for church leaders, to distinguish between prophecy and interpretation. Here, however, Deborah is given the interpretation – how to make it happen – as part of the message.

The Providence of God

Not only do we have a woman in a key leadership role, but the key player in the subsequent drama is also a woman.

After Barak has led his ten thousand troops without armour into battle against Sisera’s well-equipped army, we are told that the Lord threw the enemy into a panic. At this point Sisera flees and takes refuge with an ally of King Jabin – Heber the Kenite. However, Heber’s wife Jael has her own ideas: she pretends to befriend the exhausted Sisera, gives him hospitality, and then, while he is asleep, drives a tent-peg into his skull. When she subsequently presents Barak with the dead general, another of Deborah's prophecies is fulfilled; “the honour will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.”

Judges 5:4 and 5:20-21 tell us that a storm and consequent flash-flooding of the Kishon wadi were responsible for the rout – thus proving that the Lord, and not Baal, was God of nature. The whole story demonstrates the providence of a God whose design includes the ‘random’ effects of weather and migration (4:11). Today, scientists use the term ‘chaos theory’ to help them understand how chance and order are not incompatible. In other words, you do not have to choose between a world of fate, where free-will is an illusion, and a world of chance without any meaning.

Two aspects of the prophetic ministry are linked with this story: the faithful listening to God and hearing from him, and the faithful sharing of what he says.

This is a return to the biblical view which is beautifully illustrated in story of Deborah. It is especially important for young people to discover this, as so often at secondary school the curriculum gives them the lie that science is about facts and the real world; while religion is just about ideas and imagination.

Responding to God’s Call

Chapter 5 is, in fact, one of the earliest hymns recorded in the Bible. It is a celebration of what God has done for and among his people, and therefore combines the evangelical with the charismatic. It joins the rock and the reality — a good model for Christian song writing of today!

In context it was, of course, the way that people learnt their history. The Old Testament is divided into three sections — the law, the prophets and the writings - and included in the six  books of the ‘earlier prophets’ is the book of Judges. The reason for this is important.

For the Hebrews, prophecy was concerned with what God was doing - what God did became history, so history was included under the overall heading of ‘prophecy’. Judges 5, then, was given as a ‘prophetic song' which celebrated a God who was alive and did real things in the world. It also challenged the people of God: Zebulun and Naphtali answered his call and risked their lives (5:18). The tribe of Reuben was split (5:15), while Dan and Asher simply kept out of the way (5:17).

This raises a question which each of us should face — when we are faced with a challenge or difficult situation through which God is speaking to us. How do we respond to God's call today?

For the Hebrews, prophecy was concerned with what God was doing - what God did became history, so history was included under the banner of ‘prophecy’.

Deborah had a palm tree named after her (4:5). This might not seem such a great mark of recognition. The modern equivalent, however, to the ‘place of judging’ would be the city hall or Court of Appeal. Clearly she was greatly honoured in the nation. Deborah has made her mark in the inspired record of Scripture, and is an encouragement to both women and men to seek the word of the Lord, and to expect that word to have power in the political as well as the personal world.

Deborah's example reminds us that all those who have committed their lives to God, whether male or female, can have a transforming influence upon the political and social life of their nation.

Originally published in Prophecy Today, Vol 13(6), 1996.

Christine Burden reviews ‘Rose-Tinted Memory: Holocaust Truths that Can’t Be Erased’ by Michael S Fryer (Perissos Group, 2016).

Michael Fryer draws on his experience as a police officer in the National Crime Squad, as a pastor of Father’s House Sabbath Congregation, in North Wales and as a graduate of Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Memorial in Israel), to investigate the Church’s involvement and complicity in the Holocaust.

For those who believe that the Gentile Church and the general public in Nazi- occupied Europe were all rescuers of Jewish people, this book will be a startling revelation. For sure, there were 25,685 aptly named ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ that are recognised by Yad Vashem and the author does not ignore this fact. However, the thrust of the book is to examine to what extent Christendom was aware of what happened to the Jewish people in Europe during World War II and what its response was.

How the Church Paved the Way

Fryer documents how Christendom in Germany and Europe helped to create the climate of hate which allowed Hitler and his accomplices to introduce their terrible programme of genocide.

“95% of Germans had church affiliation” (p19). The author asks: why did these people allow God’s chosen people to die in their towns and villages?

Fryer documents how Christendom in Europe helped to create the climate of hate that allowed Hitler to introduce genocide.

Even before the rise of Nazism in Germany, the teaching that came from the pulpits began the process of “de-humanising” the Jewish people. Consequently, it was not long before members of the public seemed to have no problem in “voluntarily shooting Jews- men, women and children - at point-blank range” (p50).

On the Protestant side there was the German Christian Movement (GCM). The aim of this group was to integrate the Protestant Church with nationalistic fervour for German culture and ethnicity. “By the mid-thirties this movement had more than 500,000 members who fully endorsed the Nazi ideology” (p49).

Chapter 11, entitled ‘German Christians’, gives numerous examples of anti-Semitic teachings circulated at this time. For me this is one of the most important chapters in the book. Examples include, “removing any idea that Christianity was in any way connected to Judaism” (p51). Hymn books and Scripture were revised to erase all ‘Jewishness’.

Practical Complicity of the Church

The author describes the national census in Germany, in which Christendom played a major role. Churches provided baptismal and marriage certificates plus other documents to establish whether a person was a Jew or Aryan. This information was used to provide lists of Jews, which then enabled officers to round up the Jewish population.

It is also well-documented that the Vatican knew of the existence of the concentration camps and did nothing to help the Jews. Without guidance from the Pope, the clergy did not know what to say, and often remained silent. Even today, the Vatican has papers concerning the Holocaust, which it refuses to release.

German Hymn books and Scripture were revised to erase all ‘Jewishness’.

The Involvement of the Public in the Genocide

Another powerful chapter poses the question, ‘Just a few Nazis?’ Again, our thinking is challenged as to how many people were complicit in Jewish persecution.

“German perpetrators numbered well in excess of 100,000. There were 10,005 camps which included satellite camps situated on the edges of towns and villages” (p43). In addition to this there were other staff and members of the general public who would have known what was happening.

“In Poland, local people were used to exterminate 3 million people. Local people then buried the dead” (p56). Many people, including professing Christians, must have been aware of the atrocities.

Justice and Accountability After the War

The author highlights some startling facts - some of which are well-known, others less so. For instance, there were 13 Nuremburg Trials held between 1945 and 1949, but they did not call many people to account.

Hitler and others committed suicide and therefore escaped earthly justice. Only 24 senior Nazi officers appeared in court and not everyone was found guilty. Meanwhile, many escaped down so-called ‘rat lines’, often with the help of the Church. Before 1949, 10,000 ex-SS officers were allowed into the UK, while only 2,000 displaced Jews were allowed entry into Britain.

Many ordinary people who had committed racially-motivated murders in their communities, or who had been involved with the camps, were never called to account. People returned home and kept quiet or remained in denial.

Modern-Day Considerations

In the concluding chapter, the author shares his concerns about Christendom allowing the Jewish people to be harmed today. He questions whether this will come in a different guise, that of Anti-Zionism, where teaching “that Israel is an occupying force is promulgated by large sections of Christendom” (p73).

Many ordinary people who had committed racially-motivated murders were never called to account.

Before and during the Holocaust, Christian leaders preached messages of hate. Sadly there are many examples of church leaders saying hateful things against Israel today. In the city of Liverpool, Hope University, the only ecumenical Christian university in Europe, staged an exhibition vilifying Israel. A Jewish lady wrote to Mr Fryer sharing her deep concern about the university, and expressing the fear that she feels at times, living as a Jew in Liverpool.

Conclusion

This book serves as a warning to all believers and hopefully will provoke us to study the biblical plans God has for the Jewish people. It documents uncomfortable truths, but truths that I strongly believe every Bible-believing Christian needs to be informed about.

I have no hesitation in highly recommending this well-documented book. Let us thank God for watchmen like Mr Fryer who attempt to highlight the lesser-known realities of the Shoah.

‘Rose-Tinted Memory’ (95 pages) is available from Amazon for £2.12.

Acceptable anti-Semitism in Britain today.

In the wake of the Manchester and London Bridge terror attacks, Theresa May has pledged to open a new Commission for Countering Extremism¹ saying, "Enough is enough.”²

The new Commission would do well to look into the organisers of the recent Al-Quds Day rally held on Sunday, 18 June.³

The Jewish Chronicle (23 June 2017) reported that the police are investigating as a possible hate crime the statement by an organiser of the rally, Nazim Ali of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), that “Zionists” were responsible for the Grenfell fire. He is also reported to have said, “As we know in Grenfell, many innocents were murdered by Theresa May’s cronies, many of which are supporters of Zionist ideology.”⁴

Anti-Semitism on the Streets

Other choice sayings at the march apparently were, “Zionism is a fascist, evil ideology…Everyone knows that Zionist Israel and Isis are the same…We are all Hezbollah.”⁵ To prove this, the Hezbollah flag with its machine gun logo was waved even by children on the march. Hezbollah Military Wing is a banned terror group⁶ and the police are to investigate whether displaying the flags contravened UK terror laws. The organisers of the march apparently support the political rather than military wing of Hezbollah, even though the distinction has been acknowledged by the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to be non-existent.⁷

So, who are these “Zionists” that are being demonised?

Apparently, it is all Jews apart from the ones who reject the state of Israel. The only ‘real Jews’, in their view, are those who attended the march from a tiny fringe group called Neturei Karta (meaning ‘Guardians of the City’⁸) who reject the state of Israel’s right to exist. Since most UK Jews and a large number of Christians support the state of Israel’s right to exist, this logically makes them the hated “Zionists”.

Rewarded at the Ballot Box

Anti-Semitism continues to rise. In addition to overflowing onto our streets, it is being rewarded at the ballot box. Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West was re-elected, increasing her share of the vote by 10,000 in the election. This was the Labour MP whose anti-Semitic remarks (despite holding a seat on the Home Affairs Committee investigating the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK) caused Ken Livingstone to weigh in on her behalf and pull the plug on his own career, being suspended from the Labour party for bringing it into disrepute with his remarks on Hitler and Israel in a radio interview.⁹

Police are investigating as a possible hate crime the statement by a rally organiser that “Zionists” were responsible for the Grenfell fire.

This led to Shami Chakrabarti’s inquiry into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, which a recent documentary labelled a whitewash.¹⁰ During the inquiry, Jeremy Corbyn was questioned by Shami Chakrabarti as to why he has called Hamas his “friends” and has apparently called for them to be removed from the UK’s list of banned terror groups.¹¹ This inconvenient interview was omitted from the inquiry’s findings.¹² Shami Chakrabarti subsequently received a peerage.

Naz Shah has softened her stance on Israel. However, in Bradford, the Israel Palestinian question with attendant anti-Semitic rhetoric is central to political discourse. Consequently, when she said Israel had a right to exist during election hustings, an audience member shouted “Jew, Jew, Jew” at her, which the authorities are said to be investigating.^13,14

Usurping Spirit of Anti-Christ

The Labour Party has perhaps not been as forceful as it should have been in dealing with anti-Semitism, because it courts Muslim votes. After all, in Britain there are over 3 million Muslims but fewer than 270,000 Jews.

But it is not only the Labour Party that has anti-Semitic elements. Former Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron instigated the barring of former Bradford East MP David Ward from standing for the party in the recent election.¹⁵ The right wing of the Conservative party has also had its anti-Semites, though David Cameron took care to re-position the party away from its “nasty” elements.

This should not surprise us. Anti-Semitism rises because it is the hallmark of the growing spirit of Anti-Christ.

In militant Islam, this jealous, usurping spirit finds its most violent, implacable expression. It is fuelled by an irrational spiritual jealousy that cannot be appeased (Prov 27:4). Only the Holy Spirit can withstand and conquer the spirit of Anti-Christ and in turn counter it with a Godly jealousy that cannot be withstood: “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” (Zech 1:14).¹⁶

In militant Islam, the jealous, usurping spirit of Anti-Christ finds its most violent, implacable expression. 

Different Fronts, Same Spirit

Anti-Semitism is also rife among Muslims who would not consider themselves to be extremists and we are tolerating it in political discourse.

Mehmood Naqshbandi, who visits mosques around the country and advises Government and police on Muslim matters, said:

It’s a problem which is endemic in the Muslim community. It’s widespread; it covers generations. It is taken for granted when Muslims are talking to other Muslims, people don’t feel any obligation to hold back from expressing the kind of casual racist views about Jews and about the Jewish community that fits the nasty stereotypes of caricatures of Jewish behaviour, expectations of Jewish conduct and so on. It’s a deep-rooted problem, a problem which is not challenged.¹⁷

Like a hydra, the lawless spirit of Anti-Christ is thrashing violently and emerging on multiple fronts. The enemy is angered by the UK’s impending freedom from the EU bloc and the political, social and ultimately spiritual freedom this could bring. An independent UK need not be constrained by and involved in EU condemnation of Israel. We will not be compelled to send soldiers to fight in an EU army, a force which could be deployed against Israel in future.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

We have won the battle to leave the EU, but the war continues. Yet all who rise up against the Lord and against his Anointed One will ultimately be defeated. Micah 4:11-12:

But now many nations [or gentiles] are gathered against you. They say, ‘Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!’ But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing-floor.

When we oppose God’s people Israel, we fight against the Lord himself, who is the chief of all Zionists and the one who has declared that Zion will be the chief glory of the earth:

Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. (Ps 48:2-3)

When we oppose God’s people Israel, we fight against the Lord himself, who is the chief of all Zionists.

Zion is precious to the Lord:

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isa 49:16)

And it is the Lord who has regathered Israel. His ancient promise in Isaiah 61:4 has been fulfilled:

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

As for us, we declare:

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. (Isa 62:1)

References

1 Peck, T. Theresa May to set up commission for countering extremism. The Independent, 27 May 2017.

2 Rayner, G and Maidment, J. Theresa May says 'enough is enough' in wake of London Bridge terror attack as she confirms General Election will go ahead. The Telegraph, 4 June 2017.

3 See also our previous coverage here.

4 The Jewish Chronicle, 23 June 2017, pp6-7.

5 Ibid.

6 Proscribed Terrorist Organisations. UK Home Office, p10.

7 Ibid.

8 A group of Orthodox Jews, founded Jerusalem in 1938 – see here.

9 See Prophecy Today’s previous coverage of this issue here.

10 Whitewashed by J-TV.

11 Riley-Smith, B. Revealed: Jeremy Corbyn called for Hamas to be removed from banned terror list. The Telegraph, 3 June 2017.

12 Hope, C and Hughes, L. Shami Chakrabarti handed peerage weeks after suppressing Jeremy Corbyn interview from 'whitewash' anti-Semitism report. The Telegraph, 5 August 2016.

13 Murray, D. When did British voters start rewarding anti-Semitism? The Spectator, 11 June 2017.

14 Police probe ‘anti-Semitic’ heckling of Naz Shah for defending Israel’s existence. Jewish News, 3 June 2017.

15 Elgot, J. Tim Farron sacks Lib Dem candidate for 'offensive and antisemitic' remarks. The Guardian, 26 April 2017.

16 See this article from Prophecy Today’s launch issue warning about the rise of antisemitism.

17 Anti-Semitism in the UK: is it growing? BBC Radio 4, 5 March 2015.

Can justice be done in a society that no longer accepts responsibility for its wrongdoing?

In a week that has seen the end of the 28-year campaign for justice on behalf of the 95 football fans who lost their lives at the Hillsborough disaster, it’s a good time to reflect on the issues of blame when something goes wrong.

Back in the 1980s and 90s when I was minister of a church in London, I used to exchange churches (and our house and car) for a month in the summer with the minister of a church in the USA. I would just preach once on a Sunday morning and in return we would have a holiday in California or Vermont or some other State. One year we took a church in the Bronx where there was a murder almost every day, which made us happy to get back to the East End of London where, at least, we understood the culture!

One of the things that surprised us was that Americans went to law over the slightest dispute. One of the church members in Los Angeles was sued by a delivery man who tripped on the front garden path which he claimed was uneven. Law firms would advertise to represent anyone who had an accident on a ‘no-win-no-fee’ basis, which encouraged people to sue their neighbours on the slightest pretext.

That ‘blame game’ culture has spread to Britain where law firms specialise in getting compensation for victims of road accidents – fake or genuine – with whiplash being the favourite complaint. It is because of the huge increase in such insurance claims that we all have to pay such high premiums. The Government is preparing legislation to try to deal with the blame game culture that is spreading in Britain.

Change in British Character

Is it my imagination, or has there been a fundamental change in the British character in recent years? We used to be known as a stoic nation. People coped with adversity and accepted personal responsibility when things went wrong. Nowadays when anything goes wrong we look round to see who we can blame! We certainly don’t accept any personal responsibility. If we have an accident our car insurance tells us never to say ‘sorry’, even if we know we were to blame. We must never admit we made a mistake!

American blame culture has spread to Britain and changed our national character.

It is this kind of culture that lies behind the saga that has followed the Hillsborough tragedy. If the policeman in charge of crowd control had immediately admitted that his decision to open the gate to relieve the crowd pressure outside the ground had caused the pressure inside the ground, we would never have had this 28-year enquiry. It would appear that he made an error of judgment, but he is now being charged with manslaughter, which will require proof that he deliberately sent 95 people into mortal danger.

Even if he is sent to jail, it will not bring the dead back to life, but will it give satisfaction to those who have lost loved ones? Is this really what they want – just to be able to blame someone and punish them for their human error of judgment? Of course, there were lies and ‘cover ups’ involved in this particular incident which have complicated the whole tragic affair. And the relatives of the dead are perfectly justified in demanding the truth and punishment of those who lied.

From Hillsborough to Grenfell

My concern about ‘the blame game culture’ is that it is going to be with us for a long time to come in settling the latest tragedy, the Grenfell Tower inferno. We are now learning that the heat inside the building was so great that those who lost their lives will never be found so that their relatives can have the satisfaction of burying them.

This is tragic for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. There are bound to be calls for the punishment of those who were responsible for the construction and maintenance of the building, which only had one staircase. There was no emergency lighting on the night of the fire and the fire appliances did not have the capability of reaching the top floors to rescue those trapped.

There are so many things wrong with this terrible tragedy – and so many who could in some way be held responsible for it - that the enquiry now starting is likely to last a long time and be highly complex. But in calling for injustice to be exposed and those responsible to be held to account, we also need to temper the righteous public anger that is being widely expressed – lest justice be lost to vengeance and public order be lost to anarchy.

We need to temper the righteous public anger that is being expressed, lest justice be lost to vengeance.

There is a difference between seeking justice and simply trying to deal with deep anger and sorrow by finding someone to blame; but that is what is happening as the ‘blame game culture’ spreads.

Taking Responsibility

In Britain, our biblically-based personal and corporate values used to put God first, ‘others’ second and ‘self’ last. In our modern era, however, we have dropped God and reversed ‘others’ and ‘self’. We never admit to personal error. It’s always someone else’s fault when things go wrong.

Is it because we are so insecure that we cannot admit any personal failings? Do we lack the self-confidence to be able to say “Sorry, I messed up”? It takes what Christians know as ‘grace’ (loving-kindness and favour we do not deserve) to be able to deal with issues where we know that we’ve made a mistake, or done something wrong.

The reason that Christians can handle these things better than non-Christians is due to our relationship with God, whom we know is infinitely better than we are, which makes us humble in his presence. Additionally, we know that God is a loving Father who created each of us in our mother’s womb and knows us better than anyone else. He knows our weaknesses as well as our strengths and he loves us despite our failings.

It takes what Christians know as ‘grace’ to be able to deal with issues where we know that we’ve made a mistake, or done something wrong.

It is his grace that covers our wrongdoing. He holds us accountable for our actions but, when we confess wrongdoing, God is always willing to forgive us and to restore us to right relationships with himself and those whom we have offended.

Life-Changing Grace

This is basic Christian teaching – but it is what is lacking in our society today and what is at the root of the ‘blame game’ which is so damaging to individuals and to the whole community. It would be life-changing if we could each exercise grace and so reverse this culture that destroys our relationships.

We can begin by saying ‘sorry’ silently to God next time we make a mistake. He will then give us the courage and strength to say ‘sorry’ to others. Psalm 51 is our guide – verse 12 says “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Saviour,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

A word from David Noakes.

It is not just Christians who can see that the nation is in trouble. Everyone can see that things have not been going well in Britain recently. The terrorist attacks, the Grenfell Tower inferno, and the hung Parliament all confirm that something is wrong in the nation.

Many Christians know that as a nation we have rejected the word of God in many ways which has resulted in Britain being no longer under God’s cover of protection, prosperity and blessing.

‘Confusion’ is one of the signs of judgment upon a nation, according to Deuteronomy 28:20. But Jeremiah 18:7 reminds us that even when things go badly wrong, if we repent of our wrongdoing and ask for God’s help, things would quickly improve. Through Jeremiah God says:

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.

God still speaks to us today so that we can understand what is happening and how he is working out his purposes. This enables us as Christians to speak to others, Christians and non-Christians, reassuring them of God’s love and his desire to bless the nation, restoring peace and prosperity.

The latest word received by my colleague David Noakes (we have worked together since 1984) brings this reassurance. We reproduce it below noting that we do not claim that modern prophecy carries the same authority as the Bible. But God does speak to those who are listening to him, although we express what we are receiving in our own human language and understanding. It is for each of our readers to weigh this prophecy.

Rev Dr Clifford Hill

Prophetic word, first given at East Grinstead (17 June 2017)

David Noakes

Beloved, you are living in momentous days. These are truly the days of a turning point in the affairs of your nation. It is a time of my appointing. I have allowed you to go your own way but I have never let go of you.

There are many voices in your midst which are full of pessimism and I understand that if you look upon your circumstances, pessimism is often the outcome. But I want you to perceive as I perceive.

Beloved, when there is turmoil and upheaval, do not look upon it with dismay; do not look upon it with foreboding; do not look upon it with fear. But look upon it with eyes turned to me with a questioning heart: a heart questioning what your God is doing in the midst of it. For beloved, all these things taking place are under my hand. I have brought about a remarkable work in your nation in recent times. This is not accidental, nor is it sudden, but has come about at my appointed time.

I do not have accidents; I do not have coincidences; I do not have sudden unexpected events. I have appointed events, at appointed times, and I am the one who is seated in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. Do not lose heart, because I am in charge. My hand is on your nation and I have not given up my purposes for you.

I have blessed your nation in the past and truly you have been faithless; but beloved, I have remained faithful. Your enemy has done much to sow lies, to sow false doctrine, to try to bring down all that is good and all that is of God. But I have kept for myself a remnant. My Word remains true for all time and all eternity and I will fulfil my purposes.

This is a time of turmoil and upheaval because your adversary is in great rage and great fear. He is in great consternation that I will use your nation to tear his purposes apart. But that is exactly what I intend to do. I intend to bring his purposes crashing down. There will be turmoil and upheaval; there will be blood in the streets; there will be anxiety amongst those who do not know that God is in charge and do not understand what I am doing.

Beloved, there cannot be victory in war without war taking place; and war is indeed taking place, because I have joined battle. I have joined battle against the forces of darkness which desire to bring your nation to nothing and I have declared I will not have it so. My purposes for you are from all eternity. I have known exactly what I will do at this time. I have known exactly what I will do in the future and I purpose to glorify my name through your nation once again.

Therefore do not be disheartened. Do you think of yourself as being just a little flock? Truly there is only a small remnant who hold fast to My word. But beloved, continue to hold fast to my word and pray that the purposes that I have begun to reveal will come to fruition and fulfilment, and I will visit you afresh with my Spirit.

I will visit you afresh with my Spirit that you may be empowered: Not for your glory, but for Mine. Not to build empires but to build my Church. I desire also to visit you with my Spirit that you may be instruments in my hand to go into the fields which are ripe for harvest, and bring in a harvest; for there is a harvest waiting to be brought in.

There are many in fear and trepidation and utter confusion, and I want you to be a people who know their God and do exploits. I want you to be a people of compassion; not of judgement; not of condemnation. Judgement is mine, I will repay. But I ask you to be a people of love and concern; of compassion for the lost, and of deep desire that the truth should be brought to many who will understand it and be saved. For surely there are those whom you think are your enemies, who are longing for truth.

Do not be down-hearted, therefore. Do not be dispirited. Yes, I know all too well that you are surrounded by those who wish you ill. Beloved, do not heed them but look to your God who wishes you well. Look to your God who wishes them well. I desire a people who are willing to bless their enemies and to do good to those who speak evil about them.

As you do this they will see your light. Many will reject, but many will see the light in the darkness and will desire the only light they can see. For all their plans and schemes will have fallen to the ground and then they will turn to the only truth.

Do not give up therefore. Hold fast. Hold fast to Me. Hold fast to My Word. Hold fast in love and unity, to one another. Be loyal and faithful to each other. Forgive each other all offences and stand together, that as one you may show the character of your Lord and Saviour. Beloved, understand that I have not given up, and I say to you: do not give up either, but look to Me and hope in Me that I will do what I have planned.

About the author: David Noakes was a solicitor in London until he joined Clifford Hill’s ministry in 1984. He has been part of the Prophetic Word Ministries/Prophecy Today team since that time, although he has also exercised an independent ministry speaking at conferences both in Britain and overseas. He has visited Israel many times and until recently was chairman of Hatikvah Film Trust, working with Hugh Kitson making films about Israel. He is a well-known Bible teacher with an established ministry and remains an official advisor to Issachar Ministries (Prophecy Today UK's parent charity).