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GOD’S PLAN FOR THE BRITISH ISLES

What plans does God have for the British Isles? He certainly has plans, but can we discover what they are by studying His Word? As we have seen already, it is relatively simple to extract information presented by the prophets concerning His future plans for the countries of the Middle East, such as Iraq, Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Lebanon, and, - of course, - Israel [http://www.kirkcaldy- pathheadbaptist.co.uk/page106.html] … But what about the British Isles? The British Isles, of course, are not mentioned by name in Scripture. However, the British Isles played a pivotal role, - through the Balfour Declaration of 1917, - in bringing about the birth of modern Israel and the advancement of the return of the Jews to their ancient homeland, in fulfilment of such Biblical prophecies as Ezek. 11:17 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

Therefore, since God included and used the British Isles at such an important juncture, the promise He made to Abram is undoubtedly the reason the has enjoyed His blessing, Gen. 12:2 And I will make of thee [the national children of Israel, the Jews] a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee. … The British Isles has been blessed by the contribution of Jews including in the areas of medicine and science, education and culture, business and commerce, and in politics they span all parties … names such as Benjamin Disraeli, the Rothschilds, Goldsmiths, Leon Brittan, Nigel Lawson, Edwina Currie, Michael Howard, Margaret Hodge, John Bercow, Dominic Raab, etc (for more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Jewish_politicians).

So, what of the present state of the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to the ? Where is it all going? We voted on 23rd June 2016 to part company, and this is due to take place at 11pm on 29th March 2019. … What of the United Kingdom itself? … … Will the calls for Scottish Independence intensify and finally come to pass? Will there be a United Ireland? … What does the future hold for the United Kingdom, and the British Isles? … Biblically and prophetically, - what is happening?

Prophecy is the study of what God has given us in His Word to help us understand what He is doing, and how He will complete His purposes for this world. We have seen how this relates to the countries already mentioned, culminating in Daniel’s description of the ‘ten toes’, made from iron and clay (Dan. 2:31-35, 40-45; 7:7- 8,19-24). In Daniel’s prophecy four great Gentile nations, - the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans, - would rule the earth … and each of them did, and in that order. This is the period described by Jesus as ‘the times of the Gentiles’ (Lk. 21:24). The Roman Empire is prophesied to undergo a rebirth 2 and will subsequently be divided into ten regions, - as expressed by the ten toes. This feature has not been fulfilled, and since God’s pattern is to complete what He started, this aspect continues to be a work in progress.

The Roman Empire was established by Augustus I in 27 BC, - during whose reign Jesus was born Lk. 2:1ff.), - and ended when Emperor Constantine XI died in 1453. At no time during those 1480 years was the prophecy of the ‘ten toes’, - the ten regions, - fulfilled, therefore, - if prophecy is to be consistent with how the promises relating to Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece were literally accomplished, - the Roman Empire must be restored and the ten nations will develop out of it, Dan. 7:23 The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise [… from which will precede the Antichrist]

This is where the British Isles features since a major part was under the rule of the old Roman Empire … Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 and 54 BC, but it did not become a part of the Roman Empire until the reign of the Emperor Claudius in 43 AD (the same Claudius mentioned in Acts 11:28 and 18:2).

The name ‘Britain’ comes from the Latin ‘Britannia’ … Britannia statue, Britannia came to be personified as a goddess, armed with Portsmouth a trident and shield and wearing a Corinthian helmet. The Romans introduced to Britain foundational structures such as the names of our months and days, and many social aspects we accept as the norm. Britain benefitted from and was a part of this Roman Empire which extended across Europe and North Africa, eastward including the land of Israel, and as far as Babylon, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). If we are to take prophecy literally, Britain is at the edge of this vast area out of 3 which the ten kingdoms will develop, and ultimately the Antichrist will appear.

So, Britain, - we are assured, - is exiting the European Union (… in whatever form, we are yet to see!) As described though, the European Union is not the revived Roman Empire for the European Union is only part of the ancient land mass which was once ruled by the Caesars. Besides, there are some countries in the European Union today which were not part of the Roman Empire. That suggests there will be a breakup within the European Union and some of its present countries will leave or arrange its borders differently … but what about Britain? Well, Britain was in the Roman Empire! This does not exclude Britain leaving the European Union, but for prophecy to be fulfilled Britain will be reinstituted into the future revived Roman Empire. However, not all Britain was in the ancient Roman Empire for Ireland wasn’t, and neither was …

Indeed, the Romans traded with the Irish, and the Romans had forts and camps in various parts of Scotland, such as north of Glasgow and even in the Lomond Hills … they also built the Antonine Wall stretching from the Clyde to the Forth … they even made their way north-east, almost as far as the Moray Forth … but they were never able to defeat and conquer the wild of Scotland, so they retreated to the safety of their Hadrian’s Wall! Scotland was never conquered by the Romans!

Prophetically, what bearing has this on the Scottish Independence debate and Scotland’s membership of the European Union? The first vote for Scottish Independence failed, but the hope for a second referendum remains very much on the agenda for a significant number of Scots. If we are reading the prophetic signs correctly, Scotland will ultimately achieve independence … but not only from the United Kingdom for since they weren’t in a union with England and Wales and Ireland during the first Roman Empire, neither will they be a part of the restored Roman Empire. In other words, Scotland will come out of the United Kingdom, and they will also be out of any further expansion of nations, previously belonging to the Roman Empire.

In addition to an independent Scotland, - and in relation to the British Isles, - prophecy also seems to point towards an independent united Ireland for like Scotland, Ireland was never part of the Roman Empire. Both Scotland and a united Ireland, therefore, will not be in the revived Roman Empire.

Furthermore, the United Kingdom will break up, and only England and Wales, - who previously belonged to the ancient Roman Province of Britannia, - will be part of the new Union of nations … and very possibly one of the ten toes.

4 How credible is all this … or is it far-fetched? At the moment, both Scotland and Ireland want to remain firmly within the European Union, - 62% in Scotland voted to remain, as did almost 56% in Northern Ireland. When the first voted in June 2008, 53.2% voted to stay out of Europe, but they were cajoled to vote again in October 2009 and this time 67.1% voted to become a full member. … There would need to be quite a turnaround for our understanding of Scripture to be fulfilled, but it wouldn’t be the first time God has ‘turned the tide’ in favour of His plans and purposes.

In conclusion, historically-defined, the British Isles constitute the five nations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Ireland has broken away, Scotland is determined to break away, a growing opinion in Northern Ireland also … and that will leave England and Wales … the only region which originally belonged to the old Roman Empire. … We are living in interesting times so keep watching, and let’s not doubt how God is working out His purpose, as He has prophesied in His Word!