Here in the UK the terms of Brexit dominates the headlines on a daily basis. Still bitter from the marginal vote to leave the EU some who voted to 'remain' appear to be seeking to put as many roadblocks in the way as possible. Petitions are being signed, demonstrations attended and books are being written as Pro-EU activists desperately seek to stop the juggernaut which is Brexit. In this week's Bible in the News we consider the likelihood of Brexit being scuppered in the light of Bible prophecy.
Currently, the British government and the EU are in negotiations to untangle Britain from the EU. Much work has to be done to detach the UK from laws and obligations that have been entered into as part of the close relationship between the two parties.
“As it stands, the UK will leave the EU in March 2019 whether it agrees a deal on the terms of withdrawal or not. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she believes the two sides will reach a deal but the UK must prepare for all eventualities. The so-called divorce bill, the amount the UK will pay to settle its liabilities when it leaves the EU, remains a major sticking point in negotiations.
Hopes that negotiations would move on to Britain's future relationship with the EU this month were dashed after EU chiefs said more work was needed first on the divorce talks. Mr De Rynck [an adviser to EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier] said "sufficient progress is not far away" but the UK must set out how it believes the divorce bill should be calculated to end the deadlock over money.
Also this week the UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, was again in the headlines telling the EU to “get on with Brexit”. Also on the BBC this week the BBC ran a headline “Brexit: Theresa May says 'important progress' made at EU summit.” So the politicians are forging ahead with the Brexit paperwork but many are also at work attempting to put a stop to it.
The notion that the people have spoken in the EU referendum - and that therefore, under the rules of democracy, Brexit should continue with all the authority of democracy - is one which is constantly under challenge in some parts of British politics. The main sticking point is the question of what Brexit looks like and what deal Britain might do in regards to the terms of Brexit. A few “remainers” want to sink the Brexit ship and stay moored to the EU.
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is one such “Remainer”. He has written a book entitled “How To Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again)” published on the 12th of October. The leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, published an article in the Guardian this week entitled “We must stop this tragic farce – Brexit can be reversed”. The Liberal Democrats are pushing for another final vote by the British public to agree, or not, the terms of the Brexit negotiations in an attempt to reverse the leave outcome from the last one.
There is a track record in relation to the EU of democratic decisions being overturned by sheer persistence.
For example, in 1992 Denmark voted against adopting the EU’s 'Maastricht Treaty'. With a few tweaks though the treaty was amended and another vote was held in 1993 and was carried. In 2001, in a referendum to approve the EU ‘Treaty of Nice’ the Irish voted 53% against. A few tweaks to the wording of the treaty took place and the vote was again put to the Irish people in 2002 along with a major educational campaign around the vote. Ireland then voted 62.9% in favour. Again in 2008 Ireland voted against adopting the 'Lisbon Treaty'. A few tweaks and another education campaign and in 2009 the EU got the vote it was after and the Irish voted in favour.
This tactic of making a few tweaks and then having another vote until the answer comes out in favour of the EU then, in human terms, is a very real possibility to Brexit.
As a side point, it might be worth observing that any vote in a sovereign nation which has gone in favour of the EU has ever been rerun!
“I cannot emphasise enough that there is no going back on Brexit. We will be leaving the European Union completely and there is no question about that. I have been one of the heartiest advocates of properly getting out of the EU and holding the Government to account while this process is ongoing. A number of constituents have written to me under the misapprehension that transitional agreements somehow mean we won’t be leaving the European Union or that somehow they will be used to sneakily create a situation whereby we leave in name only. I can reassure voters that this is not the case… I must emphasise to constituents that there is zero chance of our staying in the European Union. Transitional agreements will exist to help us to leave the EU – not to frustrate our leaving. No-one has been clearer on this matter than the Prime Minister – leave means leave."
There is then this division in UK politics at the moment. On the one hand, the people have spoken to leave and politecians are working to fulfil that desire. On the other, some politicians do not want this to happen and are seeking to reverse the vote causing, in turn, other politicians to defend democracy and the will of the people.
"Will Brexit be reversed?" is a question on the minds of those engaged in politics. By looking at the implications of Bible prophecy we can confidently say that this is very unlikely and that Brexit will happen.
The majority of those currently in power seems to be reluctantly accepting the vote of the people - even if they voted to remain. The basis on which the system works is democracy - and the people voted out. To remain in power the politicians, therefore, are, on the whole, following this route set out by the people they are supposed to represent.
Unlike Ireland with it’s Catholic Heritage and leanings to Europe, Britain's heritage is Protestant. In the backbone of the country is a spirit of independence from the continent and a reliance of Britain as a separate entity. This spirit stems back to the days of Henry the 8th and the Reformation when England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church to forge its own way in the world.
These ancient political and religious undertones, are not obviously in the public's consciousness - but certainly they seem to be there in an almost unconscious way - and, no doubt will contribute to Brexit continuing to the conclusion which will see the British power outside of the EU.
In this God’s hand can be seen. He has been at work, unbeknown to the people involved down through time to use the British power for His requirements. Britain and it’s protestant spirit was heavily involved in spreading God’s word in English across the globe through the British Empire. This, in turn, led to Britain aiding the establishment of the nation of Israel, supported by Protestants who had grown up with Bible in hand and an understanding and sympathy of God’s people, the Jews. It also led to the true gospel being rediscovered in the 1800’s and defined in the book “Elpis Israel” in 1848 by John Thomas who began the radical Christadelphian movement. None of these things would have happened without the Protestant spirit of Britain.
But there is more in relation to God’s purpose with Britain.
Written before the EU referendum.
The connection with Britain and the Biblical nation of Tarshish has been well documented in recent years (for information on this see this Bible Talk, given just after the Brexit vote and a booklet on the subject can be purchased on Amazon.
We would suggest that the only power to fit these characteristics is the British power. No other power fits these ‘Tarshish clues’.
It is reasonable therefore to identify Britain as the Biblical nation called “Tarshish”. This being the case the prophecies of the “Latter days” are interesting to note.
In Ezekiel 38 we read of the state of the nations just before Jesus Christ returns to the earth. This gives us clues as to how we might expect the nations will be behaving. As we’ve already mentioned, Tarshish is there in verse 13 and is trading in the area of the Gulf with those Southern Arab states called by their ancient family names of “Sheba and Dedan”. Set apart from these trading powers, is described between verses 1-6, another block of nations who unite to invade Israel. Within this set of nations are grouped peoples who make up the EU, namely Magog and Gomer.
The Jewish historian Josephus, writing around 93AD, records that “Magog founded those that from him were named Magogites, but who are by the Greeks called Scythians.” (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1:6:1, c. 94 AD). The Greek historian Herodotus gives a detailed outline of the land of Scythia (Herodotus, Histories, Book 4:46-47, c. 400 BC). He lists eight rivers which went through it, all of which are in Eastern Europe stretching from the river “Ister” (the modern-day river ‘Danube’ which originates in Germany) to the river “Tanais” (the modern-day river ‘Don’ in Russia).
From these historical accounts, we learn that the “Magog” of Ezekiel 38 is the territory of most of Eastern Europe inclusive of modern day Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and even parts of Western Russia.
Ezekiel 38, is “Gomer” in verse 6. It is Josephus who again states: “Gomer founded those whom the Greeks now call Galatians, but were then called Gomerites.” (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1:6:1, c. 94 AD). Interestingly “Gallia” remains a name of France in modern Greek.
The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus tells us that another name for “Galatia” was “Gaul” (Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica, Book 5:24, c. 50 BC). The area of Gaul was eventually conquered by the Romans and then, in turn fell to the “Franks” in AD486.
the “Gomer” in Ezekiel 38 to be describing Western Europe and in particular France.
According to the Bible then, we would expect these territories of the EU to unite at the time just before the return of Christ. We would not expect the British “Tarshish” power to be amongst them but instead forging its own global relationships based on trade in the Gulf.
For the Bible student then it is significant that since the Brexit vote EU leaders have called for even further integration of Europe. This is what we’d expect. The EU powers getting to the point where they have an army and can collectively invade Israel with other allies as described in the prophecies.
So we watch and wait as we see the great powers of the day falling into place as God has determined they would and revealed according to His holy word. With the prophecies set out and the destiny of the nations foretold we have a good idea as to the direction they will move in and it would certainly appear “Brexit means Brexit”. From this understanding of Bible prophecy we conclude that ultimately the eurosceptics will not have their way and Britain’s destiny lies outside of the EU.
Indeed, despite what man thinks the “most high God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” Daniel 5:21 and “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1.
Let us be encouraged then by the signs of the times. Watch with us here in the Bible in the News as God’s purpose unfolds until our Lord returns. This has been Matt Davies. Join us again next week God willing. .