In our lives whenever we strive in faithfulness and obedience to God to be good, the devil is there to deceive and destroy.
In my article in Covenant Nations ‘Brexit Brings Britain’s Blessings Back’ I still constantly reflect and identify with the editor’s previous comments[1] “Britain has been in a state of national unfaithfulness to its lawful husband – ‘The Queen–in–Parliament under God’. Treason by instalments…” The Editorial cited, truthfully tells everything, and has encouraged me to remember the blessings and obedience to Almighty God through the truth of the Coronation Service and the Book of Common Prayer 1662 – especially Holy Communion Service – the prayer for the “whole state of Christ’s Church militant here in earth”[2].
“Almighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity, and godly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors; and specially thy servant ELIZABETH our Queen; that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.”
Another parallel or ‘type/shadow’ situation of disobedience and unfaithfulness to Almighty God and deceit against the Crown is seen comparing the events of two periods 1932-1939 and 1958-1993 – and indeed to this day.
The comparison begins with the work of John F. Kennedy and his book ‘Why England Slept’[3]. In his book, which he completed whilst a student at Harvard University U.S.A. in 1940, Kennedy did a brilliant analysis of the apathy, complacency, ignorance, pacifism and appeasement in England 1932-1940. Kennedy published his work in 1940 and had no idea then of what would happen. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 he knew all his concerns about apathy, complacency and appeasement were true and joined the U.S. Navy.
In his book, Kennedy noted that the responsibility for pacifism rested not on one man but the whole Parliament. The people of England were accepting and in a sense not interested. The threat of another war was not in focus until 1938, the year that Hitler was Time Magazine ‘Man of the Year’! Kennedy realised there were problems in the efficacy of the League of Nations. When in 1932 the League required Japan to leave Manchuria, Japan left the League. Further to my comments on unfaithfulness and complacency, England did nothing in 1934. England started to realise the League was useless.
Kennedy noted that on 9 March, 1935 the German Air Force came into being, producing over 1,000 planes per month. Also, factories which were supposed to be producing locomotives and rolling-stock were also producing army tanks.[4]
In 1936 Kennedy noted the result of a ‘peace ballots’ [5] which proved Britain was aware but ‘asleep’.
Almost 5 months after WWII began and on 28 May 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the Outer Cabinet. The following quotes are from the film[6] ‘Churchill’ which I believe are sufficiently accurate renditions of this critical comparison. He mentioned “peace talks” and raised the question that if Parliament agreed with “peace talks” would Britain become a slave state under Hitler? Was it acceptable to have “the swastika flying over Buckingham Palace… and over these very buildings”? Churchill continued: “… we shall prove ourselves once more to be able to defend our Island Home”. He spoke of: “riding out the menace of tyranny”. He said: “it was the will of Parliament and the Nation”! He acknowledged that Britain would “never surrender” and concluded the speech with “… and if this Island were subjugated or starving our Empire beyond the seas… would carry on the struggle until in God’s good time the New world with all its power and might would step forth to the rescue and liberation of the Old…”. True care, compassion, obedience and faithfulness to Almighty God – but what happened in the late 1950’s through to 1972, or 1993 to the present? The comparison is frightening – a return to the problems of 1932 – 1939.
Almighty God is faithful to His Covenant Nations. In San Francisco in April, 1945 the U.S. President addressed [7] the Delegates concerning the establishment of the United Nations Organisation:
“The Charter of the United Nations which you are now signing is a social structure on which we can build for a better world…”
Stephen Ambrose, an historian continued and commented: “There was great hope in the world that this would happen and that this (WWII) was the last war, that the nations would be able to co-operate in peace as they had in war… and to see to it that there would be no more aggression in the world… a better world was going to emerge, and one part of this was going to be a non-colonial world.” When Stephen Ambrose said this did he realise the United Nations would be just like the failed League of Nations? We have endured over 25 wars since. Focusing on the unfaithfulness to the Crown (1973, 1993) perhaps in the early 1950’s – up to 1958 led to the evil and deception which is being corrected by BREXIT now.
I give thanks, praise, honour, trust and obedience to Almighty God: 1 Samuel 2.30 “…those who honour me will I honour”. As Covenant Nations we have spiritual privileges from Almighty God with objectives to fulfil His purposes: Ephesians 2.10 “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We as Covenant Nations are the people of His promise from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – Israel (Romans 11.25-27).
As I conclude I have noted the comparisons 1932-1939 and the deceptions, unfaithfulness and disobedience which caused the Monarchy to be subject to foreign authority beginning 1958 and subsequently 1972 and 1993. Isaiah 29.15 “Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord…”. Also quoted by Jesus in Mark 7.6-7.
We pray as a result of BREXIT Britain will return to the truth, faithfulness and righteousness of the past. I remember in Holy Scripture how the scribes were ministers of the law of the LORD.
They failed: Jeremiah 8.8 “How can you say: ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD, when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely’.” I liken the deceitful, unfaithful Ministers of Parliament to the scribes as the EEC and EU were established.
[2] Book of Common Prayer p 244-245
[3] While Australia Sleeps Rev Dr Graham Whelan OAM p 87-110
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid p 94-95
[6] Universal Studios ‘Churchill’ Focus Features 2017
[7] Freemantle Media International ‘The World at War’ 25. Recounting 1945 and after.