Published by kind permission of the author, who says, “Over recent weeks I have felt a growing pressure to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard to be more accurate) on the vexed question of how to vote in the EU referendum. I have drafted a military-style brief, using a format learned long ago!”

A Discussion Paper by Neil Mackereth,  13 April 2016 (updated 26 April)

Introduction

There are many aspects to the debate on whether the United Kingdom should remain in or leave the EU. Notwithstanding the many opinions, nuances and uncertainties, the main discussion points can be grouped into three broad categories:

1. The economic (markets, trading relationships, self- interest, fear);
2. The political (power, right to govern, security, law-making, influence);
3. The spiritual (God’s will, plan, apostolic and prophetic guidance).

The most important is the most ignored!

I see reports that the church should not be involved/take a stance/make recommendations on whether we should vote to stay or to leave the EU. I question that – surely the opposite is true. Wouldn’t it be more fitting if those charged with shepherding the flock and encouraging our spiritual well-being, gave prayerful guidance on this difficult question?

Is God interested in Britain and its future?

If He is, has he given us any biblical guidance on alliances, or signs and insights that might help us in the decision making process?

As you might imagine, these are not the sort of questions I would ask if I didn’t believe that God is interested in our future and that God has given us signs and indicators to help us make wise choices. In what follows I focus on the spiritual category. It could be argued that living by faith means letting God choose the best way forward, rather than claiming our “rights” and focusing on our own welfare. Thus obedience to God transforms anything we do in the natural (politics, economics, social interaction or whatever) into the spiritual.

What is God saying about EU membership? In my view the indicators are unequivocal and are summed up in 2 Corinthians 6:17: “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord” (see also Revelation 18:1-4).

There are 5 “signs” and 2 points for consideration that I want to look at:

Signs and Considerations of Spiritual Significance in the EU Membership Debate.

1. The EU Parliament Building, Strasbourg, modeled on Tower of Babel – FLAG A
2. A Woman Rides the Beast statue, Council of Europe, Brussels – FLAG B
3. The Pergamum Altar (Satan’s throne) in Berlin – FLAG C
4. The Ishtar Gate (gateway to Hell) in Berlin – FLAG D
5. Shiva statue (Hindu god of destruction) at CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) – FLAG E
6. Is Europe the new Babylon? – FLAG F
7. What does Scripture say about alliances? (Peter Horrobin article) – FLAG G

Recognising that you may not have the time or the inclination to look at these signs and considerations in full, I have attached relevant information, as Annexures or ‘FLAGs’. [To read in full click UK/EU in/out #2 cont’d – Significant Spiritual Signs. Even if not reading the details, seeing each picture is worth a thousand words!  RB]

Even if you don’t have time to read the detail, each picture is worth a thousand words!

Executive Summary

There can be little doubt that the EU Parliament building is modelled on the Tower of Babel, as depicted in a painting by Brueghel, FLAG A, and that the Woman Rides the Beast image is both a statue and a widely used symbol in pictures and on EU currency, FLAG B.

Most would agree that Germany is the “power house” of Europe and has significant influence in the EU decision making process. Assuming that God does give us signs, it is startling to note that the Pergamum Altar, also referred to in the Bible as Satan’s throne, and the Ishtar Gate, said to be the gateway to Hell, are both in Berlin, see FLAG C and FLAG D respectively.

The statue of the Hindu god Shiva (The Destroyer) is a strange choice to have in front of the CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) building in Geneva, FLAG E.

If asked whether the surprising symbolism used in the EU and at CERN has significance in influencing how we should vote, my counter question would be “what further signs would we need to be convinced that remaining in the EU is not our best option?” I find these signs astonishing and compelling. The Bible repeatedly advises us about having “eyes to see and ears to hear” and about being held accountable for not recognising the signs of the times.

If the EU is the new Babylon, FLAG F, we can expect to see systems developing that aim to establish worldwide economic and political controls: a new world order moving towards totalitarian government. We might also wish to note the Bible’s emphatic advice to have nothing to do with Babylon, as depicted as the woman on the beast in Revelation 17 and 18, and as stated in Isaiah 48.20

Under the heading “What does Scripture say about alliances” I have taken the liberty of quoting in full an article written by Peter Horrobin, founder of Ellel Ministries, at FLAG G.

Sadly, I can guarantee that over the coming weeks we will hear a great deal about economic issues, trading relationships, financial stability, security, border controls, immigration, political influence, special relationships, the right to govern and so on, and so on. It is very unlikely that any senior politician will mention the spiritual implications or even suggest that prayer might be appropriate in seeking the best way forward for our nation.

Finally, what the government’s controversial “vote to stay” leaflet makes clear is that we are not really committed to the EU dream. We are a fringe member both in geographical terms and in our hearts and minds.

I will be voting for Britain to leave the EU.

NOTE: Neil, a retired Brigadier with background in communications and administration, is author of SIGNS, The Significance of Biblical Prophecy. I first met Neil at his excellent extensive course on this topic at Winchester Vineyard Church, the outcome of which is this conversational-style introduction to what the Bible teaches about the climax of history and the end of the world, as we know it. For more information and my recommendation see this post.