State of the Prophetic in the UK (2020)

First published on 21.2.2020 on this site’s homepage as the 2nd edition of a briefing paper for the One Voice Prophetic Conference on 8th February in Reading, Berkshire.

See Preface for details of this document’s genesis and blogger’s personal connection.

Please be free to quote and copy, but take note that full attribution of author and source is requested because Richard J Barker asserts his right to be identified as the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs & Patents Acts 1988.

May this long-read glorify the Lord and bless every reader:

THE STATE OF THE PROPHETIC IN THE UK

by Richard J. Barker © 21.2.2020

CONTENTS:
  1. Summary
  2. What Is Prophecy?
  3. The Bible Prophesies Modern Events
  4. Historical Summary of Modern Prophecy
  5. Prophecy as Jigsaw Pieces and as GPS
  6. Prophecies Come To Pass
  7. The Present & Future of Prophecy
  8. One Voice Prophetic Conference
  9. Directory (not exhaustive)
  10. Appendix A – Selected History of 20th Century Prophecies
  11. Appendix B – Selected History of 21st Century Prophecies
  12. Appendix C – Fulfilled Prophecies and News Reports
  13. Appendix D – 2008 Economic Crash
  14. Appendix E – 2019 Exposure & Big Shake-up
  15. Appendix F – 2019 General Election
  16. Appendix G – Quick-links Research (link to Appendices)

1. SUMMARY

This paper provides an overview of the history and development of prophecy within the UK. By nature, it cannot be encyclopaedic and is presented from a personal, thirty-year perspective.

Prophecy can be brought from the holy, spiritual realm into that of factual daily life, thereby confirming a prophecy’s validity. This data demonstrates that not only are Bible prophecies coming to pass in our day, but so too are modern prophecies!

That is, today’s prophets have an established track record additional to that for personal prophecies. It is incumbent, therefore, upon leaders to know what the Lord is saying to, and expects from, churches, nations and individuals, as brought through duly weighed and tested prophecy.

In the 20th Century, prophecy was spasmodic but became more noticed and accepted with the expansion of the charismatic movement and wider outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Since the millennium, prophetic words to the nation began to come more often. Then during its second decade, the quantity and sharing of prophetic visions and words accelerated rapidly – and the timescales of their fulfillment got radically shortened.

Moreover, prophets’ predictions about two nationally historic events were diametrically opposite to ‘expert’ opinion, yet proved 100% correct. Moreover, we’ve witnessed a rapid increase in news media-mirroring of prophetical terms and images as prophecies are fulfilled. AND the present and previous US presidents’ have unwittingly participated in British prophecies coming to pass!

By 2020 many prophecies on what the Lord is doing in Britain have come to pass – 150 examples since 2011 – and thus validated by the news media! So we give Him all the glory for this and the way He’s working through this conference.

As indicated in the final sections, ministries and churches in many towns and cities across Britain are now open to prophecy.

Therefore, prophecy is demonstrably relevant to our national life and should be taken seriously by those inside and outside Church.

2. WHAT IS PROPHECY?

Prophecy (Greek prophetiea) is the ‘speaking forth the mind and counsel of the Lord God’ and thus a declaration that cannot be known by natural means – ie. a direct revelation from God. It is one of the Holy Spirit’s gifts to Jesus’ disciples

Although prophecy is ‘telling forth’ what the Lord is saying rather than ‘foretelling’ the future, that latter aspect is not excluded. So primarily, prophecies shape our hearts and understanding in order to sharpen or challenge the way we think, act and pray.

Apostle Paul referred to apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers as ministers appointed for equipping and edifying the body of Christ (Eph 4:7-16). Prophecies through such recognised ministry carry more authority than those from disciples moving in Holy Spirit’s gifting

When received in gatherings of believers it is a protocol of accountability to submit prophecy to someone in authority for weighing and checking that it aligns with scripture and reflects God’s character and purposes. Another person may be aware of something similar from the Lord and confirms what is brought. Thus, by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established’ (Deut 19:15; reiterated by Paul on authority at 2 Cor 13:1, ‘By the word of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’).

So a word spoken as coming from the Lord finds witness within the hearer’s spirit; eg. In Acts 15:28 “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” for making decisions at the first Church council.

NKJV Amos 3: Authority of the Prophet’s Message, vv 7-8: ‘Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?’

As with OT prophets, words brought as from the Lord are uplifting, encouraging insights bringing hope. Yet as ‘covenantal watchmen’, today’s prophets may speak into the state of a nation challenging personal and political preferences and activities, as in the current state of widespread personal and national ungodliness.

A couple of observations:

  • “The Word of the Lord, or prophecy, is not solely prediction-based, it is to give the Church God’s narrative on nations on three levels: insight – oversight – foresight.” (Tomi Arayomi)
  • “When God is using prophets… they repetitively are tasked to tell nations where the nation may not be in covenant with another nation – it is a key function of prophets in Scripture. Prophets need to know which nation aligns with which nation. It’s part of our job description!” (Emma Stark)
Related Scriptures:

Matt 7:15-20 – Jesus’ instruction to be aware of and to test false prophecies
1Cor 14:1 – eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy
1Cor 14:29 – two or three prophets should speak and others weigh carefully
1Cor 14:31 – all can prophesy in turn, so all can be instructed and encouraged.

3. THE BIBLE PROPHESIES MODERN EVENTS

End-times are here, as foretold – even defined? – by Jesus: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all peoples, and then the end will come!” (Matthew 24:14). According to Barnabus Aid magazine: ‘by 2,000 there were indigenous Christians in every country of the world’ (A History of Christian Persecution, Pt 12 – October 2019).

Other examples of End-times prophecy coming to pass in our day: Jewish people return en-mass to their homeland (Zeph 3:19-20, Jer 23:3-8) – increasing apostasy in church teachings (2 Thess2:3) – the return of ‘the days of Noah/Lot,’ as evident in gay-pride parades! (Luke 17:26-29) – waving a hand to buy goods without cash (Rev 13:17) as in today’s cashless society!!

4. HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF MODERN PROPHECY

It is important to acknowledge that fresh seed of the Kingdom was planted in Holy Spirit Revivals in Wales (1904-5) and the Hebrides (1949-52).

Appendices to this paper are linked to the author’s compilation of prophecies delivered over the period 1909-2017, as published in this site’s extensive Prophecy Library, and demonstrate the growth of modern prophecy. The rapidly increasing volume of material necessitated its discontinuance but subsequent prophecies can be found in this site’s monthly archives. All items are to be weighed with the Lord.

  • Appendix A: 20th Century – overview of Holy Spirit moves and major prophets
  • Appendix B: 21st Century – notes on significant prophecies and developments

Appx A’s most well-known prophecies are Smith-Wiggleworth’s 1947 vision of future revivals and Jean Darnall’s 1967 vision of many local fires and lightning strikes. Many of their forecasts have come to pass, as examined in Geoffrey Pick’s Revival Prophecies – Where Are We Now? [The conference’s second paper.]

In the 1990s, his church elders advised the author that prophecies are normally put in a pending tray because they take many years, even decades, to come to pass. Thus, no-one really knew at the time of receipt if they’re accurate and reliable. However, by 2020 that situation no longer pertains because an increasing number have been fulfilled within months – even days!

The overflow of 1990s Holy Spirit outpouring within Britain made prophetic ministry available. Eg, teams visited Thames valley in 1996; author’s vision of spiritual ‘atomic’ bomb’s fireball rolling along the Thames to London gateway towns, confirms assistant pastor’s vision of 10 years earlier.

Geoffrey Pick writes on the situation after the millenium, “Prophecies were rarely shared outside local church meetings in the UK prior to the rise of social media. Even words that were significant remained within a local church or home-group. Individuals seeking to find out what the Holy Spirit was speaking could not easily find more than a few prophetic words for the nation. Many who received such words for the nation, as I did in October 2000, could not find a platform to share with others. It took 3 years before I found a place to share and that was an International prophecy website. In 2004, encouraged by others, I launched a webpage to bring together UK national prophecy, followed by UK Prophetic Words.

In 2001, commissioned by ‘father of prophets’ Dr Bill Hamon, Revd Dr Sharon Stone and husband Greg Black moved to England and started Christian International Europe (CIE). Their teaching and minisitry encouraged the growth of prophecy in British and European churches. Also, by 2005 New Frontiers church movement was operating with a few recognised prophets.

Personal Perspectives:

A startling open vision in 2004 left the author needing advice. Its content was confirmed the next year by Dr Stone at a conference in Bath, one of a small number of places where local prophetic ministry was already established.

July 2005’s terrorist attack upon London was quickly followed by a profound prophetic vision and message on Britain’s End-time destiny brought by Wendy Alec. Having retired early from an EU governmental agency, this author noted her reference to Britain being entangled by the EU and God’s desire for separation. Hence, he began noticing prophecies on this topic over subsequent years. In addition, Geoffrey Pick published a collection of such prophecies on Prophetic Releasers for UK Revival.

In September 2011, Revd Bill Johnson of Redding, California, confirmed this author’s ‘God-incidental’ dream by referring to that date’s possibility as a turning point in the history of the Kingdom in Britain. Subsequently, there’s been a noticeable, increasing acceleration in the prophetic.

Three years later came a clear vision of an enormous bulldozer demolishing ungodly structures, which eventually began to come to pass after another five years.

5. PROPHECY AS JIGSAW PIECES & GPS

‘…on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.’ (Deut 19:15)

Bringing prophetic ‘jigsaw pieces’ together

Being active in the prophetic opens one up to Godly coincidences or ‘God-incidents’. The author began noticing an increasing number of prophecies brought by various brethren within days of one another. It can be likened to pieces of an invisible jigsaw falling into place to present a larger prophetical picture – like a team of separated prophets bringing words and visions that fit together to give a bigger picture. [For about 70 examples see ‘Jigsaw’ tag.]

Also, like an aircraft controller at an airport, the author noted over 40 similar prophecies given in various places globally, as though heavenly Father’s got his own GPS system, ie. ‘Global Prophecy Signals’. [For examples visit ‘Gods_GPS’ tag]

One good example, published only days before the conference, tells of two ‘pieces’ that had appeared much earlier than others arriving together via ‘GPS’ – as herein.

Dr Stone describes such serendipity as a Biblical ‘law’ for advancing the Kingdom: “Amazing, accidental discovery! Wow! No matter what we do and what God does, He surprises us with lots moreeg. Pentecost” (see Ephesians 3:14-21).

6. PROPHECIES COME TO PASS

Monitoring the possibility of Wendy Alec’s 2005 Vision for Great Britain coming to pass and learning later of prophetic insights on the outcome of the 2016 EU Referendum, the author collected that data and discovered their accurate predictions confounded those of all ‘expert’ political pundits and pollsters – and likewise for 2019’s general election!

This led to the logical question: how many other prophecies are coming to pass?

So maybe another set of fulfilled prophecies could be gleaned from this site’s cyber-library, the listed content of which is available via Appendix G?

In view of the size of the undertaking, the author looked at prophecies in the preceding 10 years but time constraints prevented in-depth analysis. A list of fulfilled prophecies was compiled over subsequent years.

Appendix C provides links to 150 instances of prophecies since 2001 that have been, or are in the process of becoming, fulfilled. A noticeable trend relates to the Hebrews 12 shaking/exposure of the ungodly, including many examples on the EU, and increasingly includes national media headlines using terms (‘fox’, ‘lion’, ‘bulldozer’) that had already been given in prophecies!!.

Appendices D, E and F are documented prophecies on the 2008 Economic Crash (with copy news), on ‘Exposure with Big Shake-up’ in 2019 and on the General Election.

7. THE PRESENT & FUTURE OF PROPHECY

“For the first time in history Europe’s prophets have come out of their caves” – Revd Dr Sharon Stone (1.2.2020).

The 1980s saw a major restoration of the prophetic movement, and 15-20 years ago teaching and ministry was focused upon the prophetic gifting and not upon training anointed prophets.

Compared with 30 years ago, there’s now a wider appreciation of the gift of prophecy and office of prophet across churches, and many more local ministries across Britain (see Directory). Moreover, the prophetic anointing in Britain may possibly overtake that of America.

In 2020, “We’re standing in the greatest prophetic move in history…God is building His church on the foundation of apostles and prophets.” Dr Stone reckons a reformation in training prophets is now necessary in order to bring breakthrough and shifts in all areas within churches and the nations. Therefore, Christian International Europe in Windsor and Glasgow Prophetic Centre have started new training courses on equipping the prophets.

For some years the UK Council of Prophetic Elders met under Dr Stone’s leading. This has now been succeeded by the British Isles’ Council of Prophets, with Dr Stone and senior prophets and apostles on its Advisory Council. It forms a network of prophetic voices in Scotland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland, Eire and the Channel Isles.

The vision, aims and core values of the British Isles’ Council of Prophets can be read via the preceding link, where its latest prophecies and membership may also be found.

Suggested Goals:

The following goals for prophetic ministry continue to be of importance:

    • Greater focus upon the spiritual state of the nation
    • Linking up of specific scriptures with prophecies
    • Increasing call for accuracy, especially on timing
    • Improved joining of prophecy with intercession
    • Greater influence across all churches and in society.

8. ONE VOICE PROPHETIC CONFERENCE

Geoffrey Pick advises that a prophecy about such a gathering was brought two years ago to the week by Jeroma Davis (13 Feb 2018):

“Thank You Holy Spirit…I am Seeing in the Spirit ….. A Round Table.. A Circle of Seers/Prophets/Deliverance voices/Pastors/Apostles/Prayer Intercessors and Leaders in Ministry forming a Spiritual Bond/Chain Link Globally that will stand the test of time! The enemy is losing ground as The Body of Christ is emerging with a Holy Fire that will never be extinguished. The Call onto Holy Ground will be deeply rooted from Radical Lovers of Jesus Christ as the Holy Fire burns deeply within their hearts! I see flames of the All-Consuming Fire going up into the high heavens as the Bride returns to Purity/Holiness in God our King.”

The stated purpose of One Voice Prophetic Conference 2020 reads:

‘We believe that God is still speaking into the Nation and the Church is responsible for bringing that prophetic word to the attention of leaders, people in power and those who carry responsibility for the care of the Nation. It is important that the word of the Lord comes out of a united ekklesia and we come together from our different streams to speak as One Voice. This is a space for influential voices from the church, business, education and other spheres of influence.’

Pastor Oyekan invited leaders of the Assemblies of God and, as President-elect 2020 of the Baptist Union, especially encourages Baptist churches to take prophecy seriously.

The conference morning began with extended period of worship for intimacy with the Lord and then groups gathered to wait upon Him for words about specific areas and for a few certain individuals, viz:

  • government
  • business & finance
  • international relations
  • emergency services
  • health & social care
  • church denominations
  • justice system
  • the royal family
  • arts & culture
  • education
  • media

Guest speaker Dr Mark Birch-Machin of Speakers of Life outlined a national prophetic strategy based upon the neurological communication principles of the human body.

Revd Betty King, Emma Stark and Veronika West brought teaching and prophecies. Of these, I particularly noted Betty spoke on the vital importance of dealing with buried personal issues that affect our serving the Lord (my wife had received a very effective personal word upon that in the previous week). Emma stressed we’re not to look for a repeat of the Toronto-style Revival because the Lord is already bringing this in a very different format.

In an unscheduled message Veronika revealed what the Lord told her during the night when He alerted her that we need to:

“Get ready, get ready for the stage is set for a spiritual showdown!”

After explaining, she said He will demolish false altars and build new ones throughout Britain where evangelists will emphasise altar-calls once again. Also, an unusual picture of a horse and ox yoked together shows that apostles and prophets will begin working together as teams for the Kingdom.

Drawing to a close, Veronika also prophesied about Reading being on a spiritual hill and of the Lord’s fire coming down. (Confirms impression I’d brought at the working group’s planning meeting in November and previous visions of decades ago, one of which I’d ‘seen’ like an exploding ‘atomic bomb’ with fireball rolling down Tilehurst hill and along the Thames Valley towards the capital, as told in June’s 2nd of four jigsaw pieces!)

9. DIRECTORY (not exhaustive)

Prophecy Ministries (not exhaustive)
      • Betty King International Ministries (Wembley – Betty King)
      • Christian International Europe (Windsor – Dr Sharon Stone)
      • Fire Ministries International (Elgin, Moray – Malcolm & Alyson Sim)
      • Glasgow Prophetic Centre (Emma & David Stark)
      • Harvest Ministries (Birmingham – Lori Lawlor)
      • Ignite Ireland Ministries (Facebook – Veronika West)
      • Inter-Prophetic Alliance (Whitstable – Robin Jegede-Brimson)
      • Invictus Prophetic Network (Folkestone – Rebecca King)
      • Love Has A Voice (Bath – Liz Evans)
      • Manchester School of Prophets (Achumba, Amegee, King & Dean)
      • Norfolk School of Prophets (Ray & Ruth Scorey)
      • Prophecy Encounter Groups (Dr Sharon Stone & Tomi Arayomi)
      • School of Prophecy (Winchester/Southampton – Mark Iles)
      • School of the Prophetic (Leicester – Simon Braker)
      • Servant Ministries (Whitstable – Robin Jegede-Brimson)
      • Speakers of Life (Whitley Bay, Northumberland – Mark Birch-Machin)
      • Word & Spirit International Ministry (Colwyn Bay – Mary Carpenter & Joseph Burt)
Churches Teaching/Practising Prophecy
      • Catch the Fire – Bournemouth, Farnborough, Manchester, Wembley
      • City Life Church – Portsmouth (Daniel Harman)
      • Fleet Baptist Church – Hants (Christopher Bird)
      • Kings Church – Halifax (Paul McMahon, Paul Clift)
      • Living Word Church Network – Fareham (Christopher Wickland)
      • My Church – Windsor (Revd Dr Sharon Stone)
      • New Frontiers churches (Dr Stone’s YouTube)
      • Revive Church – Hull (Jarrod Cooper)
      • The Harbour Church – Whitstable (Robin Jegede-Brimson)
Prophecy Websites
      • Prophetic Releasers for UK Revival (Facebook Group – Geoffrey Pick)
      • Prophetic Voice TV (YouTube – Dr Sharon Stone)
      • Richard’s Watch (Website-Library & Blog – Richard Barker)
      • R.I.G. Nation (YouTube – Tomi Arayomi)
      • UK Awakening (History website – Michael Marcel)
      • UK Wells (Map website – Michael Marcel)

 

APPENDICES A-G – see next post >>

Image Credit: Teamwork by Franky242, courtesy Freedigitalphotos.net]

[Update #2: 22.4.21]