As we come to the end of our (UK) summer, I want now to reflect on some of my many, often related, recent forays into the blogosphere (see here), having gone “Outside the Camp”, en-route writing about some of what I have seen as a result of watching on my wall.

One recent video that I checked out and recognised as carrying an important message, which relates to some of what I have been writing about over the summer, has the title: “Pastor Reveals Economic Collapse” (see here). The two people taking part in a one-hour dialogue, Ashley and Chris, I would describe as modern-day political prophets, but as I always point out – what they say comes with my (and the Bible’s) Test and Weigh rider. One of the main takes from the video was the dreams and visions of Chris, going back over many years, of an impending economic collapse on a monumental scale, largely as a result of our turning away from God, and in line with how God judged Israel, as described in the Hebrew Bible. I should add that it is not just Pastor Chris saying this, but many honest non-believers in the God of the Bible, saying the same about economic collapse, albeit missing the important God factor. “‘NATO and the EU are collapsing!'” (see here) is an example of one video, not purporting to offer a “Christian view” (unlike some that wrongly claim to do so so, as has happened throughout history), that tells us how bad things have gotten.

But first I need to define terms – firstly picking up on what Meta AI told me when I asked the question: “What is the opposite to cessationist when it comes to the gifts of the spirit?” The answer given was “The opposite of cessationist is continuationist. Continuationists believe that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, healings, and miracles, have not ceased and are available to believers today. They argue that these gifts continue to operate in the church, empowering believers to serve and edify one another”. It then went on to describe the different types of continuationists, including the one that I believe fits the bill in my own case: “Open but Cautious Continuationists: Believe in the continuation of spiritual gifts but approach them with caution and discernment”.

Having been around the houses, metaphorically speaking, concerning what’s on the ecclesiological spectrum, albeit usually at the low end of the market, I reckon most of the Christians that I have associated with have been more cessationist leaning than continuationist in their theology. While I get some of the concerns raised by my cessationist friends, around deception and abuse, I still think they are wrong. I have often pointed out that the visible church, including sometimes the true remnant, neglect the prophetic, to its detriment, and more to the point – the cause it is called to advance. It is why five years ago I undertook my “Prophets of the Bible” project (see here), and why my current deep dives are back to the Hebrew prophets – see here for my recent delving into Jeremiah, whose words often went unheeded, pertinent when it comes to the main message I took from the afore-mentioned video, about what is to happen and preparing for it.

I have also considered the vexed and often controversial question about the significance of modern-day prophecy and how this is to be viewed today, recognising even mainly sound Christians disagree. Firstly, there is the cessationist view that the genuine article no longer exists. Secondly, there are the Charismatics and Pentecostals, who believe in the gift of prophecy for our times, but only in the specifically local church and individualist context (some I have locked horns with, who fail to see what I believe is really going on in the world – a watershed moment for me was the Covid plandemic). Thirdly, there are those who I label as political prophets (some appearing in the pages of Richards Watch (see here) and Elijah Streams (see here)) who address what is happening in the world (and the church), what God thinks about it, what He is going to do as a result and how we (both Christian and non) should respond.

This brings me to a friend who died recently, Paul Slennett (see here for my tribute), and a book that he wrote, with a message that was at the heart of his own ministry, especially in his later years, as he sought to warn people. It is a book that I reviewed some seven years ago (see here). I asked Meta AI: “What can you tell me about “Earthquake in the City”, a book by Paul Slennet”. The response I got concerning this book, which can be purchased online, was: “”Earthquake in the City” is a book co-authored by Paul Slennett and Cliff Denton, exploring themes of moral collapse, economic collapse, and a potential physical earthquake as a sign of God’s warning. Here’s what you need to know … The book explains a prophecy given to Paul Slennett in 1989, urging readers to sound the alarm about Britain’s moral decline. It argues that Britain’s greatness was rooted in godly standards revealed in the Bible, which have since been abandoned … The book’s central argument is that Britain’s moral collapse will be followed by economic collapse, and a physical earthquake will serve as a sign of God’s warning”.   

I could say a lot more about what I have written so far, but suggest to folk who want to know more what I think, e.g. concerning the political situation and the rising anger and division we are now seeing played out in the UK, that they check out what I have posted on my website. But I need to wind things up and, as I do, I want to point out how I see things and the message I would want to pass on. There is a place for political and charismatic prophets of the genuine type as well as those who study the prophets of the Bible even if doubting whether true prophets exist today. More importantly, the unpopular “thus says the Lord” messages of Pastor Chris and my friend, brother Paul, need to be shared and heeded. Of course, we must test and weigh all that is said, but more importantly, firstly as individuals and then as a nation, there needs to be a turning to the God of the Bible, who warns us (including through His prophets) before He judges, giving plenteous room for hope and joy. As the old adage goes – we must prepare for the worst, yet hope for the best.