The Coming Division

For those of us who hold the unity of our United Kingdom dear, and who recognise it exists by the sovereign purpose of Almighty God, the battle is now on us with the SNP’s declaration of an actual timeframe for their proposed Independence Referendum – the autumn of 2014.

This battle, between those loyal to the Union and those who favour an independent Scotland of some description, has the potential to deeply polarise Scottish society, as well as people in other parts of the UK and further afield. Friendships will go by the wayside, family loyalties will be ripped asunder and many will become bitterly entrenched in their positions. No other issue has the potential to divide us as a people; this is arguably the great matter of our times.

Many are caught up in the debate itself – the respective merits of staying in the UK or separating from it. The arguments politically, economically and socially swirl around us and this “perfect storm” of discussion will only increase in intensity as we get nearer the actual date of any Referendum. Yet there is a far more important issue that few, if any, are facing up to.

It is this: What will Scotland be like after the Referendum? It looks likely that the Referendum could produce a tight result, effectively dividing in two the Scottish people. Even a more convincing victory could potentially leave a large part of Scotland as the loser – and living in a country they do not want. You see, this Referendum isn’t about voting for a party in an election, something you get the opportunity to change every few years. This is a question which won’t be asked again for a generation.

Do we really believe that the losers in this Referendum will just passively accept the decision and not be consumed with bitterness and a sense of futility? That they won’t feel like slaves trapped in a country they despise? This applies to both sides. If the separatists win, will pro-Unionists want to stay in a Scotland that considers them traitors? If the Unionists triumph, will those who hate the Union just accept that’s the result and go about their business quietly, knowing their aspirations for “freedom” have been crushed for another forty years?

These are the questions I don’t think the selfish politicians want to face. What this Referendum will do to Scotland could easily have ramifications that will radically transform our society.

Recently Alex Salmond has tried to link Scotland’s quest for independence with the so-called Irish freedom struggle. Apart from the fact that he has just recently railroaded a law through the Scottish Parliament that effectively criminalises people who sing songs or chant in support of this freedom struggle, he has also shown crass ignorance of the fact that the “losers” in that struggle i.e. those who did not want Irish Home Rule, were persecuted and ethnically-cleansed from the Republic of Ireland. The big question is: Will a similar fate befall Unionists should Salmond win the Referendum and get Scottish Home Rule?

Another question is this: If the separatists lose, will the more extreme among them see a more militant option as a viable route to achieving their aspirations? Will there be violence?

I am a Unionist. I believe the Union to be of God. Our Throne is ordained of God. As a Scot, I believe Scotland’s destiny is to be part of the Union. I reject the “victim” mentality of Scottish nationalists. And I grieve for those who have bought the lie that “independence” is in the best interests of Scotland.

For years now I have preached what the late John McPhee said concerning our nation – that there was coming a time when God would divide mankind by the Throne of David i.e. our British Throne. Of course, many found this a bit preposterous. I was informed that mankind is divided by faith in Christ – between the saved and the lost. This is true but it is a division that takes place in eternity. There are divisions on earth that are of great interest to God. This is often ignored by supposedly well-meaning Christians.

John McPhee said there was coming a time when men and women would have to choose between the Throne of David as God’s instrument of government in the earth – and the Beast system of Babylon. This does not equate to a simple matter of Christian versus non-Christian as we know, because unfortunately, the Apostle John records that many of God’s people are found on the wrong side of that particular division (see Revelation 18:4)! Can you be a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, tongue-talking Christian and yet be serving old Babylon? Evidently you can.

The coming Referendum is, I believe, the fulfilment of John Mcphee’s prophetic word if it actually goes ahead. This means that the deep divisions we will experience are actually of God. It is the Lord who is bringing this decision upon us, albeit He is using the machinations of politicians to accomplish His ends. No-one will escape this decision. Even people in other parts of the UK will be tested along these lines. What’s more, a passive, fairly ambivalent acceptance of our monarchy will not suffice. You are either for the Throne or against it; God Himself will brook no half measures in allegiance. Lukewarmness is repugnant to Him.

Remember that to be against the Throne of David is antichrist (see Psalm 2). I know some don’t like my bluntness – or is it sharpness? Either way, I don’t plan on quitting. The destiny of millions is in our hands with these matters. Pietistic theology has caused an entire generation to swallow the lie that matters of state are not the province or concern of the believer in Christ. Those who have truly heard from God know the very opposite is true. The gates of hell will not prevail against the ecclesia of God. When you understand that ecclesia means governmental, legislative assembly and not the place you go to sing songs and clap hands, you will be in position to hear what the Spirit is saying to the ecclesia.