I woke up this morning with this heavy on my heart and I just wrote this from the heart. I am so grateful to Christian Today for publishing it….you can get the original here…
The quiet judgement on the UK
And so, it has happened. It came – not as a bolt of lightning. Not as a flash of thunder. Not with a mighty roar like an earthquake. It did not come in the form of war, plague and famine. It came as the pale horse whose rider was named Death (Revelation 6:8).
The judgement of God has finally come upon the United Kingdom. Quietly. Silently. Like a thief in the night. It came in the form of an irrational, emotive and Godless parliament who this week voted to permit the killing of babies in the womb up until birth, and has now introduced the National Suicide Service, with its vote to permit assisted suicide. God has given us what we voted for.
God’s anger against sin can be seen in different ways, and for different purposes. Sometimes he acts directly – to correct and rebuke. Sometimes he gives us our just desserts. But the worst kind of punishment is that inflicted on the UK this past week. His greatest punishment is to give us what we say we want – autonomy. He lets us have it our way. And in the name of choice, we limit life. In the name of freedom we bind the poor, the sick and the disabled. In the name of humanity, we kill humans.
Paul told the Romans about this wrath of God. It “is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. It’s not as if we don’t know about God – he has made it plain to us. We have the glory of his creation – and for centuries we have had the teaching of his word.
It was that teaching upon which our society was based – with its values of equality, diversity, freedom and justice for all. But now that has all gone. Words are used, but they have no more meaning. Indeed, such is the perversity of our leaders that if the words have any meaning at all – they are the opposite of what was intended. Life has become death. Freedom has become slavery. And compassion has become cruelty. The truth of God has been exchanged for a lie. We have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity (Romans 1:18-32).
Pagan Rejoicing.
When the vote for assisted suicide (falsely called ‘assisted dying’ – it is not assisted dying, it is assisted suicide and therefore State-sponsored killing), the pagans rejoiced. Has anyone noticed how the self-styled humanists seem to have such a love affair with death? They danced, chanted and shouted for joy as though they had just won an election. And maybe they had? Their death cult has become triumphant – it is now the official doctrine of the State.
Another evidence of this cult of death and its twin, the cheapness of life, is the growth of what are termed ‘direct cremations’. Twenty per cent of funerals last year in the UK were direct cremations – that is, the body is cremated cheaply with no ceremony and no attendees. It’s much cheaper than a funeral and it’s a lot less bother.
Psychologically it allows families to just move on without having to think of the physicality or reality of death. There is no closure. I cannot help but think that such a cheap death reflects a cheap view of life. We are becoming a shallow, sick and sinful society. Dostoevsky argued those who wanted a truly great heart would experience suffering. We know better. We won’t permit suffering, so we will know nothing but superficiality – and ultimately even greater suffering.
The Line Crossed
And do not think that this is the end. It won’t stop there. The humanists have other Christian doctrines – and more humans – to kill. In the name of ‘compassion, equality and humanity’ there will be further additions – we will soon get to a point when euthanasia for the non-terminally ill will be permitted, when infanticide (post-birth abortion) will be legal, when involuntary euthanasia will be used to remove those unproductive elements of society who are only a burden on the economy. Mammon must have its sacrifices. Babylon must be fed. We will cut support for the disabled and justify their killing in the name of mercy.
CS Lewis warned us about this. It is the logical outcome of a philosophy of naturalism that denies the existence of the God who brings justice, beauty and love. He stated in his book Miracles that “Nature can only raid reason to kill”. What he meant by that was that it is natural to kill, and reasonable to save life. Have you noticed how the humanists want humans to be treated like dogs? After all they argue, if we can put down dogs then why not human beings?
Rationality has been thrown out of the window. We call the killing of thousands in the war in Gaza ‘genocide’, but the killing of 250,000 human beings every year in the UK through abortion ‘reproductive rights! Within a decade I suspect that the second highest reason for death in the UK (the first being abortion) will be the National Suicide Service. The State will be the greatest killer of its own people. The State will become the Pale Rider.
The Death Cult
The death cult that has gripped the UK is an inevitable result of the rejection of our Christian roots. As Dostoevsky argued in The Brothers Karamazov, “if there is no God, all things are permitted.”
Euthanasia has been held back in the West until now, at least partly because of its association with Nazism and Hitler. But now we have made history as well as language meaningless, the brakes are off. Hitler would have thoroughly approved of this week’s votes. As his secretary Traudl Junge testified in her book, Until the Final Hour:
“He was not a member of any church, and thought the Christian religions were out-dated, hypocritical institutions that lured people into them. The laws of nature were his religion. He could reconcile his dogma of violence better with nature than with the Christian doctrine of loving your neighbour and your enemy. ‘Science isn’t yet clear about the origins of humanity,’ he once said. ‘We are probably the highest stage of development of some mammal which developed from reptiles and moved on to human beings, perhaps by way of the apes. We are a part of creation and children of nature, and the same laws apply to us as to all living creatures. And in nature the law of the struggle for survival has reigned from the first. Everything incapable of life, everything weak is eliminated. Only mankind and above all the church have made it their aim to keep alive the weak, those unfit to live, and people of an inferior kind.”
Christian Response
As for the old religion – the Christianity upon which the UK was founded – most of its leaders were silent. The Catholic Church spoke out with clarity – as did a number of evangelical and Reformed churches. But the so-called national churches were either silent or whispered so quietly that only the few who attend them could hear.
For example, the Church of Scotland this week trumpeted its support for the Scotland Demands Better campaign – a worthy campaign against poverty. But not one word about the two important votes on abortion and assisted suicide – both vital subjects for the poor, who are far more likely to be adversely affected than the rich and powerful. The Church of England expressed regret. Some evangelicals said that while assisted suicide wasn’t nice, we should not use strong and emotive language like calling it evil. Others wept and cried in frustration.
And Jesus wept.
“And the Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled” (Genesis 6:6).
And the Pale Rider rode on – but he is not alone. Hades was following close behind him (Revelation 6:8). The death cult has only begun its work in broken Britain. There will be Hell to pay.
But it is not the end: “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15).
But that is not the end either. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away … and I saw that God’s dwelling place was with his people and there was no more death or crying or pain, for the old order of things had passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).
“And I saw the river of the water of life, and the tree whose leaves were for the healing of the nations …” (Revelation 22:1-2).
“And I heard the Spirit say come. And I heard the Bride say come. And let everyone who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. And I heard Jesus say, ‘I am coming soon’” (Revelation 22:17).
Then it is the End. The end of the beginning. And the beginning of the endless glory. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
David Robertson is minister of Scots Kirk in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. He blogs at the Wee Flea.
The UK Parliament’s vote for abortion up to birth is absolute evil – CT
Well said David!
It has been a sad week for the UK, as life and death prove meaningless to the progressives.
Too bad, but the only thing we should know as christians God Almighty is in control for everything
Great article condemning our godless society. Tragic and heartbreaking. Thank you Lord for saving my family and myself
It’s really upsetting and sobering to see what has been voted through this past week in our Parliament. Any vestiges of the Christianity our laws were founded on are gone.
In the same way abortion has now been de-criminalised up to birth, the assisted “dying” bill will be extended to more and more groups, so that people who are older and vulnerable and feel themselves to be a burden will start to feel pressure to go through with this. It’s all in the name of “choice” too as you say in your article. All those lives sacrificed on the altar of choice.
Thank you David for this heartfelt message speaking the truth. Sometimes we have to say, ‘there are no words.’ Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray and NEVER GIVE UP.” So let there be weeping and determination to never give up – in light of the glorious future your verses from Revelation describe.
God will not be mocked
Thanks David for your article 🙏🙏
Reading of the dry bones in Ezekiels life with God and the redemptive love of every action of God throughout scripture was in this chapter. So, ”that they will know that I am the lord,” and… so,” that they will know this is the voice of the lord”. Two important things which still are with us today. All discipline is going to be sore because we will fight against it and god’s ways are not our ways. Sin is strong but Romans chapter 8 tells us that christ has dealt with sin, condemned it and paid the penalty due us. Therefore there is now no condemnation for us who are in him. Our witness, though feeble at best is to share this by the holy spirit that they will know ”that he is lord of all ”and to share it again so ”they will know it is his voice”. There is encouragement to find amidst these times as god is totally in control and don’t let anyone tell us otherwise. Light shines best in darkness so get your batteries charged up by plugging into the word and shining as god wants you to do as a joy, a sadness, a must and a need for the lost around us.
“It is not often we are asked to wrestle with issues of ethics, humanity and morality” said Kim Leadbeater MP.
The history of the 20th Century, and also contemporary struggles, suggest how issues of -“ethics, humanity and morality”-define (or defile).
What planet is the MP Leadbeater living on?
I will continue to pray for my brothers and sisters in Scotland and UK.
When I heard about the vote, I thought that the UK has turned more and more away from Biblical principles and towards the will of Satan. It’s a sad day, true, but it is also a day for reflection on how we got here.
I agree with every word… I am also a retired Reg. Nurse…. I Also see it as a professional insult. Many questions arise in my mind…
1: will medical staff refuse to participate?
2: will the patient be actually able to find a Dr to mix the concoction?
3: is there an antidote? As surprisingly some people change their mind at the very last moment
4: what happens if the pt. cannot find someone to prescribe the mixture
5: will the pt opt immediately for this without looking at palliative care
6: will this occur in hospices, which then will give the concept of hospices a totally different reputation?
7: what happens if the person cannot feed themselves? Will relatives be involved
8: what will be used?
So sorry to go on….obviously I accept that some people do have pain at the end…. I did my dissertation on this when I did a theo degree, surprisingly enough pain actually came quite low in the list of reasons. The main one was autonomy; I’ve had enough etc.
usually people need psychological and psychiatric help…..
Aside from any religious angle this is a disgraceful development. I cannot comprehend how people who have seen relatives die in horrendous circumstances due to inadequate palliative and end of life care – see assisted suicide as acceptable. Money and resources need to be poured into palliative care and end of life care and research to allow assisted living rather than this travesty. I hope to House of Lords show this nasty legislation the door and shift resources where they are needed – rather than allowing this cynical and blasphemous waste
Westminster – “where Satan’s throne is…where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:13)
Thankyou David. Sobering and realistic.
Yes truly tragic. I am in Turkey with work, an Islamic country. I feel much better here and the country/people seem better also somehow. It feels spiritually better and less dark! There is far less palestine rubbish here also and you dont see or hear much about it, unlike the UK. It just shows how far the UK has fallen, becoming more pagan and dark than an Islamic country! We are now Sodom and we as the church are to blame (judgement begins with the house of God). I believe we are entering the Last Days but even if we are not, this nation certainly IS. Oh and by the way, why does Revelation say the dwelling place of God is with man? I thought the church teaches we are all going to heaven and that would mean the dwelling place of man is with God??? God is coming down to us, first Jesus who will reign from Jerusalem for 1,000 years then He will hand the Kingdom to the Father and He also will come down to us bringing Heavenly Jerusalem with Him. Many in the church are quite wrong with their eschatology teachings and their replacement theology doctrines! Wonder if that is why they are so blind and asleep to what is going on all around them?
If you want to know how really bad things are in the UK google “The Appointment of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury – a Statement of Needs” issued by the diocese of Canterbury. Read it and weep!
I did….and did!
I’ve chosen and prepaid for a direct cremation. I’ve no blood family in Australia; my church friends are my Australian family. One has kindly agreed to organise and lead my thanksgiving/memorial service when my time comes. I’ve told her the notes I’ve given her are suggestions not instructions, but if they’re followed it will be a true Christian celebration of my life, and I don’t think it will be lessened by the absence of a coffin.
Thanks Tony – the ‘direct cremation’ spoken of in the UK is not just about the absence of a coffin….it is also about the absence of a service – which is clearly not what you are having!
Thanks for clarifying this, Pastor. I was just reading this post and I had the same question. When my father died, we opted for just a memorial service at our church with no coffin as Mum felt that would be less painful for her.
The rest of your post is chilling. How long until Australia follows the UK’s lead? How long until we have involuntary euthanasia of “unfit” humans? As per the comments on the long chat thread about Brisbane Anglicans, some of the Progressive Christians are already leaning towards endorsing euthanasia.
I did some research on the UK situation last night to remedy my own ignorance. So abortion up to moment of birth is not “legalised” just “decriminalised”, a subtlety that still eludes me since it means you can do it and no one will ever be charged…
I have to admit that I had thought “voluntary assisted dying” was just the current euphemism for euthanasia, even though it is already legal in some Australian states. So if I am understanding right, with euthanasia, the doctor, for instance, injects you with the poison but with voluntary assisted dying, he hands you the syringe and you inject yourself. In effect, no real difference and the doctor is still an accessory.
Some people might see your prognostications of where the western world will be in ten years to be doom-mongering but for those of us who have witnessed the rapid decline in morals and the emptying of words of meaning since the 1990s it is far too plausible.
I keep waiting for the backlash to come. I guess it has happened in the United States with MAGA but nothing has occurred anywhere else.
With Dutton an unattractive Liberal leader, I was curious to see if the minor right-wing parties like Trumpet of Patriots would gain much of a protest vote in our recent Federal Election but nothing. Australia clearly finds Trumpism unattractive so where can our fightback come from?
Clearly we as a society must return to Christ and put our faith fully in Him or your prognosis will certainly come true and we have only circa ten years to do it in. Pray for Britain; pray for Australia.
Having sown the wind, we are reaping the whirlwind (Hos 8:7). The Church of England’s 1965 report, ‘Abortion: An ethical discussion’ paved the way, as a society that devalues life at its earliest stages will come to devalue it at all stages, including its end. The Church has been ominously silent so far in response to the evil actions of the parliamentary majority. Canada’s MAID system demonstrates the slippery slope which lies ahead. I know of no healthcare professional who chose their vocation in order to kill their patients. Thanks again for your courage in upholding a biblical stance on the sanctity of life.
A powerful, clear …. and Biblical ….. response to this evil. Thank you David. How can we be unmoved by what is happening?
you only look at what people do in their bedrooms you bigot
I leave your comment here (normally I would remove such ignorance and hatred) to let people see the depths of irrationality that prejudice drives people. Stuart my article does not mention what people do in their bedrooms – so you have shot yourself in the foot. I suspect an obsession with what people do in their bedrooms is more your forte!
Well written David. It’s truly a sorry day when those who are entrusted with your welfare, instead tell you how to take your own life. How much lower can Britain’s leaders drag us down?
Well said, David. We are a nation under the curse of God, a nation that has defied God and His Word for generations. The silence of the churches where their voices will be heard is deafening. What we rightly deserve is the wrath of God to be poured out on us for our sin; but what we need most of all is His mercy.
Well said Mr Roberson. Thanks for speaking out for the most vulnerable in our society. It seems to me that these recent decisions by our Parliament are the logical but depraved out come of the decades of godless feminist dogma which has undermined our society and even churches in the West
Sorry what do you mean “feminist dogma”?