Scotland, Prophecy and Jean Darnell…
In 1967, American evangelist Jean Darnell, whilst passing through the UK had a ‘prophetic vision’ about the future of faith in these Islands- particularly regarding Scotland. It was such a powerful image that she and her husband stayed in this country for the next 25 years.
I was born in 1967, but had heard of Jean Darnell as I grew up- she had connections to an Anglican community of people in the South of England who were greatly influential as to development of charismatic revival throughout the Anglican church. I always thought of her as a kind and wise person, steeped in the Holy Spirit.
I had not heard about the prophecy however until I moved to Scotland. Here, it is still talked about in hushed and awed tones. She has repeated and clarified her account on several occasions, and various versions can be found using a quick google search- for example this one which is on the Cross rhythms website. However, this is a summary of what she said-
Vision Of Revival In Great Britain
The British Isles were covered in mist (a green haze), and Jean Darnell saw lots of pinpoints of light piercing through. As she looked, they turned out to be fires breaking out all over the nation, from Scotland in the North, to Lands End in the South.
As these God-lit fires were joined together they burned brighter. As she continued to pray, she saw lightning and explosions of fire and then rivers of fire flowing from North to South; from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales into England and some of the streams of fires crossed the channel into Europe, whilst others stopped.
These fires were pockets of people who had been made intensely hungry for the word of God and for New Testament Christianity, those who read the book of Acts and wondered ‘where is this church?’
These people would come together to pray and extra meetings would have to be laid on to accommodate all the people. Groups would be formed, prayer groups, Bible study groups – some would meet in churches, others would be in homes: some converted, others unconverted who were searching and seeking.
Two Moves Of God
Jean Darnall asked the Lord about the vision and had the distinct impression that there would be two moves of God.
1. Renewal In The Church.
The first would be the renewal of Christian faith and fullness of the Holy Spirit within the church.
2. National Awakening And World Vision.
This renewal of life in the church would spread outside resulting in a public awakening. The second part of the vision was the lightning striking around the nation. This move of God would be a national spiritual awakening, which would move into every level of the nation’s life; on the campuses, universities, colleges, schools etc., into the media and in the government.
There would be so many conversions that it would actually change the character of the nation of Britain and determine the future move of God in Europe. Jean continued that there would not be a part of the nation’s life that will not feel the impact of the spiritual awakening when God releases it to the country.
Great Preachers
The Lord told Jean Darnall that He would also raise up highly anointed preachers who would move in signs and wonders. These people would be a gift to Britain.
Communicators Reaching Britain And Europe
The word ‘communicators’ was strongly laid upon Jean’s heart and was a word that was not trendy in those days. [The internet was not be birthed until nearly three decades later in 1994 and Christian television first came to Britain via satellite in October 1995].
Jean explained that as the rivers of fire moved, it would produce powerfully gifted communicators who would address the nation through the media, (Through the arts, journalism, the radio and television). Actors, singers, teachers and powerful communicators (who have an anointing to work through the media) will be the new warriors that the Lord is raising up for His army [the younger generation] to reach the heart of the people on the European Continent. People with a special anointing will be sent out from these islands (of Britain) to other nations.
These communicators will be excellent in all that they do and will go into Europe and meet those of like quality (in training and abilities) and together they will work to release God’s word speedily into Europe. This will result in another wave of a spiritual awakening into Europe. Also, there would be communicators in government and within the educational system and wherever people are speaking [up] for others.
Jean Darnell visited the UK again this year- here is her speaking about Scotland again-
So what are we to make of this? Some of you will not even be interested in asking the question. If you do not have a Christian faith, you may think that all this stuff is just a little mad. Many Christians will agree with you. Many others (like me) have a more complicated relationship with the ideas and hopes contained in this prophecy.
As I mentioned above, I grew up in a church greatly affected by the wonders and wackyness of the Anglican Charismatic revival. I have since spent a lot of time around charismatic churches. I have blogged before about this experience- here for example. As a result of my experiences, I remain (in the words of Pete Rollins) a devout, faithful skeptic. I have seen much that repels me, but also much that was beautiful.
So here are a few thoughts/possibilities that occur to me as I look again at this prophecy…
- Jean Darnell was just wrong. Nothing of what she suggests would happen has happened. They used to stone false prophets in the OT days. Far from being a conduit of a massive move of God, the church in the UK is in terminal decline…
- Jean Darnell was speaking encouragement into an embryonic move of God. The late 60′s and 70′s did indeed see a charismatic revival- fires did spread through the church, and the ripples go on today. There are communicators, and preachers who still connect with wider Europe…
- Jean Darnell was speaking out of a particular context and understanding of evangelism- which longed and hoped for REVIVAL- transformative, all encompassing Holy Spirit saturated revival. No other move of God makes sense, and as such, the prophecy comes from a wish-fulfilling impulse. Revivals like this have happened here before (Wales, Outer Hebrides for example) and continue to happen in other parts of the world (Korea, parts of Africa.) However the outcome and aftermath of these outpourings is often very mixed. I no longer think that attempting to conjour and cajole God into reviving us should be our prime focus. But then again…
- Scotland. The central role played by Scotland in Jean’s prophecy seems to imply that what ever is to happen, begins here. I have looked in hope, but see no sign of fires in the North. There are enclaves of fervency and fundamentalism, but there is so much sectarian division and hard heartedness too… I do not see the fires starting inside the churches at the moment, let alone outside.
- Because of the decline in church, certain embattled remnants hold on to this prophecy with both hands. We NEED it to be true- because the alternative is an end to all that is held dear. However there is such danger in this- we become people desperate for heavenly Holy Spirit intervention, and forget the call to be Agents of the Kingdom here and now, rather than in the future. The shift in thinking that this requires for the people of faith in Scotland might itself bring about the fires in the north envisioned!
- How we understand prophecy seems to be crucial. We tend to think of prophecy as a prediction for the future that will be tested by time. In this instance, the jury is out, and perhaps about to rule against Jean’s prophecy. However, there is another way to understand prophetic utterances- as something that speaks truth into NOW- so many of the OT prophets were encouraging and warning their peers and rulers. Perhaps in this context, Jean was inspiring a generation, and we should not worry about carrying forward this vision like some kind of vision for the future.
- Let us just leave it to God.
Thank you for this. I guess I come from a similar stable yet am uncomfortable with the ‘that’s part of my past: I’ve moved on now’ kind of language. I like how you are grappling with this issue. Food for (my) thought.
Really appreciate your blog and take on things- I’ve been lurking for a while and haven’t made a comment until now. Thanks
Hi Graham
Thanks for the thoughts- and for reading my ramblings!
I try to stay ‘open’ too- God has this way of confounding our narrow ideas of who he is and what he wants to do… but neither am I interested in chasing the experience, and regarding this as the only valid spiritual experience.
I wonder what we might discover in the future?
Blessings to you- I see from your blog you are a cricket lover too? Alleluia brother!
Cheers
Chris
Chris she’s not the only one that has ‘declared’ this.. however most of the OT prophets were stoned not because of future events, but because of what they were declaring right here and now.
It comes from an acute awareness of now. I’m not looking for revival or restoration or reformation.. but awareness. Thats were the fire starts and it is coming.. forget the meaning and look at what the democratic heart that exists here, can give you.
I too think think that the created evangelical ‘experience’ of GOD is misguided,but, when He gives you a WHOMP and as you well know, in my case, a continuing samaritan role… it comes out when I look and speak and I’m more right than I am wrong… and even that is not something Im proud of. It must arise out of Scotland.. but not as you know it
Hi Chris
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Jean Darnell’s words. I have heard her speak several times here in Southern California. My belief about the prophetic is that no matter how gifted the person, they’re still only getting pinpricks of information. Translating God to human is very difficult (and I don’t believe the problem’s with God), especially when it comes to understanding his timing for things. Quite often, when he tells us something, we are at point A, thinking he is speaking of points B or C, when actually there’s a whole alphabet of letters in between he hasn’t mentioned.
We are anticipating a harvest here in America, and God is shaking his people first. We need reformation from our religious dysfunction before we can see God’s power poured through his church. When we see his people turning from unforgiveness, hatred, pride and judmentalism, and really asking God to take them to the low places, I believe then we’ll see a church ready for the things Jean Darnell has spoken about.
I emigrated from Glasgow in 1975, so it’s been great reading a bit about the modern church in Scotland.
Hi Mhairi
Here’s to the Harvest- here and there!
Blessings
Chris
JEAN IS A BLESSING FROM GOD,,,,,,,,,,,AMEN
We have such a limited view from where we are. We see what is happening in front of us, and not what is happening in the spiritual world behind. Our time frames are all screwed up as well, with email, and instant access to information on the Web, we want everything to happen at once.
Perhaps the first question we should ask is not: ‘how, if at all, does the prophecy fit in with what we see happening?’; but: ‘What is the green mist?’ Surely the whole point of the pinpoints of light as they start out is that they cannot be easily seen by others or by each other. If we grab hold of just the second part we miss the point, the prophecy doesn’t start with the existing church getting everything sorted out and developing great preachers.
The prophecy starts with a green mist. That part certainly seems to be coming true, but I am starting to see one or two pinpoints of light. For many years I seemed to be isolated in my desire to seek His face, but now I am starting to see one or two other pinpricks. I know it could still be a while before we see this vision come to full fruit, but if we really want it, the secret is to become a pinpoint ;o)
Hi Steve
I agree with you about the mist, and the how it might refer to spiritual confusion and disconnection from God and one another. I hope you are right that some of these points of light are starting to come together- and like you, I can see some evidence of this.
What I am less comfortable with is a kind of triumphalism that I have heard about this prophecy- it plugs into a kind of Christianity that sees our job as to whip up a Charismatic revival- and thereby see the dawn of some kind of new Christian Empire. I have lived and moved in this tradition, and know how all consuming and possibly deceiving it can be. It is a kind of wish-fulfilment, magical faith- which places incredible pressure on individual members to BELIEVE because if not then their lack of faith will prevent the things coming to pass. The legacy of the great revivals we look back to with such enthusiasm is also rather mixed- often leading to excess and in some cases absolute oppression- whilst being over and gone so quickly.
(I am not saying that that is what you meant at all- just reflecting on my own struggles with this tradition.)
I have a lot of respect for Jean Darnell, but I wonder if hanging on to prophecies like this does not potentially unbalance our call to be a people who are salt and light- not in order to make the whole world salty and blind, but to bring about the FLAVOUR of the world, and to shine light on things that are good and beautiful and true… A revival of this kind of faith excites me.
But should God seek to part the old green mist and set things ablaze- then great!
Cheers
Chris
I met Jean a few times in the 70s and she helped me a lot then. I am not sure about her prophesies but I know that the fire must be in our hearts for God. We have to give up every part of our lives to Him to use as He will. We are not our own we are bought with a price, we have no rights but to love God and His creation. I read Oswald Chambers (a Scot) My Utmost for His Highest. It is very helpful on the dying to self and living for God. Often he speaks to the situation we are in and guides us to God’s answer.Every blessing, Chez
Hi Chez
Oswald Chambers used to run a Bible School here in Dunoon. It ended rather badly I am afraid! Wonderful book though…
The dying to self bit is an ongoing process though don’t you think?
Cheers
Chris
Amos 3:7 famously tells us –
“Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
But God doesn’t necessaily reveal his timetable immediately.
Just yesterday, the Lord prompted me to revisit the Scottish National Covenant of 1638 (a Covenant that makes Scotland unique, as the only nation on earth, outside of Israel, to make a solemn Covenant with Almighty God).
It was first signed in Edinburgh Greyfriars on the 28th of February and then copies were distributed across the land, to be signed by all. But it was at the Glasgow Assembly on the 21st of November 1638, that the Covenanters effectively seized control of the Scottish government.
I thought I’d missed God because I saw no relevance in that date, but the Holy Spirit told me to look a little closer. Then I remembered to adjust for the changeover from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. That made it Wednesday the 1st or Thursday the 2nd of December – and that made it the 25th of Kislev 5399 – Hannukah – ‘the Feast of Dedication’ or ‘Festival of lights’.
Hannukah is commemorated by lighting the 9-branched menorah, remembering the re-dedication of the Temple after the desecration of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the miraculous provision of God, in keeping the lamp burning for eight days on just one day’s supply of oil (symbolising the Holy Spirit).
That was the day that Scotland married God and, although she has long since walked away from her husband, he does not forget or forsake his covenants…
This is 2010, in which year the first day of Hannukah (the 25th of Kislev, 5771) begins at sunset on Wednesday 1st December until sunset on Thursday the 2nd, in an extraordinary convergence precisely mirroring the Hannukah of 1638.
The reason I didn’t spot it at first was because it was double-encrypted – with 25 Kislev hidden by both the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
In Hebrew Kislev can mean ‘Trust’ or ‘Hope’, and speaks of anticipation of the coming rains. It also has the nickname ‘Month of Dreams’ – which reminds me of Joel’s prophecy. Our church is called New Hope Community Church, and we meet in Wishaw on an old Covenanter site.
Do you suppose the fires of Revival that God himself will light in Scotland are the lamps of the Hannukah menorah? – The lights of Rededication of the Temple – A Temple which is now his holy people.
No I do not Allan. I do not believe that God is trying to remake Scotland has his Temple full of holy people.
This for a whole lot of different reasons-
Firstly, I do not believe that the New Kingdom will ever have a location that can be understood in terms of earthly nationhood. The Jewish people will never be replaced by the Scottish people, or the American people, even though people in both places might wish it so.
Secondly, I do not regard your celebration of the Covenant in quite the same light. Think of all the violence and hatred that it grew out of, and the pain and slaughter that it unleashed. It is simply not possible to separate out the spiritual aspects of the covenant from the human and historical aspects.
I do not believe that our role as Christians is to attempt to subjugate the state to the will of the Church. This was not the Jesus way, although it was the Covenanters way.
The use of arms to propagate religion is heresy. In this case, we have to understand the politics, the spirit of the age, and the political games that were being played out.
Our first allegiance is never to a nation- it is to a king and a kingdom beyond this place.
And this Kingdom does not overcome through force or fire- it seeks to bring blessing and peace, and to change lives through encounter with grace.
If these fires are lit on the Hannukah then hallelujah.
Cheers
Chris
Thank you Chris.
I agree that the Covenanters were fallible and tried to move in their own strength rather than God’s. But that was often the story of ancient Israel, and God still holds them in his hands to this day – and will do so forever.
I also agree that ‘God is not trying to remake Scotland has his Temple full of holy people’, which is why I didn’t say so. Under the New Covenant, God’s Temple is both the Believer and the Church – not a building, but a Body. Not an organisation, but an organism.
We teach undilute grace at New Hope, not legalism nor a compromised mixture of judgementalism. As a result we see people saved, delivered and healed on a regular basis.
And I most definitely agree with your rejection of the godless heresy of Replacement Theology.
Scotland will never replace Israel, nor did I suggest any such thing. But God does use strategic locations and people to accomplish his will. And it is not his will to subjugate the state to the will of the Church, but that the Church should dedicate itself to promulgating the will of God.
The Covenanters were very much a product of their time, but they were willing to die for their faith rather than recant and meet their Maker as perjurers. And, while we do not celebrate the violence or the abuses on either side, we do recognise the zeal of a people who went to the gallows rather than allowing their religious freedoms taken from them, and despite being hunted down, shot and hanged.
Many innocent lives were lost in World War Two, at the hands of British soldiers, sailors and RAF bombers, but that does not mean we should have just sat on our hands and laid out the red carpet for Adolf Hitler. Had we done so, far more than the shocking third of all Jews who died at Nazi hands would have persihed.
What the Covenanters died for had far-reaching consequences, including the establishment of the United States of America, democratic government – which eventually led to the re-establishment of the State of Israel.
Hannukah actually celebrates the successful outcome of the Maccabee uprising, which despite ‘all the violence and hatred that it grew out of, and the pain and slaughter that it unleashed’ Jesus still honoured and observed it.
Apparently God has less difficulty than you seem to imagine in looking on the heart and not the outward appearance, and may not necessarily consider ‘It is simply not possible to separate out the spiritual aspects of the covenant from the human and historical aspects’.
In the name of what you call Grace, Chris, you are very ready ready to condemn.
Not to condemn Allan, just to disagree.
And to wish you and yours every blessing.
Chris
[...] commented on a post I wrote about Jean Darnell’s ‘fires from the north’ prophecy- you can read the post and the comments here. It set me thinking about the whole charismatic [...]
Notions of a Holy Nation… « this fragile tent said this on September 24, 2010 at 11:08 pm |
Jean Darnell Personally laid hands on me and prophesied in 1994 and half of her word has come to pass.I have been trying to connect with her for since then to tell her that. if their is a way to have her email me i would love to ask her a few Q. It was At Kings Mansion Kona HI through YWAM, Dec.94 Thanks…please give her my email …
in Christ,
Erin Davila….
Erin
Jean is retired from ministry, but you can probably contact her through Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California. She was on staff there as a pastor for many years. They may be able to forward a message.
Mhairi Forrest
splendidacorns.com
I was there, when the prophecy was given. There were a lot of prophecies then, as now, and a lot of chaff with the wheat. Jean (then) impressed as a person who was not only sincere but truly anointed, and her ministry backed up her words. I didn’t get over-excited or sceptical about this prophecy, because I saw that for me the best thing to do was press into the Lord for myself. There was no timeframe given for the prophecy, but maybe we need to take into account that WE need to pray it into being, as Daniel did with Jeremiah’s prophecy. I do think that we should now have a clearer idea of the need to disciple all believers, and that therefore the revival now, or soon, should be more effective than it would have been back then.
Oh dear, I think I just took on another task???
Hi Robin
Thanks for the comment- it is great to hear from someone who was there when Jean gave the prophecy. I recognise your description of Jean too as a person of integrity.
I think it is interesting to hear you describe ‘not getting excited’ the prophecy then- I remember times like this, where there seemed to be so much going on, that all we could do was smile, and hold on to the moment- press into the Lord as you say.
I wonder though about the ‘praying it into being’ thing? Is this what we do with prophecy? I have come to believe that such utterances are more often meant for the time they were given, as a means of changing/challenging/encouraging THEN.
I would love to hear more too of what you mean by ‘discipling all believers’
Cheers
Chris
Please read thee vision on http://www.24prayerhouse.org.
An awakening is going to come through a Nation on its knees in prayer,
Blessings to all. I love Jean Darnells vision, WOW
Totally enthralled by the discussions above including Jean’s prophecy. I had no idea Scotland played such an important part in the work of the Lord in the UK. Grateful thanks to all who shared their thoughts….
Today, if you hear His voice…harden not your hearts….
As we hear from God (and it may be different for each one of us) let us rise from our knees and go forward, as good soldiers/servants of the most high God. Seeking first His kingdom, His face, His glory and honour.
Annette
This woman is clearly delusional to believe this. The fact that someone can believe in God nowadays with the mountains of evidence against any kind of God is absurd, we evolved over millions of years through natural selection that disagrees with the book of Genesis and if you disagree with the book of genesis then you disagree with God and Christianity; they are not compatible.
This is a great life; think of all the events that had to happen over millions of years, or even each individual sperm and egg that had to be used in each of our ancestors for us to be alive today. The people that could be alive today in our places outnumber the sand grains in the desert, we are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. This is the only life we get and we need to live it to its full potential, believing in Bronze Age myths of Gods belittles the word around us and takes focus from us to live this life to its potential. Thinking about having another life after this one again takes focus away from this life, I mean look at the great world we live in, how much more do you want? We have a brief period of consciousness, please make the most the of it.
Hi Matthew
Thanks for the comment- it will not surprise you to hear that I do not agree however.
Firstly- many Christians have no problem whatsoever with evolutionary theory- which we would see as a ‘how’ issue, not ‘why’. There is no compatibility issue for me- even St Augustine seemed to not believe in a literal interpretation of the Genesis story. Rather it is the record of an ancient people engaging with the meaning of life and encounters with the divine. The meanings that these ancient poems/stories bring to us are not scientific ones- but are incredibly enriching, challenging and vitalising.
As for the great life we have- Amen to that. The challenge that Jesus brought to us was how to live deeply, lovingly and joyfully in the now- something he called ‘the Kingdom of God’.
As for making the most of our brief period of consciousness- indeed let us do that! With your views, I am surprised you waste yours on reading posts like this and arguing with them – which clearly you find delusional. I understand there is motivation in the argument, and seeking to correct the error you see in others- there has been rather too much of this sort of thing done by Christians after all. However- I would ask you to consider that million of people have found life and vitality- motivation and commitment to work for good as a result of their faith. I hope you manage to do the same with whatever world view you rest within.
Cheers
Chris
I was surprised to see Jean on the tv here in Spain when, just by chance I called in at a house I look after – they have satellite tv. Back in 1983 she visited the church I was at at the time( derbyshire,UK ) I was suffering from anorexia and experienced a ” deliverance” and instant healing when she prayed for me.That was a long time ago and my spiritual walk has taken a turn in the last 10 years where I´ve felt the Lord call me to keep Sabbath and His calendar of appointed times.
It’s coming soon, the queen’s christmas speech had a strong christian message, this year. and also the prime minister, spoke recently of christian value’s, so we shall see, and put our faith in our lord.