AP: UK Brexit plans stir talk of Irish unity among activists; COGwriter: Northern Ireland will cease to be part of the UK
1916 declaration for Irish unity (Wikipedia)
The repeated stalemate on Brexit, along with the latest proposal from the government of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been awaking the desire for unity in Ireland:
UK Brexit plans stir talk of Irish unity among activists
October 4, 2019
DUNDALK, Ireland (AP) — Irish republicans are expressing renewed hopes of reunifying their island in the wake of the U.K.’s recent Brexit proposals, seeing that as a solution to the problems that Britain’s departure from the European Union is bringing.
What to do about the border between the Republic of Ireland and the U.K.’s Northern Ireland has been the biggest stumbling block in Britain’s attempts to negotiate a departure deal with the EU. The biggest fear for many on both sides of the border is that a customs posts could spring up, threatening both the economy and the fragile peace process.
Making Northern Ireland part of the republic would be one way to solve that problem.
“There is going to be a referendum on Irish unity,” said Gerry Adams, the retired leader of Sinn Fein who played an important role in reaching the 1998 Good Friday agreement that helped end decades of violence. “Brexit has been the accelerator for all of that.” …
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar outlined five ways to avoid a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland _ the first being a united Ireland.
This would be possible under the terms of the Good Friday agreement that brought an end to decades of fighting in Northern Ireland between armed factions of republicans and unionists.
The landmark agreement, which some European leaders believe is threatened by Brexit, states that Ireland can be united if residents of Northern Ireland vote in favor of it, and if residents of the Republic of Ireland do the same. …
Despite Sinn Fein’s longstanding desire for a united Ireland, which was the rallying cry of the Irish Republican Army during the violence known as “The Troubles,” a majority of residents in Northern Ireland are still believed to favor remaining part of the UK, and a referendum will only be held if officials believe that situation has changed.
Farmer and activist Damian McGenity from Border Communities Against Brexit, believes the U.K. government’s new proposals were not intended to be accepted, but rather would be used to blame the European Union for an anticipated breakdown in talks.
He said many people living along the border who rely on access to the European Union would see unification as an obvious fix to an apparently unsolvable problem.
“We have a provision in the Good Friday agreement that if Ireland was united we would automatically be a member of the European Union,” said McGenity. “And that solves all of the problems that this part of Ireland has with Brexit.” https://www.apnews.com/d4d9309d7b0e49d28721441e4b854cf2
I have been warning for some time that Northern Ireland would be a major issue with Brexit, and it clearly is.
Here is some historical background on the situation in Ireland, published decades ago by the old Worldwide Church of God:
OF COURSE I want a united Ireland,” said the young teacher in Londonderry. “But not with that lot down South,” she added with scorn.
That expresses one of the tragedies in Northern Ireland today.
Most southern Irish dream of a united Ireland while those in the North are bitterly divided over any effort in that direction. Ireland’s divergent groups say they want peace and unity — but on their own terms. …
How Irish Strife Began
Protestants and Catholics in Ireland have distrusted each other for centuries. “The Irish have long memories,” one man told me.
To understand why there is strife in Ulster today, we must understand Irish history. Ireland has a complex history that involves cultural, ethnic, economic, political, temperamental and social differences.
It’s a history filled with conflict between the native Irish and the foreign colonizers — whether they were Danes, Normans, English or Scots. The Irish also fought among themselves. There were feuds between families, battles between tribes and wars between provinces.
In the 12th century, Pope Adrian appealed to England’s King Henry II (1154-89) for help in reforming Ireland by establishing full Papal authority. Pope Adrian’s document said: “You shall enter that island and execute whatever may tend to the honour of God and the welfare of the land; and also that the people of that land shall receive you with honour and revere you as their lord…” (text of Laudabiliter in Irish Historical Documents, edited by Curtis and McDowell, pages 17, 18).
But England did not fully conquer Ireland until the time of Elizabeth I.
Meanwhile, Ireland, in the reign of Edward II (1307-27), was divided between Irish and English who had different languages, habits and laws. Their deep animosity toward each other was evident long before Protestantism. The English and Irish systems of land tenure, property and inheritance increased resentment and bitterness between the two factions. Religious conflict developed only later.
The Ulster Plantations
England’s first Protestant king, Henry VIII, abolished papal authority in Ireland by declaring himself the head of the Irish church. But the Catholic friars were beyond Henry’s power. They continued to preach everywhere among the people. Toward the end of Henry’s reign, the Jesuits came to Ireland under the protection of Con O’Neill, “prince of the Irish of Ulster.” Because they helped keep Roman Catholic traditions alive, most of Ireland remained faithful to Rome.
In 1541, the English Parliament declared Henry VIII “King of this land of Ireland, annexed and knit forever to the imperial crown of the realm of England.” This paved the way for the effective conquest of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth I.
Ulster demanded the immediate attention of Queen Elizabeth. It was here that the Catholic Earl of Tyrone led the last pocket of Gaelic Irish resistance against English conquest and colonization. His army was defeated at Kinsdale in 1601. His lands — comprising six of the nine counties of Ulster — were planted or settled with Scottish Protestants.
Under James I, massive tracts of land were seized from the natives and granted to Scottish and English colonizers. By 1640, Protestants owned three million out of 3.5 million acres.
These “Ulster Plantations” divided Ireland into two antagonistic communities. The conquered and impoverished Catholic natives remained side by side with the Protestant settlers. When Sir George Carew reported on the plantations in 1611, he clearly foresaw that the Irish would rebel again.
The Scots who settled in Ulster were considered by the native Irish as being proud and haughty aliens. To the Scots, the Irish were backward in manners and customs. Thus the scorn of the Scot was met by the curse of the Celt — “the wild Irish” as they appeared to the eyes of the Scots.
In parts of Ireland, English colonists became absorbed by the native population. But in Ulster, Presbyterian Scots didn’t generally intermarry with the devoutly Catholic native Irish.
Irish Catholics resented being ruled by persons of a different ethnic background and a different religion. To them, it was Protestant monarchs in England who had exploited and oppressed them. They felt discriminated against in respect to land tenure, housing, employment and political opportunity. This discrimination led to the uprisings in 1641, 1798 and, most recently, 1969.
Ulster Presbyterians such as Henry Cooke, Thomas Drew and Hugh Hanna became involved in politics as early as 1820. Politics and religion became mingled together, remaining so to this day. …
Discrimination in employment is still a problem in Northern Ireland. Protestant-owned firms employ mainly Protestants. Catholic firms do the same. Employers don’t want to upset their employees by hiring someone of a different religion. They have yet to acquire the courage to be impartial in whom they hire rather than practice sectarian discrimination. …
Will Ireland be united in the foreseeable future? The chasms that divide the island are so deep and wide, it could take years before there is any hope of reconciliation. (Boraker R. When Peace Comes to Ireland. Plain Truth magazine, October 1984)
A type of unity has existed in Ireland for a couple of decades after the signing of the ‘Good Friday’ agreement in 1998.
The border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK’s Northern Ireland has now been open for some time, and the EU and UK would prefer it to remain open–but many in the UK are upset that the EU essentially thinks that Northern Ireland will have to function a lot like it is still in the EU for that border to be open. And, so far, the EU has not embraced Boris Johnson’s ‘compromise’ solution.
The UK wants to retain control of Northern Ireland. Most in Northern Ireland (which is mainly nominally Protestant) do not want to under control of the Republic of Ireland to its south (which is mainly nominally Catholic).
As far as the current proposal goes, notice the following:
Brexit Basics
BBC Brexit Basics shows a NI solution is what the EU originally proposed.
A Northern Ireland only backstop? This is what the EU originally proposed.
It would involve Northern Ireland alone remaining in the EU’s single market and customs union, leaving Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) free to strike trade deals.
But the DUP – a Northern Ireland unionist party that propped up Theresa May’s minority Conservative government – objected to this.
Idea Revived
Boris Johnson revived the idea, somehow getting DUP on board, but now the EU seems united against its own idea. …
The DUP has accused the Irish government of being “obstructionist and intransigent”. This is from the DUP leader Arlene Foster, commenting on what Simon Coveney, Ireland’s deputy premier and foreign minister, said earlier about the Brexit deal being unacceptable in its current form.
“The Irish government’s preparedness to dump the consent principle for their country’s expediency is foolish in the extreme and sends a very clear message to unionists.”
Today I had two phone calls on #Brexit, first with Dublin then with London.
My message to Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar: We stand fully behind Ireland.
My message to PM @BorisJohnson: We remain open but still unconvinced.— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 3, 2019
Ireland has its agenda and the EU is backing it.
Despite British hopes for its future, Northern Ireland will cease to be part of the UK. British loss of territories will one day include Northern Ireland. Notice a few prophetic warnings that are consistent with that:
24 ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. 26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 27 (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28 lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. (Leviticus 18:24-29)
23 ‘And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, 24 then I also will walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. (Leviticus 26:23-25)
58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues — great and prolonged plagues — and serious and prolonged sicknesses. 60 Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed. 62 You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. 63 And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. (Deuteronomy 28:58-63)
These territorial losses will include Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, as well as England, Wales, and Scotland (and also its naval presence in Cyprus and other places). Yes, one day, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be no more.
Even if there is a ‘hard’ (no deal with the EU) or ‘soft’ (Boris Johnson’s proposal) Brexit. or even if there is NO Brexit, I expect that the Republic of Ireland (or at least an Irish leader) will have control over Northern Ireland and probably other lands as well with the next decade or so.
Notice what Article 3 the Irish Constitution states:
It is the firm will of the Irish Nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland, in all the diversity of their identities and traditions, recognising that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island. Until then, the laws enacted by the Parliament established by this Constitution shall have the like area and extent of application as the laws enacted by the Parliament that existed immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.
While the democratic way is one way, if that does not work, military pressure will accomplish this (cf. Daniel 8:24-25, 11:39).
That view of Ireland is also consistent with certain Catholic prophecies:
St. Senanus (d. 560): They (English) themselves will betray each other: in consequence their sovereignty will be broken … One monarch will rule in Ireland over the English (Culleton R. Gerald. The Reign of Antichrist, Reprint TAN Books, Rockford, IL, 1974, p. 128).
St. Malachy (12th century). “Ireland will suffer English oppression for a week of centuries, but will preserve her fidelity to God and His Church. At the end of that time she will be delivered, and the English in turn must suffer severe chastisement. Ireland, however, will be instrumental in bringing back the English to the unity of Faith.” (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.15)
Priest G. Rossi (19th century): Ah! wretched Protestantism shall have to answer for the loss of faith… English schism and heresy have squandered their treasures and abused their great temporal power, not only in persecuting-the faith in Great Britain and Ireland, but also in banishing the true religion of Jesus Christ from their vast American possessions … Their long-deserved punishment, however, is approaching from the North! (Rossi, Gaudentius. The Christian Trumpet: Or, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, the Universal Triumph of the Church, the Coming of the Anti-Christ, the Last Judgment, and the End of the World; Divided Into Three Parts, 4th edition. Patrick Donahoe, 1875. Original from Oxford University. Digitized Sep 1, 2006, pp. 16, 255).
Although I wrote what I did based upon biblical prophecies, the desires of Spain and Ireland, as well as the writings of Catholic prophets, are consistent with the view that the UK will lose Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
With what has been going on in the UK, the EU, and the USA since the Brexit vote, more in the UK are concluding that the EU wants to be an empire. The EU has taken several stances that the UK does not like, including stances that the EU used to pretend it did not really have. Glimpses of the true colors of the European project (e.g. Daniel 2:41-43; Isaiah 10:5-8) have re-assured some in the UK that leaving the EU is in its best interest.
Consider that the Bible itself teaches that Europe will reorganize and unite (Revelation 17:12-13; see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?), as well as become the dominant world trading power for a time (Revelation 17 & 18). The Bible also teaches of a time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)–and this will include the UK (as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
The Bible is accurate and its prophecies can be counted on.
Most people do NOT realize what will happen in Europe.
Europe is not going to ‘get over’ the Brexit and will one day take actions that most of those in the UK (as well as USA and Canada) will not consider possible (cf. Daniel 8:24-25, 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Brexit and the fate of Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, the UK, and the USA On April 29, 2017, 27 of the nations of the European Union agreed to certain guidelines for the negotiations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which gave its notice to leave on March 29, 2017. These guidelines are contrary to what the UK wants. Does the EU intend the UK to pay a price for leaving the EU? What does Spain want? What does the Republic of Ireland want? Will Northern Ireland and Gibraltar eventually fall under European control? Will the UK and USA be conquered? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel answer these questions and more in this video.
Forbes’ Brexit Monster is the Beast of Revelation Various ones have been properly convinced that there is a plan for a European superstate. Forbes’ writer Tom Worstall wrote that the Brexit vote was about the United Kingdom “not joining the monster of the European Union to come.” The Bible tells of a Beast monster that will arise in the end times in Europe. Dr. Thiel cites news reports, as well as the Old and New Testaments, to show that the monster many fear will arise in Europe, despite the vote by the British to exit the European Union. This is a video.
Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, Malta, etc.), and many are no longer under their control. Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). UK Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK will defend the Falklands Gibraltar. Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with those ‘sea gates’? Do promises made the Jacob’s mother Rebekah play a role? What about Deuteronomy 28? This is a video.
Post Brexit Prophecy On June 23, 2016, the voters of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) chose to leave the European Union. Now with this BRitish EXIT (Brexit) vote, what is prophesied to happen to the UK? Will the UK do well or be taken over and made slaves? Dr. Thiel explains from biblical prophecies what is ahead for the UK, Europe, and even the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is a video.
Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with these ‘sea gates’? A version of the article in the Spanish language would be ¿Perderá el Reino Unido a Gibraltar y las Islas Falkland (Malvinas)?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
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