It is nine years ago almost to the day (Pentecost Sunday 2013) that I started writing my book, having given up driving London buses a few months earlier, mainly for health reasons. About six weeks into the writing, I had the second of two extraordinary encounters with the Holy Spirit. The first had been 14 years earlier whilst I was at bible college training for the Evangelical ministry, as a result of which within a couple of years I had converted to Catholicism. Regarding the second encounter, my ten-year electronic diary indicates that it was in December of that year that I received the first “vocal phenomenon” voicemail message. It consisted of little more than agitated banging and scraping noises. I thought at the time, “if someone is trying to scare me, they could surely do better than this?” Then, after a few more of the same, it struck me that these were not direct messages from an individual but were themselves recordings – from a place with limited facilities. In those early days such messages were left on my BT phone, later migrating to my mobile, quite often superimposed over messages from my closest friend. She was not aware of them until I played the voicemail recording back to her. They progressed over the following months and years to recordings of voices, not always saying much that was intelligible but sounding angry, mocking, and hateful.
As previously explained, these phenomena began before I had published anything, even a blog or tweet concerning the nature of what I was writing, so it cannot be put down to aggrieved readers, rather (dare I say) to an enraged establishment. In the latest more sophisticated multi-layered recording, the first and only I have published, not only my detractors but those I understand to be their captors (the compilers of the recordings) can be heard, more particularly a cheery “Hello there, Charton”. Taking the series of recordings as a whole (the earliest of which were lost/destroyed when I had a nervous breakdown in 2016) I have become more convinced of their other-worldly origins. Especially so after the one recently published, containing as it does what I believe to be the voice of a deceased person known to both me and the aforementioned close friend. In view of what I wrote in the previous post concerning the nature and purpose of the establishment in question and the manner of his greeting, this does not unduly distress me. In terms of publishing such a recording, I certainly hesitated, realizing it effectively proves nothing apart from for myself. For, after all, it could have been something I had constructed. I know I didn’t but those who hear it don’t. Likewise, my whole testimony could be a web of deceit whereas it’s the God’s honest truth, but how to prove it? In terms of my testimonial post I have filled out some of the details of times and places so that at least those who have known me in the past can verify that.
The need to test
As previously stated, I believe the litmus test for the validity and prophetic nature of the biblical synopsis I’ve set out in The Little Book of Providence is its ability to reconcile Scripture. But that has to be for others to determine, requiring patient scrutiny, some analytical skill and, above all, the rare ability to put aside all preconceptions. But there is a further test that can be applied which Jesus, no less, recommended.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit” (Mt7:15-17).
I do not primarily regard myself as a prophet. I thought that might be the case in view of what I appeared to be involved with, but then came the names. You might consider at this point, if I were deluded myself or intended to deceive others, why would I have demonstrated from this mysterious recording that I have been addressed by two new names: Charton (=coachman/busman) and more frequently יִצְחָ֔ק aka Yitshak aka Isaac” (= he who laughs), neither of which one would associate with end-time prophecy? Nevertheless, I am claiming to have received prophetic insights, which if acted upon would require substantial numbers to put at least as much trust in me as many did in the likes of Augustine and Luther in the past. And whilst they at that point were already ecclesiological colossi, I am a retired busman (earlier a civil servant). Not that such things count for much with God, who determined that the first people to receive a heavenly announcement concerning the Good News of Christ’s birth were not the ecclesiological establishment but shepherds on a hillside. Such can be the divine protocol (Mt11:25).
Given that most who read this will not be acquainted with my character, one might consider instead what is likely to be the fruit of my labours should they fulfil their intended aims. Even in the case of the One who came to save the world from sin and the devil, He acknowledged His intended mission would have its downside:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. It will turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household [Mt10:34-36].
Likewise, a lesser ecclesiological mission would certainly divide opinions within Christian families. Yet the aim is to reconcile the children of the Reformation with their ecclesiological fathers, hence my surprise concerning the names (Mal4:5-6). [Note, in view of Jesus’s statement quoted above, Malachi could hardly be referring to the heralding messenger’s reconciliatory task as “inculcating happy families”. The “fathers and children” must have a prophetic meaning and Christendom as it has panned out fits the bill perfectly].
Means to an end
As was the case with Jesus’ mission, what ultimately matters is the outcome, however much upheaval (and in His case suffering) might be brought about achieving it. As I have been outlining, the Saviour’s task was not just to provide pardon for human sin but a means of ongoing sanctification for those God would give Him as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light (1Pet2:9). Such were to be the first fruit of God’s new created order (Jam1:18). They, and in due course the rest of redeemable humanity, were not only to be restored to Adamic innocence but raised to the divine; something which could not come to fruition without Christ’s suffering and that of His people (cf. Heb2:9; Rom8:17).
For here is another mystery – suffering appears to be a necessary or at the least a beneficial ingredient within the process of perfection and glorification, even for One who was without sin (Heb2:10). Such grist for glory would not have existed if all had been sweetness and light on planet earth. It wasn’t, largely as a result of what ostensibly appeared to be extraordinary victories by Satan at Eden and then at Calvary. The reality was he had fallen for God’s trap on both counts, unwittingly facilitating the process that had so aggrieved him and lesser fallen angels in the first place. That was God’s stupendous plan to raise children of dust to the heights of glory (Heb2:5-9). Such an elevation became inexorable through the incarnation of God’s Word. For it would be a Man, not an angel who would be incorporated into the Godhead. Consequently, the Most High Jesus Christ already regards His human disciples as His own kith and kin (Heb2:11). Yet His incarnation had been necessitated by Satan’s apparent victory at Eden. So shall the Prince of Darkness be shown for what he really is – the ultimate loser and unwitting lackey of God.
Preparing the way
Satan might also be considered the ultimate “mountain” within Isaiah’s prophecy concerning he who would prepare the world for the Messiah’s rule on earth. They thought it would be John the Baptist – it wasn’t in view of God’s secret plan for the Gentiles in the current age (previous post):
The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God”. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. (Is40:3-5).
Certainly, I believe that what I am trying to bring about with respect to the churches is a necessary preparation for the coming of the Lord in glory. That is so that as one united body speaking with one voice, the Church can go on to prepare the world. For God would surely wish such a witness to be provided – it is only right and just, not to mention a biblical promise (Mt24:14). Such would require the churches to have a united sense of what message is to be presented. It should be evident by now that a meaningful re-affiliation will never be achieved via denominational apologetics or ecumenical dialogue, certainly whilst Evangelicalism is in the mix (final paragraph). The only way the healing of Christ’s Body on earth can be accomplished is if ALL churches are shown to be in substantial error in their understanding of the bible. At the same time the right interpretation must have been provided, not through human ingenuity or painstaking scholarship but by prophetic insight through a revelation of the Spirit.
Assessing the fruit
What then would be the fruits of my labours if such mission were to succeed?
- A re-affiliated Church, humbled and truly reformed
- At last, a coherent interpretation of the bible – already provided but in need of refinement by the ecclesiological/theological/literary erudite
- Such would enable a coherent message to be preached to a world already captivated by the developments they perceived within Christendom (cf. Jn13:35)
- That all sincere Christians regardless of their current denominational allegiance are provided with the necessary teaching and sacramental provision required for their sanctification and “attain to the prize of the high calling of God” (Phi3:10-14)
- That the rest of the world is made aware of the imminent judgement to come and advised to act accordingly (cf. Lk3:11-14)
- Rejoicing, that the many who have died and had previously been understood by unbelievers to be gone forever or by many believers to be “in perdition” will in fact be shown to have benefitted (forensically) from Christ’s Passion anticipating a blessed reunion with loved ones in the age to come (cf. Rev21:4)
- That God will be seen to be what He truly is – in a word, munificent
- That Christ’s Atonement will no longer be regarded by any as “limited”; rather it will be understood to be bifold (forensic and participatory); pardoning all people of good will whilst also sanctifying those who worthily participate in its pure re-presentation at the Eucharist (cf. Mal1:11-12)
- That the mystery of God shall have been completed (Rev10:7).
The contrast with Augustine and Luther
Finally and briefly, contrast such a potential orchard with the thorns and thistles these two gentlemen cultivated. For as most would agree, these were the two most influential men in ecclesiological history. What would the Church now be like if Augustine had never been born or had not converted, given that as has been observed by others, all medieval theology utilized by the Roman Church (pre-Vat2) and built upon by the Protestant Reformers is essentially Augustinian? Logically, the Church would have developed a biblical theology that is more faithful to that of the earliest Church Fathers who had received the Faith in written and verbal form from the apostles and the likes of Timothy, Titus and Philemon. That, as I have been demonstrating, is also much closer to what has been set out in The Little Book of Providence.
And what of Luther’s Reformation? Global upheaval and warfare, ecclesiological fragmentation, mutual hatred between Christians; Catholics and Protestants initially burning and torturing each other believing they were doing their opponents’ souls a favour. That, as well as all the doctrinal errors I have been identifying, especially the undermining of the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life, not so much by Luther himself but by his later followers. As for “Reformed theology”, in its purest form such as I adhered to for 28 years as a Calvinist, Holy Scripture as pruned, translated and interpreted by the Reformers portrays a God who from any reasoned human perspective appears incomprehensibly harsh and unjust. He is the antithesis of love personified (1Jn4:8), unless “agape” means something quite different when applied to God than it does applied to man. In the watered-down Arminian guise that the majority of Evangelicals adopt, the anticipated cosmic outcomes are no better in view of the historical religious and cultural formation that the Creator has (at the least) overseen. The resulting disfigurement of divine providence, albeit cryptically, was foretold in Scripture, and I have alluded to it in the opening chapter of the Little Book of Providence. I also did so cryptically, for what was revealed to me regarding Daniel, Jesus and Paul’s foresight on the matter literally had me screaming at the time and would be too much for some to bear (let the reader understand).
Yet that there is undoubtedly much that is admirable and God-pleasing in the practice and beliefs of many Protestant churches. For the record, I was an Anglican during my transition from Evangelicalism and still often attend mass at an Anglican Ecumenical cathedral. For surely God delights in all who seek to serve His Son in their daily lives and church activity – He is less interested in creeds per se, especially given that since the time of Luther, most Christians are in a particular denomination in view of their parentage, geography or channel of conversion. Likewise, there are many worthy Christians who despise creeds and denominations altogether. They regard themselves as simply “Christian”, behaving and practicing in a way they believe their Lord and Saviour would wish them to. Others again will not be remotely interested in the kind of detailed, seemingly pedantic interpretation of the bible with its attention to the Greek/Hebrew text that I have employed. Yet such is the one cult I have carried over from my Calvinist days which I believe God has utilized so that the truth might be attained. Some believers have virtually given up on the bible altogether: “biblical Christianity” as they have encountered it appears counter-intuitive to the loving God and Christ they sense and know in their hearts. Frankly that is no surprise given usual interpretations; and such biblically liberal Christians are well capable of bearing good fruit and imparting the light of Christ to the world.
Why it has to change
So, to each their own and everything is hunky dory? But feed in the timeline and the computer says “NO”. The nature of the times means that such an autonomous approach can no longer be sustained in view of the final witness required for the world. Apart from which, God’s wish for the current age has always been that “in every place there be a sacrifice and a clean oblation offered to My name” (Malachi 1:11). Yet the Holy Eucharist as practiced by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox is an anathema to most Evangelicals. Whilst such a movement exists the Church cannot possibly preach a coherent gospel, neither can Christians in the separated churches avail themselves of what is required for Life and ongoing cleansing from sin (Jn6:53; 1Jn1:7) [Note 1].
Yet I believe a joyful resolution to the current ecclesiological chaos and distorted presentations of divine providence has been foretold – again cryptically, for the mystery has had to be sustained (Rev10:7). Enoch, written to be a blessing to the final generation of Christians is more explicit concerning how matters are finally to be resolved [En93:10 & 104:10-14 Charles Version]. So, all in all I am confident of a fruitful outcome. So, whilst I have sluggishly and feebly planted, others with more fortitude may water once they become convinced that I relay the truth. Then it shall be for God to bring forth the increase.
NOTE 1
Many like myself in the past understand that a believers’ sins were not only pardoned but purged at Calvary. That arises in part from a misunderstanding of Heb1:3 which is wrongly translated in many Protestant bibles. I will quote from my book on the subject:
Through the shedding of His blood at Calvary, Christ had provided a purification through Himself (Heb1:3 Greek: di heautou katharismon poiesamenos). This verse deceives through mistranslation in many versions, implying that the sins of the believer were purged at Calvary, stating like the KJV, “when… He had purged our sins…” But “Katharismon (purification or cleansing) is a noun, not a verb. The New International Version more accurately translates the verse as “(Christ) provided purification for sins”. For we have to avail ourselves of it – the blood must be applied. The writer to the Hebrews refers to the blood of the New Covenant as “the blood of sprinkling” (Heb12:24) referring to the repeated act of sprinkling the blood of bulls on the people of Israel to seal God’s covenant with them. Peter refers to the same concept in the context of something that, like the believer’s obedience is ongoing: “To the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through a hallowing of the spirit leading to obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus” (1Pet1:2) whereas the once-for-all-time shedding of Christ’s blood at Calvary is referred to by Paul in the context of attaining universal reconciliation: “Having made peace through the blood of His cross, God would reconcile all things to Himself by Christ, whether they be things on earth or things in heaven” (Col1:20).
[Excerpt from Fellowship of the Secret chapter three]
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