Revival Fires from the North? (Part 1)

Revisiting Jean Darnall’s vision of revival in the UK

While the Christian world continues to debate whether a ‘quiet revival’ is truly taking place across the British Isles, there’s certainly evidence of a growing hunger among believers to see God move in power throughout our Land, and a notable increased unity among believers of differing streams and theological persuasions.

With all the talk of 'revival' has come renewed interest in a long famous prophetic vision given by a Pentecostal pastor from the States - Jean Darnall - some decades ago. In the vision, Jean saw revival fires breaking out across the United Kingdom, starting in the far north and working their way southward and across to mainland Europe.

Extent of influence

The prophecy resonated with believers across the board, and people quickly ‘caught’ the revival vision. You find reference to it in countless books, articles and blogs promoting spiritual revival. It has inspired succeeding generations of revivalists, evangelists, pastors and Christian workers. It was instrumental in the birthing of a prophetic ministry, as well as a revival conference, in North Scotland. And it has helped inspire the writing of a number of rousing revival hymns.

Darnall’s revival vision gets quoted copiously in revival prayer meetings. People tend to accept it as an absolute given, being treated almost on a par with biblical prophecy. Indeed, I don't think I've known such reliance on a single prophetic word outside the Scriptures. Yet many who enthusiastically reiterate Darnall’s prophecy have little or no idea who the woman behind the vision was or is.

You find reference to it in countless books, articles and blogs promoting spiritual revival.

Born in the United States and converted in her teens following a miraculous healing, Jean Darnall served for many years with her husband Elmer as missionaries in such far-flung locations as Panama, Canada and Western Australia, in each of which country they planted a number of churches.

She also served for six years as associate pastor of Angelus Temple, Los Angeles, the church founded by Aimee Semple McPherson, who was Jean’s former pastor and mentor. She was closely involved with ‘Youth with a Mission’, and later served on staff as associate pastor at The Church on The Way, Van Nuys, led by pastor and songwriter Jack Hayford. Jean Darnall died in 2019 at the fine old age of 96.

Vision of revival

What Jean is best known for this side of the Atlantic is a vision she received during a prayer time while based in the south of England, in early 1967. It does not appear to have been written down or otherwise recorded at the time. The earliest record of it that I’m aware of is that contained in Jean’s autobiography, ‘Heaven, Here I Come’, published in 1974 – seven years after her visionary experience.

According to this version, Jean records, “Suddenly a vision appeared within my mind. It had come twice before. I saw the British Isles glistening like a clump of jade in the grey seas surrounding them. Looking down I saw Scotland, England, Wales, and to the north-west, Ireland. The treetops upon the hills and the clustered clouds hid the people. Suddenly small flickering fires appeared. They were scattered over the isles.

I came closer to the land. The light was fire light. These were fires burning from the top of Scotland to Land’s End on the tip of Cornwall. Lightning streaked downward from the sky above me. I saw it touch down with flashing swiftness, exploding each of the fires into streams of light. Like lava they burned their fiery path downward from the top of Scotland to Land’s End. The waters did not stop this, but the fires spread across the seas to Ireland and to Europe.”

These were fires burning from the top of Scotland to Land’s End on the tip of Cornwall. Lightning streaked downward from the sky above me.

Seeking the meaning of the vision, Darnall says God revealed to her that the small fires were groups of earnest, hungry people who were being drawn together by the Holy Spirit to study their Bibles and to pray for a visitation of God. The words ‘pockets of power’ were impressed on her mind. “I’m empowering them by my Holy Spirit and I’m teaching them by my Spirit about my gifts,” He said. “They are being led by my Spirit to repentance, reconciliation and a deeper relationship with the body of Christ. These people are meeting in homes and churches – I’m not leading them out of their relationships in the home and in the church, but into a deeper involvement in both. They are to bring renewal, new life, in preparation for what is to come.”

She heard the Lord continue; “I will penetrate the darkness with a visitation of my power. With lightning swiftness, I will release the power of my Spirit through a renewed people who have learned to be led of the Spirit. They will explode with a swiftness that will touch every part of the society of Britain. I am strategically placing them to touch the farms, villages, towns and cities. No one will be without a witness, whether they be children in the schools, farmers in the fields, workers in the factories and docks, students in the universities and colleges, the media, the press, the arts or government. All will be profoundly moved and those who are changed by my power will alter the destiny of the nation.”

Jean said her mind seemed to see an army of all types of people moving into the continent (of Europe) with a compassionate ministry. This ministry was not mass meetings, led by powerful personalities, preaching to spectators, but participating, caring communities involved with one another at grass roots level, sharing the love of God everywhere.

‘It's right at hand’

There exists a much later version of this prophesy, where Jean seeks to give a detailed interpretation of her earlier vision. It is this significantly longer version that is often quoted on websites and blogs, coming, as it does, in three Phases: The Glowing Fires; The Coming of the Lightning, and Streams across the Channel.

Given that earliest records are nearly always regarded as the most accurate, it is the shorter, earlier version that needs to be the focus of attention.

Given that earliest records are nearly always regarded as the most accurate, it is the shorter, earlier version that needs to be the focus of attention. This is especially true given that the later version was given, by her own confession, more than two decades after receiving the original.

The vision is dynamic and striking, and who in the UK Church wouldn’t want to see it come to pass? But it is important to note that Jean fully believed her vision was to be fulfilled within the foreseeable future, for she says that God told her; “You’re going to stay right here” (in the United Kingdom). “I want you to nourish the fires that I light”.²

Charismatic renewal

The charismatic movement was beginning to arise around this time, with signs of new life starting to appear in various places, including, even, in the institutional churches. It is quite likely that Jean saw her vision as having fulfilment in the fanning of this charismatic renewal into flames of spiritual awakening across the nation.

Indeed, Jean had a strong influence during the charismatic renewal upon many traditional churches, and she helped launch ‘The Festival of Light’, an event that resulted in thousands of young people being involved in the ‘March for Jesus’ in Britain. Thus, she was, even at that early period, helping bring her vision into being, resulting in the Darnalls staying in Britain for a total of 25 years, returning to the United States only in 1992. But while the charismatic movement served to instil Spirit-filled life into the UK Church, it ultimately failed to bring the much longed-for revival that Britain needed.

It is quite likely that Jean saw her vision as having fulfilment in the fanning of this charismatic renewal into flames of spiritual awakening across the nation.

Two full decades after her original prophecy (1987), Jean received further revelation regarding how the revival vision was to transpire, when His power and presence came on her “so mightily that suddenly everything else is forgotten.” It was at this point that Jean stated that the second part of her vision was “right at hand. It’s here, folks, that spiritual awakening: it’s starting, the very first signs of it are already upon us…”.¹

A follow-up article considers further aspects of these famous prophecies and controversially ponders, is it time to let go of Jean Darnall’s vision of revival in the UK?

John Caldwell, 'Fire from the North' (2025), p.13; Hugh B. Black, ‘Revival: Including the Prophetic Vision of Jean Darnall’ (1993), p.115.
Caldwell, 'Fire from the North', p.11; Jean Darnall, ‘Heaven Here I Come’ (1974), p.114.

Tom Lennie

Tom Lennie, 21/08/2026

Feedback:

	Janet Baine	21/08/2026 17:02
Prophetic word for Great Britain Saturday 6 August Saturday 6 August 2011 Hear the voice of the Lord, O Isles that I have so greatly loved and favoured. I the Lord the Almighty, I took you when you were nothing, clothed with skins and woad, and through My saving power, I made you great. When you were nothing, through My Word and your faith in Me, I lifted you and made you Great Britain. Through many awakenings and many revivals, stage by stage, I took you until you became a great power with the greatest Empire in the history of the nations. From you My Gospel and My Word went throughout the world, and tens of thousands came into an experience of saving faith! That Empire with all its many failings and weaknesses was still one of the most just and righteous Empires of history. Those Isles of yours were soaked with the blood of My faithful martyrs and its soil received the burnt ashes of those who would not renounce My Name, My Truth, and My Word. I, the Lord have not forgotten those who gave their all for Me! But now the whole nation that I created and sustained has turned from Me. They paganise their land, state and institutions; there is no voice heard to warn the nation. False religion, the work of world rulers of darkness, cover your Isles; A Laodicean church, neither hot nor cold, rumbles on like machinery. It is a church where I am outside of its routine; its organisation and its methodology. It is Christianity without Me: Religion without Me! My being is seared with pain, for judgement is determined against your land. I can do no other. I will destroy the vestiges of her greatness; I will return her to her first estate. I will wreck her economy, destabilise her in every way. I will change her climate, even her weather. I will prove to her that the way of the transgressor is hard and terrible. I will allow demonic forces held in check erstwhile by My Word and Gospel, and the living faith of so many, to become rampant in her social life, to the destruction of her society. Will you who know Me and love Me go blind and dumb and deaf into this judgement? It is time for you who love Me, who are faithful to Me, to take action! Stand before Me and plead The Finished Work of My Son. At least cry out to Me, that there will be those who turn from darkness, from sin, and be saved. For whosoever shall call upon My Name in the midst of these judgements, I will save! It will cost you everything to stand in the gap, but you will enter into My heart, and know deep fellowship with Me. Such travail conceived in your heart by My Spirit will cost your deeply, but it will end in My Throne and Glory. A similar, more recent prophetic word was given 3 years ago by Rev Brett Murphy when he said that, after the last great evangelist (Billy Graham) and the last Christian monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) had died, God would work judgment on this nation unless we repent.
	Mark Maddock	21/08/2026 15:44
...Smith Wigglesworth's 1947 prophecy may be describing what Jean Darnell saw. His word is sequential and accurate so far - find it via Google or on the Pray for Scotland website. Some OT prophecies were given hundreds of even thousands of years ahead of their fulfilment. So a long term perspective is very Biblical!
	John Shipton (Guest)	21/08/2026 13:28
After the so-called Toronto Blessing and the follow on, on a Super Toronto Blessing said by Kenneth Copeland and associates, the talk of the coming revival has not materialised. Why may be asked? It is because false prophets have been operating in the midst of the Christian Church, who are building their own empires to achieve their aims. The misuse of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit has become apparent while fleecing the flock is now widespread when those at the helm live luxury lifestyles galivanting here and there using personally owned jet airliners to get the the arranged venues and conventions which high light their assumed ministries. From the TB experience another catch phrase and still used by those involved is Catch the Fire. Revival costs a lot to promote with expectations of that God is doing something new. Far from New Testament teaching! Then of course, ignoring persecution which may be the result in following the Lord Jesus and sharing the message of the Gospel outside in this world of ours. Repentance and Salvation has become less spoken of while it is being said from pulpits that one does not have to be born-again to enter the Kingdom of God - only to join in by attending church service, pay your tithes and offerings, and agree to the (false) teachings and practices portrayed as God given. This is what religion does to sound doctrine! One can become a prophet, an apostle, a bishop, or any other position held in an established gathering if one has the gumption and the know how. These positions are chosen by the elite few hence the secrecy until surprise, surprise, the position is filled. For the likes of Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Paula White and company are said to prophets and teachers but their utterances and quotes over the years are false, as not fulfilled. Marches for Jesus, the coming revival for the London area, the awake call that God is doing something new, the claim of Kingdom Now theology, etc, etc, have not been part and parcel of the expected coming revival as predicted. It makes you wonder what is going to predicted next when those speaking about such things, the result be considered as man made. For revival meetings meetings which attending have fizzled out and lacking substance. The Holy Spirit is called down by those on stage said to be the anointed ones, people are pushed down, seen at the front, purportedly to be of the Holy Spirit, while the leading celebrity figure goes into a frenzy, speaking a gibberish language, and telling those in attendance that Jesus is in the gathering and in the midst, together using the name of Jesus for such actions. And they call this inspired with more to come later. When people say by utterances that revival is on its way, one is told not to question them or say anything different. Hmm, something is not right!
	Sam Lancaster (Guest)	21/08/2026 12:07
Thank you for your analysis of the Darnell prophecy. Only 3 years ago, the Anglican Bishop of Lancaster Jill Duff published Lighting The Beacons which is based upon Jean Darnell’s prophecy. All well and good ! BUT there is a major “BUT” for the Remnant to understand. As given so beautifully in the prophecy of your trustee David, the four nations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were warned and given the very biblical period of 70 years through which to Repent. All that has been given to me over recent years confirms that first comes Repentance before any meaningful Revival. Sadly , the Church of England still believes that we can enjoy the benefits of Revival without the abject pain of total Repentance. First the Church , (Christ’s Church let us not forget) and then the whole nation. But the Church is full of Pride and will even be celebrating Pride Eucharist at Manchester Cathedral next weekend. How much farther can our National Church fall ? We will be privileged to see and know “In And During The Days That Lie Ahead”
	Brian Melia (Guest)	21/08/2026 11:58
Having been involved in the charismatic movement, to a greater or lesser extent since the mid 70s, I’ve so often heard a prophecies about coming revival in the UK. They usually share one thing in common: they don’t happen in a time scale, that those who gave them and accepted them, expected. Sometimes they are reinterpreted or a new time scale is given. The conference at the Docklands Arena in 1990 was another example of prophetic expectation of revival that didn’t happen. To his credit, the late John Wimber admitted the expectations were false but to my knowledge, very few of the other leaders that supported that specific revival expectation followed his lead in admitting the error. I believe the genuine spiritual gift of prophecy still exists today. What is needed is more honest reflection in the charismatic movement and, to avoid deception, repentance where error has been swallowed. Regrettably, this doesn’t often happen. Looking forward to the next article Tom.
	Ann Phillips (Guest)	21/08/2026 10:12
I was in my early 20's when that vision broke I'm now 75. I can remember people getting excited but nothing ever really happened. I was also in the march for Jesus in trafalgar square with hundreds of christain. We just sung and prayed to the Lord. Wish that would happen again but today it happens and it's always with sweering not the same,!