Who I am, and why a Yorkshire man is now the King of Australia

It All Began at The Beginning of Lockdown

On the 19th of March 2020, which also happened to be my 59th birthday, the covid lockdown was officially announced in Great Britain. This marked the beginning of three months confined indoors, from morning till night, immersed in the word of God, sharing time with my Lord and God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

A Season of Spiritual Growth

Those months became a truly wonderful period, filled day after day with seeking God and delving deeper into His word. As each day passed, I found myself drawing closer and closer to Him, experiencing an intimacy and understanding I hadn’t known before. Then, something remarkable happened…

God’s Call to Return

While I was studying, God’s command came to me: "Return back to the land of your fathers." In response, I expressed my uncertainty: "I don't know how you're going to do that; I only have one pound in savings." One and a half years later as I stood at my kitchen sink in Bedfordshire, England, God answered my question in a way that was both unexpected and clear. His reply was, "Appeal to Caesar," just as written in the book of Acts. Making a long and detailed testimony short. Obeying this direction, I contacted the Australian Embassy in London. To my amazement, they arranged and paid for my return to Australia. Don’t make money your God, always make God your God.

Quarantine in Australia

Upon arrival, I was taken to a hotel for quarantine. The prospect was daunting, as I had seen various YouTube videos showing how difficult two weeks in hotel isolation could be. In prayer, I thanked God for reducing the quarantine period from 14 days to seven days, acknowledging His control over my circumstances. Jokingly, I also asked, "Could you put me in hospital instead? Then I won’t have to pay, because I have no money for the hotel quarantine, and I don’t want to start my new life in Australia with debt."

A Surprising Quarantine Experience

So back to being taken to a hotel in Sydney. The place was beautiful, far more than I had expected. There was a balcony where I could sit and relax, especially since the rules had eased a bit by this point. The room itself was spacious, with its own kitchen and dining area, a large King size bed that promised a comfortable sleep, and even a private laundry room. As I looked around at all this, I couldn’t help but say to myself, “Why didn’t I just keep quiet?” The irony was not lost on me: I could have stayed there for two weeks, which would have been a blessing in disguise, given that I had nowhere else to live at the time.

Unexpected Hospital Stay

Before leaving the UK, I had exerted myself moving some furniture, which aggravated a 25% blockage in an artery near my heart, resulting in chest pain. Incredibly, the morning arriving in Australia, an ambulance arrived and took me to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney with what the nurse described as a suspected heart attack.

God’s Provision in Isolation

At the hospital, I was given a private room and kept isolated in line with covid regulations. I was well cared for, waited on hand and foot, and after seven days of tests, I was released with a clean bill of health. The period of covid isolation was complete, and I owed nothing for hotel quarantine. Praise God—He truly is in control, He answered my prayer. Amen. Amen.

Arrival and Trust in God’s Guidance

After leaving the hospital, I boarded the first train to Newcastle, NSW, then caught a bus to Nelson Bay, arriving around ten in the evening. With nowhere to stay and no money for hotels or food I could call my own, I trusted in God’s faithfulness and provision. I walked to the quayside, overwhelmed with emotion, uncertain where this journey would lead. I had just given up my small bungalow in Bedfordshire—a home provided after eleven months of homelessness, sleeping in a van back in 2013, in England, sleeping in my van through winter. That bungalow, a council home with lifelong security and benefits, was surrendered because God, in His wisdom, told me to follow Him.

Stepping Out in Faith: Surrender and Guidance

I felt God say, “Give it all up, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and follow me, and go to Australia. I will speak to you there.” Taking that call to heart, I left everything behind and set out on this new path, trusting that God would guide me each step of the way.

On my first night by the bay in nelsons Bay, NSW, I found myself alone in the dark, lying on a seat near the barbecue areas by the water. I could hear the gentle sound of the sea, and  by me, hundreds of Cockatiel parrots gathered in a tree just nearby. Exhausted, I drifted off to sleep under the open sky.

A Stranger’s Visit

When I woke on the morning of 18 March 2022, a man was sitting next to me. Strangely, he looked very much like an old friend from the UK, John, whom I knew before I became born again. It struck me that, after my conversion, many friends distanced themselves from me, and those close relationships faded away.

God’s Provision Through Friendship

The man’s name was Gary. I am truly grateful to God, as He immediately brought Gary into my life during a time when I needed guidance and support. Through Gary, I was able to learn the Australian way and discover what I needed to do next. God’s word tells us, “It is not good for man to be alone,” and in this moment, He provided companionship just when I needed it most. As we spent time together, Gary and I gradually got to know one another and slowly became friends in Nelson Bay.

Confirmation of God’s Control and Faithfulness

Through this experience, God was confirming to me that, from the early days of COVID—back on 19 March 2020 when lockdown started—right through to 2022, two years to the very day, He had always been in control. Meeting Gary was a clear sign that I am living by faith in God, trusting in His guidance rather than relying merely on what I can see or do for myself.

Reflecting on God’s Unchanging Nature and the Passage of Time

I also found myself reflecting on the constancy of God. Although it is not a direct scripture, the thought that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever brought me comfort. In 2024, as I write this. it will be 413 years since the King James Version Bible was published. I consider this translation foundational and uncorrupted in my journey of faith. It left me wondering: with 17 years remaining until 430 years are accomplished, is there perhaps a parallel to be found in biblical timelines?

Contemplating Biblical Timelines and Generational Promises

The re-establishment of Israel in 1948 has always felt significant to me in terms of biblical prophecy. Remembering Jesus’ words, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled,” I calculated the years from 1948 to 2024—76 years—and with an additional 17 years, that comes to 93 years. I hold onto the hope that perhaps the last child born in Israel in 1948 will still be alive at age 98 in 2041—fulfilling the promise that this generation will not pass away until Jesus returns and comes in the clouds to meet us in the air. Amen. And in 17 years will total 430 years, the same period God delivered His people from Egypt. But we don’t know the day or the hour but we must keep an eye on the seasons. weWe are truly in the last minuets of the last days of Christ’s return.

God’s Protection in Times of Danger

Returning to my testimony, I recall a time when the Lord spoke clearly to me, saying, “Do not sleep here tonight.” At that moment, I had some money, generously given by kind people, so I used it to rent a room for the night. That decision proved to be life-saving, as on that very night, a man was stabbed and killed in the same street where I would sleep.

During my time in Nelson Bay, and that incident it left a lasting impression on the people who worked in the local shops near where I used to sleep. When they didn’t see me for a couple of days, they feared the worst—they believed I might have been the person who was tragically killed. Through this experience, I was reminded once again of God’s faithfulness. When He speaks and gives you direction, the best thing you can do is simply obey. His guidance is trustworthy.

Walking by faith, not by sight.

It is important to remember that I am not to seek out signs before I act; rather, it is about seeing signs following after I step out in faith and obedience. My walk with God is not about seeing everything clearly in advance, but about trusting Him and living by faith, not by sight, as He says.  ^‘And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:20 KJV

Praising God’s Sovereignty and Provision

Praise God, praise my Lord and God—Jesus Christ of Nazareth—who sits on the throne of Righteousness at the right hand of our Father God in heaven above. He alone is in control of all things.

An Unexpected Opportunity in Adamstown

Not long after, I was guided back to Newcastle through an encounter with a man named Adam, who lived in Adamstown, NSW. Adam was known for purchasing houses and transforming them into comfortable facilities for homeless people over the age of 50, provided they did not drink or use drugs. While I was still in Nelson Bay, I spoke with Adam on the phone and he informed me that he currently had one room available. This was during a period when there was a severe housing crisis, making such opportunities rare and valuable, but it was not to be, Adam would not accept me as I had not been vaccinated.

Following that encounter, Adam dropped me off at the Newcastle Housing. After spending several weeks in uncertainty, I eventually received assistance from the government, who arranged hotel accommodation for me. As it was the start of winter in Australia there were rooms available during this period. This support provided me with much-needed shelter and a warm place to stay, offering relief from the cold and much rain, the challenges of homelessness at that time.  

A Place of Rest and Reflection

The hotel where I stayed might have been a bit of a throwback to the 1970s with its retro style, but it was exactly what I needed at the time. The room was a good size, with a double bed and a balcony where I would sit with my coffee, overlooking the palm trees, swimming pool, and the Swansea Bridge—watching it go up and down. From there, I could see the sandy entrance to Swansea Bay while I spent time studying God’s word. The room even had its own bathroom, making it a very comfortable. Amen.

Reflections on Faith, Provision, and Blessing

Throughout my journey, I have witnessed how God’s guidance and provision have shaped my experiences. Just as Joseph brought blessing to the house of the Egyptian, I have seen the Lord’s hand at work in unexpected places and circumstances. The blessings extended beyond myself, touching those around me and reminding me of God’s promise, to bless those who bless His people and to bring blessing to all families of the earth.

The world may not understand or accept me as I follow God’s calling, but He assures me that I am chosen and set apart. My identity is rooted not in worldly acceptance, but in belonging to Him. Amidst challenges and uncertainty, I have learned that salvation is not achieved through my own efforts, but it is from God, received through faith. This understanding brings peace and encourages humility, knowing that it is by grace alone I am saved. So no man can boast.

These experiences have deepened my appreciation for God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, prompting me to continue trusting in and on Him, regardless of the circumstances. In every step, His grace sustains, leads, enables and empowers me forward.

God says in His word... And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen 12:3. But He also says... If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Housing crisis.

Looking and applying for rooms to rent as there was a great shortage, and if anywhere was available, I just got a lot of replies saying, 'Sorry, we won't get on.' 

I cried unto God, "Lord, I can't find a room!" Always forgetting to ask God first... He will not help me if I want to do the work myself, I must live by faith. God will never force Himself on me, I must. In the world, if people want help, they ask, God is no different to me, His child, beloved of God, if I don't ask my Father God in heaven above, and in the name of Jesus, it will be my own works... Called iniquity.

Shortly after, I received a text message offering me a room, and almost immediately another message arrived with a second offer. The coincidence of receiving two offers at once left me amazed, and I wondered if this was what is meant by a “double portion”—a sign of abundant provision.

Following these offers, I was interviewed by the daughters of a 74-year-old man from Blackpool, England, who had lived in Australia since the early seventies. Although the house still needed work on the outside, the inside was lovely and welcoming. They graciously allowed me to rent the room and, understanding my financial situation during a housing crisis, reduced the rent from $250 per week to $230 per week. This act of kindness was a tremendous help to me—perhaps even a “triple portion” of blessing. The main lady who welcomed me with a big hug has since left her previous employment and now runs her own busy accountancy business, which I see as further evidence of God’s blessing flowing through my life. I will bless them that bless me.

But God keeps warning us all, 'And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ' (didn't we do! they said.) Jesus warns the church before he returns... ‘However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth?’  Luke 18:8

I live by the faith of God who loved me and gave his life for me, and I turn to Him for everything and if we all did that, privately, praying in our bedrooms, God promises... 'And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.'

The bedsit was lovely. I was there for up to about three months. A lovely big room, big bed, a hap hazard half-finished outside balcony from which the sun would shine over and through the patio doors every morning, (unless it rained) where I would sit after breakfast eating my orange that David the landlord sometimes provide, fruit for us to freely eat. Plus, a modern bathroom to share with Graham, another lodger.

Reaching the End of my Jurney.

As I reflect on the journey that has led me to this point, I recognise the many challenges and blessings that have shaped my experience. Despite moments of uncertainty and hardship, my faith has remained the guiding force, sustaining me through each step. The trials I have faced have not only deepened my trust in God’s sovereignty but have also affirmed His faithfulness in my life.

I am reminded that my identity and purpose are not defined by worldly acceptance but by my relationship with Him. His grace has carried me, enabling me to move forward even when circumstances seemed overwhelming. Looking back, I see evidence of His provision, guidance, and love, which continue to inspire hope for what lies ahead in my walk with my Lord and God.

Sadly, the other lodger, Graham, who had only just begun to accept me for who I am, passed away from cancer not long after I left. Despite the opportunities presented to him, he ultimately rejected God’s grace and mercy before his death.

Roots of Hatred and Pain

He, like many others, held a deep hatred for God—an anger that seemed to burn with vengeance. In my understanding, this bitterness was not simply directed at God Himself but was rooted in the consequences of the iniquities committed by our fathers. The trauma he experienced as a young boy, inflicted by those who should have protected him, profoundly shaped his feelings. More recently, as he was separated from his wife, similar hurtful actions affected his own children, intensifying his resentment. Through his testimony, it became clear that the pain he suffered, and the suffering of his loved ones, contributed greatly to his hatred. ‘Is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. Gal 2:17. Religion killed God, Jesus Christ and killed Graham.

God did not come to make hundreds of religions to confuse us, to take our money, tell us, here’s the bible work it out for yourselves. ‘For God is not the author of confusion,’ 1 Cor 14:33. God warns us also where the problem lies... ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ Jesus warns us again, that, ‘the gates of hell are the doorways into men made religions’.

The Difference of True Faith

No matter how much I tried to explain, he struggled to accept that a true believer—someone genuinely born again through proper baptism and led by The Spirit, the word of God—would never behave in such a destructive manner. Those who are filled with God’s word are transformed, and the harmful actions he suffered stand in stark contrast to what one would expect of a person guided by faith and the Holy Ghost, Christ in you.

The Role of the Holy Ghost, State of the Christian as I am not a Christian.

The Holy Spirit is, according to Ephesians 6:17, the very Word of God—living and active, working through individuals set apart for His purpose. This was true in times past, just as the Scriptures testify: “For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” 2 Peter 1:21. The genuine inspiration and authority of the Word do not originate from human ambition, but from the Holy Ghost, guiding those who are truly devoted to God, by faith, not by sight. (Oh, it’s a lovely church, 400 years old! Sight.)

This raises a pressing question: how then can the church of Christ today be in such disarray? The answer lies in the very nature of God’s presence. God does not dwell in temples made with man’s hands—and I am not speaking of their buildings, their towers of Bable but of their bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost. Many will resist this truth for their entire lives, kicking against the pricks, but God will never compromise His Word for the sake of man-made institutions or doctrines. His standard remains unchanging, regardless of human attempts to redefine or contain Him. The Holy Ghost dwells in people like me, made by God, not mans hands, religions.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6. Men made religions make them flee and scatters them.  

The Power of the Holy Ghost

My own life stands as a living testimony to the transformative power of the Holy Ghost. Through the Spirit—described in Ephesians 6:17 as the very Word of God—His presence has not only guided and empowered me, but also enabled me to walk according to His truth. This work of the Holy Ghost is not just theoretical or confined to written creeds; it is an active force, shaping those who surrender to Him. ‘But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’ 1 Cor 9:27.

In stark contrast, the experiences of others—including Gary, previously mentioned—and the condition of many backslidden churches today, only serve as testimonies to the emptiness of religion without the Holy Ghost. Their lives, and the doctrines of various denominations and ministries, reflect adherence to mere 'articles of faith'—beliefs and descriptions of their powerless gods, that lack the true presence of the Holy Ghost. As the Scriptures affirm, ‘For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.’ 1 Cor 4:20. This distinction is crucial: while some cling to tradition and ritual, true faith is marked by the living, empowering presence of God’s Holy ghost through being baptised correctly as I myself who has the fire of God in me, will baptise you with the fire of God, to receive the Holy Ghost in you, the light of life.

 The people which sat in darkness Saw great light; And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death Light is sprung up. Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. The mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.

By grace alone, I have the Life, and shine the light, 'In him was life; and the life was the light of men.'

 'And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Deliverance from Deception and the Clarity of God’s Word

After seeking God earnestly in prayer—asking to be delivered from all forms of deception and lies—I experienced true deliverance by God Himself. It was not the intervention of any man or religious institution, but the Lord alone who freed me from the bonds of religion. ‘Therefore, if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.’ John 8:36. In that moment of deliverance, the Lord granted me a deeper understanding of His Word than I had ever known before. This newfound clarity opened my eyes to His truth and allowed me to see beyond the confines of tradition and man-made doctrines, confirming that genuine revelation comes directly from God. Not through another doorway. John 10:1, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.’ John 10:1. Sadly. These very nice people who run these institutions are not of God. Gen 3:15.

Finally... A Simple Prayer Answered

One day, while travelling on the number 48 bus to Belmont North, I reflected on how content I was with my life and my walk with God. I was genuinely grateful for what I had and the place God had brought me to, embracing the peace that comes from trusting in the Lord. As I got off the bus, I passed by a set of units that immediately caught my attention—they appeared so modern and impressive, especially compared to much of the housing I had seen, old 1950’s wooden built homes. Assuming these were private units, I looked up at one and quietly prayed, “Lord, I wouldn’t mind living in a place like that.”

At the time, there was a significant housing crisis, making such a request seem almost impossible. Yet, to my amazement, only five or six weeks later, I received an unexpected phone call from Housing. They said, “Mr Bradley, we have found a place for you to live, and you will like it.” God had provided just what I had quietly desired in my heart, demonstrating once again that He listens to even the simplest prayers of His people.

 Since September 2022, I have been living in that very same unit I had looked up to and prayed about, a spacious place with a balcony overlooking a grassy field. The housing office was unaware of my prayer until I shared my testimony with them. This experience continues to confirm that God is in control, providing for His children in ways that surpass understanding.

  The address where this remarkable answer to prayer took place is Unit 10/71 Old Belmont Road, Belmont North. 2280. There are meaningful signs associated with these details: in biblical numerology, the number 10 symbolises completion, 7 represents perfection, and 1 signifies God. The name “Belmont” translates to “Beautiful Mountain,” and it is significant to note that in scripture we are His beautiful mountains, God is described as dwelling in the north and within His people. This brings to mind the passage in Daniel 2:45, which speaks of the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, further affirming the spiritual significance of my calling, purpose and walk with God. Stretching it a bit but the area code 2280, when added together = 12. Twelve Disciples as I am one myself.

Warners Bay: A Place of Calling and Testimony

These days, I find myself spending a significant amount of time at Warners Bay—a place deeply meaningful to me, as it was where my mother lived for 36 years until her passing in 2016. One afternoon, after I’d bought some chips from the corner chippy along the Bay front, I was crossing the road when God spoke to me clearly: “This is where you belong.” This moment brought a profound sense of purpose, connecting my present journey with a greater calling at Warners Bay.

The name Warners Bay itself took on new significance for me—as a commission to “WARN” the backslidden church of Jesus Christ, urging repentance, turn back to your first love. This sense of mission is not without precedent. In 1770, some 254 years ago, God sent a Yorkshire man to Australia for His work. Now, in a remarkable parallel, I, Philip Norman Bradley—a Yorkshire man brought up just a few kilometres from Captain Cook’s birthplace, schooled in the same region, and from Whitby, North Yorkshire, the very place Cook set sail from—I have been sent back to Australia where I was born.

In this way, I see my journey as a testimony to the truth and a witness for Christ, following in the footsteps of those called before me. My presence in Warners Bay is not just a personal story, but a continuation of God’s purpose—a call to speak truth and bear witness to His work in this land.

May God bless you all abundantly who read my testimony of God's grace in my life, '''in the name''' of Jesus Christ. Who is in control and is faithful. For ever and ever. Amen.