The SCOAN is continually on an Ongoing Fight Against Satan

The team of prophets, evangelists, singers and even the congregation in the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos Nigeria, under the leadership of Prophet TB Joshua can be classified generally as a wonderful group of people filled with the Holy Spirit. This is globally one of the best congregations of our time. However, the entire SCOAN team has a unique mission of “Waging a Continually Fight Against Satan”. Whilst most of us don’t like to fight with the devil or avoiding any confrontation with him, probably because of it’s a supernatural and demonic being, SCOAN people do.

Unfortunately, Satan is an evil intruder and he comes like a roaring lion looking for you. He does not fight fairly, and he does not wait for an invitation. Prophet TB Joshua says Satan doesn’t hesitate to attack hence we should waste no time in casting all our everyday cares on God the Supreme Being. Even at this COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdown in congregational worship and gathering, SCOAN is unrelenting fighting Satan back whether Satan is close by or at a great distance. They coin it as “Distance is not a barrier for the move of God”. It is an awesome programme to be part of and to follow. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, some technology that assists them and the dedication of the team in SCOAN. As far as the congregation in SCOAN is concerned COVID-19 is a defeated foe and Satan knows it. 

On our part, we need to emulate SCOAN and stand up on our two feet and fight Satan back for every battle. The Bible is the perfect tool for recognizing and fighting the demonic attacks, generational curses, and strongholds that come against us. Be it COVID-19, an economic pandemic that will set in as a result of lockdown, job losses, deaths of loved ones, or even because of our weaknesses. It is necessary to recognize Satan’s fingerprints all over the places in our lives. Satan always tries to undermine our relationship with God. But James 4:7 says “…Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. How do we resist such a supernatural roaring lion? Ephesians 6:11-18 is very good to read. It says, “Put on the whole armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles (and the cunnings, tricks, intrigues, etcetera) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. . .”

Every moment, especially in this perilous time, it is necessary to protect ourselves, our friends, and our family from the devil’s attack and overcome Satan with the power of the Holy Spirit. We should by no means give way to him, by indulging any sin or yielding to any temptation, but oppose him, and stand against his wiles, his cunning and his power. We must have unshakable Faith and Trust in God and His Word. What difficulties will not our firm belief in God’s wisdom, power, and goodness get us over? Then be humble under His hand. Casting all your care; personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. Only faith can give that steadfastness - faith in Christ, the one Foundation, the Rock on which the Christian's house is built. We shall not take Satan’s guff anymore. It is in our power to stand up and fight back, in Jesus’ mighty name. Emmanuel

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

The Effectual Working of the Power of God in SCOAN

One of the cardinal ministries of Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and turning any man from being a hater of God into one who loves and obeys God. The things of God are foolishness to the natural man. Turning everyone into a new man who delights in God's ways, who daily enjoy living and walking with God becomes a ministry. According to the Apostle Paul, there is only one answer to be able to do that. It is the "effectual working" of the power of God. "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power", (Ephesians 3:7).

The life of Apostle Paul himself was a testimony of this power of God. Had he been left to himself he would still have been the persecuting and blaspheming Pharisee. Saul turned Apostle Paul, must have heard about the preaching of Christ, the preaching of Stephen and he knew all that Christians claimed. But he hated the good news. He saw nothing in it except blasphemy and to persecute the way of Christ. It's no surprise today that persecution comes to anyone that tries to preach Christ genuinely. But what eventually happened to this man Saul of Tarsus? Again there is only one answer.  He had been made a new man when he met Jesus. He had been regenerated, born again, became a new creation. This was the result of the effectual working of the power of God that we covet for all God’s missions today.

Without the effectual working of the power of God in any ministry no one can make anyone a Christian. A Christian means one who has had a rebirth, a regeneration. It is not the result of our decision only, it is not something that you and I decide to do. It is the effectual working of His power. Paul would never have been a Christian at all were it not for this power. But even after becoming a Christian, he would have been ineffective apart from this same power.

It is this same working power of God that is transforming people and Nations and preached in SCOAN. Prophet TB Joshua has been called into the ministry and given the gifts of the spirit that are requisite to the ministry. This is why he has an understanding of the truth, the power to speak, the power to teach and the power to do miracles. It is the promise of God that, "... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth", (Acts 1:8).

Hence every Christian must work together in one unit under this power of God, especially here in the SCOAN. Praying in one accord, waiting on the promise of God's power to be released on the Church for more exploits becomes our mission. Prophet TB Joshua teaches that we let Jesus Christ form Himself in us. In other words, submitting self absolutely to the Holy Spirit and being led by revelation daily.

Prophet TB Joshua has lived, served, loved and struggled for the church for his entire life. Therefore the challenges facing the Church of Christ in the 21st century should be dear to him to take on a responsibility of guarding the flock and caring for the Church of God (Acts 20:28), the more. The Church has drifted far from the Bible. In fact, Bible illiteracy is a major challenge whereby many people pay lip service to the importance of the Bible. People may not read it, know it or believe it. Others using it to teach may doubt its power. Instead, they live on phrases like "heaven helps those who help themselves", and on many carnal phrases not found in the Bible. Another challenge is that Christians are disconnected from one another, preferring to run as individual, denominations, and as sects.  Whereas Christians ought to be people of presence, connected to God and to one another through the inhabiting, unifying power of the Holy Spirit. The church must position itself as presenters of God’s presence in the world by raising a new generation of Church leaders based on the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

Unfortunately, capitalism has fully infiltrated the Church as another challenge to the extent that "church shopping” and “what I got from the sermon” are things we say without thinking anything of it. People go to Sunday services to “get something.” They choose churches that “fit them” and match their checklist of preferences and their circumstances. Churches are homogeneous, consisting respectively people of like minds. But churches must challenge rather than cater to this mentality. The church is a place where heterogeneous members of a body come together for purposes beyond themselves. It’s an invitation to join Christ in what He is already doing in the world, not an invitation for Christ to affirm our self-actualization. Of course, SCOAN is a peculiar Church whereby many are encouraged to come for special services. Nonetheless improved and healed Christians must return and be more effective in their respective homes and in their local churches as a testimony of their encounter with Jesus. Every challenge facing the Church of Christ is an opportunity for higher anointing in Christ Jesus. Emmanuel. 

      

Prof R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Egypt - Ethiopia Tension: It Is Time For TB Joshua To Get Involve

The colossal dam that’s being constructed by the Ethiopians has continued to generate tension between them and their Egyptian and Sudanese neighbours. Which many fear could lead to war.

The leadership of Ethiopia says that the dam will offer a critical opportunity to pull millions of her nearly 110 million citizens out of poverty. The project is said to be the centrepiece of Ethiopia's bid to become Africa's biggest power exporter.

The dam will be filled from waters from the Blue Nile, but the Egyptians have expressed their concern over the dam’s construction and the filling of the dam with the water from the Nile, arguing that it will reduce its legitimate share of Nile river water access and threaten its water security.

Sudan on their part stands to benefit from the project through access to cheap electricity and reduced flooding, but it has also raised fears over the dam's operation.

The US President Donald Trump had invited Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to start negotiations in Washington over the $4.6bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), following years of unsuccessful negotiations between the three countries. Unfortunately, they still could not come to a common ground.

Egypt has warned Ethiopia not to start filling the GERD under any circumstances, but the latest information coming out is that Ethiopia has started filling the dam. This move by Ethiopia comes as the latest round of talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the contentious dam ended with no agreement.

As the Prophet will say “Let us look beyond our palace for God’s authority. With God, all things are possible!”

Since the world government and their institutions cannot handle this issue, it is time for all parties involved to seek the help of God through the instrumentality of the Prophet T.B Joshua for a lasting solution.

TB Joshua has proven himself time without numbers through his intervention on several conflicts in the African continent and the world.

As of recent, the world was a witness to how God uses the Prophet to intervene as an instrument of peace in the nation of South Sudan.

It is time to invite the Prophet of God in the peace negotiation through the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) concerning the Blue Nile conflicts.

Voice of wisdom to the Egyptians, Sudanese and the Ethiopians.

Don’t fall for the evil agenda from the outsiders to cause you to fight amongst yourself. Be wise!

This battle is all about African pride and prosperity. And I don’t think anyone of you is against the prosperity of the other.

War will not benefit anyone. Don’t make yourself to be used by the outsiders to divide the continent and put you all against each other. Learn from your History!

Laying down your ego for the sake of peace is not diminishing. Restraint in the face of provocation only shows your level of maturity.

This is a simple issue that can be handled by God.

Africa is a Mother of peace and prosperity.  Not crisis and poverty. Come together as brothers, learn to compromise and see how you can be a solution and of help to each other. Let Love Lead!