Tongues at Pentecost, Deliverance and Testimonies at SCOAN

At Pentecost, all the nations gathered together. They heard and understood the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in their respective native languages.  It is always a great opportunity to experience and understand the Holy Ghost Person and His role in our everyday lives as Christians. Jesus had commanded His disciples to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father and that they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence, (Acts 1:4-5).

When the day of Pentecost fully came, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of "Every Nation Under Heaven", (Acts 2: 1-10).

The biggest miracle happening at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, (SCOAN), headed by its founder and Bishop, Prophet TB Joshua, is seeing someone receiving Jesus as their Saviour and witnessing a life transformation immediately. Personal salvation in Jesus Christ is the only miracle that has eternal value. At every meeting held by SCOAN, many lives are transformed from darkness to light, from waywardness to living straight in Christ Jesus. We also always witness instant signs and miracles that point people to Jesus Christ that loves them and truly setting captives free. People receiving healing instantly, others delivered from demonic powers and different types of affliction or from addiction to vices and ruinous ways of living. Their immediate uninfluenced confessions and testimonies are enough proofs of the power and presence of the Holy Ghost.

The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life globally and unprecedented challenges to personal and public health, food systems, unemployment and national productivities. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is incalculable. As part of its contribution to facing up to the challenges of the pandemic SCOAN organized a novel programme tagged, "Distance not a Barrier to the Move of God". Thousands of people have already benefitted from it because they believe. In continuation to further arrest the pandemic and its negative consequences Prophet TB Joshua introduced an "Advanced New Anointing Water" and distributing it across the globe. Nigeria is benefitting from this every weekend where Prophet TB Joshua brings Emmanuel TV partners to his very "Beautiful Prayer Mountain". It is hoped that each partner will become Christ's evangelist to their neighbourhoods across Nigeria. Freely we have received and freely we should also give. Whilst you keep watching Emmanuel.TV we also hope you will keep praying for Prophet TB Joshua and all men and women of God all over the world. It is then that we can experience the tongues, the healing, deliverance of the Holy Ghost and have personal testimonies. Emmanuel.

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

Looking Forward With Prophet TB Joshua for a Quick SCOAN Reopening

 

As we progress in the calendar year in this New Year, our expectations and hope for a better year become higher because of our faith in Christ Jesus who has called us to follow Him. Moreover, we expect a fresh beginning every day, and a new fellowship opportunity to increase our faith, despite that the heaviness of the past year 2020 is real. Many have suffered losses of family and jobs, lack of fellowship in isolation, loss of finances and health, and gave up their dreams in their isolation especially because of covid-19. The fellowship we take for guaranteed in the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), our Arena of Liberty, is becoming a prayer point as we want to be there again. Of course, our God offers hope in our struggle and help at our worst and hardest moments. Hence as we look forward into the unknown future, we can also look into God’s Word and find hope for the unexpected days ahead. In particular, Church reopening in some form has to be considered without delay and the form is what God shall tell our Prophet TB Joshua. The SCOAN has not surrendered either to the noisy mod crowd or to any covid-19, which are only mere challenges as the prophet himself knows, (James 1:2). We thank God for the New Anointing Water and the Ministry of “Distance Not a Barrier”. This is amazing and may God continually renew His anointing on Prophet TB Joshua for greater leadership. We also notice the dilemma the Church finds itself these challenging days, between the carnal and secular world always looking for condemnation and the lukewarm congregation.  The modern Christians the prophets of God have to deal with today is a people accepting the Grace of Jesus but rejecting the Law and the Righteousness of Jesus, or the Jews who accept the Law but rejecting the Saviour.  

Jesus reassured His disciples in (John 14:3) when He said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. This is a very weighty and strong hope for the downcast disciples as any are today. It’s a reminder that not only is there a day coming when Jesus will return for His children, but also the promise that He is preparing a heavenly home right now for all those who put their faith in Him for salvation. This gives the believers heart great help and hope as we look toward unexpected circumstances. No matter what comes our way or what struggles we encounter, one day we will reach our heavenly home and there will be no more pain or sorrow there. Therefore we shall not worry, “about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its trouble”, (Matthew 6:34).

It will be recalled however that in places where fellowship, schools, and institutions have reopened responsibility has been placed squarely on the shoulders of participants and other stakeholders. Closing institutions indefinitely is going to be more harmful to the society than its cause, covid-19. On this, we are so comfortable for the preparation of Prophet TB Joshua, both on prophetic ministry and provision of faith materials on the subject matter. Hence we encourage that people must be allowed into SCOAN freely to come and see that the Lord is good just as young prophets and the public need improved faith through challenging times like these.  Despite the challenges, we are “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we let our requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

On this occasion, Prophet TB Joshua can be likened to John the Baptist in many ways. John the Baptist did not mingle himself with the elites in Jerusalem schools but separated himself to become a crying voice in the wilderness waiting on God. He came out preaching repentance and baptism, (Luke 3:1-19). The SCOAN is a Holy Spirit movement requiring all of us to wait for the voice of the Lord and a movement taking Prophet TB Joshua to solitary places to learn and hear from God. We have enough evidence to know that many angels and working in the ministry together with the Holy Spirit. The SCOAN population would not allow any anxiety to creep into their minds and hearts. Prophet TB Joshua taught us that desperation or anxiety is a silent distraction that seems to live everywhere we look. May the Lord Jesus continually bless our prophet and the Church in his charge!

Emmanuel.

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

MY POSITION ON COVID-19 VACCINE - PROPHET TB JOSHUA

 

“Concerning the ongoing situation in the world, I have received thousands of emails on the COVID-19 vaccine. No doubt, there are many conspiracy theories surrounding this vaccine. However, my belief is that our governments are only trying to look for a way out of this very challenging situation, although there may be bad faith in certain quarters. Many people have complained of some negative reactions but this is always the case with vaccines of this nature. I remember I used to have such reactions whenever I took chloroquine. That does not mean chloroquine is bad. It works positively for many. At this time, our governments need our support and our cooperation – because the world is in a dilemma. God bless you. Emmanuel!” - Prophet TB Joshua

Appraisal of TB Joshua Ministries in the Year 2020

 

In the secular world, the year 2020 may go down in history as the worst year ever, at least to those of us living in it now. It started with great flames that destroyed over 46 million acres in Australia, racial unrest broke out in the USA fueling more disunity in that community, record-breaking hurricanes in many places, and then covid-19 pandemic raged across the planet. Across the globe, covid-19 has infected some 80 million and killing more than 1.7 million people so far and it is still unabated. Despite the introduction of different types of vaccines, the world is experiencing a second wave of the virus, and the emergence of new strains reported to be more contagious than a previously-known strain. The year 2020 was a terrible, horrible, and a very bad year in the eye of any natural man. Covid-19, rather than the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus, or world unrest due to wars in hot spots, the new challenges facing democracy especially from the aftermath of US 2020 presidential election, the growing social inequalities across the globe, growing large scale of unemployment, hunger, homelessness, general poverty, etc; covid-19 alone makes the headlines in the news media in 2020.

The prophetic ministry of TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Lagos Nigeria, from the beginning, described the year 2020 as "A Year of Humility" he said would be starting from March 2020. At that time nobody saw covid-19 in the horizon nor that it could cause the lockdown of even SCOAN normal worship programmes; services we had all come to value. Covid-19 is no respecter of any person, continent nor race. It has come to humble world Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings and the Princes, and the same way as an ordinary man on the street. Worship places and learning institutions were locked down for most of the year. It has been a humbling year indeed as prophesied by TB Joshua.

Nevertheless, in October 2020 the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit sent a special invitation to Prophet TB Joshua to come to his country for the prophetic intervention of peace. It would be recalled that Prophet TB Joshua had prophetically intervened in that country the year before. South Sudan, the youngest nation, is also one in which the world organizations have been trying to negotiate peace but where human wisdom is failing. But God has the final answer and can use Prophet TB Joshua. We believe that God will honour Himself and establish peace in South Sudan.

Another milestone recorded by SCOAN in 2020 was the "Distance is Not a Barrier to the Move of God". This slogan is not new in the scripture but we don't know any other ministry in history that has used it in the scale of SCOAN. Jesus Himself used it in an encounter He has with the centurion who came to receive healing for his servant, (Matthew 8:8-13). The centurion had come and said to Jesus "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof. Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed". Jesus said unto the centurion, "Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee". His servant was healed in the selfsame hour. This is a ministry Emmanuel TV used during this covid-19 to heal many of her viewers of diverse illnesses, with covid-19 just a special case. In (Ezekiel 12:24-25) the Lord has said, "I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it".

Hence for the Church of Christ in SCOAN, under Bishop TB Joshua, it would be said that the year 2020 had many challenges but everything therein was for the glory of God. In human terms, we try to estimate how many people would have benefitted from the free but divine services of SCOAN if there had been no lockdown but we'd run out of calculations. SCOAN Arena is a typical Church and for those who believe a Spiritual Clinic at the same time. Those healed by faith and prayers become as if nothing has ever happened to them. Jesus Christ the Christmas born Messiah of God's people shall continually heal us, now and in the coming years. The year 2020 might have truly been very humbling, even for the Church of Christ, the global health, every economy, every institution, and every individual, but it has been "as the prophet said it would be". We also know that this prophet may have a message for the world about the coming year. We encourage us to listen to what God may be saying. Happy New Year and may God keep you, bless you and make His face shine on you in 2021.

Emmanuel! God Is With Us!

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

Where is the One Who has Been Born King of the Jews?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Wisemen (the Magi) from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him, (Matthew 2:1-2). The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has become a major destination for pilgrims looking for Jesus, especially at Christmas. People come to spend Christmas and New Year with Prophet TB Joshua in SCOAN because they know that they will find Jesus in that Arena. Tourists from all over the globe come to SCOAN to seek God's intervention for one reason or another and to pray with His prophet there. This 2020 Christmas, defined by covid-19, is going to be different and making the well known Arena of Liberty less busy and less noisy of our joyful praises and dancing. When the prophet refused to open after the Lagos State permitted worship places to reopen we were not too happy. But prophet TB Joshua insisted chooses to wait on God to order the reopening. We didn't know at that time that covid-19 would have a second wave stronger than the first wave with a new strain of the virus, and possibly more subsequent waves ahead. The prophet is correct after all.

The Wisemen from the East went straight to Jerusalem to the palace of King Herod looking for Jesus, the New Born King. When King Herod heard the news, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Today the kingdom of darkness is not rejoicing that the Promised King, prophesied by many prophets, had been born. Even Balam said about this King, "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A Star will come forth from Jacob, and a sceptre will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth, (Numbers 24:17). Jeremiah also said, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise for David a Righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land, (Jeremiah 23:5). Zechariah also said, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey", (Zechariah 9:9). Despite all the prophecies when King Herod heard that another King was born he was still disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. For us, we shall rejoice and sing, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest", (Luke 19:38). As for Christians all over the world we'll continually sing, "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things", (Psalms 98:1).

Now the 21st Century Church of Christ is facing increasingly numerous challenges. Prophet TB Joshua is nevertheless one of the Church leaders we can describe as serving, loving and struggling for the good of the "Complete and Balance Teaching" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ The church is near and dear to his heart, and he spears no effort or amount in making sure the true gospel goes out. He has also continued to raise many apostles of standing, with sound knowledge of this Jesus of Nazareth, who also is the Christ of Christmas. Some of the challenges also include the prevailing society that is only willing to raise the class of church it wants and to listen only to whatever it wants to hear; instead of the Church where Jesus Christ will be present or preaching what the congregation needs to hear. Our inability to live by biblical teaching makes the Church biblically illiterate and ineffective. On this, we thank God that Prophet TB Joshua has continued to impact on the global society that living by the Word of Jesus Christ brings Jesus into our situation always and making doing exploits, for and in Jesus' name, like mere spoken words. It is our prayers that 2021 will produce a Christ Church that is led by revelation from above and not by sight nor mere motivational speakers. Hence if you are looking for Jesus, look into the scriptures and you will find Him therein. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me", (John 5:39).

Emmanuel!!

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

God Wouldn't Hide What He is doing from His Holy Prophets

God is still saying something and this has become part of Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and his ministry of prophecy. Hence when you hear the word "Prophet TB Joshua” what comes to your mind? Do you think of a man with some mystical powers that enable him to see the future? Or does your mind go to the Bible, thinking of high-profile prophets like Samuel, Elijah, Daniel or John the Baptist? It is a great honour to be chosen as a prophet of God, God's spokesperson of any generation. The position demands total obedience to God, courage, diligence and selflessness; and fortunately, God is always with them every step of their usual hard way. They don’t have to rely on their human strength, wisdom, opinion, or confidence, otherwise, they may derail and fail.

The Bible mentions several occasions when God spoke to His people. For example in (Genesis 18:17);  The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" Also, God called out to Adam in the garden, even though He knew where he was hiding (Genesis 3:9). God spoke as a man to Abraham, even though He already knew how the conversation would proceed (Genesis 18:1–3). Jeremiah said that "The Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:9-11).

The events in Genesis 18 is very appropriate here where the Lord visited Abraham and his wife Sarah. When Abraham saw three men coming he ran to meet them cheerfully and generously entertained them. After the entertainment and the further confirmation of the birth of Isaac, the men got up to leave and Abraham walked along with them. They were now four "men" standing and looking at the city of Sodom, a city that would soon be in flames, in the distance from a high vantage point. One of the four men was Abraham. One was the Lord in human form. The other two were angels, travelling companions of the Lord on this mysterious journey. By this time, Sodom had already gained a reputation for wickedness (Genesis 13:13). God chose to make Abraham aware so he would be all the more convinced of God's power and sovereignty. This patient process would also emphasize the extent to which Sodom had fallen.

Today prophecy is confused with forecasting or prediction and prophet confused with terms like a seer, future teller, etc. In science, we build models for prediction and forecasting. The prophecy that comes from the Lord is where God makes His plans known to man for the congregation to be edified and to appreciate the awesome power and sovereignty of this Almighty God. Prophet TB Joshua has many gifts of the Holy Spirit including the gift of prophecy. Every God's gift is after all for the edification of the Church of Christ. A human model built for forecasting the future trend, say covid-19, is deemed good enough if it gets it right 70% or more whereas prophecy is the exact revelation of God's plans because God puts His Word in the mouth of the prophet.

For instance, the rest of the world had predicted that Africa would be a major death centre of covid-19 but God has been kind to Africa to this period because God's prophet is here in Africa. The estimated population of Nigeria is 209 million while that of the USA is 332 million. The officially reported death statistics due to covid-19 in Nigeria currently is 1184 given a per capita death rate of 5.67 per million. Similarly, the USA has at this moment recorded 285351 deaths from covid-19 and a per capita death rate of 859.49 per million. Even the vaccines being produced around the world are too expensive for most Africans to buy. It must be that there is at least a prophet of God in Africa. Prophecy is walking with God and hearing from God and relaying God's message as sent. Abraham was able to plead for the release of his nephew Lot and his household otherwise they might have gone with Sodom firework of God. God is still actively saying something audibly through the prophet in SCOAN.

EMMANUEL!!! GOD WITH US!!!

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

Missing the Glorious Fellowship and the Presence of God Enjoyed in SCOAN

 

In (Luke 9:28-36) Jesus took Peter, James and John, and went up into a mountain to pray. As Jesus was praying, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. There talking with Jesus were two great men of history, Moses and Elijah. These men appeared in glory, to speak of the death which Jesus should accomplish at Jerusalem. Unfortunately, Peter, James and John were deep in sleep, as many Christians are today. In (Hebrews 6-11), it says, “We will never know some things because of tired eyelids, we will never know some things because of carnal thinking”. They couldn't see or record everything for us because they went to sleep. When they eventually awoke, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men that stood with Him. Peter said unto Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles. One for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias". While Peter thus spake, there came a cloud that overshadowed them. They feared as they entered into the cloud. A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son: hear him".

In many similar ways, we receive the word of God from Prophet TB Joshua, the man of God in the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN. God is using him and God is working out what He purposes us to be if only we will obey God's word. One significant point being missed by many people in Nigeria, and across the globe, is the lack of appreciation either to God or even to Prophet TB Joshua for providing a holy arena like SCOAN for worship, healing, restoration, blessing and renewal of faith. Since the advent of covid-19, I have run out of the calculation of how many people should have visited Nigeria across the globe through SCOAN and be healed. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, an avenue to reach out to rescue the perishing and the dyeing was opened to SCOAN tagged "Distance is not a Barrier". It can't replace canonical mass worship, corporately praying together, or climbing the SCOAN altar in multitude with faith and joy of the Lord, or going to Prayer Mountain with other Christians all over the world. We miss SCOAN and like Peter, we are truly saying, "It is good to live in SCOAN".

To Peter, it was a titanic stupendous occasion that three of them were privileged to be part of, out of the twelve. Those three men were privileged and chosen and set apart and allowed to be in a little portion of what took place on that mountain top. Peter recorded it that he was an eyewitness of the Majesty of Jesus Christ when they were with Jesus in the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:16-19). We are praying along with Prophet TB Joshua and looking forward to a time of Fellowship together in SCOAN the in the Arena of Liberty.  Emmanuel

 

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

 

Have a Deeper Relationship with Jesus

 

Who is Jesus to you? Is Jesus alive and near in your life? Believing in Jesus is it an option or a necessity for individual salvation? Until we know who Jesus is His place in the universe, why He became flesh and blood, why He died and resurrected, why He ascended to heaven and promised to come back again, His entire message and the work of His Holy Spirit, one may not see Jesus as He truly is. Until we have Jesus forming Himself within us and we accept Him fully we may never be able to operate in the full level of our possibility and capacity. Presently the level of relationship individual Christians have with Jesus can vary greatly from person to person, even from sect to sect. Just because one has been converted, and become a Christian, doesn’t necessarily mean that one has a deep and intimate relationship desired with Jesus. It is necessary to walk out your salvation, build and maintain a loving intimate relationship with Jesus on a moment to moment basis, and continually. The concern of Prophet TB Joshua on this issue of "Building and Maintaining an Intimate and Deep Relationship with Jesus", he has expressed in multiple ways using several faith-building materials. The latest is SCOAN's ongoing programme captioned, "Distance is not a Barrier for the Move of the Holy Spirit". Prophet TB Joshua, the Bishop of SCOAN, is a man of God full of dynamic and living faith in Jesus. He takes challenges like COVID-19, and all others, to grow his ministry. This is an excellent example of having a living relationship with Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus would require more than reading the Bible, praying to God and going to church every Sunday. It goes beyond taking Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is our example to follow, and we should do our best to live as He did depend only on His Holy Spirit. For example, under the exposition of SCOAN’s “Distance is not a Barrier" we are brought to the fact that despite that Jesus is in heaven and we are here, our different relationship with Jesus isn't “distant”. The Bible, however, speaks about an intimate and dynamic relationship with Jesus. Jesus is, after all, a Person, the Son of God, He has an earthly mother, He is not someone who once lived on the earth and now is far away, but a person who is alive and can be very near. "He, Himself, was tempted in all points just as you are, but overcame sin and death", (Hebrews 4:15; Romans 6:8). Because of His faithfulness, He has all the power and grace to help us to overcome the sins in our life. Therefore our relationship with Him can be full of life, (not something lifeless and stagnant), because He Himself is alive, (Revelation 1:18). Hence believe that an intimate relationship with Jesus is possible and enter into such a relationship for everything spiritually speaking. This is a product of one’s faith.

A relationship with Jesus is not one-sided. Jesus makes this clear when He says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him", (John 14:23). It is the relationship that Jesus and the Father want to come and make their home within us individually. This is the relationship that we ought to have with Him. Again Jesus says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him”, (John 14:21). Have you ever thought that Jesus wants to manifest (reveal) Himself to you? That promise is given to those who love Him and keep His commandments. So it is clear that such a revelation of Jesus is meant to occur throughout our lives as Christians and not only at the beginning of our Christian life.

Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me”, (Revelation 3:20). He says “anyone.” Doesn’t that include you? When we build a close relationship with Jesus, we begin to see things through His eyes. It is a bond that is forged in love and nurtured through continual communication and trust. By putting our complete faith in Christ Jesus and the outcome of all of our affairs, we are inviting Him into our life with loving trust and friendship. As this relationship deepens, we begin to see how God truly does oversee our growth, how He steers our course as we navigate our way through this lifetime.

Many people still confess about the "problem that has brought them to SCOAN". Rather we want the world to see Jesus as the first thing to have for a deeper and successful close walk with God. A close and intimate walk with Jesus is the only way a prophet like TB Joshua can accomplish effectively the mission of Jesus in this era of carnality and unbelief generation. Prophet TB Joshua is not alone on this journey. God is there to oversee and lovingly direct his path. Similarly, as we build our relationship with Christ Jesus, our trust and faith are rewarded with spiritual strength, love, knowledge, and peace. We shall find ourselves emulating the very characteristics that God displays toward us including a significant capacity to extend love, forgiveness, understanding, and compassion toward our self and others. May your heart find great peace through your relationship with Jesus and be transformed in ways you never even dreamed were possible. Emmanuel

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

Walking by Faith with Jesus and Be on God’s Side

 

In (2 Corinthians 5:7) Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians that "We walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT.'' The desire and plan of God for each of us is "how to disciple us to learn how to live by faith, not by sight". God wants us to learn how to live in a loving relationship with Him, to recognize His voice and commune with Him, to discover His will for our lives, to make right decisions to follow His direction and to live out His perfect plan demonstrated to us in His only Son, Jesus Christ. Hence walking by faith is simply being where God is and doing what God is doing. It is necessary to learn how to walk by faith, not by sight, because, "whatever is not of faith is sin,'' (Rom. 14:23), and also because, ''without faith, it is impossible to please God,'' (Heb. 11:6).

The public may not understand fully what God is doing, especially in the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos Nigeria. The carnal man is walking by sight alone, or the natural man is being controlled by sight, and not by faith. Even to receive from God through the Ministries of SCOAN, or from the Bishop of SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua, individual needs to come and exercising faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. Therefore walking by faith, (and not by sight alone) with Jesus in this pilgrim way is a continuous process for every degree of Christians. Walking by sight means to depend on human sufficiency, human wisdom, human ingenuity, human calculation, and so on. Whereas walking by faith means depending on Christ's sufficiency, Christ's wisdom, His power, His direction, and His enablement. ''It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man'', (Psalms 118:8).

The people walking with God by faith are on the Lord's side. For example, in the wilderness the people of Israel departed God to worship a golden calf they fashioned for themselves whilst Moses was on the Mount. After reproving with that guilty nation, Moses called out, "Who is on the Lord's side?" When we walk away from God we become God's adversary and no longer on the Lord's side. In this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic SCOAN has been reaching out to every corner of the globe offering prayers and healing to people in their homes or kept in isolation centres. The same hand of fellowship is still being stretched out by SCOAN to every people in isolation centres including to Nigeria, Prophet TB Joshua's homeland. But it's only a few people walking in the spirit by faith that would see that the Right hand of God is Power and that it can save, it delivers and it can heal. It seems that Nigeria is not only infected by a multitude of religious sects it is also infected by divisions within sects, between sects, and with people walking only by sight. Many believe more on what they can see, touch, whatever they read, and many think of God as One to be on their side. Rather it is that the name of the Lord is a strong Protective Tower and the righteous runs there for salvation. Take the step now and run to God's side for protection, healing and deliverance.

Fortunately for Nigeria, and according to the official figures from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Nigeria Covid-19 update as at 2 September 2020 indicates a total of 54439 confirmed infection cases, 42439 recovered cases and 1027 deaths. This gives a death rate of those with outcomes to be 2.4%, and net active cases 10973. From the position of science, this is an encouraging update with no major course for further alarm, the curve is turning. Hence the public will have the false impression not to be in a hurry calling out people in isolation centres, (almost empty centres), to any prayer line. But from the spirit, and even if there is no single active case in the land, Jesus is saying after our healing "to go and sin no more". He is also encouraging us that if COVID-19 hasn't condemned us to death Jesus hasn't either. It is not Jesus that condemns but our sins, our selfish desires, our weaknesses and our inability to walk by faith with God.

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