Behold Its Good Tidings of Great Joy from SCOAN

The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)

Bethlehem, in Hebrew, is "Bet Leḥem" or “Town of Bread”. It is currently a town in the West Bank,  in the Judaean Hills about  5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary had to ride on a donkey,  from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a journey of about 160km. The journey is called a Nativity Trail. Prophet Micah (5:2) had prophesied concerning the birth of King Jesus in Bethlehem. In this modern-day, Bethlehem is still famous for being the place of Jesus Christ's birth and has been celebrated in Christmas Carols and Hymns through the centuries. The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is joining others around the globe to celebrate this 2021, the first one without our Founder Prophet TB Joshua.

It was like the days of Ezra (1:1) when the time for the return of Israel from captivity came to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation. Similarly when the time came that Jesus would be born, and as prophesied, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that everyone should be taxed in their own native city. It was a divine order that took Joseph up from Galilee together with Mary into Bethlehem, also called the city of David, because he was of the house and lineage of David. Therefore whatever is happening around the world, or whatever is happening to us at SCOAN, is a divine order from above. Things may seem less pleasant but everything is divine from above. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way, (Psalms 36:23). God's Will shall always be done.

The time when Jesus was born were not days of modern live-television broadcasts and news media as we have today. However, God had made all the necessary arrangements for the Good News to be preserved for all generations. There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. The angel of the Lord came upon them. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were sore afraid. The angel said to them, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". The angel left them with detailed descriptions of where they would find the baby Jesus. In addition, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and singing.

The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see and confirm what the Lord had made known unto them. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. They made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All who heard their story wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Who is this Jesus that ordinary shepherds had the privilege to see and witness for? Wise men came with all their riches, experience and age to worship baby Jesus and to present highly symbolic precious gifts. A devoted old man Simeon took the baby Jesus up in his arms, and blessed God, and saying, "My eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel". Who is this Jesus?

In this Christmas, it is desired that God should kindly open our spirit mind to see what the angel, the host of heaven, the shepherds, the Wise Men from the East, old Simeon, what they see about this Jesus and sang and worship. Obviously, they saw beyond a mere baby in Mary's arms. They saw Jesus as the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the one with the key of David, they saw an Infinite Being. Apostle Paul (Philippians 2:5-11) admonishes us to humble ourselves with the humble mindset in Christ Jesus. That Jesus is the form of God that has humbled Himself to take the form of ordinary man for our salvation. God also has highly exalted Him and has given Him a name that is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the Jesus of Prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN. This Jesus gives us confidence not only to wish everyone a Merry Christmas but also the "Good Morning and Win Today".

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

Who is This Jesus of Christmas to You?

 

Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, a predominately Gentile area, located some 25 miles north of Bethsaida where Jesus had just healed the blind man, (Mark 8:22-26). Here is where Jesus asked his disciples, saying, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some say Elias; and others say Jeremias or one of the prophets". Then Jesus asked His disciples, "But whom say ye that I am?" Their spoke man Simon answered and said, "Thou art the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God", (Matthew 16:13-16). Jesus didn't ask this question, “Do you have any idea who I am?” to throw His weight around, or because He wasn’t sure of His identity, rather He asked the question to help His disciples come to the right knowledge.

Today our lives continue to be filled with questions, relevant or irrelevant, some will have answers but many others are unanswerable. Some of the questions are very mundane and routine. For example, people may be asking questions such as, "Who is TB Joshua?", "Is TB Joshua human?", "Are there angels in SCOAN", "What food does TB Joshua eat", "Are these miracles real?" etc. Other questions may be helpful and very relevant, "Can you arrange for me to see TB Joshua please?", "When does SCOAN have its next prayer line service that I can attend?", "Will God forgive my many sins?", "Is it true that Jesus is the Son of God? etc.

Jesus responded to Simon and said unto him, "Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, (Matthew 16:17-19). A correct answer to every question earns a lot of credit points whereas inability to come to the right answers is a failure with all its consequences. Simon got it right and the foundation to build the Church, got a new prophetic name as Peter, the keys to open and to lose, with open access to heaven.

Everyone needs to know whom Jesus is and accept and worship Him based on a true conviction. Even in Jesus' time, not every voice in that day was lifted against Him. Some people knew Who He was and proclaimed Him openly. For instance, John the Baptist got it right, (John 1:29-34), the Angels got it right, (Luke 2:9-14), the old man Simeon got it right, (Luke 2:25-35), old Mama Anna got it right, (Luke 2:36-38), the dying thief got it right, (Luke 23:42), the Roman Centurion got it right (Mark 15:39), the blind man got it right, (John 9:38), the crowds outside Jerusalem got it right, (John 12:1), and even the demons got it right, (Mark 5:7). What are people saying about Jesus in our day? Or what are you saying about this Jesus, Who is He to you?

Merry Christmas. Emmanuel

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