Coronavirus Maybe Only the Tip of the Iceberg for the Era of Humility

 

With the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, many Christian sects are predicting that the end of the world is at hand. Of course, Christian prophecies about the coronavirus, about locust swarms, about a socioeconomic pandemic, or the consequent era of humility are worthy of attention. Prophet TB Joshua, the Bishop of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, (SCOAN), Lagos Nigeria, has spent considerable time drawing the attention of the world to what God has been showing to him. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected more than 25 million people globally since it emerged and has been branded a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Several conspiracy theorists and some Christian groups have responded by flooding social media in recent months with their versions of warnings of the world’s fiery demise. Hence both Christians and world scientists believe that they have a say on world affairs, especially as relates to the end-time plagues. Nevertheless, there is still no convergence of opinions so far but that the coronavirus shouldn’t be viewed as the end-time plague. The giant swarms of locusts which are also devastating, extremely unusual storms, earthquake and volcanic activity are both on the rise, and other very dangerous diseases that are sweeping across the globe are referred to as other signs that are confounding human knowledge.

The situation which Prophet Habakkuk faced in his time was the imminent invasion of the Southern Kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians, also known as the Chaldeans. This invasion eventually happened and Jerusalem fell to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Lord revealed to Habakkuk beforehand that Judah was going to be punished for her sin by the Chaldeans. Unlike prophets Joel, Zephaniah or Amos, Habakkuk did not even mention the possibility that destruction could be averted by repentance. He did not call for national repentance. It was too late. Instead, he predicted the destruction of Judah, and beyond that the doom of the Chaldeans themselves. Prophet Habakkuk promised that the only way to preserve our life through the judgment was by faith. Hence, even though destruction is decreed for all the nations of the world now, there is hope for individuals who hold fast their confidence in God. The full-blown doctrine of justification by faith, taught by Apostle Paul in Romans and Galatians, is the seed here and for our instruction. The just (righteous, faithful, true and obedient follower of Jesus) shall live by faith. There is hope for those who will hold firm their trust in God as the calamity comes, COVID-19 or otherwise.

Prophet TB Joshua’s measuring instrument of the just, the righteous, the true obedient servant of Jesus is in his or her degree of “letting go any offence, then constant meditation on the Word, and praying without ceasing”. The world is truly passing through a big storm and uncharted terrain but there is hope for those who will hold firm to their unshaken faith in Christ Jesus. We have two messages from Prophet Habakkuk. The first message is that proud person, people whose strength or ingenuity is their god (Habakkuk 1:11, 16, 2: 4, 19), will come to a woeful end, even though they may enjoy prosperity for a season either as God’s chosen ones in Judah or as the victors over Judah. All the proud, whether they are Jew or Gentile, men or women, they will perish in the unending ongoing judgment of God. The second message of Prophet Habakkuk is that the just shall live by his faith as a principle (Habakkuk 2:4). Finally, the prophet celebrates it as his song in (Habakkuk 3:16–19). Prophet Habakkuk says, “Even when all the fruit and produce and flocks and herds are destroyed and my very life is threatened, yet will I rejoice in God.” Hence banking our hope on God no matter what and all shall be well. Emmanuel

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

Go to TB Joshua of SCOAN, and do what He Tells You

 

We read in Genesis 41 about Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, sold by ten of his brothers at a slave price to Egypt. But in time Joseph survived the ordeals in the pit, in Potiphar's house and in the prison to become a ruler in Egypt. In Genesis 41:41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." Joseph was now the Prime Minister in Egypt with enormous authority and powers. The famine period Joseph predicted had come and "When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you," (Genesis 41:55). Similarly, when Jacob (Joseph’s father in Canaan) found out that grain was for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you keep looking at each other? I’ve heard there’s grain for sale in Egypt. Go there (to Joseph) and buy some for us so that we won’t starve to death", (Genesis 42:1-3). Hence you come to Joseph. After all, you know that he will solve your hunger, go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you to do because you have faith in him.

In John chapter 2: 1-11 we read that Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus Himself and His disciples, we're called to a wedding ceremony. They ran out of wine and the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, "They have no wine". Jesus' mother did not ask Him to make, buy, or create more wine. She simply told Him what her concern was, and told others to follow His lead. His mother saith unto the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it". It is significant to note that Mary didn't ask for anything in particular. She did, however, told the servants to listen and to obey His instructions. Mary seemed content to trust in God's plans, even when she didn't know all the details. All she knew was that we should "Go to Jesus" for every one of our numerous concerns. Mary had absolute faith in Jesus, even though she was His mother. She recognized Jesus as the Messiah that would solve our burden by going to Him.

At several other occasions, individuals went to Jesus with their troubles and concerns for healing, for more understanding, even to truly known if He was the Promised Messiah. For example, in (Matthew 14: 21-31) where Jesus walked on the sea but His disciples thought It was a ghost. Jesus reassured them saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So Jesus said, “Come.” As long as Peter kept his focus on Christ, he could do the impossible, and walking on the sea to meet Jesus.  But once he began walking by sight, fear gripped him. Under the control of doubt or fear, Peter was no longer able to do the impossible. Hence everyone should come to Jesus without fear, doubt or any anxiety because He is the Messiah of the universe. Go to Jesus.

Today across the globe many people are coming to see Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, in Lagos Nigeria or meet him in any of his International Crusades. Jesus had faced our helplessness before with compassion. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36)". There is a lot of love and compassion when you come to SCOAN, known by many as Arena of Liberty. Despite the long queue and the big crowd of people to be encountered by those who will eventually make it to the Arena of Liberty about 99% of others who wish to come are hindered. Many listen to advice from other pastors, friends, or reading the internet largely owned by the devil and his agents. Many come only because of their problems and for other unholy motives. We recommend that you come to Jesus as you believe that He loves and doesn't want you to perish in the consequences of your sin.

When Pharaoh told them to "Go to Joseph" he knew that Joseph had the answer. Similarly when Mary the mother of Jesus told the servants to "Go to Jesus and do whatever He tells you to do" she had no iota of doubt. She knew how far she'd come with Jesus and that Jesus is not just her son but "the Son of God, the Messiah". Hence come to Jesus and whatever He tells you please do it. The people in SCOAN are generously telling each person to join a Living Church, a church where Christ presence and supremacy is acknowledged, recognized, preached and worshipped. Many still look at Baby Jesus in the manger, as the Crucified One. Yes, but Jesus is the Mighty God, the Saviour of the world, Messiah the King, the One that was, that is and Who is coming soon. Come to Jesus. Finding who Jesus is in SCOAN may assist you to have a closer walk with Him, that is if you will only come. Emmanuel

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

There is a Prophet of the Lord in SCOAN

As we celebrate the 58th Birthday of the Man in the Synagogue, Prophet TB Joshua, many of us already know him as a Prophet of the Lord. Today, just as in the days of King Ahab of Israel there are many self-acclaimed prophets in every town. Remember that Jesus Christ is the Forever Prophet and He has appointed some prophets for our time too. 

In 2 Chronicles 18, we read a very interesting story about King Ahab and his guests. The king of Judah at that time was Jehoshaphat, very wealthy and greatly respected. Jehoshaphat had made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honour Jehoshaphat and those who came with him. He persuaded him to join in an attack against Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle.” Then Jehoshaphat added, “First seek an oracle from the Lord.” So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, “Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” They said, “Attack! God will hand it over to the king.” But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here that we may ask him?”  The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always a disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things!” The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah". As it turned out the first 400 prophets were false, prophesying only property, what people want to hear, but prophet Micaiah was a prophet of the Lord.

As of June 12, 2020, the number of self-proclaiming prophets from various Christianity sect alone operating in Lagos State, Nigeria, Africa or globally is unknown but could be in hundreds of thousands. The king Ahab in various State headquarters worldwide raised many of them and paying them. In Daniel chapter 1 we come across Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who built a house for his god, created a King's College to train his eunuchs, people skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace. Daniel was among them. Every generation needs prophets of the Lord. A prophet is a person who receives a divine message and speaks to other human beings on behalf of a deity. They are called by God to serve God, they are humans like others though may have their unique areas of interest and characteristics. In the order of hierarchy, we have as topmost the God Head (where Jesus belongs), the Holy Angels of God, fallen angels (where Satan is head), the Holy Prophets of the Lord, then the Apostles, etc. We don't know where to classify the fallen angels since the Holy prophets have power over them and can cast them out. We witness Prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN doing this casting out and pulling down the gates of darkness. He does his own in a scale that resembles the days of the early Apostles. People who work close to him are taping in the anointing.

How did King Jehoshaphat of Judah recognise that they needed to hear from a prophet of the Lord after listening to 400 prophets of King Ahab, his in-law? How can we recognise the prophets of the Lord today? Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?"

We are celebrating TB Joshua because he is a lover of people, a helper to the helpless, a preacher and teacher of the Word, and so on, including the fact that he is a Prophet of the Lord of time. Anyone may wish to study the number of very difficult cases TB Joshua had solved for many individuals, between families, within and between nations. We think that if he had been appointed a national chairman of eg COVID-19, like Joseph who solved a famine for Egypt, or like Daniel who interpreted dreams with solutions, or Elisha who helped a widow overcome her debt, Prophet TB Joshua could solve such national problems. Being a prophet isn't just future telling or forecasting and predictions that are done in mathematical sciences using models, but hearing from God and telling the public what was heard. Science may be wrong many times because the underlying conditions on which our models are built can change, but the prophets of the Lord are always right. EMMANUEL!!!

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