The Tyranny of Social Media giants and Modern Persecution of the Church

 

The recent suspension of Emmanuel TV YouTube Channel never came as a surprise. It was as expected as anything else. Since this was not the first time YouTube has suspended SCOAN’s Channel on its platform. We even wrote an article then saying that this present YouTube Channel that is now under suspension will also be blocked. The only thing that is a surprise is while the SCOAN have not until now develop their social media platforms where the gospel and the marvellous works of Christ through the ministry of Prophet TB Joshua can be disseminated without restrictions.

It is time the Church of Christ starts thinking outside the box, there are some things that Christ will not do for us when he has already given us the grace to do it for ourselves. The Church cannot continue to rely on the mediums and platforms of the world to preach the gospel that they hate.

Let us stop acting as if we are ignorant of the world and its antics. We know they are not comfortable with the gospel of Christ and there is no way they will continue to allow their platform to be used to propagate that gospel.

They claim their actions were based on ‘hate speech’ from a deliverance video. A video which to a true believer is an inspiring testimony of transformation.

That which is an atmosphere of deliverance and freedom to the Church is hate speech to the world. Can’t we see the conflict? Who is the determiner of hate speech? Who makes owners of social media platform the judge in determining our value system? Are they not supposed to be neutral?  This is simply the tyranny of the social media giant. Because it happens to TB Joshua today those not mean it won’t happen to you tomorrow. The Church and the lovers of truth need to wake up and understand that the world is no longer hiding their hate against the gospel of truth. They are coming out boldly in waging their war against the Church of Christ.

TB Joshua never forces anyone to come to his Church. The man who was delivered from homosexuality come to The SCOAN on his own. He felt he was under bondage and came to the SCOAN where he believed he could get his freedom. And that freedom he received. How do that affect YouTube and any aggrieved group?

Is this suspension that is without any legal and legitimate bearing by those purporting hate speech, not themselves promoting oppression and persecution?

What about the United Nations fundamental human right that said “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”. Why do you want to impose your belief and thought on others? Are you angry with TB Joshua’s ministry because God is using him to reduce your population – the homosexuals?

The man that was delivered from homosexuality was matured enough to know what is best for him. You don’t force your belief on others. If you believe that what you stand for is good and true, why not allow everyone the choice to decide for themselves if they are comfortable with it or not. Instead of forceful imposition and coercion.

This is clear tyranny in public display and we need to recognise that the world has gone past this stage.

The management of YouTube should not allow themselves to be used irrespective of the pressure they may be getting from these groups and even if they have a stake in these issues. They have to understand that these are sensitive issues. Taken side and suspending Emmanuel TV’s YouTube Channel is not the best way to go. They should instead learn to stay neutral. They should learn to differentiate between business ethics and their prejudice. This is important not only for the integrity of their social media platforms but for the future. Always remember that the future is a mystery.

The Lord Shall Rebuke Satanic Cause OF Church Disunity

Evangelist Angela got it precisely right. She is a testimony herself. She is also a good and bold preacher. The new wave of persecution is more from within the so-called Church of Christ in Nigeria. The "Church of Christ" is being used in a very broad term here. It includes sects speaking evil of those things which they know not. What they know is what they are naturally, they are brute beasts, and corrupting themselves. As written in Jude 1: 9-13 they are people who have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward. They feed themselves without fear. They pollute the public mind with their self-made doctrine.

In the 1960s and up to the middle of the 1970s there was more unity amongst the Christian body in Nigeria with only the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) in the Northern region and the Scripture Union (SU) in the Southern regions of Nigeria. These two Christian organizations were able to groom young Nigerian Christians, and I am gladly a product of the FCS. But the unity was lost when religion became a big political weapon and economic source in Nigeria after Gen Gowon was removed by a coup. Individuals started forming their denominations, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was formed and blocks were created within CAN to cater to such group interests. It can be said that CAN was formed, not from a call from God to grow the Church, but from concerned Christians who believed then (and probably still now) that extra weapons would be needed for political purposes. Having established a body like CAN, the organizers also begin to think that they are to decide who belongs or not. It is not certain if the SCOAN would be admitted into their club, or which block could accommodate her.

The Advent of prophet TB Joshua of Synagogue Church, of All Nations (SCOAN) is a big headache for CAN and the various congregations that constitute that organization. Today in the internet unprintable things can still be found written about prophet TB Joshua or SCOAN, especially discouraging people not to go near. The persecution continued by banning broadcasting prophet TB Joshua healing services from government-owned Television stations, arrest and detention, fake news, false propaganda and many others. It is not expected that the atmosphere would change because the very foundation of CAN was different from doctrine teaching or moderation. Similarly, many congregations in Nigeria are becoming shopping centres enforcing tithe collections as the main doctrine and putting back to society absolutely nothing. They also expect that others should obey what they teach.

In all these happenings we shall continue to encourage prophet TB Joshua to be silent, except praying and watching. In 1 Samuel 2:9 we read that "God will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail". After all, it is not a competitive race but each person functioning according to the call given. Prophet TB Joshua has a very big call in the order of prophets like Elijah, Elisha or Daniel and hence should not be detracted to market noise. He is currently not busy himself going to praying for Presidents, governors, senators, etc, except if they come to him. We also think that the prophet will use Psalm 28:1 crying always into God "Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit". There is no compromise with the world because friendship with the world makes us God's enemy James 4:4.

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

PROPHET T.B. JOSHUA AND THE WORDS OF EVANGELIST ANGELA

BY Femi Fani-Kayode

I watched an inspiring, courageous, brilliant and highly anointed young American lady by the name of Evangelist Angela deliver a powerful and earthshaking message about how Christian's persecute other Christian's in Nigeria and the importance of Church unity and Christian solidarity last Sunday.

I watched it on Prophet T.B. Joshua's Emmanuel Television and it was preached at the SCOAN Headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos. 

The message, which was titled 'The New Wave of Persecution', was really gripping and it also touched on how T.B. Joshua himself had suffered injustice and persecution over the years. I urge every believer to go to YouTube and listen to Angela's sermon because it was not only deeply profound but also utterly inspiring.

There were however a few things that she left out which, in my view, ought to have been included. For example the fact that Joshua had his American visa cancelled in 2014 as a result of wickedness, envy and intrigue after the horrific bombing of one of his Church buildings which sadly resulted in the death of many of his members.

It is sad to note that not one Church leader expressed his or her condolences or comisserations to the Church or the Prophet after this tragic incident despite the massive loss of life. Instead it was the leaders of the Muslim community in Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto and many Emirs, that did so! 

Sadly, as if that were not bad enough, it got even worse! Some heartless Church leaders went as far as to petition the American Embassy to cancel the Prophet's American visa and used this terrible incident as their excuse and attempt to justify it!

They did this even though it was clear that the collapse of the building was not as a consequence of any wrongdoing on his part but rather as a result of a brutal act of pure evil and premeditated murder and terror by those who wanted him discredited and his Church closed down. 

It took the intervention of members of the American Congress, the State Department, numerous American Ambasadors, members of the American diplomatic corps and numerous American consular officials to resist the conspiracy and to ensure that his visa was restored. 

I spoke with Prophet T.B. Joshua after listening to Angela's message last Sunday and asked him why it was that he did not expose all this to the public in 2014. 

I also asked him why it is that he always keeps quiet, refuses to defend himself and says nothing when faced with the unrelenting, shameful and relentless criticism, misrepresentation, false allegations, vilification and persecution that he has suffered from other Church leaders over the years. 

This is all the more so given the fact that, in my view, such criticisms are borne out of nothing but pure envy.

He told me that he believes in the unity of the Body of Christ and that he did not want the Church to be divided hence his silence over the years. 

He kept emphasising the fact that in order for us to succeed as Christian's in Nigeria and save souls there must be love between and charity between Christians and Church unity. I was moved by his words but I must confess that I was not too happy about them. 

The kind of insults, false allegations, fabrications and wickedness that this great man of God has been subjected to over the years by others is simply unacceptable and had he been a lesser man it would have broken him. 

If God had not been with him he would have fallen long ago but instead he is going from strength to strength and his ministry has had a greater impact than that of any other Nigerian preacher in the international community. 

From South America, to South East Asia, to the Korean peninsular, to Israel, to Europe, to Africa and to North America he is respected, revered and loved and his impact in terms of preaching and spreading the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been extraordinary and outstanding. 

I have decided to write a book about this great man's remarkable and inspiring life, his struggles, his challenges and the sort of things that he has been subjected to over the years very soon. 

I will also expose the fact that the blowing up of his SCOAN Church building in 2014 was one of Nigeria's most heinous and terrible acts of terror and I shall expose those who I believe were behind it.

T.B. Joshua is a humble, gentle, reticent, forgiving, kind and patient man who refuses to join issues with his detractors and enemies and who instead focuses on the work that God has called him to do. 

I respect him immensely but I must confess that I do not share his disposition or inclination to say nothing when others seek to destroy and drag down. If I were in his shoes I would have hit them back long ago! 

I guess that the fact that he has refused to do so is what makes him so special and so much better than those of us that can be best described as lesser mortals. 

I am proud to call him my friend and brother, I wish him well in all his endeavours and I pray that the entire Body of Christ in Nigeria, together with our highly esteemed and reverred Church leaders, will have the humility, presence of mind and courage to learn from his shining example and Evangelist Angela's inspiring message of love, peace, solidarity and unity.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE MESSAGE BELOW: