founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations
Prophet TB Joshua paid tribute to the 116 people who
died in his church's building collapse which occurred
on September 12th 2014. He said the death of the 116
people who were mostly South Africans was an
unavoidable call and that nothing happens without
the knowledge and approval of God.
"It is important to remember that we are members of
a family - the family of God. Consequently, for an
occasion like this, God should be the Invitee.
My people, we are here because of our loved ones,
who fell asleep in the bosom of the Lord. Our faithful
and true God will bring them with Jesus, a Rock
against which you can lean even as the winds of
mourning howl around us.
As Christians, there comes a time when we will need
to say good-bye and sing a "requiem" for our lost
brethren. It is right and noble for Christians to
gather, pray and say, "Requiescat In Pace". That is,
for the soul of their loved ones to "rest in peace".
It is now one year since our beloved brothers and
sisters slept in the Lord. For those of us who find it
difficult to let go, we must realise that their death is
an unavoidable call - a call to our Heavenly home that
no one can disobey.
Of course we all know that this has nothing to do with
age, status, rich or poor or even the nature of death
itself - as this happened to our predecessors,
including the Apostles who paid the supreme price to
bring the Gospel to all of us. Some were even
beheaded at their prime age. Others were stoned to
death in the course of the Gospel. Some others were
even crucified upside down, not to talk of the ones
that were dropped inside boiling oil.
For those who of us who cannot trace or touch the
body of those who are resting in the bosom of the
Lord, we must realise that such examples abound
among God's Generals in the Bible.
If you have not yet said good-bye in Jesus' name, now
is your fine grace to do so. You could write a letter to
your loved one who slept in the Lord. Express your
mind on the good and the bad. Feel free to do
whatever you want with the letter. Read and seal the
letter. You might decide to share the letter with either
your church authority or pastor and do away with the
letter as the Spirit of God directs. Once you have
done that, leave the rest to the future with
expectation as God holds our future.
My people, no mortal man or devil can supersede the
plan of God for your life. As a Christian, once you
understand and believe this, you set yourself free. Let
us set ourselves free from this happening, as it is the
will of God, which is unchangeable. When it is the will
of God, it happens as His will. If you harbour offence,
you cannot stay in God's will. Let us not harbour
offence because it produces more fruit of sin, such
as bitterness, anger and resentment, all of which are
the purpose and will of the devil.
On a number of occasions, many of us have become
victims of maltreatment in the hands of wicked men
and women. Honestly you may have been treated
unjustly and you get offended. But when you harbour
any offence, you fulfil the purpose of your enemy,
thereby being pushed out of God's will. When you
free your mind and stop harbouring offence, you will
maintain and stay in the course of God's will. On the
other hand, if you continue to harbour offence, you
automatically become a victim and captive of the
enemy, thereby fulfilling his own purpose and will.
Remember that nothing can come against us without
God's knowledge and approval. Let's face the fact - if
the devil who hates us with passion could have his
way, he would not hesitate to destroy us at will. You
must keep this exhortation before you.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is
common to man. But God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond limit (1 Corinthians
10:13).
Don't get offended, neither should you harbour any
offence. This is the weapon to resist the devil.
Remember the message of the Cross: "Father, forgive
them," said Jesus. This message of forgiveness points
to the future and not to look behind.
Finally brethren, I will not leave you without stating
this simple conclusion - why are we rushing? Can we
reach the end of this road without God's knowledge
and approval?
AbleMoJah® Nigeria.
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