THE RISE OF THE PREACHERS OF PARANOIA- CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA UNDER THREAT?
Luke 21:7-19
Some time ago, a supposed believer said that ; "... I know that it is not everything we practice and do that can be connected with a scriptural verse, but does that make us less Christians." That is the kind of believers we are raising in/for the Church. Men defined by anything but not exclusively the scriptures.
Today, you cannot attend or listen to sermons in many local Churches especially mainline Churches (Churches started by missionaries) and not end up hearing a preacher say that Christianity is under attack and Nigerian Christians should rise. And the indigenous Churches called Pentecostals have either subtly practice "politics of association"(permitting politics through some religious special services to make inferences that will conform the mind of their members) or completely talk about Heaven like the fuel price don't affect them. Shioo! Mtschew!
To many of these Paranoia preachers, the problem began when "Born again" Jonathan was voted out by hook/crook and "Fanatic" Buhari took over. There was protection they say for Christians under Jonathan and it doesn't matter the corruption, he is still a better choice. A "revivalist" spent time talking about this in a Church I attended,(if we can call him a revivalist) and I can tell you it was not comforting. And on social media- C.A.N. (forget the internal crisis or the accusations about its elections) the Christian "Union" (we may need to differentiate between Union and Unity someday) have suddenly become defensive. They want to Islamize us. I have checked the track record- and see how much Islamization have changed the Islamic countries. The Sunnis and Shia are currently doing a great job with each other.
Prophetic declarers are on the rise and I am still searching for where Jesus and Apostles made daily prophetic declarations in the Bible. Did they not teach them the word and allow believers to engage with it?
Paranoia is the new "gospel". Preachers who have dined at Aso Rock don't want to let go of the lifestyle. Those who have traveled for free to Jerusalem still want the free ride. I have said in another place- 'the christian leaders have dined with the appearance of evil and soon they will have to accept to accommodate the enemy when he comes for a visit. You can't keep the devils best dress in your ward robe and not expect him not to come pay you a visit' .
Gone were the days when a visit from Benson Idahosa meant truth was coming for a visit. Politics attended vigils, paid courtesy visits on special services and we celebrated it...we have forgotten that Saul carrying out the sacrifice does not mean he can usurp the position of God's chosen priests.
Ask a typical northern believer, persecution of the faith is a regular occurrence. My grandfathers cousin, a Reverend was slaughtered during the Maitatsine movement of the early 80's and thousands have died since. The Northern Christians have experienced over and over again persecutions and now they are bringing the fight to the "sacred South", everyone thinks the war just started. Mr. Nathaniel, sorry Ogbeni is now an Anti- Christ?
WHAT IS PARANOIA PREACHING?
It is raising an alarm like something new and unexpected is happening with intent to create fear and control people. It is a typical "adult Tantrum" episode. When all you want your listeners to know is that a non Christian in power is no no and a Church goer and non-professing believer is a better option. Paranoia messages focuses on creating a Worldview in which "lesser evil" is God's will.
Here is the Shocker for Paranoia preachers...
Luke 21 says; "...And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?”" The people listening to Jesus Christ asked for the signs of things to come. Jesus gave four signs to look out for:
1. There will be a rise in false Messiahs who claim to either be Christ or represent Christ. How will you know them?
ALL; THEY WANT IS YOUR FOLLOWER-SHIP- so Jesus Christ said; "don't follow them"(vs 8)
2. There will be attempts to FRIGHTEN believers- so Jesus Christ said; "do not be afraid" (vs.9)
3.There will be a rise in believers PERSECUTIONS and Wars will increase- so Jesus Christ said; "none will withstand you" (vs15).
4. There will be oppositions from family and friends- So Jesus Christ said; "Your life will find its meaning or you will gain your lives" (vs 19).
IN A NUTSHELL- THESE EVENTS SHOULD BE EXPECTED, THESE OPPOSITIONS SHOULD BE OPPORTUNITIES, BELIEVERS OUGHT TO FIND THEIR PLACE IN THE MIDST OF THE CHAOS GOING ON.
A thousand Jonathans did not stop the persecutions- check the news and see how many were slaughtered in the name of religion during the time of Jonathan. Ask from those living in the north how many have been denied their rights simply because they are Christians. A Youth Corper told me that he was pressurized into studying Sharia law a couple of years ago because it was unnatural for him to be called YERIMA and still be a Christian. He said; "I decided to go to Nasarawa State Polytechnic because I was told I won't be permitted to study Civil law which I applied for/ qualified for because I can't be continue to be Yerima and still remain a Christian in their supposed University and it was a federal University for that matter".
PARANOIA PREACHING does not see the events at the time of Jonathan and even Buhari from the perspective of the Scriptures.
That is what true disciples of Christ much seek. What do all these mean in the light of the scriptures? Wait if we live for Jesus like those in the persecuted areas are doing, won't we be persecuted? Just think about that!
If we remove Buhari and install Pastor Prof. Osinbajo, will the events of Nigeria and the World not follow the very descriptions of the scriptures? Donald Trump confuses and frightens many people but will Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton's election overturn the things predicted by the Bible, events the Bible says will happen and is indeed happening in this end time?
HISTORY IS RUNNING OUT and THE BIBLE IS BEING FULFILLED EVERYDAY.
LISTEN TO JESUS CHRIST...
These days are meant to
1. Increase the opportunity to PROCLAIM the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 21:12 that HIS NAME WILL BE THE REASON FOR OUR PERSECUTION not the loss of an election. "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name."
2. Help INSTALL in believers the twin tools for living in victory & and the Tools are DIVINELY GIVEN WORDS AND WISDOM that grants victory against oppositions. Jesus will give believers the word and wisdom so that oppositions will always fail. Paranoia preachers wants you to hate, Jesus Christ wants you to WIN. Praise God!
3. Your LIFE will find MEANING during persecutions and infact in this end time. There is no better time than now for believers in Nigeria to GAIN LIFE through Christ. Jesus said; "By your endurance you will gain your lives". This means you life will find its place in the prophecies and expectations of the Word. Paranoia Preachers wants everything to collapse so they can gain a point but Jesus Christ says the chaos will make you shine bright.
JESUS CHRIST KNEW THESE THINGS TOO WELL. His death, burial and resurrection was according to the word prophesied hundreds and thousands of years before He was born. When He rode the donkey to Jerusalem, He remembered the words of Zechariah the prophet. When they beat and tortured Jesus Christ, He remembered Isaiah 52 to 53. When the Jews attacked Him for calling Himself the "son of man", He remembered the title he bears was prophesied by Ezekiel. When He was crucified and was going to be buried, Jesus remembered Psalms 16:10. Everything happened by the foreknowledge of the father. Jesus Christ is alive today because thus it was written and we are witnesses.
Will you ask Jesus Christ to help your life find its meaning, hopes, experience and fulfillment in the word today? You must however begin with calling upon Jesus Christ to save you. I called upon Jesus Christ in 1986 and everyday He assures me of the events happening and about to happen. The Prince of peace is coming and when "all these things begin to happen", we look up and know that our salvation draws near.
My task is done not be offering daily prophetic utterances manufactured to feed your emotions but by declaring the wages oof sin is death but the gift of God through Jesus Christ is eternal life, You can GAIN life. Shalom!
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