In a post titled "An exhortation on Martyrs of Faith',
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. What
he wrote after the cut...
"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?
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