SINCERE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Latin word, sincere, is derived from sine and cera: - without wax, honey separated from wax or pure honey. In the scriptures, sincere signifies pure or without mixture (Phil 1:10; 1Peter 2:1). Sincere is opposed to double mindedness or deceit, when sentiments of the heart are contrary to the language of the mouth (1 Cor. 5:8).

-Source:-Cruden’s complete concordance

2.0 SIMEON’S INHERITANCE (WAGES OF FIERCE ANGER)

In Joshua 19: 1, 9, we are told that the inheritance of the tribe of children of Simeon was within the inheritance of the children of Judah because the share of the children was too much for them. This seems a plausible reason especially when we read in Judges 1:3-17 that Simeon heeded his brother Judah’s invitation to “come up with me to my allotted land that we may fight against the Canaanites… And Simeon went with him”

But is that sufficient reason for a tribe to lose its identity and be absorbed in a larger one? What stopped Simeon, like Judah, to also have a large inheritance with the partnership of Judah? (Note Judges 1:17). We need to go back to Gen. 49: 5-7 and 34: 25-31 to understand more properly the real reason.

In these verses, we read that Simeon (and his brother Levi) was cursed by their father Jacob for killing Hamor and the men of Sheckem over the incident of Dinah. Specifically Gen. 49:7 states “A curse on their anger, because it is so fierce. And on their fury because it is so cruel. I will scatter them throughout the land of Israel. I will disperse them among its people “. Simeon’s lot therefore, was the wage of fierce anger and cruel fury.

Simeon’s (and Levi) resort to justify their action “should treat our sister like a harlot?” sounds reasonable. But we should remember the bible declares “man’s anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose” (James 1:20 GNB).

The Bible tells us anger rests in the bosom of fools, while a discrete (wise) man is slow to anger and overlooks offense (Ecc. 7:9, Pro. 19:11. See also Prov. 14: 7, 15: 1, 21:19, 22: 24-25, 29:22 and Eph. 4: 26). May we not lose our inheritance to anger. May your lot not be scattered among your brethren. (Amen).

3.0 LEVI’S INHERITANCE AND AOLE’S CURSE

Levi like Simeon was cursed by his father Jacob to be divided among his brethren, scattered among his people, because of his violent anger. However, before the curse could come into effect, the sons of Levi, by their honorable stand against idolatry (Exodus. 32: 26-29), received a blessing that made the curse powerless. Thus they were, by divine commandment, given specific lots among their brethren. By the time Moses gave his prophetic blessings in Deut 33, while Simon was no longer mentioned since he was absorbed in Judah, Levi had received a divine blessing and commission, as a result of being on the Lord’s side (Deut 33: 8-11; Number 35: 2-8). Therein lays a further principle pertinent to dealing with Aole’s curse on the Yoruba’s (Lampstand Letters No. 27 April-June 2001). As Yoruba Christians come to the Lord’s side and judge idolatry in their midst like the sons Levi did (Exodus 36: 26-29), the mad curse of Aole, which scattered them and subjected their to other tribes, will be made powerless. As the Yorubas turn to the Lord, and a kingdom of Yoruba Christian priests arise all over the world to judge Yoruba idolatry (Ifa, Ogun, Osun, Sango, Oya, Saponna, Yemoja, Olokun etc) worldwide; as they teach other nations Gods precepts and laws, then God himself will bless their substance (skills), accept the works of their and, strike the loins of those who rise against the Yoruba. And those who hate them shall not rise again (Deut 33: 10-11) Amen.

4.0 PANDERING TO THE ENEMY

The story in I Kings 20 highlights the features and consequences of pandering to an opposition who knows that the territorial (political) conflict they are involved in has a spiritual nature. It is instructive for the church in his spiritual war with Islam and African Traditional Idolatry. It is specifically instructive to President Obasanjo in his tendency to pander to the Caliphate.

1. If you give in a little to an ungodly request, the enemy will ask for more (verses 1-6).
2. The opposition is an arrogant, boastful power drunk entity (verses (7-12, 16-19).
3. They realize the spiritual nature of the conflict (verse 10, 23).
4. It is made up of both a political king) and military arm (captains) verse 24. When it loses politically, it will master its military arm to battle, as the Caliphate have always done.
5. It is a stubborn spirit that will want to come back again unto power even after it has been defeated politically (verses 26-27).
6. It is always on the look out for “sign of friendship” from its foes which it will they exploit to ensnare in an anti-god peace treaty (verses 31-34).
7. As a result of such ungodly treaty, the king and his people (the church) will die in their place (verse 42).

How to deal with the enemy

1. Seek godly counsel (verse 7-8)
2. Reply back in faith (verse 11)
3. Rely on prophetic leading verse 13-14, 28.
4. Be ready and alert to confront its overwhelming forces (verse 29-30).
5. Do not Dander to, or speak kindly with them (verse 31: 34)
6. Do not disobey God out of emotion or other member consideration (verse 35-39).
7. Do not be busy with other things and let the prisoner God put in your hand escape (verse 40).
8. Repent of pandering to the enemy

“Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, and curse is he who keeps back his sword from blood” Jer. 48:10

5.0 JONAH

One of the most important lessons to be learnt from the book of Jonah chapter one is that whenever there is a Jonah in the boat (in a household, in the ministry, in a place, no amount of sacrifices and prayers will bring a respite until Jonah is cast out of the boat into the sea. Jonah was a hitherto a distinguished prophet and a contemporary of Isaiah. No matter how distinguished Jonah is, do not sacrifice other people, things for Jonah. Do not even waste time crying to your God, fasting or seeking his face. If you have to pray, “cast lots” that God reveal the Jonah in your midst. Once the Jonah has been identified, do not pander to emotions or unnecessary fear ‘Pick up the Jonah, throw him unto the sea, and the sea boat (your household, your ministry, your workplace, your marriage etc) will cease form its raging” (Jonah 1: 15). Or as Prove Amen.

6.0 EVIL MEN AND IMPOSTORS

Is there any hope that evil men will change for the better? 2 Tim 3:4 tells us that is a forlorn hope. Indeed the prophesy here is that in these last days, evil men will go from bad to worse. Do not be deceived, an evil men cannot change from their evil just as a leopard cannot change its spots Evil is their nature. As David said in I Sam 24:13 “Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. Not only will they wicked evil not change, they will be pretenders (impostors deduces. Do not be charmed by their smiles or seduced by their embrace. Proverbs 6:6 tells us that the kisses like that of Judahs Ischariot) are deceitful. Or as the Good New Bible puts it!!… When an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder - watch out!

In these last days, evil men shall be skilled deceivers. Their strategy is to deceitful put you at ease so that they can strike with their dagger while you are complacent. Do not be taken in by their sophistry, their sweet talk or their promises. They will be covenant breakers like Ehud, they may even claim to have “a word from the Lord (Judges 3:19-21). The may quote scriptures, aspire to teach or prophesy. They may even want to pray for you or minister deliverance. Do not be taken in do not be complacent. Nothing good can come from evil me. As Proverbs 12:10 states, even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel! And as Jesus taught “ A good men out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good, but an evil man out of the evil treasures of his heart brings forth evil…” Be aware of evil workers, in the church (Philippians 3:2).

The evil man is deceived and beyond redemption, because he has given his heart over to the devil, the deceiver (Rev. 2: 9). Do not be taken in by the promises or even their oath. For as many times Saul vowed not to seek to kill David, so did he intensify his murderous pursuit. Evil men are liars and covenant breakers. Like their father the devil, when they speak a lie, it comes naturally as their nature language. There is no truth in them I John 8: 44.

Do not show kindness, or mercy to the wicked. It is a dangerous waste of time. “Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteous. Even in the midst of righteous people, they still do wrong and refuse to recognize God’s greatness (Isaiah. 25: 10). Woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him (Isaiah. 3: 11). “There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked” (Isaiah. 48: 22). Amen.

7.0 PRAYERS FOR THE WICKED

Job 18:5-21, 20:4-29, 27:13-23
Psalm 37
Psalm 94: 1-23

8.0 FOR ABACHA AND HIS CHILDREN

“All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his tomb. But you are cast out of your tomb, like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will not join, them in burial, for you have destroyed you land and killed your people. The offspring of the wicked shall not be mentioned again.

Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the sins of their forefathers they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities. I will rise up against them, declare, the LORD Almighty. I will cut off … her name and a survivor, her offspring and descendants, declares the LORD”. Amen (Isaiah 14:18-22 NIV)

9.0 PARTNERSHIP

I Chro 19: 10-13
Judges 1:3, 17
Ecclesiastics 4: 9-12
“…Woe to him who is alone

10.0 CHENANIAH (I Chro 15:22)

Because of his skill in music, Chenaniah was chosen to be in charge of (his fellow) Levitical musicians (GNB).
Keaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it (NIV).
Chenanah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful (NKJAV).

11.0 THE ENEMY AS THE GATEMAN

Shall a man set an enemy as sentry? Shall he pay the children of the enemy to be his watchman at day or by night?
A read a report of a newspaper columnist on the recent Jos religious/ethnic crisis in which the columnist stated that it was the watchman of a neighbor who led fanatics to loot and burn the house the watchman was paid to guard. Who are your gatemen? Who are your watchmen? Are they not children of the bondwomen? Are they not aliens from higher or Chad…? Beware. Let not you gates be in the hands of the enemy. Put not your strength in the hands of aliens. Amen.

HEBREWS 7: 13-14

And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe and no member f his tribe ever served as a priest. It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah and Moses did not mention this tribe when he spoke of priest”.

Your ancestry cannot be a limitation to attaining God’s destiny for you. You may belong to a genealogy of idolaters, yet you and your generation after may forever serve the Lord. Your family may be an outcast, a generation of slaves. Yours may be “Osu” dedicated forever to idols. Your father could be the chief headhunter, your mother from a generation of temple prostitutes. Your forbearers might have imported that foreign god (religion) unto your town; your tribe may be Islam’s main courier. Yours might be a destitute family; there never have been a wealthy person in your linage.

Beginning from you, a new divine linage will start. You shall be engrafted unto the life of Christ and a generation of priest begins from you. That which have never happened in your family will begin with you, says the Lord with whom nothing is impossible Amen.

12.0 JUDAH

Yet Judah perverted over his brothers, and from him came a ruler … I Cor. 5:2.

I wonder what qualified Judah to receive the scepter of ruler ship of the tribes of Israel, the privilege of producing David and the Lord Jesus. It is not enough that Reuben, Simon and Levi were disqualified. Didn’t Judah also mess up in the matter of Tamar his daughter-in-law (Gen 38)?

May be the reason could be found in Hosea 11:12 (NKJV) “(While) Ephraim has encircled me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful.

13.0 WHAT BECAME OF SHELAH?

Shelah was Judah’s third child by Shua the Canaanite, who Judah refused to allow to go into her to raise seed (a grandchild) for him by her. (Gen 38). Humanity speaking, Judah was justified in refusing to give him to her, lest he died on top of Tamar like this two brothers did.

But the problem was not with Tamar, it was with the half-caste children of Shua, the Canaanite whom married against God’s wish. Tamar was a full-blooded Israelite, from the town of Timnah of Judah (gen. 38:1; Joshua 15: 10, 57). So indeed, she was more noble that half caste children Judah and Shua. But there was a more critical factor. God had decided that the scepter will not depart from Judah. And here we here we have a case of the first born and second born killed without seed and the third born unwilling to perform. And so God in His sovereignty had to d a divine engineering, the result of which was Judah himself directly procreating Perez the ancestor of David and Jesus, through Tamar. What could have been his grand child became his child, and the linage of Shua the Canaanite was effectively cut off.

But what became of Shelah? The only other record of him was in I Chro 4: 21-23, where his descendents became linen workers and the king’s potter (rather than being the king). Like the unnamed kinsman of Boaz who refused to marry Ruth in a similar case later, Shelah’s name became called in Israel “the house of him who had his sandal removed (Deut 25:5).

14.0 SELEH (Pause and Pray)

Selah is a Hebrew word found severity one times in the book on Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. The traditional view is that it means pause (and pray). Do you pause and pray after reading (an) article(s) in the Lampstand Letters? Selah!

15.0 WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?

In Acts 23: 12, 13, we read of forty Jews who banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. That was around A.D. 58. We know from scriptures that Paul lived for at least 4 years 3 months after that Act 24: 27, 28:11 and 28:30). In fact some authorities believe that Paul was killed in AD 64. So what happened to these forty Jews under oath not to eat or drink till Paul was killed. Did they go without food and drink for four whole years.

Do not fear their vain. Conspiracy a curse causeless shall not come to pass. Surely in vain the not is spread in the sight of any bird. If God be with you, who can be against you? Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of me, whoever assemblies against you shall fall for your sake says the Lord Amen.

16.0 THE PROPHET AS HISTORIAN

Today's prophesy is tomorrow’s history “Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written n the book (words) of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer. With all his reign and his might, and the events that happened to him, to Israel and to all the kingdoms of the lands” I Chronicles 29:29. See also 2 chronicles 9:29 and 12:15.

May God raise writing prophets in our generation who will chronicle to day tomorrow’s history. Amen.

16.1 THE PROPHET’S DILIGENT SEARCH AND INVESTIGATION

The account of I Peter 11: 10-12 indicates that beyond having the spirit of God in them and receiving revelations from God, prophets have the additional responsibility to make careful search and investigation of the Word of God, so that they could understand what was belong revealed to them, and be able to teach, make their hearers understand same.

God old testament prophets knew by revelations that salvation and a savior was coming to the world. But they were not privileged to understand more than that, even though the diligent sought the face of the Lord and His world to understand more (about the means and person that will bring salvation to mankind).

It is then given to New Testament prophets to report/present announce the Good News to this generation. They wrote of and declared/announced the fullness of the World of life, which existed from the beginning, which they heard, which they saw, which they handled…in order that our joy/salvation may be full (I John 1:1).

Luke highlights the usual features of well reported revelation (Luke 1: 1-4)

1. It is written
2. It is factual
3. Based on eye witness report
4. It is reliable sourced
5. It is historical
6. Based on careful study
7. It is accurate
8. It is orderly
9. It is truthful
10. It causes understanding and faith

Revelation and inspiration are no substitute for careful diligent study and seeking of the face and word of God, even for prophets.

17.0 SOUR WINE IN NEW BOTTLES

There is a scourge afflicting the body of Christ today, especially the Pentecostal variety. It is a virus imported from American Christianity; I call it the Coca-Cola Spirit. It is an adversarial sprit, a promotional spirit. A Laodicean sprit. In its commonest form, it involves packaging ministries and men of God, usually in deceptively flamboyant teams. It is manifested in the maddening poster and flyer riot that is not associated with Christian programmes and activities. The louder, the more flamboyant, the better for the competitive ago.

Apart from the usually one-liner JESUS IS LORD a the bottom of the poster/flyer/banner, what you see is a blazing portrait of the “MAN of God" (with or without his wife) at the background and shouting proclamation of what he can do or what you expect when you come to the MAN of God.

It’s most virulent form is the packaging of backslidden men of God in business-as-usual garbs. Un-repented men, actively in sin and disobedience like Soul, involved in sorcery and witch are fit, men, who lie Joshua the High Priest are wearing filthy garments, actively being resisted by sate (Zech chapter 4), are packaged in shining garbs and blazing amour. Sour wine are packaged in new bottles. Activities and promotional now take the place of genuine repentance.

Ministers of God have become cunning commercial Canaanites (Hosea 12:8), traders and merchants. As in every commerce, advertisement has begotten a prime place. Like Coca-Cola adverts.

The Lord's word to the Laodicean church is pertinent to us today: “…I know your works… because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing” - and do not know you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked - I counsel you to buy form Me Gold refined & in the fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of you nakedness may not be revealed and anoint you eyes with eye salve that you may see (Rev. 3: 14-18). Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of host. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (merchant/trader) in the house of the LORD of hosts. Amen Zech14: 21.

18.0 THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

The abominations that cause desolation (Dan 9: 27, 12:11, Micah, 24: 15) refers to actions and practices that will cause Gods face to be turned away from his temple(or from his minister) resulting in bareness, neglect and wretchedness of the ministry, church or a man of God,

In Ezekiel chapters 8-11, we see a pictorial representation of judgement and desolation that befell Jerusalem and the temple, as a result of the elders’ abominations. Earlier in Ezekiel 5:11-17, God promised to make Jerusalem “a reproach, a taut, a lesson and an astonishment t the nations that are all around because (they) have defiled man sanctuary with all the detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will diminish you”

Idolatry and the lewdness that accompanies it was the chief is abomination in the bible. Deut 18: 9-14, 32:15-17, Ezekiel 5: 9-17 are highlights such abominable acts and practices by God’s people (and the attendants’ effects).

There are two parts to the abomination of desolation - the abominations committed by God’s people and the desolation which God permits to result from such abomination. Sometimes when the abominations of Gods people become severe, God permits the enemy to set up desolation where such abominations are committed.

Today there is so much abominations freely reported in the house of God, committed by ministers and children of God idolatry (idolatry and promotion of men above the Lord), Pentecostal witchcraft, sorcery, habitual adultery, regular fornication embezzlement, church politics, blatant lies, lack of integrity, use of black magic, abortions etc are recurrent abomination, in the church today.

Proverbs 6: 12-19 lists the characterization of the wicked and seven things that are an abomination to the Lord while Pro. 26:23-26 warns the wicked that has ‘seven abominations in his heart’ that his wickedness shall be revealed before the assembly”.

The church of God and his ministers tend towards desolation because of their wickedness and abomination. He is turning is turning his face away may God in His mercy not allow our enemies (Islam, African Traditional Religion) be the instrument of desolation of the church. Amen!

19.0 LAODICEAN ABOMINATION

According to Crudens complete concordance of the bible, Laodicean means “A just people”, if the Laodiceans were such a just people, why then did the LORD threaten to vomit them out of his mouth in Revelations 3: 14-22. I believe the reason was because the Laodiceans were a proud self-justified people. As he stated in Luke 16: 15: “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows yours hearts. For what is honored by men is an abomination in the sight of God”

The Abomination that makes desolate (RSV) also known as the Awful horror (GNB) has already found fulfillment at least twice in history. Between BC 175 and 164, Antiochus Ephiphanes (Antiochus IV) ruled over a region which included Palestine. Around 171 BC, he attacked Jerusalem and desecrated the temple. They blaspheme God by setting up a pagan image, a Greek idol and a Greek altar in the Jewish temple, and then sacrificed animals that the Jews considered unclean. Then in AD 70, the Romans invaded Jerusalem, massacred people, burnt the temple and destroyed the city. The seven branched candle stock (Lampstand) was taken from the temple, and the Emperor Titus’ image on the ensign carried by the Roman soldiers was triumphantly carried around.

The book of revelations, written after the destruction of Jerusalem, also contained symbolism drawn from Daniel about the awful horror (see Rev. 11:1-2, 13: 6-8). In our age, the awful horror, the abomination that cause desolation, is manifested in the various abominations and self-promoting idolatry in the body of Christ today. The church is inviting the antichrist to desecrate it by desecrating the church itself.

As noted by Don Fleming (Bridge commentary p 336, whatever the era and whoever the anti-Christ “he who endures the end will be saved (Micah 24: 13, Rev. 12:11, 13: 10, 20: 4). We must keep our hearts and our heads and not follow the bandwagon of compromising Christians. We must resist self-idolatry, promotion of self in the temple place. We must keep away from sins and iniquities, so blatant and rampant among Gods people today.

“but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many… Dan 11: 32-33.

Let him that reads understand. (Matt 24: 15). Blessed is he who waits Amen.

20.0 HE THAT HAS AN EAR

You do not need two ears to hear and obey God, if your heart is prepared and ready to obey. Once have I heard… saith the Psalmists. It is when you heart is not ready and prepared to obey that you say “I can not sure it is God speaking to me, let me hear again”. My sheep hears my voice and know me, says the shepherd. He that hath AN ear let him hear what the Lord is saying…

20.1 ‘YOU DON’T KNOW MY DADDY’

I was privy to a conversation between two (2) brothers who wanted to make a request to their father. Don’t disturb daddy, said one to the other. “You don’t know my daddy, (if he can), he will give us our request replied the other. Can you boast of your (heavenly) Daddy?

OUR STEWARDSHIP OCTOBER 2000 - SEPTEMBER 2001

1. Publications: By His grace, we have been able to keep up the production of three thousand copies of Lampstand letters every quarter and distributed same all over Nigeria.
2. Financial statement: Total receipt between October 2000 and September 2001 was fifteen thousand, six hundred and twenty five naira (N15, 625) made up of thirteen thousand five hundred naira (N13, 500.00) cash and two thousand one hundred and twenty five naira (N2, 215.00) worth of stamps. Total expenditure to date (less this education) was forty six thousand two hundred naira (N46, 200.00) only in cash and a tithe of one thousand five hundred naira. Apart from the sister who supported from Nsukka, the cash were sent by the same four supporters who supported during same period last year i.e. the ministry in Port Harcourt and three sisters in Ibadan. May grace and mercy be multiplied onto all our partners and supporters (financial, in kind or prayers) Amen. May their number increase in Jesus name. The Lord gives the word, may the company of those who contribute to its dissemination be great according to Psalm 68:11. Amen.

Dr. Tayo Babalobi. 30th September 2001.

21.0 ACCUSATIONS

“For the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day and night, has been cast down….” (Rev 12:10.
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan (the Adversary) standing at his right hand to oppose him” Zech 3:1.
“For they do not speak peace, but they device deceitful matters against the quiet ones in the land. They also opened their month wide against me and said “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it” Ps 35:20-21.
“Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, from the mountain of the east. Come curse Jacob for me, and come denounce Israel”- Balaam (Num 23:7.

In these four questions, we ate two examples each of accusations of Gods people by Satan and by man.

The account of Zech. 3:1-5, live that of Job chapter 1 and 2 clearly highlight the accusations children of God are charged with the Satan the adversary indeed. Rev. 12:10-12 clearly labels Satan as the accuser of the brethren, who accuse us day and night before our God i.e. on a daily continual basis.

Ordinary believers, like Job, are targets of accusations just as church leaders are similarly strategically subjected to accusations. In Zech. 3, it was the High Priest, Joshua the son of Jehozadek that borne the butt of Satanic accusation. In his case, we see high level Satanic (occultist) accusation trying to turn God against man after human accusations and manipulations have failed to achieve same purpose.

Joshua the high priest, together with Zerubabbel the governor were the governor were the dud, who galvanized by the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah , started the rebuilding of the temple during king Darius second year (see Ezra 4: 24-5:2, Haggai 1:1-15 and Zech 1:1). Seven years earlier during the region of Ahagenes, the adversaries of the Jews had opposed the building, successful brought accusations against the Jews before human authorities and succeeded in stopping the work on the temple (read Ezra chapter 4). Now the work had restarted under prophetic encouragement and Satan himself the Adversary and accuser of the brethren, took the battle to the courts of heaven.

The objective of Satan in bringing charges and accusations was to oppose and frustrate our work for God (Zech 3:1). Joshua the high priest was (obviously unknowingly) wearing filthy garments. The scripture have stated that all our righteousness is like flighty rags (Isaiah 64:6), and if the Lord will judge iniquity, who can stand (Ps. 130: 3-4. Also I John 1:10). Thus, the accuser was, as it were, justified in accusing the High Priest before God.

But blessed be God, we have an Advocate before God, who forever likes to make Intercession for us in God’s presence, Jesus Christ himself (I John 2:1, Heb. 7: 25, 9: 24). As the angel of the Lord, He rebuked Satan the Adversary; concerning Joshua the high priest (Zech 3:2). Then he changed Joshua’s filthy garments, putting upon him the righteousness of Christ (Zech 3: 3-5. Also I Cor 1: 30, 2 Cor).

The agency of human accusation is a cohort of the satanic. It shares same purpose as the Adversary’s, to oppose and frustrate human labors that will serve divine purpose. It tries to thwart divine destiny in an individual or even the church. Ezra 4: typically illustrates the process and purpose of human accusations:

1. Like Satan, the accusers are referred to as adversaries (Ezra 4:11).
2. They are deceitfully friendly, wishing to frustrate work from within by volunteering to help God’s people. (Ezra 4:2).
3. Then they try to discourage those building for God Ezra 4:4.
4. They trouble (i.e. frighten or intimidate) God’s laborers (Ezra 4:4)
5. They hired counselors (i.e. bribe or enlist people, to work against Gods people.
6. They ultimate goal is to frustrate or stop divine building or destiny (Ezekiel 4:5).
7. Ultimately the rail all sought of false accusations (verbal and written) against “the quiet in the (and) Ezra 4: 6-16, Psalm 35: 20-21.
8. They will gladly use force of arms, intimidation or office to stop or delay God’s work for as long as possible (Ezra 4: 23-24).

21.1 DEALING WITH ACCUSATIONS

There are two levels of dealing with human or Satanic accusations.

Firstly, at the heavenly (divine) level, we have an Advocate who forever lives to make intercessions for us. He has not observed iniquity in Jacob nor has he seen wickedness in Israel (Numbers 23: 19-21). He says there is no sorcery, no magic charm, no divination, no witchcraft or accusation can stand against his people (children) Numbers 23:23. He says no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants (workers, laborers, builders with) of God, and their righteousness is from me; says the Lord Isaiah 54: 17.

Secondly at the human level, accusations can be dealt with by two complementary ways. One is by the (use of the) prophetic word of god i.e. using the work (promises declarations) of God in prophetic prayers, declarations and actions. Be galvanized and embolden by God’s words when faced with accusations, oppositions and frustrations of men and demons to the work God as committed into your hands. Be not intimidated or distracted by their malicious words or provocations. Fear him who gave you the work and rather obey Him. “then Zerubabbel … and Joshua… with all the … people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, the words of Haggai the prophet as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people feared the presence of the Lord… So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubabbel… and Joshua… and… all the people, and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God” (Haggai 1:12-15)./let your spirit be stirred up within you by His prophetic words, and do his work, in spite of the enemies.

Plead his blood against every accusation, He is your righteousness you are his servant Isa.54: 17 etc.

Do not love your life so much, be ready if need be to bear every shame. He that loves his live shall loss it, he that ‘loses’ his life shall keep it. Fear not they that can kill the body but not the soul, fear him rather who commissioned you, who can kill body and cast soul to hell.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and them did not love their lives to death. “Rev. 12:11. Amen.

22.0 PROPHETIC EVANGELISM

Among all the mode of evangelism available today, the only way by which the 21st century evangelist can make much head way in reaching lost soul with the Babylon wish cultural is evangelism by prophetic gifts of revelation. We are living in a highly sophisticated cultic and new age prone society, the only way of reaching their hearts and wining them into the kingdom is by divine appointment and revelation. A careful study of the New Testament showed that among the coverts of the Lord, the most zealous, disciples are those won through revelation, either of their past or present situations.

22.1 CONVERSIONS THROUGH REVELATION

The story of Jesus and Nathaniel in John 1:47-49 is one of the conversions that came by revelatory utterance as to the past. This revelation which is convincing of the presence and power of God in the life Christian removed the most difficult hindrance to conversion to date - RELIGIOUS SPIRIT. A school of thought believed that Christ saw by revelation the incidence at the time of birth of Nathaniel who happened to be born around the time of the birth of Christ. The story is that because a decree went forth to kill all children around the birth of Christ, the parent of Nathaniel escaped with the boy. While resting under a fig tree they saw people coming along their route, with the fear that they thought be exposed and eventually die, left baby Nathaniel under a fig tree. The travelers carried him away and raised him to adulthood before he returned to Israel.

The other school of thought believed that while Phillip was calling Nathaniel, he was under a fig tree in another part of the town, a situation that was revealed to Christ of where he was coming from. It is however important to note that which ever story is true among the two schools of thought, the fact remains that by revelation Jesus knew something significant in the life of Nathaniel that gave him the confidence of submitting to follow Christ all his life.

Mathew 2:16-19.

22.2 #2 Jesus and the woman at the well.

In the gospel of John chapter four is the remarkable conversion of a biased woman who thought Jesus was just one of her religious customers.

John 4: 7:19
The conversation that started casually turned into a serious dimension when Jesus uttered a word f revelation vs. 18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is true” (NIV). She then said sir; I can see that you are a prophet. What was the end result? Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did” vs. 39, 40.

22.3 #3. Another example of prophetic evangelism is found in Acts 8: 26-30.

We were authoritatively told in verse 36 that “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized? This is the summary of the story. Philip was given an open vision of an angel that gave him instruction to go to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. His following the revelation brought the good news to Africa.