SNIPPETS OF NEEDS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE

1.0 SNIPPETS OF NEEDS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE

The whole world is in a flux of problems-economic downturns in the west, earthquakes and flooding tsunamis in the east, civil wars and atrocities in Africa, sociocultural and political revolutions among the Arabs and murderous resistance to spiritual and political changes by Boko-Haram Muslims in Northern Nigeria. We are in the perilous times of the last days (2 Tim 2:1), with the flux of changes attributed to Jehovah God:

Who changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him Dan 2:21-22;

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us’:, Acts 17:26-27

It is a season, not only for the wise men who knoweth (Esther 1:3) and understand the times (1 Chronicles 12:32b), but more importantly …to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32c KJV)/... the best course for Israel to take (New Living Translation NLT)/... and the best times to do it (Today’s English Version TEV).

In its introductory comments to the book of Nehemiah, the NLT version of the Bible states:

“It is easy to analyze, scrutinize and talk about the problems of the world, but we really need people who will do something about it. The book of Nehemiah shows what happens when such a person steps out”.

‘Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. My heart is toward the governors of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD’. Judges 5:1-2, 9

May the Nehemiahs needed for such times like this willingly offered themselves for the avenging of Israel. Praise ye the LORD

 2.0 SEASON OF THE NEHEMIAH GENERATION

The season needs and seeks for fervent spiritual individuals, who like Nehemiah have been among the privileged few to be in offices and places of influence but whose zeal and concern for the great afflictions and reproach (Nehemiah 1:3b) of the body of Christ and of their ancestral nations and land has not dimmed. An Esther generation, who know and realize they are in office and art come to the kingdom for such a time as this Esther 4:14d

Some features of this Nehemiah generation are:

1. Opportune to be in influential position
2. Concerned about the welfare of the church and the nation
3. Zealous about the afflictions and reproach of the church and nation
4. Willing and available to do something to change the situation
5. Spiritual, ready to travail in strategic prayers to God and in fasting
6. Favorable before God and human authorities for the cause of the church and the nation
7. Strategic physical and spiritual Researcher
8. Mobilizer and participatory leadership
9. Selfless and sacrificial leadership
10. Ready for war and warfare
11. Prepared to confront adversaries and enemies:- Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonites; Geshem the Arabian, the Ashodites and false prophets and prophesies
12. Focused and undistracted by hindrances, oppositions, treacheries and false accusations
13. Committed to divine restoration of the church and the nation

2.1 SEASON FOR EMERGING DELIVERERS FROM ZION…

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written: There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Romans 11:26; See also Obadiah 17

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: Judges 3:9-10c.

 2.2 A SEASON OF BATTLES AND WARS

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8.

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:21-23

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ICT PLATFORM FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN HIGH PLACES

Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the processing and maintenance of information, and the use of all forms of computer, communication, network and mobile technologies to mediate information. These technologies have information as their material object. Information is not reserved for use in isolation, but, rather communicated among users.

The Internet is just one of the ICT facility are now available worldwide. Four broad groups of ICT are classified below:

1. Communication technologies include all media employed in transmitting audio, video, data or multimedia such as cable, satellite, fibre optics, wireless (radio, infra-red, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
2. Computer technologies include all removable media such as optical discs, disks, flash memories, video books, multimedia projectors, interactive electronic boards, and continuously emerging state-of-the-art PCs.
3. Mobile technologies comprises mobile phones, PDAs, palmtops, etc
4. Network technologies include personal area networks (PAN), campus area network (CAN), intranets, extranets, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), MANs and the worldwide web network- (internet).

The Internet Web Communication Technology (WCT) is arguably one of the most significant technological developments of the late 20th century. Initially conceived in the seventies to act as a nuclear attack resistant method for exchange of scientific information, the Internet was later deployed for linking research agencies and universities.

The use of the Internet and other ICTs for online evangelism has picked up over the past few years. April 27th is Internet Evangelism Day (IED) as declared by the web evangelism resource guide being promoted by InternetEvangelismDay.com © April 2008 <http://ied.gospelcom.net/>. IED is a day to bring focus and attention to the tremendous opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ online. It’s also a day for Christians to educate themselves and strategize within their organizations about how they can better share their faith online throughout the year. Internet evangelism © by Babatope Babalobi, Save the World Ministry <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;., Bread of Life Dev. Foundation,Box 14055, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., is an online book on the Basics of Internet Evangelism and is freely available on the website www.christonline.info.

However, beyond Internet Evangelism, ICT provides a gamut of choices needed for such times as this, and the application of ICT to online strategic and tactical spiritual warfare is one priority need for the body of Christ in all nations. With the physical breakdown of the walls of communism and the ongoing demonstration against depots and dictators in the Arab Muslim countries, no time is the world more open and ripe for strategic and tactical ICT bombardment in spiritual warfare against political and spiritual strongholds than now.
The sudden and rapid change that has swept across the Arab world over the recent few months has taken the world by surprise. All of a sudden, the status quo was challenged and the long-held prerequisites for change were replaced by mobile phones, an Internet connection and a Facebook account. http://knowledge.insead.edu/INSEAD-knowledge-sami-mahroum-on-middle-east-uprisings-110314.cfm

... the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Luke 16:8

ICT BASED SPIRITUAL WARFARE AS VANGUARD FOR WORLD-WIDE MISSIONS AND POLITICAL DELIVERANCE

BINDING THE STRONG MAN

Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house.
Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

3.0 THE PLACE OF PRAYERS AND TRAVAIL IN THE WARFARE

Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? Genesis 17:17a

Judges 3:9: And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother

Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed

Judges 6:6-9: And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8

4.0 THE DAYS OF THE DEBORAHS

Judges 4:3-4, 9: And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

NEEDED: DAUGHTERS OF ACHSAH Judges 1:13-15, Joshua 15:17-19

THE UPPER AND LOWER SPRINGS

THE SEASON FOR THE VANGUARDS

Vanguards: Achsah, Deborah, Esther; Caleb, David, Moses, Nehemiah

When praying for Open doors, prepare to tackle and overcome many
Adversaries

5.0 JOS CRISIS AND THE RIVERS OF JOS PLATEAU, JOS NORTH LGA

Earlier this year, I was at a meeting with some experienced prophetic intercessors who were planning towards a prophetic exercise in Jos to address the water spirits behind the Jos Crisis at their source(s), reversing every covenant (after the manner of Elisa in healed the waters of Jericho and annulling the curse thereof – See Joshua 6:26/1 Kings 16.34 and 2 Kings 2:18-22). One of the issues discussed was on identifying the Jos Rivers to act upon and I was led by the spirit of God to point to the Jos Plateau as the place to start off, without even being aware then of the strategic spiritual significance of the Jos Plateau in the issues at hand.

A subsequent Internet search I was led to do later that day revealed the following:

1. Jos Plateau is the source of at least four (4) Rivers that runs through the whole of North-East Nigeria-Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Nassarawa and Benue States; even up to Lake Chad and parts of Niger Republic. The Rivers also serve as tributaries to Rivers Niger and Benue.
2. Jos Plateau is the largest landmass above 1,000 m in Nigeria. It maintains an average height of 1,280m (4,267ft) above sea level, and reaches its highest peak in the Shere Hills where it stands at 1,829m (6,027ft).
3. Jos Plateau is located in Jos North Local Government Area, created by ex-President Ibrahim Babaginda, for and to be controlled by the Hausa-Fulani settlers. (Note that it is he who control the river source that controls the watershed land mass it flows through).
4. Jos North is a Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the city centre of Jos.
5. The city of Jos is situated at the northern edge of a pear-shaped upland known as the Jos Plateau, situated in Jos North Local Government Area.

The Jos Plateau is located near the centre of Nigeria. The plateau has given its name to the State, Plateau State in which it is found and is itself named for the state's capital, Jos. Adjacent states are Bauchi State (North-east), Kaduna State (North-west), Nasarawa State (South-west) and Taraba State (South-east).

The watershed pattern (or catchment area) on the Jos Plateau is unusual in that its streams can drain into three different larger river systems. Some streams flow northeast to Kano and Lake Chad, east to the Gongola River (which enters the Benue), south to the Benue, and west of the Kaduna River which feeds into the Niger River.

(The term watershed is used (especially in North America and Europe) to indicate an area of land from which all water falling as rain or snow would flow toward a single point. This includes both surface water flow, such as rivers, streams and creeks, and the underground movement of water. The boundaries and the area of such a watershed are determined by first specifying geographic point on land. A line is then drawn which connects all of the points of highest elevation immediately adjacent to that point.

The watershed area would be the land area within those boundaries. The watershed of the Amazon River would include all of the tributaries that flow into it so it would actually contain several hundred smaller watersheds. The watershed is thus defined hydrologically, that is, by the specific river or stream. Watershed and drainage basin or catchment area used synonymously and all of them refer to the area of land drained by a river system. http://www.eoearth.org/article/Jos_Plateau_forest-grassland_mosaic)

The Jos Plateau is the source of many rivers in northern Nigeria including the Kaduna, Gongola, Hadejia and Yobe rivers, which have their source in this place.

The Kaduna River is a tributary of the Niger River which flows for 550 kilometres through Nigeria. It got its name from the crocodiles that lived in the river and surrounding area. Kaduna in the native dialect, Hausa, was the word for "crocodiles".[1]

The Gongola River is in north-eastern Nigeria, the principal tributary of the Benue River. The upper courses of the river as well as most of its tributaries are seasonal streams, but fill rapidly in August and September. The Gongola rises on the eastern slopes of the Jos Plateau and falls to the Gongola Basin, running north-easterly until Nafada. At one time, the Gongola continued from here in the northeast direction to Lake Chad. Today it turns south and then southeast until it joins the Hawal River, its main tributary.[1] The Gongola then runs south to the Benue River, joining it opposite the town of Numan.[2]
The lower reaches of the river are impounded by the Dadin Kowa Dam near Gombe, and lower down by the Kiri Dam. After the Kiri dam was constructed, downstream flood peaks dropped from 1,420 m3/second to 1,256 m3/second, while flows in dryer seasons increased from 5.7 m3/second to 21 m3/second. The river downstream from the dam also narrowed and become less winding, with fewer separate channels.[3]

The Hadejia River is a river in northern Nigeria and is a tributary of the Yobe River (Komadugu Yobe).[1] Among the cities and towns that lie on or near its banks are Hadejia[1] and Nguru. Damming of the river for the purposes of irrigation has led to a decrease in the amount of water in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands,[2] which the river forms along with Nguru Lake. The Hadejia River is now 80% controlled by the Tiga and Challawa Gorge dams in Kano State.[3][4]

Catchment area of the Yobe River:

The Yobe River (also known as the Komadougou Yobe or the Komadougou-Yobe, French: Komadougou Yobé) is a river in West Africa that flows into Lake Chad through Nigeria and Niger.[1] Its tributaries include the Hadejia River and the Jama'are River.[2] The river forms a small part of the international border between Niger and Nigeria.

Conclusion: With a population of about 1,000,000, Jos remains one of the most cosmopolitan towns in Nigeria. It (was) adjudged the "home of peace" or as the safest city to live in Nigeria. It is the responsibility of our generation of praying Christians to possess our portion through appropriate prophetic actions. This we will do in Jesus’ name, for His people shall be willing in the days of his power.

Reference Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos_Plateau
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateau_State
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Jos_Plateau_forest-grassland_mosaic
http://www.maplandia.com/nigeria/plateau/josnorth/
http://www.plateaustategov.org/visit/jos.html
http://www.widernet.org/josproject/josplateau.htm.

By the Lampstand,
7.17 am, 25th January 2011.

JOS CRISIS: DEALING WITH WATER SPIRITS

During a recent African Regional Professional Workshop I attended in Dakar Senegal, I got into informal discussion with some participants about the ubiquitous presence of Fulani pastoralists all over West and Central Africa; and how they are able to subdue local inhabitants wherever they decide to settle. A participant volunteered in passing, why this situation is so. He stated that whenever Fulani pastoralists come to a place they want to settle for the first time, what they do is to locate the rivers that supply the land, and make a covenant of possessing the land with the water spirits residing in the rivers!

The people of this world are indeed wiser than the children of light. The Bible is very clear from the time of Moses and Joshua that Rivers are significant for spiritual mapping, and are places to begin to possess the land (Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4).

If the Church in Jos and indeed in any place want to dispossess their land from the hands of the Fulani invaders, the Apostolic Prophetic Church need to do a spiritual mapping of the rivers that form the boundaries of their land, first annul any covenant made by foreign invaders who want to possess the land and then proclaim the biblical principles in the verses above, especially in Ezekiel 29:3-5, Jeremiah 46:1-10, Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4.

Addendum

The divine revelations thereafter are contained in the Lampstand Letters book Thrones, Water Spirits and Horns of Nations.

Other spiritual features of rivers include:

1. Nations are identified with the major rivers they contain. Hence Egypt is also known the Nile (Ezekiel 29:2-10, Also Jeremiah 46:7-8 and Isaiah 19:1-19). Assyrian is identified as Euphrates (Isaiah 7:20, 11:15-16, 27:12-13 and Jeremiah 2:18). One could suggest therefore that if Nigeria were to be likewise referred to in the Bible, it could be simply called Niger!
2. The Rivers Nile and Euphrates (Egypt and Assyria) represented the natural enemies of the people of God, their captivity and exile. To deliver his people or reconcile these kingdoms with his people, God had to dry off these rivers to make a way for people to pass over (see Isaiah 7:17-20, 11:15-16, 19:22-25; 51:9 -11, Zech 10:10-11 and Rev. 16:12).
3. Kings and kingdom derive their power from rivers and seas Ezekiel 29:3, 28:2, 27:3-4.
4. Rivers serve as natural (and spiritual) boundaries of nations and kingdoms Gen. 2:10-14, 15:18. Joshua 1:2-4 and Acts 17:26b.
5. Rivers serve as place of battle, where God judges his enemies. Judges 3:28-29, 4:7, 5:19-21, 2 Kings 23:39, Jeremiah. 46:6 and Habakkuk 3:8-15.
6. Rivers represent/describe different and kingdoms (Rev. 17:1-15, Jeremiah: 46:7-8, Jeremiah 51:13, Isaiah 8:6-8).
7. Rivers describe invading armies. Isaiah 8:6-8; 17:12-13; 569:19, Jeremiah. 46:7-8).
8. Other rivers in the bible each had significance derivable from their names.

These features and characteristics are applicable to the rivers of Nigeria.

NIGERIA, ISLAMIC FULANI DOMINATION AND COVENANTS WITH WATER SPIRITS

The Bible tells us that rivers run from between mountains and hills (Deut 8:7, Psalm 104:4-13). Geography also tells us that the River Niger originates from the Futa Djallon Mountains of Guinea-Conakry. Futa Djallon is a Fulani word (futa or feta) meaning Resting place, settlement or habitation.
If the river Niger for which Nigeria is named has its source from a mountain named by the Fulani as a Fulani resting place, does it not explain why the Nigeria area (Nigeria) is dominated by the Muslim Hausa- Fulani? If Nigeria has to be healed and delivered from Islamic Fulani domination, we have to prophetically turn Futa Djallon to Eden (Gen. 2:10-14, Isaiah 51:3, Ezekiel 36:35) at its source, reversing every covenant (like Elisa healed the waters of Jericho – See Joshua 6:26 and 2 Kings 2:18-22).
The good news is that this spiritual exercise was recently done. To God be the Glory.

ANNULING WATER COVENANTS

Demonic water spirits are a reality and they control every tribe, people, language and tongue, blinding them to the gospel of Christ. Rev. 17:1-18:6 describe the spiritual principality represented by the woman Babylon, as sitting upon many waters and ruling over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:15). The earlier the church deals with them in spiritual warfare, the easier the work of missions and world evangelism will be. They are specifically given authority to war against saints, they know their time is short and are
furious. Their goal is to delay Christ's coming as much as they can by preventing world evangelism.
The praying church in Nigeria needs to arise from its slumber and war against them. Amen.
Healing waters must flow from the church into the sea, to heal the waters of Nigeria (Ezekiel 47:1-8).
If the Church in Jos and indeed in any place want to dispossess their land from the hands of invaders, the Apostolic Prophetic Church need to do a spiritual mapping of the rivers that form the boundaries of their land, first annul any covenant made by foreign invaders who want to possess the land and then proclaim the biblical principles in the verses above, especially in Ezekiel 29:3-5, Jeremiah 46:1-10, Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4.
The praying church needs to arise from its slumber and war against them. Let us go to EVERY river and waters that form the boundaries of settlements, villages, towns, cities, Local Government Area, States, tribes, languages and tongues, to reverse and annul ancients domination; and make new covenants, consecrating the land and people to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

By the Lampstand. January 2011

Alive by His Grace, for His Glory and for His Purpose

6.0 Dakar muses

The following ‘revelations’ came out of my recent visit to Dakar Senegal, one of the 17 African nations that was 50 years post independence

1. Britain ensured that for mainly commercial purposes (and beneath spiritual reasons), they colonized Countries with access to the sea
2. The most western point of the Atlantic Ocean is in Dakar. It is from there the hurricanes and storms devastating the western hemisphere start off
3. Most of the most devastating hurricanes and storms have feminine names
4. Cameroon is named after a word meaning (sea) shrimps
5. Rwanda on its own recently changed from being a Francophone Nation to an Anglophone Nation
6. In order to spiritually subdue the indigenes of an area, whenever Fulani (pastoralist) settlers get to a place, the search out the river(s) servicing the area and make certain covenants that enables them to settle in the area and dominate the indigenes

7.0 THE POLITICAL RASCALS OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The article below was posted to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:12:53 -0800 under the subject: [lampstandlettters]: UNDERSTANDING PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S PROPHETIC PROCLAMATION ON SOUTHWEST RASCALS

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:6

When God anoints a man for leadership, he becomes a new man that even the man himself does not understand his new nature. In 1 Samuel Chapter 10: 1-12, when Prophet Samuel was led to anoint Saul as King of Israel, it is recorded that at one stage Saul also began to prophesy, leading one person to declare 'anyone can prophesy'.

Much has been said about President Jonathan's Ibadan PDP campaign declaration that ..."The entire Southwest is too important, too sophisticated and too educated to be in the hands of rascals". What many do not realize is that it was not Goodluck Jonathan speaking, rather it was the spirit of God causing him (without knowing himself) to make a presidential prophetic declaration over the southwest Nigeria. And he is not without precedent.

Who are the 'Rascals' that the Southwest will not be left in their hands? They include:

1. Those who became Senator while in prison awaiting trial for unresolved murder, who assume they will be Governor in the next election
2. Those who became Governor through over-inflation of votes recording 866 votes in a ward with a maximum of 500 votes
3. Those who were allegedly dismissed from security service for alleged gun-selling to armed robbers, who changed surname and seeking 2nd term term in office
4. Those who became governors through a voter register that included the names of Mike Tyson and Obama
5. Those who reigned and ruled their State in terror by evil covenants, sworn to in nakedness, and who illegally obliterated the legislative arm of government in their State
6. Those who threaten the retired septuagenarian INEC State Commissioner to declare them winner in re-run elections by inflation of votes in their LGA
7. Those that were nominated and supported by 'godfathers', corrupt government appointed officials who have been imprisoned for corruption

It shall come to pass that none of these rascals will reign or rule in the Southwest, in the forthcoming elections and forth while in Jesus name. Amen

By the Lampstand, 15th February 2011

8.0 ALIVE BY HIS GRACE, FOR HIS GLORY AND FOR HIS PURPOSE

NIGERIA, WATER SPIRITS AND THRONES OF WATERS

Beginning from September 1998, the Lord began to give me understanding from the scriptures about the prophetic significance of waters (rivers) in controlling the affairs of nations, of thrones in waters, of the sea as a domain of evil forces warring against God’s purposes for a nation; and its place in the healing of a land, its people and the church. The revelations thereafter are contained in the Lampstand book Thrones, Water Spirits and Horns of Nations Copyright © 2007 Tayo Babalobi

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: = SLEEP LESS AND PRAY!

WATCH Greek agrupneo, sleepless,

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always

EPHESIANS 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Hebrew 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you

ON THE SEASONS AND TIMES

1.0 ON THE SEASONS AND TIMES

1.1 A season of (Covenant by) sacrifice

The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof... Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. Psalms 50:1-5

There are seasons and there are times Ecclesiastes 3:1-7. This is a season of sacrifice, a season of offerings to God. God himself from heaven calls forth to his saints on earth for a covenant agreement. Although it is a call to his saints, not all the saints will be qualified. Many are called, few are chosen. It is only applicable to those who both understand what an acceptable sacrifice to God is and lives the whole of the life sacrificially. This is your reasonable service Roman 12:1-2.

It is a season of giving out bountifully to God and man, rather than accumulating or withholding Eccl 3.6b. Even though there is a worldwide depression, it is a season to imbibe and live out the spirit of sacrificial giving that came upon the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17: 7-16) It is a time to plant seeds of sacrifices, not for immediate harvest, but to be harvested later (Eccl 3.2b).

As a gospel sang, it is the time to ask “What can I do (more) for you my Lord...it is not a question of what you can do for me, what can I do (more) for you my Lord?

What is a sacrifice?

According to Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, a sacrifice is anything offered to God such as:

1. firstborn sons (Gen 13.15)
2. praise (Ps 107.22, 116.17, Heb 13.15)
3. broken and contrite heart and spirit (Ps 51.17).

Others listed by Cruden’s Complete Concordance of the Bible include

1. sacrifices of thanksgiving (Ps 4.5) and
2. acrifices of joy (Ps 27.4-6)

Cruden’s Complete Concordance of the Bible talks of two general sorts of sacrifice

1. Offerings of the first-fruits (i.e. harvest, income, profits) or incense (i.e. praise, thanksgivings, worship), to show dependence of man on his deity (i.e. upon God)
2. The burnt offering, to appease an angry god when displeased and ready to bring distress upon him

Some Bibles also render sacrifices as offerings.

What are you offering to God in this season? How far are you ready to offer in this time of need? Are you ready to be chosen among the called? Are you prepared for a covenant with God himself?

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 2 Sam 24:24

1.1.1 The altars of sacrifice

An altar in the Old Testament literarily meant a place or structure where one meets with God to offer sacrifices (Gen 8:20, 12:7, 13:3, 22:9, 35:1,3 etc However in the New Testament, our heart is the altar of spiritual sacrifices and offerings of holiness, praise, prayers, purity, righteousness, service, thanksgivings and worship Heb 13:10,15; Rev 8:13).

1.1.2 Acceptable sacrifices

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Not all sacrifices to God are acceptable or well pleasing to God:

Jer 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

We need to have a daily attitude and lifestyle of holiness for our sacrifices and services to be reasonable and accepted by the most Holy God.

1.2 A season of Relocation and Separation:

In this season of covenant by sacrifice, called by God Himself, there are applicable lessons that can be learnt from the covenant experience of Abraham with God on the way to fulfilling the Abramic Covenant of the Promised Land of Canaan:

1. From Acts 7:2, we learn that God had first spoken to and called Abraham when he was still living with his father Terah and according to Joshua 24.2, Terah served other gods.
2. Gen 11:31-32. As long as Abram was still under Terah, he was grouped with other children, and dwelt at Haran, where Terah died
3. Gen 12:1-3. It was after Terah died that God reminded and repeated his call and promise to Abram
4. Gen 12:1-2 The purpose of promise/relocation: to be blessed to be a blessing Gen 12:2b
5. Gen 12:9-13:4 Departure time, when Abraham began to move again
6. Gen 13:4-5. In partial obedience, Abram departed, but took his cousin Lot along
7. Gen 13:4-13 A time to separate/change locations Prov 22:10, Eccl 3:5a
8. Gen 13.14-17 After Lot left. Covenant reaffirmed ... ‘after that Lot was separated from him’
9. Genesis 13: 18. Abram built an altar of covenant unto the Lord
10. Gen 14:13-24. The distraction of the unnecessary war to deliver/rescue Lot
11. Gen 15:1-5. After these things happened , the word of God came unto Abram in a vision
12. Genesis 15.6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness...

1.3 The season to judge the Amorites

Gen 15.16 informs that it would take four generations for the Abramic covenant to be fulfilled because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full. But for the Nigerian Church, the time to judge the ‘Amorites’ and fulfil the divine covenant of processing the land for the Lord has come from the day three generations died in a single plane crash!

And it came to pass in process of time that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

Isaiah 14:21-22: Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.

It came to pass!

1.4 A season for the sacrifice of fasting and praying

Three generation levels had passed on already, we are in the fourth generation. It is time for the covenant to be fulfilled, the covenant by sacrifice by the praying, groaning, wailing, intercessory Church in Nigeria

Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Exodus 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Exodus 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

It shall come to pass

Isaiah 66:7-8 “…for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD. Amos 2.14-16

It shall come to pass over Nigeria in Jesus name. Amen

1.5 A season for the Joseph generation

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this; there is none so discreet and wise as thou art... See, I have set thee over all the land
Gen 41:38-39, 41

In this season, many Josephs, so discreet and wise, in whom the (seven) Spirit(s) of God is;-male and female, talented and gifted- will be sought out locally, nationally and internationally, to fulfil roles and offices, positions and assignments, for which they have proved and sacrificed themselves, faithful and selflessly over time at local levels (see Isaiah 62:12; Matthew 24; 45-47; 25:14-29)

Joseph’s Storehouse

Gen 41:48-49: And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
In times of economic depression like this, God has placed some stores in the hands of some Josephs, who will ‘honour the LORD with (their) substance, and with the first-fruits of all (their) increase: So shall (their) barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine (Pro3:9-10); who will obediently fulfil Proverbs 3:27-29:

Withhold) not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Say not unto thy) neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. Matt 24:45-47

5. Biblical principles for managing your income in times of economic depression

Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto
Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. Genesis 47:23-24

And it shall come to pass in the increase (i.e. from the gain/income/profit/revenue after paying your tithes and offerings), that ye shall:

1. give the fifth part unto Pharaoh (Interest on loan/Taxes) : 20%
2. and four parts shall be your own : Left for your management 80% as below:
   
   1. For seed of the field (expenses on investment, sowing, planting etc) - Ecclesiastes 11.1-20 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
   2. and for your food (your personal expenses, spending on self needs and requirements)
   3. And for them of your households (expenses on immediate and extended family e.g. shelter/accommodation) 1 Timothy 5.8
   4. and for food for your little ones (expenses and investment on children’s immediate and future- feeding, clothing, education etc)

By the Lampstand, 15th December 2010

3.0 JOS CRISIS: DEALING WITH WATER SPIRITS

The last edition of the Lampstandletters (No 48, January to June 2010), ended with the sentence below under a short article on its back page titled: THE NEXT PERSECUTION:

What is happening in Jos between the indigenous Christians and the settler Muslim Hausa-Fulani is just a tip of the iceberg...”

During a recent African Regional Professional Workshop I attended in Dakar Senegal, I got into informal discussion with some participants about the ubiquitous presence of Fulani pastoralists all over West and Central Africa; and how they are able to subdue local inhabitants wherever they decide to settle. A participant volunteered in passing, why this situation is so. He stated that whenever Fulani pastoralists come to a place they want to settle for the first time, what they do is to locate the rivers that supply the land, and make a covenant of possessing the land with the water spirits residing in the rivers!

The people of this world are indeed wiser than the children of light. The Bible is very clear from the time of Moses and Joshua that Rivers are significant for spiritual mapping, and are places to begin to possess the land (Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4).

If the Church in Jos and indeed in any place want to dispossess their land from the hands of invaders, the Apostolic Prophetic Church need to do a spiritual mapping of the rivers that form the boundaries of their land, first annul any covenant made by foreign invaders who want to possess the land and then proclaim the biblical principles in the verses above, especially in Ezekiel 29:3-5, Jeremiah 46:1-10, Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4.

The praying church needs to arise from its slumber and war against them. Let us go to EVERY river and waters that form the boundaries of settlements, villages, towns, cities, Local Government Area, States, tribes, languages and tongues, to reverse and annul ancients dominations; and make new covenants, consecrating the land and people to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. By the Lampstand,

26th December 2010

Addendum

The divine revelations thereafter are contained in the Lampstand Letters book Thrones, Water Spirits and Horns of Nations.
Other spiritual features of rivers include:

1. Nations are identified with the major rivers they contain. Hence Egypt is also known the Nile (Ezekiel 29:2-10, Also Jeremiah 46:7-8 and Isaiah 19:1-19). Assyrian is identified as Euphrates (Isaiah 7:20, 11:15-16, 27:12-13 and Jeremiah 2:18). One could suggest therefore that if Nigeria were to be likewise referred to in the Bible, it could be simply called Niger!
2. The Rivers Nile and Euphrates (Egypt and Assyria) represented the natural enemies of the people of God, their captivity and exile. To deliver his people or reconcile these kingdoms with his people, God had to dry off these rivers to make a way for people to pass over (see Isaiah 7:17-20, 11:15-16, 19:22-25; 51:9 -11, Zech 10:10-11 and Rev. 16:12).
3. Kings and kingdom derive their power from rivers and seas Ezekiel 29:3, 28:2, 27:3-4.
4. Rivers serve as natural (and spiritual) boundaries of nations and kingdoms Gen. 2:10-14, 15:18. Joshua 1:2-4 and Acts 17:26b.
5. Rivers serve as place of battle, where God judges his enemies. Judges 3:28-29, 4:7, 5:19-21, 2 Kings 23:39, Jeremiah. 46:6 and Habakkuk 3:8-15.
6. Rivers represent/describe different and kingdoms (Rev. 17:1-15, Jeremiah: 46:7-8, Jeremiah 51:13, Isaiah 8:6-8).
7. Rivers describe invading armies. Isaiah 8:6-8; 17:12-13; 569:19, Jeremiah. 46:7-8).
8. Other rivers in the bible each had significance derivable from their names.

These features and characteristics are applicable to the rivers of Nigeria.

NIGERIA, FULANI DOMINATION AND COVENANTS WITH WATER SPIRITS

The Bible tells us that rivers run from between mountains and hills (Deut 8:7, Psalm 104:4-13). Geography also tells us that the River Niger originates from the Futa Djallon Mountains of Guinea-Conakry. Futa Djallon is a Fulani word (futa or feta) meaning Resting place, settlement or habitation.

If the river Niger for which Nigeria is named has its source from a mountain named by the Fulani as a Fulani resting place, does it not explain why the Nigeria area (Nigeria) is dominated by the Hausa- Fulani? If Nigeria has to be healed, we have to prophetically turn Futa Djallon to Eden (Gen. 2:10-14, Isaiah 51:3, Ezekiel 36:35) at its source, reversing every covenant (like Elisa healed the waters of Jericho – See Joshua 6:26 and 2 Kings 2:18-22).

(The good news is that this spiritual exercise was recently done. To God be the Glory)

Healing waters must flow from the church into the sea, to heal the waters of Nigeria (Ezekiel 47:1-8).

Conclusion

Demonic water spirits are a reality and they control EVERY tribe, people, land, language and tongue, blinding them to the gospel of Christ. Rev. 17:1-18:6 describe the spiritual principality represented by the woman Babylon, as sitting upon many waters and ruling over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:15). The earlier the church deals with them in spiritual warfare, the easier the work of missions and world evangelism will be. They are specifically given authority to war against saints, they know their time is short and are furious. Their goal is to delay Christ's coming as much as they can by preventing world evangelism.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Since the Lampstandletters commenced in August 1998, a mailing list of up to 200 postal addresses have been compiled and receiving the Lampstandletters free by surface mail postage. This is in addition to free distribution at Christian gatherings and access by electronic mails.

It has become necessary to update the Lampstandletters mailing list, and also in view of the rising cost of surface mail postage, we will like readers who will still want to receive by post to endeavour to send their current address and at least N100.00 worth of postage stamps to cover the postal of the two editions per year (i.e. 2 x N50.00 stamps).

If for any reason you are unable to send the N100.00 worth of stamps, please ensure you send your current postal address, either by post (U.I. P.O.BOX 4150, IBADAN, NIGERIA), or email< This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;. Lampstandletters will continue to be distributed freely by post, email and at Christian gatherings, as the Lord enables.

4.0 Dakar muses

The following ‘revelations’ came out of my recent visit to Dakar Senegal, one of the 17 African nations that was 50 years post independence

1. Britain ensured that for mainly commercial purposes (and beneath spiritual reasons), they colonised Countries with access to the sea
2. The most western point of the Atlantic Ocean is in Dakar. It is from there the hurricanes and storms devastating the western hemisphere start off
3. Most of the most devastating hurricanes and storms have feminine names
4. Cameroon is named after a word meaning (sea) shrimps
5. Rwanda on its own recently changed from being a Francophone Nation to an Anglophone Nation
6. In order to spiritually subdue the indigenes of an area, whenever Fulani (pastoralist) settlers get to a place, the search out the river(s) servicing the area and make certain covenants that enables them to settle in the area and dominate the indigenes

NIGERIA IT CAME TO PASS AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS

1.0 NIGERIA 2007 -2010: AND IT CAME TO PASS

In the middle of the second column of the front page of Lampstandletters No 41 January to June 2007, is found the attachment below, a prophetic declaration from the LORD of hosts, which was lifted from Zechariah 13:7-9:

The first part of the divine prophesy in Zechariah 13.7, which runs to 2010, has come to pass with the passing away of the stricken Shepherd, (late) President Umaru Yar’adua. Hands are being turned against the little ones, some of them are on the run, and some others are being investigated by the EFCC…

But the prophesy did not end with Zechariah 13.7. There was a divine instruction “Please read Zechariah 13.7-9”.

13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

2.0 NIGERIA: 2010 -2014: AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS

13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

We are about to enter the second part of the prophesy: NIGERIA: 2010 -2014: THE SEASON OF THE EAGLE (Zechariah 13.8-9), between 1st October 2010 (when Nigeria transcends into its post-Jubilee years) and 1st January 2014 (when it reaches its one hundred years as a country)

On the Nigerian Coat of Arms, are found two horses and an eagle.

13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

For nearly fifty years of independence, the Hausa-Fulani Caliphate spirit of the horse and its riders – Ahmadu Bello, Shehu Musa Yar’ adua, Shehu Shagari, Muhamadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, Umaru Yar’ adua- has occupied/control the throne of Nigeria. Even before Nigeria came to be known as one country, the Islamic Fulani Empire/Sokoto Caliphate has sought reign over Nigeria. It was at Ibadan that they were stopped from the avowed goal of “dipping the Koran in the sea”.

The Fulani Caliphate attempted to expand further into the southern region of modern-day Nigeria, but was decisively defeated by the armies of Ibadan in 1840. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibadan

However, from 1996 when General Abacha removed Sultan Dasuki, to 2006 when three (3) generations of the Sultanate- Sultan Macchido, his son Senator Macchido and his grandson- died same day in a plane crash; to the day the Hausa-Fulani President Yar’adua was struck done on the throne; the Lord of Hosts has been whittling down their claim of”born-to-rule” over the throne of Nigeria.

The reign of two horses (and their riders) over Nigeria is gone forever. Amen.

FOR NIGERIA, IT IS THE SEASON OF THE EAGLE!!!

(The modern English name of the bird is derived from the Latin term aquila by way of the French aigle. The Latin aquila may derive from the word aquilus, meaning dark-colored, swarthy, or blackish, as a description of the eagle's plumage; or from aquilo, the Latin version of Greek boreas, or north wind; however, aquilus and aquilo may just as well derive from aquila (or be unrelated) and the latter be of unknown origin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle#The_word)

By virtue of Isaiah 31.4b, the eagle has landed, on Aso Rock!
By the Lampstand
May 17, 2010

3.0 NIGERIA: BETWEEN THE EAGLE AND THE HORSES

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. Isa 31:3- 31:5:

The LORD of HOST- the Lion of the tribe of Judah, has arisen, and two parts- both he that helpeth and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together!

There is a third part, for the travailing church.

The LORD of hosts comes down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. It is a divine process, first to DELIVER the Church in Nigeria from the horse and the rider; secondly to PRESERVE it.
Zechariah 13:9: And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against thosethat oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:1 to 3:6

O Church of God in Nigeria, get ready for a time of refining and trial through the divine fire of God. It is a process that will lead the Church from the state of being of “they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” Isa 31.1c to “they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God”. Zech 13.9b.

By the Lampstand, 2nd June 2010

4.0 NIGERIA 2010: UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

Between 17th July and 29th September 2006, the electronic version of Lampstandletters ran a series of seven messages titled “NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION”. These were later printed in LAMPSTANDLETTERS NO. 40., July to December 2006 (Print edition), in an article titled: NIGERIA 2007-2010: BETWEEN MT. ZAPHON AND MT. ZION-WHITHIER THE THRONE OF DAVID?

Extracts from these series of articles are reproduced below, in the light of the present situation at the Presidency, with specific reference to President Yar’ Adua’s demise.

NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (6)

5.30 am 12th September 2006; I was in Abuja the Federal Capital, haven woken up a few minutes to 3.00 am. After about 90 minutes of silent praise and worship, was about going back to sleep, without reading my bible. My spirit urged me to check my bible first, for there was a word/ a message therein.

The Message of the night.

Daniel 2:19-23: Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

As have been stated earlier in Message 150, July 21 2004, 'there is nothing divine about 2007. Rather it is a date set by men and posited to implement an agenda that will be against the interest of the Church'. There is nothing sacrosanct about 2007. It is a date set by men for the handover election. To God alone belong dates and times 'and he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:'

From my understanding of what the Spirit of the Lord seems to be saying, President Obasanjo will NOT hand over in 2007, but rather in 2010, as implied in the cited message 209 above. Why is this so?

Simply put, it was on January 15th 1970, that the belligerent Biafra, represented by General Effiong, a minority Southeasterner, handed over in surrender to Nigeria, represented by the then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, after a three year war from 1967. Forty years later, the same Olusegun Obasanjo has been divinely placed to hand over the reign of Nigeria back to a Southeastern (to an Igbo man, (if they do not 'run away' like Ojukwu), or to a minority Southeastern 'Effiong').

Incidentally, the year 2010 has been highlighted as the year of Jubilee (1960 -2010) (in 40 DAYS TO MOVE NIGERIA FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION by Pastor Austen Ukachi 21st June 2006).

Understandeth what thou readeth? (Acts 8:30) Blessed are those who readeth and understandeth (Matthew 13; 23. see also Proverbs 6:8-9 and 14:6)

I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Daniel 2:23.

By the Lampstand,
5.45 am. 18th September 2006.
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

5.0 THE NEXT REVIVAL AND THE ARMIES OF IBADAN

Even before Nigeria came to exist as a country, Ibadan has played its prophetic role in stemming the conquest of geographical Islamic Fulani Sokoto Caliphate. As reported on the Wikipedia:

The Fulani Caliphate attempted to expand further into the southern region of modern-day Nigeria, but was decisively defeated by the armies of Ibadan in 1840. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibadan

In the LAMPSTANDLETTERS NO 39 January to June 2006, titled THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE, are a number of articles which are extracted and reproduced in the light of the unfolding of the next revival.

1. THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE

There is a divine issue of an eternal agenda unfolding upon the black race of the universe, in this third day millennia. For the black race, there is a call and a promise in the book of Hosea

Come let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he way heal us, he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. After two days (after 2000 AD) he will revive us; on the third day (from 2000 AD onwards) he will raise us up, that we may live before him”,

The prophetic relevance of Hosea 6:1-3 is tied to the “third day”- the third millennium- (see 2 Peter 3:8), we now are in. The two days (two millennia) has passed already, we are in the third millennium already. One hundred years after the Asuzu street revival ignited by a black man, year 2006 beckons the black race to the implementation of the divine promises of holistic healing –physical, socio-economic, spiritual etc- as espoused in Isaiah 19:22 and Hosea 6:2. It is a time of healing for the black race, a resurrection dawn, a restoration era.

Just as Hosea, recorded so also did Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 19:22:

And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them”

This third day is referred to as ‘that day’ in the history of the black race, when after centuries of social, political, ecological and economic disasters and mismanagement as elucidated in Isaiah 19: 1-16, “there will be an altar (a place of worship and prayers) to the LORD in the heart of Egypt” (another ancient biblical name for the blacks), …they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors”:-

Isaiah 19:19-21. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

The LORD is calling forth to the black church to resurrection, a restoration, a renewal and a revival. This is a call for intercessory, discipleship and missionary ministry from the black race- a gospel highway.

Isaiah 19:23-25. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

We are already in the third day! Therefore arise, ye church of the black race, and return to the LORD in entreaties and intercessions. The Lord will listen to our pleas and prayers, and he shall heal us (Isaiah 19:22):

Let us acknowledge the Lord: let us press to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3 NIV). Amen

As we wholeheartedly return to the LORD, so will it be when the LORD begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them (see Isaiah 30: 15 – 26). Amen.

2. THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY.

Various passages in the scriptures speak plainly of a highway of the gospel between Africa and the Middle and Far East (see Isaiah 19:22-25, 18:7, 35:1-10, Zeph.3:10, Zech.10:10). Recently I came across a classified document dating back to the early part of this century. Information there confirm that the gospel highway will start from the coast lands of tropical Africa (see Isaiah 11:11) through the gates of Central Africa, the Rift and Chad valleys to the far East through the gateway cities in the 10/40 window (Maiduguri, Kano, Cairo, Khartoum, Ndjamena, Tripoli, etc). Envoys (missionaries, Ambassadors) will come from Egypt, and Ethiopia/Sudan will raise their hands to God Ps. 68:31. The knowledge of the land will cover the earth, including the Islamic strongholds of the 10/40 windows of Northern

Africa (Isaiah 11:9) Amen.

Let us then prepare ourselves and pray these things unto reality

3. IBADAN AND THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY

From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Message 135, Date: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:44am

Subject: RE-Gospel Highway

This contribution by Robin Jegede-Brimson <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;, Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK in reaction to the Gospel highway section of the TRANSFORMING AFRICA PRAYERS MAY 2 2004 article from Dr. Tayo Babalobi <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters/post?>. Date: Sun Apr 25, 2004 0:02pm

Thanks for your article on the gospel highway (See above).

It starts in the city of Ibadan in 2006/7; it will vary in width, but generally between 15 and 65km wide. In its wake will be churches and ministries of every dimension, from drama ministry to deliverance to intercession and every of the identified 125 plus ministry / 5-fold / spiritual / etc gifts, there will be a deluge of gifting released on the members of the body in the path of this highway, (and specifically for the ministry of the highway).

As the highway is formed, at least 5 huge ministries akin to CFAN will work at various places and times.

In the wake of the highway NO MOSQUE, NO IDOL, NO ALTAR will be able to keep its doors open, all the enemies of Christ will disperse like ice disperses when the sun rises. In the wake of the tornado of the gospel-machine communities will be transformed, curses erupted from the "soil" and "iroko trees" that have thrived for centuries are uprooted. By the power of the anointing.

For now the Lord is working on the body of Christ in Ibadan. Men are being set in place, ministries birthed, businesses instituted.

For the Lord would say, "I have not forsaken you, my beloved, have you forsaken me and my heart for the lost, the oppressed, the captive? Yet you say where are they? I will go to Lagos to establish this work, but the Lord says have I the Lord sent you to Lagos? Behold my blessing is upon this town; her name shall be known in the entire world as the place the Lord loves and has placed his name. Even now says the Lord I am rebuilding the wall of this great town, prosperity shall be in her walls and on her people. Not for themselves, but for the work; for from this city shall arise a cry for the souls of those being slaughtered for my name, and I Jehovah shall cause the pain for their sufferings to be felt in the hearts of my ministers in this town, Ibadan, and they shall call on me for deliverance, and from their cries I will send a spirit of unity like has never before existed unity to alleviate the cries of, my oppressed ones, says the Lord. Wait for it, it shall come to pass says the Lord"

IBADAN ARISE, FOR YOUR FINEST HOUR IS UPON YOU!!!

Best regards,

Robin Jegede-Brimson
Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK
April 2004. E-mail : <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

6.0 TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW MOVE OF GOD

The Original Message below is from: Apostolic/Prophetic/Global JOSHUA A/P NETWORK ELIST. Sent on Saturday, May 28, 2005 7:59am, it refers to an impending NEW MOVE OF GOD, from a North American perspective.
From an African perspective, it however appears to refer to the APOSTOLIC DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT (ADM) vision, being promoted in Nigeria and beyond by Dr Uche Adeogo OBED of the Glory Tabernacle Ministry, Ibadan.
Apostolic Discipleship Movement <http://www.apostolicdiscipleship.net> http://apostolicdiscipleship.com/

Let's watch and pray along, with understanding. Amen

Tayo Babalobi.

By the Lampstand, 27th April 2006.

7.0 THE COMING PENTECOST

The extract below is from a Message from: Catherine Brown Catherine@gatekeepe rs.org.uk, to Subscriber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on Sat, May 22, 2010 11:21:45 AM. The subject was: Pentecost - the Power of His Presence. Full text is available from Catherine Brown, Founder, Gatekeepers Global Ministries (7 million souls mandate) admin@gatekeepers. org.uk, www.gatekeepers. org.uk

ACTS 2

THE POWER OF HIS PRESENCE

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place." v1

Pentecost happened at an appointed time, in an appointed place with an appointed people. There was unity in the midst of those who had gathered continuously and with definite purpose to seek God for the promised outpouring. Men and women contended together for visitation from the Lord. They did not know the exact time it would happen, or even the precise manner in which God would meet with them, but nonetheless they understood that they were moving towards a manifestation of heaven on earth heretofore unknown and their total individual and corporate focus was in meeting with God in a life-changing encounter. As we celebrate Pentecost today, God is still looking for a desperate people who are longing to meet with Him in surrender to presence, so that He might fill us up with the power of His Spirit and send us out to a world in deep need of His transformational love.

"Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” v2

It has been my experience that the “suddenly” of God is usually preceded by a time of waiting; by what we might consider a time of spiritual wilderness, which ultimately produces a worshipful response in us as we wait upon the Lord for breakthrough. It is my firm conviction that we are entering into a new season this Pentecost, whereby our victory in Christ will manifest with miracles, signs and wonders following. The harvest anointing is going to catapult a people of His presence into the next stage of destiny fruitfulness and divine fulfilment.

At Pentecost, the sound of heaven was released on earth with awe inspiring effects; it must have been an awesome event to witness, as the wind and the fire from heaven as it came in fulfilment of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit being given to the church. We can never outdo God and the “latter rains” of His glory will come as such a deluge that we will never be able to fully prepare for what is coming, yet God positions us for blessing and breakthrough by creating faith expectation and a longing for more of His love, presence and power in our hearts.

William Seymour, whom God used as a mighty revivalist during Azusa Street Revival (1906-1910), prophesied that 100 years on from the Azusa Street revival, there would be another global outpouring that would be released from heaven to change earth, the scope of which we have never seen before. We now stand on the 100 year time line of Mr Seymour’s prophecy coming to pass. Beloved saints, it is time for another glory outpouring that will sweep millions into the Kingdom. Are we waiting with deep expectation? Are we ready and willing for the fire of God to fall afresh on our lives so that we might share it with others?

"They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each one of them." v3

In this Pentecostal, pre-ordained moment of outpouring, everyone’s spiritual eyes were opened to see how heaven was touching earth. No one was in any doubt that God was on the move!
It is said of the Azusa Street Revival that fire was seen coming down from heaven to touch the little warehouse where the revival meetings were held, and simultaneously fire was seen rising up from the roof of the same building. When the fire of God was burning - everyone could see the fire! In this move of God that is coming to the earth, spiritual eyes and ears are going to be opened to the majesty of God as He moves on the earth to bring spiritual awakening to the masses. God’s fire is going to be seen by believers and unbelievers alike and God’s name will be revered in all the earth.

Pentecost, two thousand years ago, was a corporate outpouring but it still had an individual application on those who earnestly awaited the Holy Spirit. To such adoring hearts, God conferred the blessing of His fiery presence resting upon them. Saints, in the coming days God is going to bless us again with another wave of His Spirit and holy fire that will consume the darkness and advance the Kingdom of God.

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." v4

God was doing a new thing on the day of Pentecost. We must acknowledge that with each and every precedent, there has to be a beginning, a time when we must embrace something we have not previously known. As we walk with God we are brought into new levels of understanding and comprehension of the mystery of the Gospel through God’s word and through the teaching, revelation and impartation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a wonderful teacher and unlocks the mystery of the Kingdom to every seeking heart. Perhaps we might say that His mission is to reveal God’s love.

It is said of Messiah, “The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.” Isaiah 1:31
We, too, are called to a baptism of Holy Spirit and fire, “I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come one whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3:11
This Pentecost may we, as God’s people, posture ourselves in servant love before Him, adoring Him with all that we are so that He might release of a fresh wave of Holy Spirit and glory fire upon, to and through us for global mission!

Together in the Harvest,
Catherine Brown
Founder, Gatekeepers Global Ministries (7 million souls mandate))
admin@gatekeepers. org.uk
www.gatekeepers. org.uk

8.0 THE NEXT PERSECUTION

Act 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Act 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

What is happening in Jos between the indigenous Christians and the settler Muslim Hausa-Fulani is just a tip of the iceberg...

AN ABOMINABLE AMERICANIZED LAODICEAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:14-3:19

LAMPSTANDLETTERS Publisher/Editor: Dr Tayo Babalobi Lampstand Letter Ministry, University Post Office Box 4150, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Tel 0805-530-1991 Computer lay-out Printer: Scripture Union Nigeria Press and Books Limited, Ibadan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Access the electronic version at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Visit the website URL: http://www.christonline.iqnfo/biblestudy/lampstand/index.html for more than one hundred articles from past editions of the Lampstandletters and http://www.geocities.com/lampstandlettersnigeria/index.htm for past editions of the Lampstandletters.

The following extract vividly recalls a moment of the fire of God burning in Azusa Street.

“When I asked her to describe the Shekinah Glory Fire reported by many, she told her story. She recalled the fire department coming because of a call that the building was on fire. When they arrived, they didn’t smell any smoke or see any evidence of fire. She remembered that it was Seymour, Bosworth, Lake, Smith and Sines that ran out.

Sister Carney did go out one time to see the flames for herself. Remember the fire department had been called on several different occasions, as passers-by would report seeing flames leaping up from the roof of the building. Finally, Sister Carney asked John Lake why the fire department kept coming and looking for the fire. He explained that the fire was coming down from heaven into the building and fire was going up from the building and meeting the fire coming down. Fascinated, Sister Carney went out, walked about half a block and saw the awesome sight for herself. To her, this divine connection was just further evidence of God’s mighty Presence in that place.

Sister Carney noted that although the Shekinah Glory was present all the time within the building, this divine connection wasn’t an everyday occurrence. Whenever this connection was present, the power was even more intense within the meeting."

The glory of God is sometimes visible as a cloud or mist (Exodus 24:16-17). Jesus also spoke about wanting us to see his glory, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24

I saw the glory cloud for the first time when I ministered in Connecticut, USA around ten years ago. I was amazed when God opened my spiritual eyes to see this beautiful manifestation of His presence. Since that time I have been privileged on many occasions to see the glory cloud of God.

Whist ministering in France a few years ago, I was listening to a fellow minister (Avner Boskey) share about Israel and France’s history; the longer Avner spoke, the more intense the glory cloud became until I could barely see him. Following the teaching time we entered into a time of deep national repentance for the historical sins that France had committed against Israel as a nation. It is my firm belief that the glory of God enabled us to enter into the atmosphere of heaven, access His heart and respond with humility, obedience and love so that God could release blessing on the nation.

The fire of God that touched the believers on the day of Pentecost was a personal encounter with the holy presence of God. We cannot remain the same when we have met with God in the inner chamber of His heart. His fire consecrates us and sets us apart for His work. His fire speaks of holiness and purity, bringing healing and cleansing wherever it comes to rest. His fire is His love and our hearts melt in the beauty of His presence.

I recall the first time I encountered the fire of God in a personal way. Two pastors from Argentina were sharing about the Holy Spirit and my heart’s desire was to experience more of Him. In that moment God opened my spiritual eyes (in like manner to Elisha’s servants eyes being opened see 2 Kings 6:17), and I saw what looked like a ball of holy fire coming towards me at high speed. That “ball of fire” was the power of the Holy Spirit and when it touched my body, I experienced a deep and fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I ministered in a youth gathering on one occasion and preached on the fire of God. As I shared, most people in the meeting could smell a strong odour of burning, but there was no physical fire present! God presence was “burning” in our midst (thankfully, no one needed to call the fire department that day!)

We read of spiritual outpouring at Azusa Street often brought about through singing in the Spirit:

“Soon after the singing started, Seymour would instruct the people to “Sing in the Spirit.” Whenever that happened, heaven itself came down and filled the room. The music was beyond description, pure yet powerful. This heavenly music became known as a “new song” as the crowd began to sing in heavenly language, sometimes in tongues, sometimes without words. At times it seemed as if angels joined in the singing. “Singing in the Spirit” was a new song led by the Spirit of God.”
(Extract “Azusa Street, “They told me their stories” the youth and children of Azusa Street tell their stories.” By Billye Brim, Dare 2 Dream Publications. )

Last November, I was ministering with my GGM team in Kenya. We had gone deep into the village to meet with spiritually hungry leaders and believers alike. We were ministering by God’s grace to men, women and children and at one point I felt we needed to sing in the Spirit to breakthrough into God’s blessing. The African leaders looked at me a little bit unsure of what I was suggesting as I requested them to sing along. I began to sing in the Spirit with our worship leader Mary by my side. She gave testimony that as I sang in the Spirit, she had a sensation of cool, refreshing water running over her and cleansing her inside and out. After she shared, we continued to sing in the Spirit, with momentum gathering and God released a healing outpouring in the meeting at which time many present were set free from pain and bondage and brought into deliverance and healing. Hallelujah!

“Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” v12

All the Jews present on the day of Pentecost were able to understand what was being said and they were utterly amazed that each heard it in his own language as God’s wonders were declared to a watching world, making known the mystery of God’s love in Christ. In this end-time global outpouring, I believe that every culture will experience a touch of God’s fiery, unquenchable love. The writer of Song of Songs sums it up magnificently thus, “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” SoS 8:7a God’s love is going to woo the multitudes into His loving arms.

“Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” v13

The disciples were accused of being drunk yet it was only 9 o'clock in the morning!

The revivalist William Seymour had an odd practise of placing a box on his head in meetings and sitting under it until God told him to come out. Perhaps some onlookers at that time wondered if Mr Seymour was drunk or in his right mind, just as some wondered about the apostles on the day of Pentecost?

“When Seymour came down to the meeting, he would sit down and put a box on his head. At first, it startled Sister Carney. Sometimes he would sit with the box over his head for ten minutes and sometimes it would be an hour or more. Although the practise seemed ridiculous, Sister Carney realised that he was obeying God, no matter how silly or ridiculous it appeared. That apparent act of humble obedience led to mighty power when he removed the box. This box and act of humility was critical to the power God displayed through Brother Seymour. When Brother Smith asked Sister Carney what caused the miracles and Azusa to stop, she replied, “It was stopped when Brother Seymour stopped putting that box over his head. When he quit coming down and putting the box on his head, it started dying.”

“The greatest thing that impressed Anderson was when the Spirit would fall on Seymour and he would start working the gifts. Anderson would get up on the benches so he could see Seymour talking to the people. There were quite a few times that there were people with what looked like rheumatoid arthritis, and Seymour would point to maybe a dozen of them and say, “You want to see a miracle over there?” Every one of you within a few minutes are going to be up and walking in the Name of Jesus.” And every one of them – you could hear their bones popping – would be up shouting as their legs and arms and hands were straightened out.

A few times Anderson witnessed Seymour perform one-on-one healings. One such healing stood out in Anderson’s memory. A man whose face was deformed with small growths all over his face came to Brother Seymour. The deformed man looked very homely and ugly. Brother Seymour prayed for him, and immediately the growths began to fall off his face, restoring his face and making him whole. Perhaps the most stunning detail is that volunteers had to come and clean up those growths that had fallen from the man’s face to the floor.”

God sometimes asks us to do unusual or strange things and whilst we must avoid unnecessary drama, or try to draw attention to one self, we must be earnest to flow with the Holy Spirit and obey His instructions.

Last year God asked me to pray and to physically bind a tree with a rope during a preaching session in a tent conference in Africa. Initially, I was reluctant to obey, however the Holy Spirit helped me to comprehend that the purpose of the binding was a physical representation of what God’s power was accomplishing in the spiritual realm – i.e. binding the forces of darkness (witchcraft) from operating in that meeting. God had revealed to me by His Spirit, that a witch doctor was cursing our meeting at that very moment in time. While we prayed to bind the spirit of witchcraft and loose the resurrection power of Christ, a huge lorry overturned on the roadside, losing its load and causing quite a stir. We rushed over to see if everyone was alright and were amazed that despite the fact the lorry had overturned at high speed, had lost all its load and the driver had gone out through the window of the vehicle as it smashed on impact, neither the driver nor a single person in the crowd was hurt even slightly. Glory to God! We believe that God moved in power as we prayed and bound the spirit of witchcraft from operating. If we had not prayed and acted in obedience at the precise time God had told us to pray, it is possible the driver and others could have lost their lives. We were later informed that the land on which the tree had been bound had previously been cursed and many people had been afraid to even step on the ground. We broke the curse in the mighty name of Jesus and released God’s blessing!

Together in the Harvest,

Catherine Brown
Founder, Gatekeepers Global Ministries (7 million souls mandate))
admin@gatekeepers. org.uk
www.gatekeepers. org.uk

All book quotations are taken from “Azusa Street, “They told me their stories” the youth and children of Azusa Street tell their stories.” By Billye Brim, Dare 2 Dream Publications. Azusastories. com

9.0 THE POWER OF HIS PRESENCE

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place." v1

The relevant article below was first published in LAMPSTANDLETTERS NO 47 JULY TO DECEMBER 2009

LAUGHTER IN NIGERIA BY 2014 -

(IF SHE SURVIVES AS A NATION)

Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? Genesis 17:17a

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8
BEYOND 2010

As we prepare towards Nigeria Jubilee 2010, THE SPIRIT OF GOD DECLARES THAT THERE SHALL BE LAUGHTER IN NIGERIA BY 2014, IF NIGERIA SURVIVES AND REACHES ITS ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR AS A NATION CREATED BY GOD IN1914 FOR HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE.

Even though the year 2010 marks 50 (Jubilee) years of Independence from colonial rule in 1960, more significant to the Lord’s end-time purpose is Nigeria in 2014; one hundred years from 1st January 1914, when Nigeria was created as a nation (country) by the ordinance of Lord Lugard, and so named NIGERIA (literarily meaning Niger Area) by Miss Flora Shaw.

And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. (Genesis 21.1-6)

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. Gen. 21:5

There is a divine agenda for Nigeria to be (among) the greatest nation on the earth from 2014, if it survives beyond 2013 as a country. Well-known is the American Intelligence Report that Nigeria is likely to disintegrate by 2013. It is a secular report of the spiritual situation over Nigeria. There are satanic spiritual forces in the air, on the land, beneath the land/in the marine world to see that Nigeria does not survive beyond 2013, in order to thwart the divine agenda to make the Black Country, Nigeria the greatest nation on earth from 2014. (Another meaning of Nigeria, from the ‘Simeon that was called ‘Niger’ in Acts 13.1, is ‘the land/area of black people’. This is no surprise as demography reports that one out of every four black person in the world is a Nigerian).

The satanic forces and powers contending against Black Nigeria becoming “One Nation under God”, and working towards its disintegration by 2013 are:

1. Arab/Islamic interests from the North,
2. Indigenous, Idolatrous, Cultural/Tribal African Traditional Religious practices, and
3. An Abominable Americanized Laodicean Christian Church

More shall be said of these in the coming days.

THE TRAVAIL OF CHILDBIRTH

for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8

Just as there must be travail before child-birth, so must the church travail and groan in prayers for what the Lord has destined for Nigeria to come to pass in 2014 and beyond. And there is a unique role for the interceding Christian women in the travail that will give birth to the post 2014 Nigeria. First it is strategic that the name Nigeria was given by a woman Miss Flora Shaw. Likewise, Abraham needed a Sarah to give birth to laughter i.e. Isaac, just as Isaiah needed the prophetess-wife to conceive the two prophetic children of Isaiah 7.3 and 8.3 before he could declare “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. Isaiah 8.18

Nigeria is destined to be a sign and a wonder for the entire world to see. We have a divine readiness from the Most High God to bring this to pass. But it is the responsibility of the praying Church to bring Nigeria to the point of birth: Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. (Isaiah 66.9)

OH THAT THE CHURCH BEGINS TO TRAVAIL…

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them Isaiah 48.3-7
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4.18-21

See also Isaiah 66.10-end.

By the Lampstand, 28th September 2009

Beyond 2010: Laughter in Nigeria by 2014

1.0 LAUGHTER IN NIGERIA BY 2014 -

(IF SHE SURVIVES AS A NATION)

Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? Genesis 17:17a

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8

2.0 BEYOND 2010

As we prepare towards Nigeria Jubilee 2010, THE SPIRIT OF GOD DECLARES THAT THERE SHALL BE LAUGHTER IN NIGERIA BY 2014, IF NIGERIA SURVIVES AND REACHES ITS ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR AS A NATION CREATED BY GOD IN1914 FOR HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE.

Even though the year 2010 marks 50 (Jubilee) years of Independence from colonial rule from1960, more significant to the Lord’s end-time purpose is Nigeria in 2014, one hundred years from 1st January 1914, when Nigeria was created as a nation (country) by the ordinance of Lord Lugard and so named NIGERIA (literarily meaning Niger Area) by Miss Flora Shaw.

And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. (Genesis 21.1-6)

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. Gen. 21:5

There is a divine agenda for Nigeria to be (among) the greatest nation on the earth from 2014, if it survives beyond 2013 as a country. Well-known is the American Intelligence Report that Nigeria is likely to disintegrate by 2013. It is a secular report of the spiritual situation over Nigeria. There are satanic spiritual forces in the air, on the land, beneath the land/in the marine world cohorts to see that Nigeria does not survive beyond 2013, in order to thwart the divine agenda to make the Black Country Nigeria the greatest nation on earth from 2014. (Another meaning of Nigeria, from the ‘Simeon that was called ‘Niger’ in Acts 13.1, is ‘the land/area of black people’. This is no surprise as demography reports that one out of every four black person in the world is a Nigerian).

The satanic forces and powers contending against Black Nigeria becoming “One Nation under God”, and working towards its disintegration by 2013 are:

1. Arab/Islamic interests from the North,
2. Indigenous idolatrous Cultural/Tribal African Traditional Religious practices, and
3. An Abominable Americanized Laodicean Christian Church
4. More shall be said of these in the coming days.

THE TRAVAIL OF CHILDBIRTH

“…for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Isaiah 66:7-8

Just as there must be travail before child-birth, so must the church travail and groan in prayers for what the Lord has destined for Nigeria to come to pass in 2014 and beyond. And there is a unique role for the interceding Christian women in the travail that will give back to the post 2014 Nigeria. First it is strategic that the name Nigeria was given by a woman Miss Flora Shaw. Likewise, Abraham needed a Sarah to give birth to laughter i.e. Isaac, just as Isaiah needed the prophetess-wife to conceive the two prophetic children of Isaiah 7.3 and 8.3 before he could declare “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. Isaiah 8.18

Nigeria is destined to be a sign and a wonder for the entire world to see. We have a divine readiness from the Most High God to bring this pass. But it is the responsibility of the praying Church to bring Nigeria to the point of point of birth:

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. (Isaiah 66.9)

OH THAT THE CHURCH BEGINS TO TRAVAIL…

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them Isaiah 48.3-7

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4.18-21

See also Isaiah 66.10-end.
By the Lampstand,
28th September 2009

AFRICAN JUBILEE

(SOURCE: EXTRACTS FROM “PRAYER ALERT/CHART FOR THE 3RD AFRICAN CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE IN YAOUNDE, CAMEROUN”. Central Planning Committee Wailing Women <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;).

The glory of the Lord shall cover Africa as the waters cover the seas
The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much. James 5:16b.

PRAISE POINTS

Thank God for things He has began doing in the nations of Africa like Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa etc.
Give God thanks and praise in advance for the eighteen African countries that will celebrate Jubilee next year 2010. Cameroun will be the first on the line-up, precisely on the 1st January 2010 to celebrate her Jubilee.

REPENTANCE

If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us”. Psalm 66:18.
“Our iniquities have separated between us and our God, and our sins have hid His face from us, that He will not hear” Isaiah 59:1-4.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?” Psalm 24:3-4.

1. Personal/family repentance: confess your sins and ask Him to purge you – I John 1:8-9, Psalm 51:1-4.
2. Bring repentance on behalf of Africa and the world. Repent from evil foundation, bloodshed, corruption and all forms of wickedness laid by our past and present leaders – 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
3. Command the gates of Cameroun to open, let the King of Glory come in. enthrone His majesty and establish His Kingdom.
4. Pray against powers and dragon in the Nile and Sao Tome waters and every contending spirit, forces of darkness, witches and marine demons that have arisen to fight the conference. Let God intervene and release Africa. Micah 5:10-15, Isaiah 27:1, Psalm 18:1-15.
5. Pray that God should overthrow the throne of kingdoms in Africa. Haggai 2:22.
6. Ask God to judge the leadership of Africa (AU – African Union) Muammar Gadaffi. Isaiah 47, Ezekiel 29:1-5.
7. Ask God to fray the horns of Islam and traditional witchcraft that have arisen against Africa. Zechariah 1:18-21. Silence the voices speaking against the plans, purpose and will of God for Africa. Let God frustrate their agenda. Isaiah 44:25, Job 5:12, Job 18:5. Let Him rid us of beast rulers.
8. Pray that the destiny of Africa will not be hijacked.
9. Ask God to destroy the covering cast over the youths of Africa and let their eyes be opened to the truth that will cause them to walk in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 25:7, Amos 5:4-6.
10. Pray that God will bring down His kingdom and His will be done in Africa. Declare Isaiah 60 over Africa. Matthew 6:10.
11. Thank God for answered prayers and pray as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

Central Planning Committee

3rd African Continental Conference

Wailing Women <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;).

3.0 A Jubilee Prophesy

(SOURCE PROPHECY ON 22ND SEPTEMBER 2009 FOR WAILING WOMEN NIGERIA – JUBILEE PROGRAMME)

In the programme of Jubilee, a youth will bring repentance, so that there a righteous generation will be raised. I see a generation that will carry the light of this nation. Like a candle stick burning with fire.

God will raise a generation by himself. A generation that will burn like fire, that will carry the destiny of this nation to the continents of the world. A generation of righteousness. A generation that will make a name unto the Lord.

There is a generation God will use to redeem the name of Nigeria, across the globe.

Out of Zion, has come a deliverer.

As many of my children that have toiled for this nation, I have caused their eye to see the dawning of a new Nigeria.

Read Isaiah 48.

4.0 The Ministry of Suffering

1Peter 4:12-13; 2 Cor. 1:7;

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:9-10

Sufferings, Troubles, Trials, Tribulation and Temptations are expectations of every Christian in the Lord’s service. Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 2:1-10 mentioned Tribulation, Our Trouble, Sufferings/Partakers of Suffering/Sufferings of Christ, Afflictions, Despair and the Sentence of Death in the same passage; while at the same time and in corollary he mentioned Comfort/Comforted of God, Consolation/Consolation and salvation, Deliverance and Thanksgiving abounding pari pasu

Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:12-19, Apostle Peter talked of Fiery Trials, Partakers of Christ’s suffering, Reproach, Suffering as a Christian and Suffer(ing) according to the will of God as an experience one should “glorify God’ for. Highlighting same passage, DAKES ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE lists ’10 facts about Christian sufferings’ (page 270 Column 2) as

1. Suffering is not strange or unusual for Christians (v 12; 2 Tim.3:12)
2. One should rejoice when a partaker of the sufferings of Christ (v 13; Matt 5:10)
3. The greater the suffering the greater the joy and glory (v13: Romans 8:17-18)
4. Besides the greater glory to come the Christian has the Holy Spirit upon him now to enable him to endure (v14; Romans 8:26-27)
5. What Christian suffering consists of (v4,14,16))
6. Christian sufferings glorify God (v 14: Romans 8:17-18
7. What Christian sufferings do not consist of (v 15)
8. It is an honor not a same to suffer as a Christian (v 16)
9. Though sufferings begin with Christians they end in an eternal weight of damnation to the ungodly (v 17-18)
10. Sufferings should be borne by Christians in patience as the will of God, realizing that God is always faithful to His own in sufferings ( (v 19: 1 Cor. 10;13)

Be prepared and willing to be a partaker of the suffering of Christ and of the glory therein. .

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Amen.

By the Lampstand

Enlarged by Suffering for the Next Level

The word “enlargement” connotes

1. an increase in capacity, creation of room or space for particular purpose(s),
2. increase in role, responsibility and ability to carry out an assignment well and to contain the resultant side-effects,
3. the imbibing of ability or quality necessary to do something,
4. the acquisition of physical, mental and spiritual equipments, qualifications and skills for higher calling, ministry, responsibility and service.

Simply put, enlargement is a human and/or divine preparation for the next level of destiny/destination. Whereas it was the Lord who promised to enlarge Japheth in Genesis 9:27 (see also Psalm 18:32 – 36), it was Jabez that asked for an enlargement (1 Chronicles 4:10), while in Isaiah 54:2, it is man’s responsibility to “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes”

Enlargement is a time bass resulting in increased knowledge, skills and passions from events and s w, attitudes, behaviors and capacity and ability to a higher level.
One cannot be thrust into greatness without imbibing the capacity, ability and character for greatness otherwise he will be sulked back into oblivion after attaining greatness. An important pillar for sustained greatness is HUMILITY which is learned and earned only by experience.

Experience comes from trials and tribulations. The word translated “experience’ in Romans 5:4 is also translated “trial” in 2 Cor. 8:2, “experiment” (2 Cor. 9:13) and ‘proof” in 2 Cor. 2:9, 13: 3 and Philippians 2:22. Moses, Joseph, Ruth, David Abigail and Paul experienced what it means to be enlarged by sufferings before greatness/the next level. To be promoted to the next level:

    You have to be enlarged by Christ-like suffering before you can qualify for the next level and have the capacity to handle the glory and greatness therein 1 Peter 4:12-13.
    You must successfully pass through a time of troubles, trials and tribulation and overcome by His grace John 16.33, Rev 2.9-10
    You must have approved yourself as a minister of God in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fasting etc. 2 Cor. 6:1-10
    And have proven yourself at the experiments you had to face at lower levels 1 Samuel 17: 34-37, Luke 16:10, 19:17

Welcome on board and be counted among the company of those who suffer with and shall also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2:12. Amen

By the Lampstand, 22-11- 2009

6.0 The Dead, the Living Dead and the Living

There are three categories of church members today, as was in the Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6):

1. Those Alive but are Dead
2. Those Remaining alive but are the Living Dead
3. The Few Living Ones

6.1 The Dead

Repute/Reputation refer to the opinion/impression that people have about some body due to past. Rev. 3.1c records a name that in the opinion of men, based on past records/status/achievements, has a reputation for being active, alive and relevant, whereas in God’s sight is DEAD.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to be dead means

1. no longer alive,
2. belonging to the past, no longer practiced or fashionable or current,
3. finished, no longer useful/not able to be used anymore;
4. not working any longer because of lack of power
5. very quiet, without activity or interest
6. Extremely tired; not well, without activity or interest
7. Insensitive, Numb, without feeling or interest (of a place)
8. Never having been alive.
9. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
10. To the Dead while Alive, the Spirit had no word. A closed chapter

6.2 The Living Dead: those Remaining and are about to die

The biblical name Sardis means” the things that remain”. To the Church, to such Christians at Sardis, he that hath the seven Spirits of God said and is saying today:
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
To those that remain are about to die is given a chance to live if:

1. they wake up and be watchful Mark 16;33-37, 1Cor. 16:13, 1Thess.5:6-8, Rev 16:15
2. strengthen the things which remain, which they still have that are about to die, before they die completely Phil. 4:13-15,
3. strive to make their works and service perfect before God Romans 12:1-2
4. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard 1 John 1:1-10, Rev 2:4-5
5. Hold fast without wavering the profession of faith as taught Heb 3.6; 10.23
6. REPENT and return to where they began to fall away from sound doctrine. 2 Tim 4:3-5a, Rev 2:4-5
7. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee saith the Spirits of the Lord.

6.3 The Few worthy Living Ones

Even in multitude of dead and dying congregations, in all ages there always a few worthy ones. Indeed many are called, few are chosen Matt 22: 14. As Dakes Annotated Reference Bible reads “All are called to salvation (Matt 11:28, John3.16, Rev 22:17) but few will be finally be saved (Matt 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-30)”.
To this few is expected that:

1. They will not be carried away by the spirit of the age and partake of the ungodliness of the majority church members
2. They will not defile their garments
3. They will be found worthy
4. They shall be overcomers!

To which do you belong..?

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

By the Lampstand, 15-09- 2009

Living Dead: Some Definitions and Examples

1. Dead End: A point which one can no longer make further progress in what one is doing. A road, passage or journey that is closed at one end
2. Deadlock: A complete failure (to reach an agreement or settle a dispute)
3. Dead loss: A person or thing that is not helpful or useful
4. Dead matter (1): A physical substance that has weight and just occupies space (space = an amount of an area or a place that is empty or available for use; quality of being large and empty; large area without building).
5. Dead matter (2): A substance/person just occupying space without relevant or adequate usefulness.
6. Deadweight (1): A thing that is very heavy and difficult to lift or move. Deadweight (2): A person or thing that makes it difficult for something to succeed or change
7. Deadwood: People or things that have become useless or unnecessary in an organization
8. Deadbolt: A type of lock on a door that needs a key to open or close it

Where are you in the above list? Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…

By the Lampstand, 19-09- 2009

7.0 Dying and Living in the Flesh and the Spirit

Dead While Living

1Timothy 5:6: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

God of the Living

Luke 22:32: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Dead to sin but living therein

Romans 6:2: God forbid. How shall we, dead to sin, live any longer therein

Dead with Christ, Living with Him

Romans 6:8-11. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dead with Christ, Living as the worldly

Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances

Dead, Risen and Alive in Christ

Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Dead with Him, Alive with Him

2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

Death in the flesh, Alive in the Spirit

Romans 8:5-14: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God

Dead, Alive Hidden in Christ

Colossians 3:3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God

Dead Works

By the Lampstand, 25-11- 2009

Meekness and a Quiet Spirit 1 Peter 3:4

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price

According to Dakes Annotated Reference Bible page 267i.n-o; MEEKNESS means so as not to be provoked by others while QUITE SPIRIT is so as not to provoke others. All the ornaments placed on the heads of all females are of no value compared to the meek and quiet spirit. One is passing; the other is eternal

By the Lampstand, 20-11- 2009

ECCLESIASTICAL WITCHCRAFT AND MANIPULATION

1.0 A SEASON OF PORTIONS AND HARVEST: REPENTANCE/REVIVAL AND JUDGMENT

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101.1-2

We are already in a season of portions and of harvest of the works of our hands, the attitude of our heart and the state of our spirit. It is a simultaneous divine visitation of revival and judgment; at corporate and individual levels, at Global and personal level; in the World and in the Church.

1.1 REVIVAL

Come, let us return to the LORD (Hosea 6:1a).

The call for personal and corporate revival has been on; those who are willing in the days of his power are already responding, casting off the old wineskin, preparing themselves as new wineskins for the new wine experience, in a spirit of repentance, akin to David’s cry of Psalm 51:

51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto
the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

It has been a call for individual and corporate repentance from the present state of the Nigerian Church that is busy with idolatrous human theology, carnal ambitions, physical acquisitions, building projects and church activities; to the neglect of the fundamental individual and corporate requirement of being in the presence of God to seek divine directives from the Holy Spirit, receive divine call mandate and agenda for building according to his pattern, and living out a Holy life in a decadent world. It is a preparation for a worldwide divine visitation that is already budding in the church in different parts of the world.

It is the nature of God to give opportunity for mercy before judgment. Judgment is already in the world- the worldwide economic meltdown is a clear manifestation.

The call for is for a David-type prayer as recorded in Psalm 26:

Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

These constitute the spirit prepared as a new wineskin for a new wine revival.

1.2 JUST THE BEGINNING

(Word@Work from BeaconLight Wednesday, July 22, 2009)

1 Peter 4:17-18. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (NIV)

People say that God is love and will never harm His children. That is true. But in the same way that a truly loving father will discipline his children, our loving God disciplines us. However unpleasant persecution may be, it is used by God to refine His people and strengthen those who want to trust Him more. So, for the devoted believer, persecution enables faith to grow. The sad reality is that without problems, we would be inclined to live in our own strength and not by faith in the Lord.

Hebrews 12:4-13 explains this judgement/discipline process. God is determined to get us right for heaven, and that we should be strong to witness to His grace until we get there. But if the pain of persecution is a sign of God's determination to purify His people, what about those who are determined to resist him? Peter says that Christians who endure persecution and purify themselves for God's holy service, are also living out a message from God: to the rest of the church, their suffering shows the urgency to win the lost; and to the lost the message is, if God treats His own people in this way, what about those who refuse to submit to Jesus.

God's determination to "redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:14), knows no bounds. He has done everything necessary in Christ so that we may receive His grace. Now, He continues to use even the hatred of the wicked for His purpose: sanctification for us and the announcement of judgement for the ungodly. It is the Lord's desire, and should be ours, that sinners will turn and receive salvation, so that they will not be overtaken by God's judgement (cf 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, be strong to accept the Lord's discipline: as you do so the church will be made bolder; and the demons will quake, knowing that sinners will see the grace of Christ in you, and will turn to receive His salvation.

Prayer: Loving Father. Although your discipline is hard at times, thank you for using the circumstances of my life to encourage me to purify myself before You. As hard times come (because of my love for You), may my example encourage the church to greater faith, and provide an opportunity for other people to see the grace of

Christ - that they might repent and receive Your salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen

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Subject: Word@Work 1Pet63 - 1 Peter 4:17-18
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Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 9:02 PM

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I Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

James 4:17a. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

It took about one year after David’s sin against Uriah for judgment to commence 2 Samuel 11 and 12. In that period he lived with a dirty heart, wrong spirit, cast way from the Lord’s presence, the Holy Spirit taken away form him, lost the joy of salvation and living in a stubborn self-justifying spirit. Yet he still remain the King
That you are busy with ministry and church activities despite non-repentance of abiding sins does not mean you are free from coming judgment. God is only giving room for repentance and mercy before the harvest of judgment commence

In this season of harvest of harvest of revival and judgment, in addition to the prayer song from Psalm 51.10-11, “Create in me a new heart O Lord and renew right spirit within me..” make these two other songs your prayers:

1. Alleluia thine the Glory, Alleluia amen… Revive us (me) O LORD..
2. Pass me not O gentle saviour, Hear my humble cry…

The newness of the spirit and the oldness of the letter Romans 7.6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.

2.0 ENTERING INTO A NEW WINESKIN EXPERIENCE

Luke 5.36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was [taken] out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
39 No man also having drunk old [wine] straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better

To enter a new clothing and fresh wineskin experience Mark 2.21-22, Matt 9.16-17, 5.36-39:

1. Be sober and discard the old cloth of depression and disappointment
2. Cease from self-justification
3. Stop shifting blames and accept personal responsibility for you status and situation
4. Let not our strength make you stubborn or stiff-necked
5. Don’t try to ‘help God’ in bringing back the ark in the new dispensation 2 Samuel 6, 2 Chronicles 20)

By the Lampstand
13th Dec 2008.

2.1 WHEN REPENTANCE BECOMES TOO LATE

15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
15:25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
15:27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

2.2 BIBLICAL WISDOM, PRUDENCE AND INVENTIONS

Proverbs 8.12,14

8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

Prudence is here defined as practical wisdom or wisdom in action, choosing the best means to an end. Hence (lead to) witty (shrewd,practical) inventions/insight
Sound wisdom (Hebrew tushiyah): From it come all inventions and knowledge of all sciences known to man (see Dake’s Annotated Bible References page 646, column 1.h,i)

COVENANTS WITH DEATH

In recent times time, there has been reports of well-known Christians lost to road accidents, strange sicknesses, various forms of cancer and other afflictions, etc even when on active duty for the Lord. Some Christians have even become mental/psychiatric patients while others have become chronic patients of debilitating diseases. Families have been negatively affected, and promising youths have been cut off of life, while leaders of ministries, volunteers for service, ministers and missionaries on duty have become in memorial

Questions have arisen as to why the church does not receive any warning and why some of the afflictions should come upon faithful and active Christians. Psalm 74:9 ‘We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long’ and ‘Where are the children of Issachar… men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do I Chronicles 12:32’ have become the heart of many Christians directly or indirectly affected by such losses.

Five causes of such incidence can be garnered from scriptures

2.2.1 THE ISSUE OF FOUNDATIONS and HOUSEHOLD ENEMIES/WICKEDNESS

Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Isaiah 51:1-2 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you:

There are many Christians today who are 1st generation Christians, saved from idolatrous families with a history of covenants, oaths and curses that are yet to be reversed The following article is from Lampstandletters no 34, 2004:

“Hear this message from the Lord, and tremble at his words: ‘Your close relatives hate you and throw you out for being loyal to my name…but they will be put to shame’.”(Isaiah 66:5)
“Don’t trust anyone- your best friend or even your wife! For the son despises his father .The daughter her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your household” (Micah 7:5-6).
“…You will serve your brother for a time, but then you will shake loose from him and be free”(Genesis 27:40b)

The biblical household consists of one’s parents, brothers/sisters, wife/husband, In-laws and other relatives/family members/dependants in an extended family, living with him or of his hometown (see Joshua 2:18, 6:25). Every household has a traditional religious past, which are usually idolatrous until the Lord calls a member of the family out unto himself. Abram was from an idolatrous past before he was called out (Genesis 12:1-5).

But even when some of the ancestors have been called and are with the Lord, their descendants are still influenced by their fore parent’s idolatrous background. The case of Jacob, whose household still carried idols, despite the long history of his forbearer’s covenant with the Lord, refers (Genesis 35:1-4).
The LORD usually draws individual members of a household into covenant relationship with himself, as was the case of Abram. And like Gideon experienced (Judges Chapter 6), this draws a backlash of spiritual antagonism and hostility from family members and even his townsmen. The prophet Isaiah reverberates this situation across nations and people groups when he referred to people who chose their own ways of worship and hate/persecute close relatives who are loyal to God and obey him (Isaiah 66:1-5).

In fact the Lord states clearly and strongly that becoming a loyal follower of his will lead to a family division and breach of peaceful relationship with close family members. From his own personal experience, he stated that “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own HOMETOWN and among his RELATIVES and his OWN FAMILY (Mark 6:4. Emphases mine).

In Matthew 10:22, the Lord links the hatred and persecution of his loyal followers to household enemies (Matt. 10:21,34-36; Luke 12:49-53). While this enmity may be as mild as just shunning such a believer by the household, it could be as severe as occultist limitations in life, stunting of destiny, witchcraft and disease attack and even death threat. Unfortunately many Christians seem to discountenance this abiding situation, making us prone to endemic household enmity and crippling spiritual attacks.

DEALING WITH HOUSEHOLD ENEMIES/WICKEDNESS

In introducing the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, John the Baptist declared that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11-12, Luke 3:17). In affirming his Ministry, the Lord himself stated: “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed” (Luke 12:49) He was linking the acceptance of his message by believers to a repercussion of discord, division and strife from the believer’s household enemies (Luke 12:49-53).

Baptism with fire is therefore a major paraphernalia for all believers in anticipation and dealing with the household enmity that arise from their following of Christ. Such household enmity is the chaff that will be burnt with the never-ending fire we are baptized with (Matt. 3:12, Luke 3:17). In 2 Samuel 23:5-7, David contrasted his covenanted, secure family with the “Sons of Beliah” (NKJV) who are liken to thorn to be ‘consumed with fire’. Deuteronomy 13:13 has earlier described the ‘children of Beliah’ as “certain men…from among you...saying, Let us go and serve other god, which you have not known”. These are idolatrous family members.

David was one person that had vast experience with household enmity. Among David’s last words was the stern warning that one must not treat household enemies with kid’s gloves, as they are like thorns that “tear the hand that touches them. One must be armed to chop them down; they will be utterly consumed with fire” (2 Samuel 23:6-7).

We have been armed with the Holy Ghost and fire, and as we speak the words of God in prayers and spiritual warfare against our household enemies, they will be consumed with the fire of the spirit. Believers, arm yourselves with the sword of the spirit, and unleash the Holy Ghost fire on every form of household wickedness and enmity, while we give room for mercy and repentance, snatching the repentant from the flames of judgment (Jude 23).

In Psalm 1:4, wickedness is liken to the ‘worthless chaff’, meant for fire. Thus while obedient believers are liken to fruit-bearing trees, and Holy Spirit-separated grains, the “sons of Beliah” household enemies are prickly thorns and useless chaff that are meant for burning (Matthew 3:11-12; Psalm 1:1-5).
“

Therefore they will all disappear like burning straw… (Isaiah 5:24). Amen.

2.2.2 INNOCENT VICTIMS:-The example of Job’s children Job 1:1-19.

The story and experience of Job is well known.

A perfect and upright man, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil… who had seven sons and three daughters… feasted in their houses, every one his day; and who …when the days of their feasting were gone about… Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 9.1-5
Despite these regular sanctifications, Satan was permitted by to kill them all, as a test of Job’s integrity and loyalty to God Job 1.6-22.

And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1,19b
May that be your testimony when you find yourself in the company of those scheduled to die. Amen

2.2.3 IN WRONG COMPANY

The example of Jehoshaphat I Kings 22

22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
22:17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
22:30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
22:31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
22:32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

LEARN TO CRY OUT:

And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
You have to learn to cry out like Jehoshaphat I Kings 22.32 when you find yourself in the wrong company of one marked for death

2.2.4 DISOBEDIENCE AND SELF-WILL:-Jonah’s experience

The following article is from Lampstandletters No. 27 April – June 2001

JONAH, NINEVEH AND TARSHISH

The story of Jonah is a very popular biblical story. He was told to: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it: for their wickedness has come up before me. But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:1-3).

According to Cruden's Complete Concordance, Nineveh is probably the oldest city in the world, and was founded by Nimrod (Gen. 10:11) Nimrod (meaning rebellious), was the first rebel on earth in audacity and idolatrous wickedness against God. In other words, Nineveh was an ancient spiritual stronghold that was thick in wickedness and idolatry.

To these people, Jonah was sent as a missionary, to preach the gospel, because the LORD wanted them saved (Jonah Chapter 3).

Instead, Jonah chose to enter a ship going to Tarshish. He chose to be a missionary to Tarshish. Tarshish means subjection of enemies. Obviously, it was a city where much spiritual warfare has been done, where idolatrous altars have been pulled down where the heavens have been cleared of principalities, powers and rulers of darkness and it was easy to harvest souls. In addition, Tarshish was a Phoenician city, prosperous because of its merchandise and sea going ships (Isa 2:16, 23:1, Ezek. 27:25). It was a city where one could preach a ‘Prosperity message” and have his offering bags filled with tens and hundreds of thousands. It was a convenient place to preach the gospel. While Nineveh was in the Northeast, Tarshish was in the west.

Today there are many ministers of God like Jonah called to be missionaries to the unreached strongholds and get nations saved. Instead they have entered ships to Tarshish, preaching prosperity messages.

It may be that the turbulence in your life is because you are sent to Nineveh but you are on your way to Tarshish. Maybe you are the one causing turbulence in your fellowship, ministry or church, because you are a Jonah on the way to Tarshish instead of Nineveh.

You may sacrifice every thing in the boat, and others may even help you sacrifice, in prayer and fasting. But there will be no peace until you are thrown out of the ship to Tarshish, and you retrace your steps back to Nineveh. Hundreds of thousands are awaiting you and your message of salvation and many livestock too! (Jonah 4:11).

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 Pro. 22: 10 puts it “cast out the scoffer (the scorner, the concerted, the rebellious, the willful, the disobedient) and contention will leave, yes, strife and reproach will cease’. Amen.

ANY JONAH IN YOUR MINISTRY?

May you not be found in the same boat with a ‘Jonah-Miss-Road’. Look him up (discern/identify such) and cast him forth out of the ministry: that the ministry ceases from her raging.

AND ARE YOU A JONAH?

May you come to your senses and retrace your steps. Get out of the present (‘prosperity’) ministry and return to the (missionary) ministry you are called into, (for the sake of the lost undiscerning, and even animals Jonah 4: 1-11)

2.2.5 VICTIMS OF THE WICKED

The issue of covenants with Death Isaiah 28.14-19.

28:14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

There are people who haven made a covenant with death, seek others who will be victims of their death covenant by replacing them when death comes calling. These include Christians whose parents or guardian have made such covenants on their behalf. They boast scornfully of judgment and death saying:

We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves Isaiah 28.15.

But thus saith the LORD:

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
Isaiah 28.18.

Therefore ‘Return-to-sender” any covenant of death meant to make you a victim of those who have made covenants with death, in Jesus name.

In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:14-17

WRITING AND WORDS

John 5.47 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

When wickedness is not yet full

Genesis 15.16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

The Goodness and the severity of God Romans 11:21-22
21. For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

4.0 THE COHORTS OF EVIL

1. Rebellion 1 Sam15.25
2. Witchcraft 2 Kings 9.22-37
3. Jezebelic 2 King 9, Rev 2.20
4. Babylonic Spirits Isaiah 52;1-3

5.0 DELIVERANCE FROM THE DAUGHTERS OF BABYLON

1. ABOUT THE DAUGHTERS OF BABYLON

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as
thou hast served us. Psalm 137.8

Isaiah 47

1. Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
2. Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
3. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man.
4. [As for] our redeemer, the LORD of hosts [is] his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5. Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
6. I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
7. And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
8. Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
9. But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
10. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me.
11. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.
12. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
13. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from [these things] that shall come upon thee.
14. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it.
15. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, [even] thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.

Jeremiah 50.42.

41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they [are] cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, [every one] put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

Jeremiah 51.33

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall
come.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT/TO THE DAUGHTERS OF BABYLON

Zech 2:7:Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon Zechariah 2.7 King James Version

Isaiah 10.27 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Isaiah 48.20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing, declare ye, tell this, utter it [even] to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.

Isaiah 52.2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, [and] sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Amen.

By the Lampstand,
28th February 2009.

THE SPIRIT OF TYRE AND SIDON IN THE CHURCH TODAY

Tyre (meaning Rock) and Sidon (meaning plenty of fish/fishing), were the cities of Phoenicia and were prosperous seaports. Commerce was the chief source of their power and prosperity. Like the Canaanite (traders, merchants), they were famed traders. Her traders traveled far and wide to other seaports. The richest people of that age where Phoenicians, who even tried to influence Israelites with their gifts (Psalm 45:12).

However, because of its prosperity and commerce, greed and corruption soon set him. They soon corrupted even the children of Israel, bringing fish and goods to sell even on the Sabbath day (Neh. 13:16). Isaiah 23 is thus a judgment of Tyre and Sidon for her merchandise, her pride, her harlotry and her fornication.
There is a spirit of Tyre and Sidon in the church today. There are Canaanite (traders, merchants) in the house of God (see Zech. 14:21). In the guise of building the Church upon a rock (Tyre) and soul winning (fishing) the plenty of fish (Sidon), servants of God have turned the house of God into a house of merchandise (John 2:16). As in the time of Nehemiah, trading is done even on the Sabbath (Neh. 13:16); all in the name of prosperity message.

But thus saith the word of the Lord:

"Now it shall come to pass that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king and it shall be that at the end of those seventy years, the LORD will let Tyre get back into business. Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured or laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently and for fine clothing’ Isa. 23:15-18.

‘‘…and in that day there shall no longer be any Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (Zech. 14:20-21). Amen.

By the Lampstand
May 2001

6.0 IDOLATROUS BETHEL

FROM HOUSE OF GOD TO HOUSE OF SIN

Bethel (meaning house of God, Gen.28:16-19) is a pathetic story of a place which in its latter days became referred to by the prophets as Beth-Aven (house of sin or house of nothing, Hosea4:15).

• It was a place of divine visitation, consecrated by one man Jacob, and desecrated by another man, Jeroboam.
• It began a place of worshiping God, and ended up as a place of worshiping idols, devised after the heart of men (1 Kings 12:28-29, Hosea 10:5).
• At one time it was a place of obedience, later a byword for disobedience.
• Once priests like Samuel sat to minister there (1 Sam. 7:16), later priest who were not even Levites ministered (1 Kings 12:31).
• Once, there was a traffic of angels, later it became a place for devouring she- bears and lions (2 Kings 2:23-24).
• To return to Bethel, Jacob asked his entire household to put away the foreign gods. To call people to Bethel, Jeroboam set up golden calves as idols.
• In Genesis 35:1, God Himself asked that an altar to him be built. In Amos 3:14, God Himself said he will destroy the altars of Bethel, even to the horns.
• In Gen. 35:13-15, God talked to Jacob at Bethel. In Amos 5:5, He forbade Israel to go to Bethel to seek Him, because Bethel shall come to nothing.

What was responsible for this bad latter end? One word: - IDOLATRY. Hosea chapter 4 summarized their situation. The Good News Bible renders the first two verses of Hosea chapter ten thus:

The people of Israel were like a grapevine that was full of grapes. The more prosperous they were, the more altars they built. The more productive their land was, the more beautiful they made the sacred pillar they worshiped. The people whose hearts are deceitful must now suffer for their sins. God will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.

‘O thou anointed man of God, how many Jeroboamic altars are you raising to ensnare the people of God. As the ministry prospers in your hand, what altars are you raising that have become idols, turning people away from Christ? Is the faith of the congregation still in Christ or the altars for prosperity, altars for visa/passport, altars for breakthrough? As you become more productive, producing results and miracles, what beautiful sacred pillars are you making for worship?”

Now is the time to repent and retrace your steps, making Christ alone your cornerstone. Thus saith the Lord to the altars of Baal in Bethel, "O altar, altar, hear the word of the Lord. I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel. And the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground." (See 1 Kings 13:2, Amos 3:14).
And thus says the Lord of the house of Israel: Seek me and live. But do not seek Bethel for Bethel shall come to nothing. Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the House of Joseph and devour it, with no one to quench it in Bethel" Amen. (See Amos 5:4-6).

By the Lampstand,
30/5/2001.

Hebrews 10:26-31

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

RETURNING BACK TO GOD

1.0 RETURNING BACK TO GOD

Come, let us return to the LORD (Hosea 6:1a).

(Isaiah 44:22b) was the theme of the 2008 biennial Re-Union Fellowship of the Ibadan Varsity Christian Union Alumni Fellowship IVCUAF, which I am part of. And the two speakers, Rev Emiko Amuschuka and Dr Friday Bekee appropriately handled the theme. Other speakers and Ministers, including those of Glory Tabernacle Ministry which I attend have made similar calls for the corporate Church and individual members therein to RETURN TO SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE.

To return plainly means to turn again. When used by God, it actually means repentance from carnality, worldliness, idolatry, iniquity, sin etc to daily seeking and spending time in the presence of God to know more of Him, receiving instructions and directives from the Holy Spirit. It is a call for individual and corporate repentance from the present state of the Nigerian Church that is busy with human theology, carnal ambitions, physical acquisitions, building projects and church activities; to the neglect of the fundamental individual and corporate requirement of being in the presence of God to seek divine directives from the Holy Spirit, receive divine call mandate and agenda for building according to his pattern, and living out a Holy life in a decadent world.

Hosea Chapter 14 records:

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, what have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent and he shall know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

While the biblical text was addressed to the Jewish nation of Israel at that time, the call to return to God at this time is of particular relevance to the Church of the black race, specifically the Nigerian Church. WE ARE IN A STATE OF TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW MOVE OF GOD, which will be spearheaded by the black race and specifically the Nigerian Church. As indicated in Lampstandletters No 39 (January to June 2004), it refers to an impending NEW MOVE OF GOD, which from an African perspective, appears to refer to the APOSTOLIC DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT (ADM) vision, being promoted in Nigeria and beyond by Dr Uche Adeogo OBED of the Glory Tabernacle Ministry, Ibadan.

Apostolic Discipleship Movement

P.O. Box 20711
U.I. Post Office
Ibadan – Nigeria
Website:http://www.apostolicdiscipleship.net
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +234-2-8101955, +234-8023018179

Dr. U. Obed
Apostolic Discipleship Movement
P.O. Box 20711
U.I. Post Office
Ibadan – Nigeria
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+234-08055911539; +234-2-310218

The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States confirms the earlier declaration that it is THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE - Lampstandletters No 39 (January to June 2004). Moreover, beyond the political, there is a more significant spiritual component of a Gospel Highway from Africa. But to prepare to enter and partake of this divine agenda subscribed to the Nigerian Church, we are in a time and season calling for A RETURN TO GOD. God is stretching out his loving hands to individuals and the corporate church:

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth (Hosea 6:1-3).

It is a call to individual and corporate repentance, that WE SHALL LIVE IN HIS SIGHT (PRESENCE) ON A DAILY BASIS.

By the Lampstand. 23rd November 2008.

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swore unto them. (Deut. 4:29-31)
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified (Isaiah 43:25-26).

2.0 THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE

While the political shenanigans in Nigeria attempts to mutilate the constitution by manipulations and intimidations, to implement the human issue of the third term agenda, there is a divine issue of an eternal agenda unfolding upon the black race of the universe, in this third day millennia. For the black race, there is a call and a promise in the book of Hosea:

“Come, let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he way heal us, he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. After two days (after 2000 AD) he will revive us; on the third day (from 2000 AD onwards) he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”

The prophetic relevance of Hosea 6:1-3 is tied to the “third day”- the third millennium- (see 2 Peter 3:8), we are now in. The two days (two millennia) has passed already, we are in the third millennium already. One hundred years after the Azusa street revival, ignited by a black man, year 2006 beckons the black race to the implementation of the divine promises of holistic healing –physical, socio-economic, spiritual etc- as espoused in Isaiah 19:22, and Hosea 6:2. It is a time of healing for the black race, a resurrection dawn, a restoration era.
Just as Hosea recorded, so also did Isaiah prophesy in Isaiah 19:22, “And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them.”

This third day is referred to as ‘that day’ in the history of the black race, when after centuries of social, political, ecological and economic disasters and mismanagement as elucidated in Isaiah 19: 1-16, “there will be an altar (a place of worship and prayers) to the LORD in the heart of Egypt” (another ancient biblical name for the blacks), …they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors”:-

Isaiah 19:19-21. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt,
and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

The Lord is calling forth the black church to resurrection, restoration, renewal and revival. This is a call for intercessory, discipleship and missionary ministry from the black race- a gospel highway.

Isaiah 19:23-25. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian
shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

We are already in the third day! Therefore arise, ye church of the black race, and return to the LORD in entreaties and intercessions. The Lord will listen to our pleas and prayers, and he shall heal us (Isaiah 19:22):

Let us acknowledge the Lord: let us press to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3 NIV). Amen.

As we wholeheartedly return to the LORD, so will it be when the LORD begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them (see Isaiah 30: 15 – 26). Amen.

By the Lampstand. 27th April 2006.

3.0 GOD’S LIKE-PASSION FOR THE RACES.

Apart from Isaiah 19, from which “The Mystery of the Black race” (Lampstandletters 14 & 15, September & October 1999) was written, two other biblical texts of prophetic relevance to the black race of our generation are Hosea 6:1-3 and Amos 9:7.:

Come let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he way heal us, he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is as sure as dawn; he will come to us as the showers; as the spring rains that water the earth.

Although the Old Testament scriptures focuses on God’s relationship with the Israelites, God made it clear in Amos 9:7, that He has the same/similar passion for the black (referred to as Ethiopians/Cushites in the old testament), as he has for the Jews.

Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? KJV

Do you Israelites think you are more important than the Ethiopians (Cushites), asks the Lord. I brought you out of Egypt, but have I not done as much for other nations? I brought the Philistines from Crete and led the Arameans out of Kir (New Living Translation).

Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites? Did I not bring Israel out of Egypt, the Philistines from Captor and the Arameans from Kir? (Easy-to-Read Version)

It is a passion of salvation and redemption of the race; that a church of pastoral discipleship, of apostolic missionary calling, of evangelism, of prophetic authority will arise from the race, enthroning the lordship of Christ over all nations of the earth.

Acts 10:34-35, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Romans 10:12-13, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God is no respecter of persons (races) and will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4).Remember, that the restoration of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was through a black preacher in Azusa Street, at the beginning of the last century. One hundred years after the Azusa Street revival, ignited by a black man, year 2006 beckons the black race to a fresh (final?) third millennial revival. Amen, So come Lord Jesus!

By the Lampstand. 1st May 2006.

4. ON CHRISTIAN CALLING, MINISTRY, TITLE AND OFFICES

WHAT IS A CALLING?

A CALLING is a divine assignment and life-long vocation from God to a person chosen, equipped with certain spiritual gifts and ability by God Himself (Isaiah 41.2-4, 42.6-7), to perform in the person’s lifetime, a specific purpose and task related to the preaching of the Gospel (Acts 16.9-10, Romans 11.29, 1 Cor 1.26-29, Hebrews 5.10). A calling demands a response, an acceptance, willingness and obedience (1 Cor. 7.20.Isaiah 1.19).

1 Cor 7.17-24 lets us know that Christian calling does not change one’s position in life. Thus having a divine call is not a license to arrogance and pomposity; rather it is an obligation to God who calls and requires a SERVANT - attitude towards Him (1 Cor 7.22, Phil. 2.5-7). The ultimate end of fulfilling a call is to please Him, to do His will: The high calling of God speaks of coming into His fulness, as individuals and a corporate poeple.

Every call is fueled and burgeoned (grow/develop rapidly) by hope; the hope in Him who call (Ephesians 1.18). He who called has the ability to see the called through life’s divine assignment, unto heaven, the high calling. Faithful is He that calleth you, who will also keep the called ‘wholly sanctified…the whole spirit and soul and body preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5.24). It’s incumbent on to walk worthy of God, who has called us unto his kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2.14, 4.7, 2 Thess.2.14).

A call could be from birth (Isa 49.1, Jer 1.4-5), only to be manifested later in life (see Jer 1.9-10, Luke 4.18-21 and Galatians 1.15-16 for the example of Jeremiah, Jesus and Paul respectively). A classical example of a call is that of Jesus Christ, foretold in Isaiah 49 and fulfilled from Luke 4.18-21. Like Saul (later known as Paul), one may wander in life before coming to the realization of his divine call and purpose. And like Jeremiah, one may grow into a young adult before realizing his/her call (Jer 1.4-7).

The name given to you at birth could also be an indication of a divine call and purpose for your life (1 Chro 22.9, Isa 49.1, and Matthew 1.21). So can your progenitors/forebearers (Isaiah 51.1-2).

In conclusion, it is our responsibility to “give diligence to make our calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1.10). It is a holy calling whose target and reward is to attain the fulness of Christ: the high calling.

So help us God.
By the Lampstand. 30th October 2008

4.0 WHAT IS MINISTRY

Christian Ministry is a platform for Christian service, an avenue created by men to carry out a divine assignment. Hosea 12:10 states how God spoke by the prophets, multiplied visions, and used similitude, by (or through) the ministry of the prophets.

A ministry is an office that specifically defines your divine assignment. The Apostles spoke of ‘this ministry’ in Acts 1.17,25 and of devoting themselves to the “ministry of the word and prayer" (Acts 6.4). Acts also talks of the ministry of Paul among the Gentiles. Moreover, ministry must have a defined focus.

A ministry has tenure, a time span during which it is expected to be fulfilled. Barnabas and Saul were given an assignment of taking relief to their brethren in Acts 11.27-30. Acts 12.25 records that they returned from Jerusalem ‘when they had fulfilled their ministry. Archipus was warned to “Take heed to the ministry which he has received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it (Colossians 4.17). Ministry is received in the Lord’s service, to be taken heed of and to be fulfilled. Paul declared in Acts 20:24,

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Numbers 4.47,49 talks of doing the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation... numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden.

To minister is to serve, to be a servant, Greek word diakonos and English word Deacon, one who executes the command of another, a subordinate of a higher Master. While the KJV uses the word ‘ministry’ in Romans 12.7, Today’s English Bible version uses the word ‘serve’. Matthew 20.26 and 20.27 respectively uses the word ‘minister’ and ‘servant’ to mean the same.

No one ‘calls’ self to a ministry, to a divine assignment. Paul talks of putting me into ministry. It is a trust, given and committed unto us (1Timothy 1.12; 2 Corinthians 5.18,19).

2 Corinthians 4 to 6 record the labor and the afflictions of the ministry of Paul. Yet in all, we are called to make full proof of our ministry (2 Tim 4.5). The ultimate is to be like Jesus, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens…having obtained a more excellent ministry (Hebrews 8.1,6). Amen

By the Lampstand,
31st October 2008

5.0 WHAT IS AN OFFICE?

An office is the name given by man to a portfolio, a particular area of service and responsibility (Genesis 41.13.; Exodus 1.16). The purpose of an office is to set order in a company of duties and responsibilities (1 Chronicles 6.32; 9.22). A Christian office is wherein one does the work of the ministry/Christian service (Ephesians 4.11-12).

6.0 YET ANOTHER DELIVERANCE FROM DEATH!

Unlike me, who regularly shared testimonies during the 2003-2006 periods of brain cancer affliction and deliverance, I failed to testify and give glory to the Lord for his mercy and love He showed to me in July by delivering me from death once again. And this I now do.

I was at the National Veterinary Research Institute, NVRI Vom via Jos, Nigeria’s Central Veterinary Institute, to coordinate a 3-day Veterinary Epidemiology training I had earlier recommended for the Epidemiology unit. I thank God I did not plan to conduct all the training by myself, for I began to feel unwell from the 1st day of the training when I had delivered segments of the training. On the 2nd day, while two other colleagues were handling the training, I attended the NVRI clinic where I was placed on anti-malaria treatment. I could not attend the 3rd day training conducted by my Dean, and only asked to be called for the evening closing ceremony, and to append signatures to the training certificate.

Even though I was already feeling stressed before departing for Jos, I had scheduled the training, initially intended for five days, to three days, to accommodate a team from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC who was visiting NVRI that week and who needed my input to a proposed combined Masters in Public Health/ Veterinary Epidemiology Practice, MPH/VEP program. I was able to attend the consultative meeting with the Team till the afternoon of the 4th day. However, I had virtually a sleepless night experience that day, spent hearing at least 3 voices at same time, while striving not to watch an unwanted horror film in my mind!
By the next morning I was “in a state of delirium, acute distress, febrile, anicteric, some dehydration, supine…marked increased in Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, turbid urine, trace glycosuria with marked protenuria; retroviral negative”, according to results of examinations at the private medical center I was rushed to on the 11th July. I was placed on judicious use of intravenous fluid, intravenous antibiotics, intramuscular athememer injection, vitamin E and ascorbic acid for a working diagnosis of septicemia 2ry to severe infection.

On becoming clinically stable, I was referred for a CT scan of my brain as a pending required follow-up to my successful 2003- 2006 brain tumor surgery/ radiotherapy/ radiotherapy. However, I had a seizure during the CT on the 15th July and the CT could not be completed. On the 17th July, I was discharged and referred to the headquarters of the CT Diagnostic Center in Lagos to complete the CT, which I successfully did on the 18th. The good news is there was no single residue or new brain cancer cells recorded or reported! To God I give all the praise and glory.

I use the opportunity to acknowledge with thanks the labor of love and care of the leadership of the NVRI, led by Dr (Mrs.) Lami Lombin, who spent hundreds of thousands of naira on me for the seven days of intensive care, laboratory tests and 3 CT scans. Of particular mention is the sacrificial love of Dr Phillip Okewole, the Head of the Department who slept on the bare floor to stay with me in my admission room; as well as the visits and attention of Dr Makinde, Director of the Diagnostics and Extension Division, as well of Dr Oyetunde, the Head of Epidemiology Unit. Dr Gbenga Idowu, the recently appointed Executive Secretary of the Christian

Veterinarians of Nigeria was also instrumental; as well as various prayer partners. The Lord will reward you all accordingly.

Now that the CT scan reports indicate no single residue or new brain cancer cells recorded, I can put finishing touches to my book “FROM THE VALLEY OF DEATH TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING”, which chronicles my deliverance from Brain cancer and attendant side-effects over the past five years. Pray along with me, please.

Tayo Babalobi.

7.0 I WAS GIVEN THREE MONTHS TO LIVE!

That I successfully battled with brain cancer between 2003 and 2006 is well-known. What was not known even to me was that UCH doctors treating me did not expect that I will live beyond three (3) months when the case was diagnosed. This was shared with my wife recently by one of the doctors from the Haematology Department who was involved with the case.

I recall recently meeting one other doctor involved in treating me in 2004 at the Conference Center, University of Ibadan on 29th August 2008, after I had delivered an Invited paper at the Plenary Session of the recently held Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research. She was literally looking at me with awe and wonder. To the glory of God, though medical prognosis did not give me more than three months to live in 2003/2004, I have between then and now- got promotion to a Senior Lecturer cadre, elected and appointed Head of Department, published 11 volumes of the Lampstandletters (Nos. 34-44) and 4 Lampstandletters Books, and now have two of my sons who were then in Junior Secondary School now become university undergraduates.

He has done for me what no man can do. Great is his faithfulness; greater things shall He yet do. Amen.

Dr Tayo Babalobi,
2nd November 2008.

8.0 GEMS FROM CVN VOM 2008, AUGUST 2008

The problems you don’t face cannot be phased out.
The problems you don’t address cannot be arrested.

b. PERCEPTIONS AND DISCERNMENTS

There are times we have to do what others are not doing because we see and know what others don’t see.

8.2 WORDS FITLY SPOKEN Proverbs 15.23b; 25.11

8.3 WHEN IN AFFLICTION, YOUR FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS GOD’S PROMISES FOR YOU

1 Cor 10.13; 2 Cor 4.17

9.0 WHY HANNAH WAS TEMPORARILY BARREN

There was a time in the life of the Church/Israel, when the Eli generation has become very old and the generation of the sons of Eli has become the sons of Beliah who knew not the Lord, took offerings inappropriately and by threats of force and lay with women who had devoted themselves to serve God in the temple. The word of the LORD was scarce and there were no open vision.

God fore-knew all this, and the sons of Eli were destined to be slain by God. But the resultant vacuum needed to be filled. From His throne above, God decided to send a vessel, which like Jeremiah 1.5, before he was formed in the belly and before he camest forth out of the womb sanctified him, and ordained him to be a prophet. And as He needed Mary to bring forth Jesus into the world, He also needed Hannah to bring forth Samuel. Mary would have understanding of the divine assignment via Angel Gabriel’s visitation, and responded accordingly: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”. But Hannah was not that favored as Mary. The Lord had to shut her womb (1 Samuel 1.5), until she made a vow giving him unto the LORD all the days of his life. And the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD1:20.

ARE YOU THE HANNAH GOD IS WAITING FOR IN THIS GENERATION? FOR SUCH A TIME LIKE THIS. Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

By the Lampstand,
31st October 2008

10.0 GET SET FOR A STATUS CHANGE

07/09/08: Tighten your seat belt, for its time for acceleration and leap-frogging into progress and higher altitude among nations/ at international levels. Prepare for a divine take-off, like a blast-off into space. A change of status within a twinkle of an eye; in ONE day as in Ruth 3:18 – 4:13 and in TEN (10) days as in Abigail in 1 Sam 25.39 -42!
If you have been faithful in little, greater shall be committed into you (Luke 19.17)

10. THERE ARE:

SET TIMES-Exodus 9.5:- And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
APPOINTED TIMES-Jer 8.7:- Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. Habakkuk 2.3-4:- For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
AND FULLNESS OF TIMES- Galatians 4.4:- But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

11. FOR SINGLE SISTERS:AS LONG AS THE LORD RAISES INTERCEEDING WATCHMEN OVER YOU WHO WILL NOT HOLD THEIR PEACE OR GIVE GOD REST, YOU WILL SOON EXPERIENCE A THREE-IN-ONE VISITATION OF ISAIAH 62: 4, 12:

• SOUGHT OUT
• DELIGHTED IN
• AND MARRIED!

AMEN

By the Lampstand,
30th November 2008

12. PROSPERING THROUGH ROOTS BY THE WATERS Psalm 1:1-3, Job 29.19, 17.16, Jer 18:5-12

13. “ONE STEP OUT OF A STRAIGHT LINE FOCUS TO PURSUE PERSONAL AMBITON(S), LEADS TO MILES AWAY FROM YOUR DIVINE MANDATE”- REV EMIKO AMUCHUKA. IVCUAF REUNION FELLOWSHIP 22/11/2008

14. NOTE THE DIFFERENCE:

SPEAK LORD THY SERVANT HEARETH
AND
HEAR LORD, THY SERVANT SPEAKETH

15. From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Message 134.
Date: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:44am
Subject: THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY

Various passages in the scriptures speak plainly of a highway of the gospel between Africa and the Middle and Far East (see Isaiah 19:22- 25, 18:7, 35:1-10, Zeph.3:10, Zech.10:10). Sometime in 1998, I came across a Scripture that suggests that the gospel highway will start from the coast line of tropical Africa (see Isaiah 11:11), through the gates of Central Africa, the Rift and Chad valleys to the far East, through the gateway cities in the 10/40 window (Maiduguri, Kano, Cairo, Khartoum, Njadmena, Tripoli, etc).

Envoys (missionaries, Ambassadors) will come from Egypt, and Ethiopia/Sudan will raise their hands to God (Ps. 68:31). The knowledge of the LORD will cover the earth, including the Islamic strongholds of the 10/40 windows of Northern Africa (Isaiah 11:9) Amen.

Let us then prepare ourselves and pray these things unto reality

LET US PRAY

1. Ask that the sevenfold spirit of God (Isaiah 11:2) will come upon Africa.
   Pray Hosea 6:1-3 for the black race.
   Ask God to break the head of Leviathan, of Rahab, Yemoja and all water spirits working in the rivers of Africa (Ezekiel 29:1- 10,32:1-8, Ps. 68:28-30, 74:13, Isaiah 27:1, 51:93).
   Ask for the altar of the Lord, pillar of covenant and gospel highway to be raised in the midst of Africa; that Africa may be a blessing to the entire world (Isaiah 19:18-25).
   Prophesy Isaiah 25 over Africa and the black race.

11.0 BENEDICTION

"....After two days (2000 years A. D.), He will revive us; on the third day (AD 2000 and beyond) He will raise us (black race) up. That we may live in his sight". (Hosea 6:2). Amen.

"O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5).

By the Lampstand
Ibadan.
October 6, 1999.

12.0 IBADAN AND THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY

From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Message 135
Date: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:44am
Subject: RE-Gospel Highway
This contribution by Robin Jegede-Brimson <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;, Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK in reaction to the Gospel highway section of the TRANSFORMING AFRICA PRAYERS MAY 2 2004 article from Dr. Tayo Babalobi <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters/post?>.
Date: Sun Apr 25, 2004 0:02pm

Thanks for your article on the gospel highway (See above).

It starts in the city of Ibadan in 2006/7; it will vary in width, but generally between 15 and 65km wide. In its wake will be churches and ministries of every dimension, from drama ministry to deliverance, to intercession and every of the identified 125 plus ministry / 5-fold / spiritual / etc gifts. There will be a deluge of gifting released on the members of the body in the path of this highway, (and specifically for the ministry of the highway).

As the highway is formed, at least five huge ministries akin to CFAN will work at various places and times.

In the wake of the highway NO MOSQUE, NO IDOL, NO ALTAR will be able to keep its doors open, all the enemies of Christ will disperse like ice disperses when the sun rises. In the wake of the tornado of the gospel-machine communities will be transformed, curses erupted from the "soil" and "iroko trees" that have thrived for centuries are uprooted, by the power of the anointing.

For now the Lord is working on the body of Christ in Ibadan. Men are being set in place, ministries birthed, and businesses instituted.

For the Lord would say, "I have not forsaken you, my beloved. Have you forsaken Me and My heart for the lost, the oppressed, the captive? Yet you say, 'where are they?' I will go to Lagos to establish this work, but the Lord says, 'Have I the Lord sent you to Lagos? Behold My blessing is upon this town; her name shall be known in the entire world as the place the Lord loves and has placed His name.' Even now, says the Lord, 'I am rebuilding the wall of this great town, prosperity shall be in her walls and on her people. Not for themselves, but for the work; for from this city shall arise a cry for the souls of those being slaughtered for my name, and I Jehovah shall cause the pain for their sufferings to be felt in the hearts of my ministers in this town, Ibadan, and they shall call on Me for deliverance, and from their cries I will send a spirit of unity like has never before existed, unity to alleviate the cries of My oppressed ones, says the Lord.
Wait for it, it shall come to pass says the Lord."

IBADAN ARISE, FOR YOUR FINEST HOUR IS UPON YOU!!!

Best regards,

Robin Jegede-Brimson
Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK
April 2004
E-mail : <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

-------------

17. THE SPIRIT OF TYRE AND SIDON

Tyre (meaning Rock) and Sidon (meaning plenty of fish/fishing) were the cities of Phoenicia and were prosperous seaports. Commerce was the chief source of their power and prosperity. Like the Canaanite (traders, merchants), they were famed traders. Her traders traveled far and wide to other seaports. The richest people of that age where Phoenicians, and they even tried to influence Israelite kings with their gifts (Psalm 45:12).

However, because of its prosperity and commerce, greed and corruption soon set him. They soon corrupted even the children of Israel, bringing fish and goods to sell even on the Sabbath (Neh. 13:16). Isaiah 23 is thus a judgment of Tyre and Sidon for her merchandise, her pride, her harlotry and her fornication.
There is a spirit of Tyre and Sidon in the church today. There are Canaanite (traders, merchants) in the house of God (see Zech. 14:21). In the name of building His church upon a rock (Tyre) and soul winning (fishing) the plenty of fish (Sidon), servants of God have turned the house of God into a house of merchandise (John 2:16). As in the time of Nehemiah, trading is done even on the Sabbath (Neh. 13:16); all in the name of prosperity message.

But thus saith the word of the Lord, "Now it shall come to pass that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king and it shall be that at the end of those seventy years, the LORD will let Tyre get back into business. Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured or laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently and for fine clothing Isa. 23:15-18. In that day there shall no longer be any Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (Zech. 14:20-21). Amen.

By the Lampstand
May 2001

18. BETHEL

Bethel (meaning house of God, Gen.28:16-19) is a pathetic story of a place which in its latter days became referred to by the prophets as Beth-Aven (house of sin or house of nothing, Hosea4:15). It was a place of divine visitation, consecrated by one man Jacob, and desecrated by another man, Jeroboam. It began a s a place of worshiping God, and ended up as a place of worshiping idols, devised after the heart of men (1 Kings 12:28-29, Hosea 10:5). At one time it was a place of obedience, later a byword for disobedience. Once priests like Samuel sat to minister there (1 Sam. 7:16), later priest who were not even Levites ministered (1 Kings 12:31). Once, there was a traffic of angels, later it became a place for devouring she- bears and lions (2 Kings 2:23-24). To return to Bethel, Jacob asked all his household to put away the foreign gods. To call people to Bethel, Jeroboam set up golden calves as idols. In Genesis 35:1, God Himself asked that an altar to him be built. In Amos 3:14, God Himself said he will destroy the altars of Bethel, even to the horns. In Gen. 35:13-15, God talked to Jacob at Bethel. In Amos 5:5, He forbade Israel to go to Bethel to seek Him, because Bethel shall come to nothing@.

What was responsible for this bad latter end? One word IDOLATRY. Hosea chapter 4 summarized their situation. The Good News Bible renders the first two verses of Hosea chapter ten thus: The people of Israel were like a grapevine that was full of grapes. The more prosperous they were, the more altars they built. The more productive their land was, the more beautiful they made the sacred pillar they worshiped. The people whose hearts are deceitful must now suffer for their sins. God will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.

AO thou anointed man of God, how many Jeroboamic altars are you raising to ensnare the people of God. As the ministry prospers in your hand, what altars are you raising that have become idols, turning people away from Christ? Is the faith of the congregation still in Christ or the altars for prosperity, altars for visa/passport, altars for breakthrough? As you become more productive, B producing results and miracles, B what beautiful sacred pillars are you making for worship?

Now is the time to repent and retrace your steps, making Christ alone your cornerstone. Thus saith the Lord to the altars of Baal in Bethel, A "O altar, altar, hear the word of the Lord. I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel. And the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground@." (See 1 Kings 13:2, Amos 3:14).
And thus says the Lord of the house of Israel: Seek me and live. But do not seek BethelY for Bethel shall come to nothing. Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the House of Joseph and devour it, with no one to quench it in Bethel@." Amen. (See Amos 5:4-6).

By the Lampstand
30/5/2001

19. JONAH, NINEVEH AND TARSHISH

The story of Jonah is a very popular biblical story. He was told to Aarise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it: for their wickedness has come up before me. But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD@ (Jonah 1:1-3).

According to Cruden's Complete Concordance, Nineveh is probably the oldest city in the world, and was founded by Nimrod (Gen. 10:11) Nimrod (meaning rebellious), was the first rebel on earth in audacity and idolatrous wickedness against God. In other words, Nineveh was an ancient spiritual stronghold that was thick in wickedness and idolatry. To these people, Jonah was sent as a missionary, to preach the gospel, because the LORD wanted them saved (Jonah Chapter 3).

Instead, Jonah chose to enter a ship going to Tarshish. He chose to be a missionary to Tarshish. Tarshish means Asubjection of enemies@. Obviously, it was a city where much spiritual warfare has been done, where idolatrous altars have been pulled down where the heavens have been cleared of principalities, powers and rulers of darkness and it was easy to harvest souls. In addition, Tarshish was a Phoenician city, prosperous because of its merchandise and sea going ships (Isa 2:16, 23:1, Ezek. 27:25). It was a city where one could preach a Aprosperity message@ and have his offering bags filled with tens and hundreds of thousands. It was a convenient place to preach the gospel. While Nineveh was in the Northeast, Tarshish was in the west.

Today there are many ministers of God like Jonah called to be missionaries to the unreached strongholds and get nations saved. Instead they have entered ships to Tarshish, preaching prosperity messages.

It may be that the turbulence in your life is because you are sent to Nineveh but you are on your way to Tarshish. Maybe you are the one causing turbulence in your fellowship, ministry or church, because you are a Jonah on the way to Tarshish instead of Nineveh.

You may sacrifice every thing in the boat, and others may even help you sacrifice, in prayer and fasting. But there will be no peace until you are thrown out of the ship to Tarshish, and retrace your steps back to Nineveh. Hundreds of thousands are awaiting you and your message of salvationY and many livestock too (Jonah 4:11).

By the Lampstand
27/5/2001

SPECIAL TESTIMONY AND THANKSGIVING EDITION

1.0 PARTAKER OF THE RESURRECTION EXPERIENCE

On January 14th in the year 2004, I had brain surgery at the University College Hospital UCH Ibadan to extract a brain tumor identified in 2003 as a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. About 70% of the tumor was successfully extracted through the brain surgery and I had to undergo a post-surgery 10-dose intra-spinal chemotherapy injection from March till April 2004. I had to stop the chemotherapy after the 7th dose when I became unconscious for three days (from Thursday night to Saturday night) during the Easter weekend of 2004. The resurrection power of Easter came to my aid and I physically came back to life in response to the prayers of saints mobilized by my wife to pray me back to life.

Indeed He has been the pillar that holds my life; else I would have become “In Memoriam”. In fact, I could have died earlier during the chemotherapy if not for the leading of the gracious Spirit of God. After the 4th dose of a biweekly intra-spinal chemotherapy, the doctors decided to change both the dosage and the route of administration of the anti-cancer injections from intra-spinal to intra-venous. Although the new dosage was still within the upper limits allowed by medical literature, by the Spirit of God and my training as a veterinary doctor, I objected to the new dosage, (which was about seventy fold of the intra-spinal dosage), and refused to purchase the new prescription for the 5th dosage. After initially threatening to discharge me for my refusal, the consultant in charge, who is a born again Christian, also had an overnight encounter with the Holy Spirit on the eve of the day I was due for the 5th dosage. She was convinced to revert to the former dosage and intra-spinal route, despite contrary demand from senior colleague(s) for the intravenous dosage and route.

It was after taking the 7th dose of the obviously low intra-spinal dosage that I fell into a three day coma. What could have happened if I had subjected myself to the more risky 70-fold intravenous dosage prescribed for the 5th dose is better imagined than experienced. I probably could have DIED that same day!

In the scriptures we are called to be

• Partakers of the sufferings 2 Cor. 1:7;
• Partakers of his hope 2 Cor.9:10;
• Partakers of his promise Ephesians 3.6;
• Partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light Col 1.12;
• Partakers of the benefit 1 Tim 6:2
• Partakers of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God 2 Tim 2:8;
• Partakers of the heavenly calling Heb 3.1;
• Partakers of Christ Heb 3.14;
• Partakers of the Holy Ghost Heb 6.4;
• Partakers of his Holiness Heb 12.10;
• Partakers of Christ’s suffering 1 Peter 4.13;
• Partakers of the glory that shall be revealed 1 Peter 5:1;
• Partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 2.14.

Indeed I have been privileged to be a partaker of the resurrection experience. To the glory of God, He has kept me alive and taken me to higher levels of life and ministry through testimony-filled experiences since then. I thank God for this Easter opportunity to testify, as the Lord perfects the healing He is doing on my health. Pray along please.

Dr Tayo Babalobi,
Publisher, Lampstandletters,
Lampstand Ministry,
Ibadan, NIGERIA
4.44 am. Easter Sunday, 23rd March 2008.

2.0 BACK TO BED!

Lampstandletters readers are aware that I had a brain cancer affliction which led me to have a brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy between January 2004 and October 2006. What most are not aware of is that since then, I had not been able to sleep in the normal full stretch mattress pattern. MRI scanning I did in South Africa showed that the skull did not fully heal post surgery, hence there appeared to be seepage of Cerebrospinal fluid whenever I lie down. This caused irritating discomfort whenever I got up.

Since 2004, I have been sleeping with my back upright either on a chair or a couch. In fact since I was virtually not using a mattress, early December last year, I gave out a family size mattress to a missionary who requested for it for his newly delivered wife who was joining in at his station. However later that same December, I was nominated by my Dean to attend a USDA sponsored 10 day Training Workshop on the Epidemiology of Avian Influenza, which took place between 10th and 18th December 2007 at the best hotel in Jos, Central Nigeria. Tired from a long trip from Ibadan to Jos, and not wanting to 'waste' the comfort of the hotel bedroom allocated to me, I decided to 'risk' it and sleep full stretch, with my head on the three pillows provided, heaped on top of one another. Surprisingly, I woke up next day (and for the full ten days of the workshop), without the usual discomfort!

On return from the workshop, from the stipends given, (after removing transport costs, tithe and offering), I was able to purchase a new mattress which was TWICE the size I gave to the missionary. Since then, I have been conveniently sleeping normally and comfortably on a mattress like you do!

All praise to the faithful God. And thank you all who prayed for me. The Lord rewards you accordingly
07 January 2008.

3.0 A great door and many adversaries

1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many
Adversaries 1 Corinthians 6:9

The year 2008 is for me a year I specifically asked God for local and international divine open doors, divine opportunities, divine contacts/connections and divine favor; at family, ministry, to academic and professional levels. I asked for divine insight and wisdom to identify, possess and utilize opportunities and unconquered openings, and to enlarge and expand at all levels-

• physical health,
• marital,
• family,
• divine prophetic insights and revelations in ministry
• international professional career ,
• unique academic research outputs and discoveries,
• financial/material prosperity,
• social status

The ultimate goal is to attain an International Consultant status in all areas of my callings and endeavors. And Baba God speedily began to grant my request in many areas. Academically I embarked upon a distinctive academic research project, the first person to so do in that area in Nigeria. Professionally I was invited to be a national newspaper weekly columnist in my area of professional specialty. And in Ministry, I had an open door to participate in an international online Christian professional course that opportune me to establish international links with at least 26 professional Christian colleagues over a 4-week period from February.

But as the Lord opened the various doors, satanic monitoring spirits began to constitute themselves to adversaries and impediments. It was especially in the last two areas above that the adversary began to attempt his impediment tactics. In the very first week of the 4 week international online course, my laptop was invaded by viruses, all in an effort to help a colleague send official report. It became practically unusable, but though slower and frustrating, I dodged on for about 4 days in my bid to submit my compulsory weekly assignment online. Surprisingly, without any repairs or expert intervention, the viruses were subdued and the laptop returned to normal, 2 days after submitting the assignment. The satanic goal of impeding my participation in the international online course, by missing the submission of the very first assignment, was divinely thwarted.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

The second encounter had to do with the professional weekly column I was invited to write in a national newspaper. That was another open door to a national audience. I was requested to submit the first 5 issues, with a plan to start off on Tuesday the 4th March 2008. I got the editor’s mail on Monday 25th, requesting to get the 5 editions by Thursday 28th. Working day and night, I was able to complete them by Wednesday 27th and send them in 7 separate mails, using a new yahoo address created for the purpose. Only the first issue got to the Editor, even though all the 7 copied to my workplace address was received! My efforts to confirm receipts of the mails by the Editor via phone call or text proved abortive. Of course the column could not take off on the 4th. I had to resend them using my workplace on the 4th March, and of course he received them all. The adversary succeeded in delaying the take off by a week. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

3.1 ON PHYSICAL KEYS AND OPEN DOORS

Another dimension of the adversary was physical losses of a number of personal KEYS seven (7) times during the same period (link “keys’ with “open doors”). The first two keys that slipped off from my bunch of keys were my post office key (which I have been using for 8 years) and my wardrobe key. Next, after spending a couple of hours at an internet centre, I could not locate my bunch of keys including my car key and the house key(s). After searching for about 30 minutes to no avail, I phone my wife to bring her bunch of keys so I can have access to the house and get the spare car key. After bringing the house key, she stayed behind to search the internet room while I went home to collect the spare key, only to get home to discover what she gave me was the bunch containing her room key. Meanwhile staying back to search, she succeeded in locating the bunch behind a computer table!

But that was just the beginning. A few days later I worked overtime in the office till well after 6.00 pm, only to discover I had locked in my bunch of keys inside the car! I went back home to collect the spare key, only to search for it in vain for hours. The key that resemble the spare key which I tool back to the office broke in the car key opening. The car had to stay overnight in the office while I took public transport home for the third time that night.

Then for another two days, the two extra keys of the wardrobe got missing and I had to break the wardrobe open on the second day, only for my youngest son to find one in sitting room! But that was not all. Just as I thought I had written the last paragraph of this testimony, the Adversary struck again. I had to come home during office hours to take something in the house. As I inserted the key into the front door, the head of the front-door key broke off, leaving the body inside the key hole in the door. After trying unsuccessfully for about 30 minutes to use a pair of pliers to turn the headless key to open the door, I extracted it and took it to a key-molder for two (2) new copies. You will not believe it, getting home after office hours, as I tested the 1st new key to open the door it BROKE again inside the keyhole! Thank God my wife had arrived before me and opened the door otherwise I could have been locked out again. Next day I had to call a carpenter who remove the whole key case from the door and took me to another key-molder to do another key, at a higher cost.

Adversary can only delay, discourage or distract, it cannot stop divine open doors. Only be strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might. Amen.

When praying for an open door, prepare to tackle and overcome many adversaries!
By the Lampstand,
21st March 2008

4.0 FOUR EQUIPMENTS FOR DIVINE SERVICE

No one came to the world by him/herself. None determined who the parents will be or which race or geographical location he will belong to .We all came on earth by divine appointment and for a divine purpose. The divine God, the Alpha and The Omega has commissioned every living being for a purpose-driven existence.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ephesians 1:4a

See also Psalm 139 and Acts 17:26-28

He that formed us made us for specific divine services while we have life… And he also prepared us with divine equipments, four are which are:

1. The equipment of natural talents:
   For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called
   his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; See Matthew 25:14-30
2. The equipment of spiritual gifts: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10. See also Romans12:6
3. The equipment of sacrificial lifestyle: And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 2 Samuel 24:24 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
4. The equipment /experience of suffering: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 5:8 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1 Peter 2:21

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

While the first two are strictly divine grace, for which we have no control over, the other two are our choices, our responsibility and response to divine situations allowed and arranged by God himself; to test and try us and to see if we are qualified for the next phase of divine service.

Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

By the Lampstand. 15TH April 2008

LAMPSTANDLETTERS IN BOOK FORM

1. Ecclesiastical Witchcraft and Manipulation
2. Perfumers, Cooks and Bakers: The Ministry Of Christian Sisters
3. The Mystery of the Black Race
4. Thrones and Water Spirits of Nations

NOW OUT: (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLUMMET PUBLISHING <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;, 3 Adefolu Drive off Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos).

PLEASE PRAY ALONG FOR THEIR DISTRIBUTION (PSALM 68:11). FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: BRO DARE DANIEL TEL 080-2360-5264; 01-7209304 and 01-7624871

LAMPSTANDLETTERS Publisher/Editor: Dr Tayo Babalobi Lampstand Letter Ministry, University Post Office Box 4150, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Tel 0805-530-1991

Computer lay-out/Printer: Scripture Union Nigeria Press and Books Limited, Ibadan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access the electronic version at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters.

E-mail:; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit the website URL: http://www.christonline.iqnfo/biblestudy/lampstand/index.html and

http://www.geocities.com/lampstandlettersnigeria/index.htm for past editions of the Lampstandletters.

SEASON FOR THE EMERGING NEXT GENERATION

1.0 SEASON FOR THE EMERGING NEXT GENERATION

This is the season for the emergence of the next generation in all facets of life. The appointed time is set, the process manifesting. A paradigm shift, from looking on the older generation for leadership to the realm of a new younger generation.

A shift from a:

1. Moses generation to Joshua generation in Corporate/Congregational leadership
2. David generation to Solomon generation in Political Governance
3. Paul to Timothy in Ministry
4. Old dreamers to Young visioners:-A Missionary generation that will activate and turn visions to mission
5. The generation of the sons of Shem to the generation of the sons of Ham who takes over the missionary mantle
6. Vashti generation to the Esther generation at the home front
7. The unwilling kinsman-redeemer giving way to a Boaz generation.

It is hand-over season, a take-over season. This is no first call.
The “Occupy” Magazine Vol.25, No 1, 2006 (Calvary Ministries/CAPRO, P. O. Box 196, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) asks “But where are the sons?

The ThroneRoom (Trust) Ministry Inc. Kafanchan Nigeria declared “Releasing Mantles on the Next Generation” at its 2nd INTERNATIONAL PRAYER PROPHESY CONFERENCE between 24th and 28th October 2006.

The prayers of Psalm 71:17 -18 is been said
“God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Biblical expectations from the older generation: This is the time to, like Moses did in Deuteronomy 34:9, call out the Joshua generation, and as Elijah did to Elisa, handle over the mantle for the double portion. We need not be like Old King David that needed be prod by Nathan and Bathsheba, before transferring the mantle to young Solomon. Rather we adopt the Paul to Timothy 2Timothy2:2 discipleship spirit for the emerging generation:
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

FROM DAKE’S ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE

(COMMENTARY ON ZECHARIAH 7:8 – 8:17, PAGES 919 -920)

1.1 7 commands to the former generation:

1. Execute true judgment
2. Show mercy and compassions
3. Oppress not the widow
4. Oppress not the fatherless
5. Oppress not the stranger
6. Oppress not the poor
7. Let not none of you imagine evil in his heart against a brother

1.2 Fourfold rebellion of former generation

1. They refused to hearken
2. They pulled away the shoulder
3. They stopped the ears that they could not hear the law
4. They made their hearts as adamant stone against the law and words of Jehovah

1.3 Fourfold judgment on former generation

1. God’s wrath came upon them
2. When they were in distress and cried to God He would not hear
3. I scattered them like a whirlwind among the nations whom they did not know
4. I made their land desolate

1.4 Biblical tasks of the next generation

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he
hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain
unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3

FROM DAKE’S ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE

(COMMENTARY ON ZECHARIAH 7:8 – 8:17, PAGES 919 -920)
God was under obligation to curse previous generations in Israel as He has promised. He could do nothing else but mete out such punishment. Now He promised the new and obedient generation that he would do well to them and Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:14 -15).

1.5 6 things commanded of new generation

1. Speak every man the truth with his neighbor
2. Execute judgment of truth
3. Have peace in your gates
4. Let none imagine evil in his heart against his neighbor
5. Do not live a false oath
6. Love the truth and peace

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it (Isaiah 1:19-20).

By the Lampstand. October 2006.

2.0 EIGHT YEARS OF LAMPSTANDLETTERS.

To the glory of God, 1st August 2006, marked seven years of the existence of Lampstand Ministry and Lampstandletters, following a calling I received at Christian Pilgrim Camp Abuja from Zechariah 4:1-8, while Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Vision Coordinator of ThroneRoom Trust Ministry Kafanchan was ministering during a night vigil on the 1st August 1999, The call was reconfirmed later on the 2nd August 1999 that day at a private audience in Suite 204 Royalty Hotel, Area 13 Garki Abuja, with Pastor Nuhu Kure, who then commissioned me into the task.
A day before, 31st July 1999 marked the official end of my disengagement from service at the Kontagora, Niger State, Nigeria where I have spent thirteen years as a Missions Facilitator, Private Veterinary Practitioner and College Lecturer. At a weekly prayer fellowship of the Kontagora chapter of the ThroneRoom Trust Ministry on Thursday 30th July, I had received a silent instruction to proceed to Abuja to attend Pastor Kure’s weekend program at Abuja scheduled to start the next day where I will receive further instructions.

This edition marked the 40th edition of the Lampstandletters (Print Edition), which began as a monthly 4-page bulletin, but is now a 16-20 page bulletin produced 2-4 times annually. Most of the pat editions are accessible by internet at http://geocities.com/lampstandlettersnigeria/index.htm.

In addition there is an electronic version http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters with more than 400 subscribers worldwide. The list-lampstandletters is a bible based prophetic teaching commentary on contemporary national and international (Spiritual, political etc) issues aimed at provoking informed intercessions on such issues (Isaiah 2:5). Postings are weekly or as matter arise and subscribers are also free to make contributions.

The first printed copy of Lampstandletters Vol. I, No. 2. October 1998 titled MISSION 2000 AD: OPERATION DAVID dealt with two 1987 prophesy (of which this writer was one of the vessels of utterance) which promised a Christian president for Nigeria before 2000, and correctly stated that the stage was set for the emergence of the Christian Leader for Nigeria. Incidentally, this special 7th anniversary Print Edition contains a compendium of a 7-series on national issues ran on the Electronic edition between July 2006 and September 2006. May the Spirit of the Lord watch over to perform the exposition of his word. Amen.

2.1 ABOUT LAMPSTANDLETTERS

The biblical Lampstand (also known as candlestick and chandelier) is literally a lamp-bearer. It is the biblical platform, upon which the seven (7) lamps providing the only light in the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:31-38; 27:21). Located outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy place in the Tabernacle, it sheds light on the showbread (which represents the Word of God) as well as the two trumpets for declaring the voice of God to the church and the heathen. It has seven branches in front of the throne of heaven, the seven branches representing the he sevenfold Spirit of God (see Isaiah 11:2, 3, Revelations 4:5).

The Lampstand bears seven (7) lamps. Seven being the number of covenant, it bears the seven (7) Spirits of the God (see Isaiah 11:2, 3, Revelations 4:5). The Lampstand of solid gold has a bowl of oil on top of it (Zechariah 4:2). The oil is the anointing, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Lampstand is thus a vehicle, medium and platform of light to illuminate the whole world and the whole word by the Holy Spirit. The light is now in human earthen vessels to spread the word to the whole world by the seven-fold anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The Lampstand is the stand where the lamp is put to shine its light (Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33). God's word is the lamp for our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105).Lampstandletters are thus written exposition of God's word, teaching and expounding the word of God, through print and the Internet, so that we may "walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5).

In Daniel 5:5 was a divine hand-writing illuminated by the Lampstand. It took a man with the Spirit of God, a sharp excellent mind, divine knowledge and understanding, interpretation of dreams, dissolving of doubts to tell what the writing by the Lampstand was (Daniel 5:12-28).
The Lampstand Letters are basically to help the church corporate ‘walk in the light of the Lord’ (Isaiah2: 5), each in the context of its environment. Inspired by Zechariah chapter 4 and Revelations Chapter 1, it draws its imagery from the Lampstand (also known as the candlestick) of the inner court of the Lord’s presence Leviticus 24: 1-4, Numbers 8:1-4, Hebrews 9:2, which is supplied with oil (anointing from the olive tree (Holy Spirit)), to empower the church to dispel Satan’s darkness in the last days. It sees itself as part of the end – time wisdom of God that will defeat Satan-“not by might nor by power, but by God’s mighty spirit” Amen. Our aim is to supply information, insight, illumination and revelation of his word, to enable the church overcome and lift a standard against Satan’s end-time flood: - not by might or by power but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:1-14, Revelation chapter 1 and chapter 11) Amen.

Pray in this light for the Publisher and contributors to Lampstandletters. Amen.
Dr Tayo Babalobi
October 2006.

2.2 FINANCIAL REPORT OCTOBER 1998 T0 SEPTEMBER 2006

PERIOD
RECEIPTS
PUBLICATION/POSTAL EXPENDITURES1
OCTOBER 1998 T0 SEPTEMBER 1999
N12, 100.00
N30, 730.00
OCTOBER 1999 T0 SEPTEMBER 2000
N8,500.00 and
N500.00 (stamps)
N38,725.00
OCTOBER 2000 T0 SEPTEMBER 2001
N13,410.00 and
N2,215.00 (stamps)
N46,000.00
OCTOBER 2001 T0 SEPTEMBER 2002

N34,100.00 and
N2810.00 (stamps)
N29,800.00 and
N25,000.00 lost to armed robbers2
OCTOBER 2002 T0 SEPTEMBER 2004

N49,000.004 and
N50.00 (stamps)

N122,515.005
OCTOBER 2004 T0 SEPTEMBER 20063

N47,7700.006
N83,870.00
TOTAL
N164,810.00 plus
N4585.00 (stamps).
N376,640.00

1. Including respective tithes paid.
2. Reported in Lampstand Letters No. 30 (January- June 2002) edition
3. Infirmity and hospitalization for brain surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy during this period necessitated merger of two years report.
4. Printing costs for Special Edition (No 33) waived by the Printer.
5. Including N18, 265.00 spent on computer and electronic mail expenses for the electronic version (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters/.)
6. See Tribute (2) below.

3.0 PRAYER POINTS

FOR THE PUBLISHER AND THE PUBLISHING OF LAMPSTANDLETTERS;
1. GRACE AND FINANCIAL PARTNERS: Obvious from the seven year financial report of LAMPSTAND LETTERS that it has been God’s grace sustaining its continual publication and distribution. Receipts have been less than half expenditure. Please pray along that this grace will be abundantly multiplied as will be financial partners increased likewise. The Lord gave the word, and many are the company of those that published it (Psalm 68:11). Amen
2. PRAYERS AND PRAYER PARTNERS: Another area the Publisher of Lampstandletters has enjoyed abundant grace is health-wise. Since 2003, I have been successfully battling with a left face brain/ocular-nasal cancer through prayers, brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. His grace, sustained by the prayers of brethren worldwide, has kept me alive and functionally strong in both secular occupation and spiritual calling. I still need all of His grace and the prayers of brethren till all vestiges and remnants are completely dealt with, and I am fully restored physically and spiritual to fulfill my portion and calling in this generation of ours. I count on your prayers to ‘live and declare the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13,116:1-19).
3. ENLARGING THE COAST OF THE CALLING. (Isaiah 54:2-3).In this third day for the black race, the Lampstand Letters Ministry has a portion to play, especially in reverting the dominion of the Arab-Islam ancient desire to subjugate Africa to slavery and dip the Koran in the Atlantic Ocean; as well as in facilitating the raising of the black missionary force that will fulfill the prophesy of the latter half of Isaiah 18. There are many great and effectual open doors as there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). Please join in playing your needed part in praying for the fulfillment of the promises of Isaiah 49: 1 -26 and 54:1-17 in my life and in the Lampstand Letters Ministry

Thank you as the Lord counts you among the great and effectual company that disseminate his given word. He forgets not your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that you ye have ministered to the saints and do minister (Hebrews 6:10). He rewards every man according to his works (Matthew 16:27).
.
Dr Tayo Babalobi, Publisher, Lampstand Letters. Ibadan. 27th October 2006.

TRIBUTE (1)

IN MEMORY OF MY LATE BROTHER OMOLOLU FALOBI

This tribute is in memory of my late younger brother OMOLOLU FALOBI, who was recently killed in Lagos by suspected armed robbers on 5th October 2006. The tribute is written for a singular reason: - MY BROTHER OMOLOLU WAS OF GREAT HELP IN ENHANCING MY INTEREST IN THE USE OF E-GROUPS FOR INTERNET

ELECTRONIC MAIL COMMUNICATIONS.

I presently moderate five (three Christian, two professional and one Christian/professional) Electronic-groups I initiated within the past six (6) years:

1. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I still have two packs of bundles of various articles on electronic mail communications which he sent to me in 2000 through their Ibadan office while OMOLOLU was still with the Punch Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria.

Some of the articles are titled:

1. A Beginners Guide to Effective Email.
2. An Electronic Newsletter How-to.
3. Bob Greene- E-mail Changes Everything.
4. Feedback e-mail: how they use it.
5. The Advantages of Email by Pauline M. Berry.
6. The email interview.
7. What is this thing called email?
8. Email Listservs.
9. Computer-assisted Reporting.
10. Newsgroups/Usenet.
11. Computer-Assisted Research.
12. Search tips (deja.com).

He has since been buried. His precious memory will linger for long. May his Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) http://www.nigeria-aids.org/ vision be sustained for ages. Amen.

Dr Tayo Babalobi.
23/10/2006

TRIBUTE (2)

IN MEMORY OF LATE Joshua Imunefana MOSUGO

As indicated in previous editions, in western countries, 80% of support for God’s work still comes from women (Shepherd’s Staff, WORLD MAP 1993). At Lampstandletters, women including widows have played a significant role in the modest support we have got.
However in the last six months, specifically between May and August 2006, a particular brother has made a memorial contribution to the Lampstand Letters. Despite suffering for the past few years from a prostate cancer which was rapidly spreading to other parts of the body within the past six months, causing him to frequently visit and expend large sums on money at the University College Hospital UCH Ibadan, this brother sacrificially gave a total sum of ten (10) thousand naira (N10, 000.00) towards the continual publication of lampstandletters during this period.

Brother Joshua Imunefana MOSUGO (B.Sc. Chemistry (ABU). M.Ed., PhD (Hon. Theology) finally went home about 8.00pm at the UCH on 25th October 2006, at the age of 55 years. Born in Ogori in Ogori Magongo LGA of Kogi State, Bro Mosugo was a retired Factory Manager at the Bacita Sugar Mills, Kwara State. An Educationist, he was Proprietor of YESHUA COLLEGE BACITA and the ETERNAL LOVE GROUP OF SCHOOLS, which he ran with his wife. He was a trained Child Evangelist, actively involved in the Children Evangelism Ministry CEM.

Bro Mosugo was noted for Mentoring and discipling of multitudes of younger Christians. He was very energetic and selfless. According to my neighbor Mr. Uche Okeke Managing Director of the Scripture Union Books and Press Ibadan, (who has been one of his long-time friend and disciple, and his host all the time late Mosugo was in Ibadan for Cancer treatment), Mosugo was a unique human being, a committed friend who loved people selflessly. Young people clustered round him, and he took care, advised and rebuked where necessary. He was well respected by Senior Staff of the defunct Bacita Sugar Factory, where he once headed the Senior Staff Union. He was reputed to proclaim himself as a Jesus-person, with posters on his car and chest while at Bacita. Bro Mosugo was once a President (as well as a Field Representative) of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International Bacita.

He was married to Joy and they have four children- two boys: Bob and Edd and two girls: Jem and Ivy. Please join in playing your part in upholding the family and the vision Bro Mosugo left behind, by continual prayers for their financial and other support.

Dr Tayo Babalobi, Publisher, Lampstand Letters. Ibadan.27th October 2006.

4.0 GLORYING IN INFIRMITIES

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I Corinthians 12:9-10

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 2:21. 4:1, 12, 13

ON: ‘THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE’.
QUOTATION: PASTOR OLUBI JOHNSON, ESSENCE MAGAZINE.
The last edition of the LAMPSTAND LETTERS (No. 39, January to June 2006) was titled ‘THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE’.

The following quotation is from an interview article with Pastor Olubi Johnson, the Pastor of Scripture Pasture Christian Center, Ibadan titled “A SPIRITUAL TSUMANI IS COMING!’ published by a Christian magazine ESSENCE Restored 2nd Edition 2006 Vol01, Page 12 -15 released on 19th July 2006.
Extract:
“…

You will observe that every move of God has always had a base. When Pentecost started, it was in Jerusalem and a Jewish thing but it later spread. Then the Reformation came in the 16th century, which had a base in Germany, Europe.
God gave me revelation years ago: Noah had 3 sons; God has 3 days. The first day-Shem; the second – Japheth and Ham, the third. The first day of divine agenda was for the Shemites-all of Israel and the Middle East. The second day featured Europe, playing the significant role. This third day is for Africa. Nigeria is peculiar in this third day move. Nigeria is the trigger point.” (Page 15)

From: “A SPIRITUAL TSUMANI IS COMING!’
By Pastor Olubi Johnson, the pastor of Scripture Pasture Christian Center, Ibadan
ESSENCE Restored Magazine (2nd Edition 2006 Vol01).
Box 36218, Agodi P.O Ibadan. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 0805 506 7549, 0803 854 8073

5.0 “MY FATHER AND MY GOD”.

The above exclamation “My Father and My God” is one that comes frequently to my mouth at home during seasons of stress or discomfort following the brain surgery I had January 2004. I never knew my ten year old last child was taking interest. Soon, the exclamation became regular on his lips. But beyond that, my wife recently asked him “Who is this ‘My Father-and-My God’?” To my surprise, his answer was “My Daddy” (i.e. me)!
We had to correct him that the real ‘Father and God’ I am referring to is our Heavenly Father. Our children see us-their earthly fathers-, as also their earthly god. What examples of a godly life are we setting for them?

October 2006.

----- Original Message -----
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To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent: 03 April, 2006 8:12 AM
Subject: SEIZE THE MOMENT & SET CLEAR GOALS NOW
Apostolic/Prophetic/Global JOSHUA A/P NETWORK ELIST http://lists.topica.com/lists/JoshuaElist/.
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6.0 SET CLEAR GOALS NOW AND EXPERIENCE FRUITFULNESS (IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS)

~Patricia King <www.extremeprophetic.com>

Upon arising March 22, the Lord spoke these words to me: "If you make clear goals now, then within the next 5 years you will experience multiplied fruitfulness." He further spoke to me that, in this hour, we could not simply maintain the vision He gave us last year or the year before but it was very important that we have clear directives from His Spirit for this season. If we establish clearly defined, God-inspired goals at this time, then within 5 years we will experience multiplied levels of fruitfulness. If we fail to clearly define goals, then our fruitfulness would be limited, and we would be remorseful over this in the coming days. THERE WAS URGENCY IN THE LORD'S TONE OVER THIS.

BIBLICAL CHARACTERS WERE GIVEN CLEAR GOALS FROM GOD - MOSES HAD A CLEAR GOAL TO BUILD THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS. God gave him the specific blueprint, and Moses put the plan into action. As a result, Israel was blessed in their journey through the wilderness and the coming generations, even to this day, were blessed with the revelation of Christ that was hidden within the tabernacle. Joshua received a clear goal to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land. When he followed the Lord's instruction carefully, they all possessed and occupied and enjoyed the fruit for years following. JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD A CLEAR GOAL TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD. Jesus had a clear goal to fulfill the eternal, unbreakable covenant between God and Man. The early church had a clear goal to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature.

6.1 NO NEED TO SPIN WHEELS.

You do not need to spin wheels in this hour. You do not need to live in a rut. The Lord is going to give you fresh vision that will become a solid foundation for you to move forward on. GET READY; you are going to experience new hope and fresh direction. You are living now in what you sowed in the past seasons, but what you sow now you will reap in the coming years. Plan your harvest this year for what you will reap in the next 5 years. Seeds are going to grow faster and larger in the next 5 years than ever before. The next five years are important years for you. Be careful what you sow. You will reap what you sow. If you sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption, but if you sow to the Spirit you will reap life. The Lord says that seeds are going to grow faster and larger in the next 5 years, more than in any other time of your life.
Those who plant bad seeds (like discord, hatred, enmity, strife, jealousy, etc.) in this hour will reap a massive harvest of those things within 5 years, but in the same manner, those who sow good seed, Kingdom seed, will reap a bountiful harvest of blessing that will overtake them. This is the best time to sow good seeds. You will receive a huge return. Be careful what you sow. This hour is the best time to set fresh clear goals for your life. You will experience fulfillment beyond your wildest dreams.

6.2 GOD'S STAMP OF APPROVAL IS VITAL.

Your goals must have God's stamp of approval on them. God knows how to set goals, and He does. He is the Master Goal Setter. He set His goals in place for the redemption of man. He set His goals in place for the return of Christ. He set His goals for His glorious church.
God always accomplishes His goals. He can help you learn to set goals and fulfill them just like He does. He will inspire you to set goals if you wait on Him.

Successful goals are to be determined by His Spirit and not birthed from your carnal, soulish desires. Spend time in the presence of the Lord.
Wait on Him to give you fresh vision. He will. He is the All Wise God. Wait with expectancy for God to speak. Ask the Lord to inspire specific vision in your heart. I like to wait on the Lord with pen and paper ready. Wait with determination and expectancy for the Lord to speak. Prepare yourself as you wait. I usually pray the following prayer in preparation to hear from God:

"Father, I come to You and ask that You would convict me of any un-confessed sin. I do not want anything to hinder my ability to hear from You. Forgive me of any thought, word, or deed that has been displeasing to You. I turn away from such things and receive cleansing. In Jesus' name I choose to cast down my own soulish thoughts, desires, and imaginations. In Jesus' name I bind the enemy's voice. I determine to only hear from You Lord. The voice of a stranger, I will not hear. Only Your voice do I submit to. Fill me afresh now with Your precious Holy Spirit and cause me to discern Your voice. Thank You Lord. Amen."

COVERING ALL THE BASES

Now, the beauty of this type of prayer is that you cover all the bases. You have removed the issue of sin so that there is no hindrance there.
You have cast down your own soulish inclinations. You have bound the enemy from interfering, and you have invited the Holy Spirit to fill you and speak to your heart. That takes care of anything that might hinder your ability to hear from God. THE NEXT THING IS TO SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT WHAT COMES TO YOUR HEART IS OF HIM. HAVE CONFIDENCE. God usually speaks His will into your thoughts and imagination, so don't shake off the dreams that come into your heart and mind. Don't think, "Oh, that's probably just me." Remember, you just prayed the prayer to cast down the things that come from your own soulish nature. You have just prayed to bind the enemy. You have fully submitted and yielded to the Spirit--so trust then that He is speaking to you. Do not doubt, for the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and will receive nothing from the Lord (see James 1:5-7).

6.3 HAVE CLEARLY SET GOALS

The first step in fulfilling a goal is to have one. Make sure that you have clearly defined goals, and write them out. Remember the word of the Lord here is concerning the next 5 years, so simply ask Him to give you vision for the next 5 years. Invite Him to give you insight into your walk with Him, your ministry, family, employment, financial areas, health, etc. Get specific. The promise He is giving us is enormous. Remember that what you sow in this next 5 years will reap an enormous harvest, so don't sow small amounts of vision. go for as much as your heart can receive from Him. Once you have your goals, write them out so that you can see them and be reminded of them. Ask the Lord to give you scripture promises to confirm your goals.

When you have your goals defined, you will need a plan of action. Invite the Lord to show you the steps you can take in order to fulfill your goals. Remember, "faith without works is dead". It is easy to have a vision, a clear goal, but if you don't put feet to the goal, then it only remains a vision and will not materialize. Pray into your vision and invite the Lord to give you a plan of action.

As a visionary gift, I am loaded with vision. It pops up in me like popcorn. I need to discern what is born from the gift itself and what is directed of the Spirit of God for me to walk in at a given time. When I witness that a vision is born of the Spirit and is to be embraced, then I need to develop the plan of action and put things into motion. If I don't, it's only a vision.
I can talk about it, but that won't fulfill it. I must have the plan of action. In the same way you wait on the Lord for the vision, you wait on Him for the plan of action. Write it all down and make sure it is clear.

6.4 TAKING ACTION

Once you have the plan of action, then the next step is to take action. The early church received the following clear goal from the Lord: preach the gospel to every creature. They also had a plan of action: "Tarry in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father comes. and. "You will receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you and you will be My witnesses."(see Acts 1:1-8). They had the goal and the plan of action. Then they obeyed. They did not move to the right or to the left of that plan of action. It was a good thing that they didn't. It was a good thing they didn't take it into their own hands after 5 days of waiting. They could have said, "Gosh, we have tarried for 5 days now, and we still have no evidence of power from on high, let's go and preach the gospel...after all... Jesus told us to go." Oh my, can you imagine? They were halfway there in their journey of obedience to fulfilling the plan of action. They could have missed the power they needed if they had taken it into their own minds. They could have totally missed the mark. By waiting, they saw 3,000 added to the church in one day. If they had of gone in their own strength, they probably would not have seen any saved...just a lot of work and effort but no results.
Jesus said in John 6:63, "...the flesh profits nothing." They received the plan of action and then they took action. This brought amazing results.

6.5 DREAM BIG

The next 5 years will be a time of fruitfulness for you. Sow as much as you can. Dream as big as you can. Receive a clear, well-defined goal, then a plan of action, and then-- take action. Go for it and reap the amazing results. It is a promise from the Lord for you.

Patricia King
www.extremeprophetic.com

7.0 DETOURS

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua A/P Network E-List" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent: 26 April, 2006 11:18 AM
Subject: DETOURS > By Les D. Crause

Philippians 3:13 - Brethren, I do not consider myself as having attained but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things that are ahead, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Job 23:10 - But he knows the way that I take: [when] he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

One of the most frustrating things you can come across when you are on a long journey is a detour off the main road. You have probably planned your trip and anticipated how long it will take you to reach your destination, but now there is this section of the journey that you have to travel probably on dirt and a bumpy road. You cannot travel fast because it is only a makeshift road and there are probably a whole pile of cars travelling along with you, so you cannot overtake and speed up even if you wanted to. In fact it is as though you have lost control of your journey. But what does a detour mean? Why is it there? Usually it means that a new road is being constructed or the existing road is being repaired. In other words someone is at work improving things for future journeys you might make along this road.

But if you are like most impatient drivers you are probably not thinking about the next journey. You are thinking about NOW and all that is on your mind is getting through this part of the journey and getting to your destination. It is not much different in our spiritual journey. We set our goals and make our plans, and if we are committed to the Lord's purpose in our lives we have asked Him to take care of things for us. You may have asked the Lord for certain things such as new ministry opportunities, or improvements in your standard of living. You may have asked Him to bring new people into your life. Whatever you have asked of the Lord, you can be sure that if you asked in faith, and in accordance with His Word, then He has begun to set in motion a plan to cause these things to come to you.

Suppose you asked the Lord for an increase in your income. How He answers this prayer will vary according to your circumstances. It might be that you have to change jobs and in order to do this your current job situation starts to change.

This is probably not what you expected. You thought you were going to get an increase. But the Lord is one step ahead of you. He knows that you could earn far more in another job. So He begins to arrange a situation which will lead you to that other job. Perhaps it involves the job becoming vacant by someone else leaving. Perhaps it involves a change in ownership in the business where the job is located. There are so many things that might have to take place before your prayer can be answered. Remember you have asked the Lord for a pay increase. How He does this is in His hands. So suddenly things begin to change at work. Suddenly your employer changes his attitude to you. Or perhaps you hit some obstacles that interfere with your work. I don't know, use your imagination. The point is that the road you have been traveling suddenly seems to hit a detour. And the plans you had in mind and the way you were used to going suddenly changes.

What is your attitude going to be? Well firstly you need to check out whether this detour is of the Lord. You see the enemy will also try to turn you off the path you are going. He certainly doesn't want you to reach your destination. So be very discerning in how you approach this detour in your circumstances. Check carefully to see the pattern of what is taking place in your life and look to the Lord for clarity in the matter. You might be surprised to find that this 'detour' in your life is actually a blessing and not a nuisance after all. You see the Lord has already traveled the road up ahead, and He knows the way it will lead. And since He knows what the future holds, and what it is that you have requested from Him, He has probably started construction on a brand new road for you, to take you to where you want to go.

So hang in there and stick with the detour for now. It might be a nuisance, and it might seem to be delaying your journey, but it has a purpose that you do not understand right now. Sometimes the detour is a call to let go of the vision and rest awhile. Sometimes it is a warning that you are not yet ready to do what you thought you should do. Sometimes it might even be there to stop you from making a big mistake. The important thing is that you keep going. Even though the road might be bumpy and your car is filling with dirt, you keep going. So even though it might look like things are becoming worse instead of better, keep going. Keep believing, keep praying, and above all keep praising. There is a little expression that is often used in the Bible and it is the words, "And it came to pass." As a preacher once said, "It came to pass, it didn't come to stay." No detour can last for ever, and if you keep going, the time will come when at last it ends, and you find yourself once more on the smooth road. Then you can put your foot down and cruise towards your goal.

Perhaps as you look back over the past while you see a path of confusion and detours. You had so many great plans when you started out, but as you look back now you can see that many of these things did not happen the way you had hoped. And as you look at the future, you do so with doubt and fear and uncertainty. Well if the past while has been like a detour to you, take heart. The chances are that the detour will come to an end and new things will break forth into your life. What have you asked of the Lord?

Know that He will give it to you, even though it might seem impossible. Even though it might look like a dirt road to you right now, you must realize that this in itself is a clear sign that a new road is being made. It is a sign that God has already started to answer your prayers, and you can with assurance know that the answer will open up to you soon. Then it will be like riding on that new road. You will forget about all the hardships of the detour and you will put your foot down hard on the accelerator and go forward in blessing on your journey.

NIGERIA 2007-2010:
BETWEEN MT. ZAPHON AND MT. ZION-

8.0 WHITHIER THE THRONE OF DAVID?

Between 17th July and 29th September 2006, the electronic version of lampstandletters <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; ran a series of seven messages titled “NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION”.
This series is hereby reproduced below (with slight editing) in this print version.

NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION (1): WHITHER THE THRONE OF DAVID?

This is a coded message, which the Holy Spirit will decode in the months ahead. There is a tussle between Mount Zaphon and Mount Zion (1 & 2), about where the throne of David in Nigeria will shift come 2007 and beyond. Originally Mount Ophel was the setting for the city of David, but later Mount Moriah took over. Today the contention is open in Nigeria from where over the next occupant of the throne of David should originate from. But one thing is certain, "The deliverer will come from Zion".
For now, please note that it is the throne of DAVID. David has the divine covenant to decide which of his children will ascend after him, from which of his concubines Jedidah will be. Once Jedidah is
anointed by DAVID, after prophetic and Deborahic minstrel intervention, he becomes favored, beloved and accepted of the LORD.
So it is very crucial that David gets it right AND aright, for the Lord has acceded that privilege to him by covenant. So the brethren of the house of Zion will do good to fervently intercede he gets it right and aright. Otherwise a usurper will suddenly and occupy the throne of David arise, unknown even to David.

NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION (2).

The following article is extracted by the Lampstand, Lampstandletters September 2001. It is without any ethnic, political or religious bias to our northern Nigeria citizens and brethren, but strictly a prophetic inspiration for the times we are now in as a nation.

MOUNT ZAPHON: THE BIBLICAL NORTH

"In contemporary times, the geographical north has earned notoriety as economic and political blights on nations. In Nigeria, the North is associated with political misrule, economic parasitism, social backwardness, religious extremities/crisis and educational disadvantage. A recent dimension is the infiltration of foreign rebels/militia from the North- the Chadian and Nigerien infiltrations into Nigeria and the Burkinabe insurrection into Northern Cote D'Ivoire. Even during the recent Iraqi war, the US forces met their greatest resistance and casualty from the north of Iraq. Has it always being like this, even in Biblical times?

The North represented at least two features in the scriptures:

i. As the Seat of gods- the mountain of assembly, the mountain of congregation, the mountain of the gods, the mountain where the gods assemble (Isaiah 14:13, Psalm 48:2). The Hebrew word Zaphon (Isaiah 14:13, Psalm 48:2) means "north, hidden", the heavenly mountain where the Canaanite people believed their gods lived and met together (Easy-to-Read Version). Lucifer's ambition was to preside on the mountain of the gods, far away in the North (New Living Translation).

ii. The Northern Army- The North was the direction, the source from which evil invading enemy armies came in to desolate the land. The Babylonian armies and the armies from countries north and east of the nation of
Israel attacked Judah and Israel from the North (Jeremiah 1:14, 4:13-15, 10:22, 46:22 - 24).
The northern army thus represented the desolating army of the aliens. It was the entry point of armies whose goal was a physical, spiritual, economic and social desolation of the land.

As it was in the beginning, so is it today.

8.1 2. THE LOCUST ARMY OF THE NORTH

'Out of the north, calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land' (Jeremiah 1:14)

'For disaster appears from the North and a great destruction' (Jeremiah 4:6, 6:1)

'Thus says the Lord, Behold a people comes from the North country and a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth. They will lay hold on brow and spear, they are cruel and have no mercy; their voices roar like the sea. And they ride on horses, as men set in array against you O daughter of Zion' (Jeremiah 6:22-23).

The North has always being the source of trouble to Israel in Biblical times. Enemy invasion (the Assyrian and later the Babylonians entered to plunder the land of Israel from the North. The prophet Jeremiah alluded to these in many of his prophesies. But it was the prophet Joel who in chapters 1 and 2 most vividly describes the rampaging and destructive characteristics of what he referred to as the Northern Army (Joel 2; 20). Carried into Israel by the desert wind of Arabia, the locust grew from larvae to adult. He describes four types of locust

• The chewing locust
• The swarming locust
• The crawling locust an
• The consuming locust,

Each has an insatiable parasitic appetite, each destroying the greenery of the land (Joel 1:4). Wherever they touched is laid bare, nothing green or growing remained (Joel 1; 6-7, 2; 2-3). Those serving god and making offerings to him were worse off, and there was mourning in the land Joel 1:8-20, 2:5-6).

Joel diagnosed the invasion of the Northern Army as being permitted by God to judge his people (Joel 2:11). He then called for genuine repentance, individually and corporately by God's people and a plea for mercy. In response the Lord answered his people removed far from them the Northern Army and restored the land (Joel 2: 18 -27). In addition, He promised to pour His Spirit on the nations of the world.

Since its inception as a country, the northern Muslim army, like rampaging locusts, has destroyed Nigeria economically, socially and politically. The continued conflagrations in the North are typical of the rampaging, destructive locust army.

It is only the Lord who has the ability to remove far from us the northern army. Ours is to turn to him in genuine repentance and righteousness, asking for his intervention. He will cast out the horns that terrify us, send his chariots and horses towards the North Country and give us rest (Zechariah 1:18-21, 6:1-8). Amen."

NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION (4)

ABOUT MOUNT ZION

In contrast to Mount Zaphon which was biblical sited north, Mount Zion was the SOUTHEAST part of the mountain upon which Jerusalem, the city of David (1 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:5,7), was built. Hitherto it was inhabited by Jebusites; upon it the throne of David was physically situated.

NIGERIA AND THE THRONE OF DAVID

In the LAMPSTANDLETTERS (ISSN 1595.0948) Volume 1, No. 2 (October 1998) titled MISSION 2000 A.D: OPERATION DAVID, it was reported thus:

"In December 1987, at a National Prayer Conference held in Port Harcourt, the Lord gave a couple of prophecies concerning Nigeria. One of them indicated that there was going to be a Beast-Ruler over Nigeria between then and the year 2000 A.D. Commenting on these prophecies, Rev. (Dr) Clifford Hill, Editor-in-Chief of the UK magazine Prophecy Today, who was the Guest Speaker summarized them as follows: by the year 2000 A.D. there will be a Christian Leader/Ruler in Nigeria, if the church fulfills the following three conditions:

1. Walks in humility and repentance
2. Be a listening Church
3. Allows itself to be led by the Holy Spirit.

It is obvious now that the reign of the beast-ruler ended on June 8 1998, with the death of General. Sani Abacha. It appears to me that the stage is now set for the emergence of God’s chosen David by the year 2000 A.D. if the church fulfills the conditions listed above".

The National Prayer Conference referred to above was organized by the then Christian Students Social Movement led by (Pastor) Austen Ukachi, and this writer was one of the two vessels through which the two prophecies above was uttered (Insertion: The second vessel is Revd. Collins Babalola, now shepherding an Anglican Church in Ibadan). In 1999, before 2000 as stated in the prophesy, "God’s chosen David" a born again Christian, emerged as President of Nigeria, in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

...so far, by the grace and Spirit of God, a 1987 and a 1998 prophesy had come to pass. In between, President Olusegun Obasanjo has reigned on the throne of David over Nigeria. Like the biblical David, he has had his failures and foibles. The lampstandletters, within the precincts of human abilities, have raised both priestly (intercessory) and prophetic clarions calls and cautions, to see King David Obasanjo through his tenure.

What next, as Nigeria interregnums to the next leader post-David; as Mt Zaphon (the north) and Mt Zion (southeast) contends for the throne of David?

Three things are seemingly obvious for now:

1. As it occurred to Israel and recorded in 1 Kings chapter 1, Nigeria is most likely pass through an interregnum post 2007, just because like the biblical old king David of 1 Kings1:1, President Obasanjo will not know when it is time to hand over, until the prophetic Nathan and Bathsheba begin to speak to him.
2. No Adonijah will succeed King David over Nigeria. Rather a young Solomon will emerge (post-interregnum?)
3. This young Solomon shall come from Mt Zion (southeast) and not Mt Zaphon (the north).

Ecclesiastes 4:13 -16: Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Luke 2:1-Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

NIGERIA 2007- BETWEEN Mt. ZAPHON and Mt ZION (3)

The divine interest in the destiny of Nigeria transcends the issue of 'democratic election' in the year 2007. To start with, democracy is not God's choice of choosing a leader and/or government for his people and/or for any nation (country) that he has special/specific interest or covenant with. It was the failure of the governing priestly family of Samuel that led the elders of Israel to opt for the "democratic" option (1 Samuel 8). Despite Samuel's protestations, the LORD conceded to their democratic request for democratic governance- but with a warning of the potentially grievous consequences of having such a leader/governance (1 Samuel 8:7-18)
Even in America which wears the toga of the champion of democratic governance, there is a rethink of the godliness of the democratic concept (see the article below reproduced from INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA 21st June 2006, and earlier forwarded to this e-group for your consideration).
Relating to Nigeria in this present dispensation, I write by my perception of the Lord's spirit, to restate that there is nothing sacrosanct about having a 'democratic' handover in 2007. Even in democratic America, there was an obvious ' judicial manipulation' ( with discernable divine support) of the last 'democratic' election, to bring in the republican candidate George Bush Jnr., at the expense of his democratic opponent (Please read again the article below by Intercessors for America President Gary Bergel on the concepts of Democracy and Republic).
What I am trying to state in my understanding of the spirit of God, is that Nigeria is not bound to have its next President to be got from a 'democratic election" in 2007 (or any other time thereafter). Like America, Nigeria is a country "ordained by God"
to serve specific divine end-time roles in the (spiritual) affairs of the world. God has the divine prerogative of intervening in deciding on who the next leader of Nigeria will be, even if it means transgressing democratic norms (to which God is not bound to!).
And the human vessel He is going to use to achieve this divine intervention to produce the next President of Nigeria, is the present (old) King David of Nigeria- President Olusegun Obasanjo. Though human with his foibles and frailty, to him is reserved a divine discretion to decide who does, (and who does NOT) succeed him as the next President- whether in 2007, or even after.

...This situation will be discussed further in future expositions. What is pertinent and essential is for the Nigerian church (and especially the watching/prophetic/interceding church), to properly understand, subscribe to and promote this divine position, rather than follow the tide of the winds of human political interests.

9.0 DEAR NIGERIAN INTERCESSORS AND WATCHMEN,

PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER HOW THE CONCEPT BELOW ON "REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRACY" APPLIES TO NIGERIA (ANOTHER NATION ORDAINED OF GOD FOR HIS ENDTIME PURPOSES).

----- Original Message -----
From: INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sent: 22 June, 2006 4:43 AM
Subject: On Watch In Washington

21 June 2006 | Today’s Topics:

America: A Republic Ordained Of God
“God -- has made from one blood every nation of men
to dwell on all the face of the earth,
and has determined their pre-appointed times
and the boundaries of their dwellings,
so that they should seek the Lord,
in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from each one of us--”
- Acts 17:24-28

10.0 AMERICA: A REPUBLIC ORDAINED OF GOD

(By Gary Bergel) At the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a Mrs. Powel anxiously awaited the results. As Benjamin Franklin emerged from the hall she asked him directly: "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
"A republic, if you can keep it," responded Franklin.

While the talk and clamor today is about "democracy," a representational Republic is what our Founders envisioned and established. Noah Webster, in his 1828 "American Dictionary of the English Language," defined Republic as: "a commonwealth; a state in which the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people. It differs from a democracy or democratic state, in which the people exercise the powers of sovereignty in person."

Some of our Founders actually "feared" democracies. In a 1788 speech, Alexander Hamilton stated: "The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure deformity." Another time he declared: "Real liberty is never found in the extremes of democracy."

James Madison, another one of those charged with drawing up our U.S. Constitution, observed: "Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths."

Thomas Jefferson did not incorporate the word democracy in the Declaration of Independence, and the Convention delegates adopted a Constitution in which they nowhere mentioned it. In his first inaugural address, George Washington dedicated his presidency to "the preservation -- of the republican model of government." For well over one hundred years, our children were taught, and our statesmen, elected officials and the voting public were conscious that the United States was a representational Republic, not a democracy.

Have we lost the Republic that was founded? I fear we are dangerously close. Can we strengthen the foundations and shore up what remains? I believe we can, though the struggle will be long and difficult. America, a "melting pot" boiling with raw politics, class and ethnic strife, and cultural decadence, is still ordained of God to cause men, women and children to "grope" for Him and to find Him. Jesus in our midst is ever desirous of seeking and saving the lost. (Mt 18:11; Luke 19:10) Regardless of what regime and authorities hold sway season by season, it is always an appointed and opportune time to pray.

"--that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:2-4)

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NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (5)

The three articles below –

1. Who is Solomon?
2. Civil Interregnum
3. Igbo Presidency,

are cited from “THE ALARM, Prophetic publication for the Church and the Nation”. It is published by the Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship NCGF Aba, Box 5566, Aba, Abia State. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Phone: 0803-323-2289.
They are used here as part of the series NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION

1. THE ALARM, Prophetic publication for the Church and the Nation. Volume 9. No 1 January to March 2006 Page 3

11.0 WHO IS SOLOMON?

“In the last edition (of the ALARM-editor) we did a cover on 2007: the coming of Solomon. In that edition, we asked who is Solomon and promised to identify him in subsequent edition. We also threw a challenge to the Church on the need to seek God to show us Solomon out of 120 million Nigerians. This challenge was based on the Lord’s promise that if he finds us faithful and diligent in seeking Him, He will show us Solomon before he is made manifest to the entire nation.
So far we have not gotten responses from people on what the Lord has said in accordance with his promise. Either the church has not considered it necessary to seek him over this matter or those who have gotten an answer are not bold considering how delicate the matter is. Some are afraid lest they be branded false prophets. Whatever be the case, He shall speak and not lie. At the appropriate time, the identity of Solomon who at the appointed time will be revealed cannot be in doubt.

In this edition to assuage the curiosity of those eager to know, we provide tips and urge you to insist before God for a revelation.

1. Solomon will be a Zionist. Not in the sense of Zionism as understood by the western world and the Arabs. Put in the simplest Language, Solomon will be a Christian Zion being the city of God; a Zionist will of course be a child of God.
The Alarm will like to add that Solomon will not be just a professing Christian but a Christian with testimony.

2. Solomon by natural birth will be from Igbo extraction. The reason for the choice of the Igbo race is beyond human understanding. Rather than controversy, men should find out from God why. We believe if any will enquire he may get an answer. All we can say is that just as there was nothing more Nazareth in Jesus than nativity, so also there is nothing more Igbo in this Solomon than mere nativity. Infact, Igbos will be disappointed (in) him just as the Jewish were in Jesus. When the thought he will run a Jewish agenda of arresting power from the Romans, he rather ran a universal program of saving the entire world. Even so will the Igbos be disappointed in this Solomon. Thinking he will run Igbo agenda, he will rather establish equity, justice and fair play in the entire nation. He will use the resources abundantly provided by God to build the nation in accordance with divine mandate.

3. Solomon will not be a product of the present political arrangement in the nation. He cannot fit into the present political gimmick. He cannot be part of the present deception. When the battle was raging in the house of David, nothing was heard about Solomon as a contestant. He was not directly involved. Absalom positioned himself and did in the struggle. Adonijah laid claim by way of birth right and lost out. But Solomon did not say a word. Even so, will Nigerian Solomon not say a word until Jehovah accomplishes his mission. While Solomon is silent, Zadok and Nathan representing the Church moved into action to remind David of his word. Benaniah representing the military threw his weight behind Zadok and Nathan. It is expected in this struggle to enthrone Solomon in Nigeria, the prophetic and charismatic arm of the church and the orthodox should team up to demand from God the enthronement of our Solomon. We also urge the military intelligentsia to throw their weight behind the rise of Solomon and resist every attempt by the Absaloms and Adonijas in our midst to scuttle this move. All hands should be on deck to achieve this”.

2. THE ALARM, Prophetic publication for the Church and the Nation. Vol. 8, No.1, 0ct - Dec 2005.WED, OCT 5 2005 12.30PM

12.0 CIVIL INTERREGNUM?

Son of man, pray against an interregnum. It is being hatched against your nation by the kingdom of darkness. It is aimed at delaying the coming of Solomon. Your President is ignorantly yielding to it. His ambition is the primary reason. He will be suddenly withdrawn if he insists on having his way. The confusion that will ensue will culminate in the interregnum of the civil rule, but not with Solomon. I have told you that the President's doom will be his insistence to build. I have not called him to build. I said he will prepare the builder. He is still insisting to build. He will destroy what he built within this period. I will not fold my hands for the evil one to thwart my programme. I will douse the tension and establish my will. But warn him before it is too late.

Monday Oct 23, 2005 10:35 am.

3. THE ALARM, Prophetic publication for the Church and the Nation. Vol. 8, No.1, 0ct - Dec 2005.

13.0 "IGBO PRESIDENCY"

Orji Kalu will not be. He will pay the supreme price for the Igbos to become. His ordeal now, during and after 2007 will move your nation to give the Igbos a chance. As it was for the Yorubas in June 12 with Abiola, then Obasanjo, so will it be for the Igbos in 2007.
After this shall a man be raised and manifested from the Igbo stock. Take note and watch. The interregnum is real. It shall come to pass.
Watch and pray.

NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (6)

5.30 am 12th September 2006; I was in Abuja the Federal Capital, haven woken up a few minutes to 3.00 am. After about 90 minutes of silent praise and worship, was about going back to sleep, without reading my bible. My spirit urged me to check my bible first, for there was a word/ a message therein.

The Message of the night.

Daniel 2:19-23: Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth
the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

I was also led back to Genesis 45:6, "For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.”(NKJV), which was the basis for the article titled "Remain in Goshen” Message 209 (1st March 2005 and repeated on 1st December 2005). In that article it was submitted that (extracts):

"Although, as mortals, we know in part and we speak (write) in part...specifically, the passage indicates that TWO YEARS HAVE GONE AND THERE ARE STILL FIVE MORE YEARS TO GO (Genesis 45:6-11)...there is a call to prepare for Goshen for only two years have gone, there are yet five more years to go...Five more years of a Christian Abacha."

As have been stated earlier in Message 150, July 21 2004, 'there is nothing divine about 2007. Rather it is a date set by men and posited to implement an agenda that will be against the interest of the Church'. There is nothing sacrosanct about 2007. It is a date set by men for the handover election. To God alone belong dates and times 'and he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:'

From my understanding of what the Spirit of the Lord seems to be saying, President Obasanjo will NOT hand over in 2007, but rather in 2010, as implied in the cited message 209 above. Why is this so? Simply put, it was on January 15th 1970, that the belligerent Biafra, represented by General Effiong, a minority Southeasterner, handed over in surrender to Nigeria, represented by the then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, after a three year war from 1967. Forty years later, the same Olusegun Obasanjo has been divinely placed to hand over the reign of Nigeria back to a Southeastern (to an Igbo man, if they do not 'run away' like Ojukwu, or to a minority Southeastern 'Effiong').

A caveat: Just as there was a belligerent three year civil war between 1967 and 1970, so there might be between 2007 and 2010, (if the praying and watching church does not handle the situation aright). Only this time the sides and the stakes will be completely turned around; - unlike before when the whole country led by a 'Christian' Head of State sided with the (Muslim) northern interests to subjugate and subdue the belligerent Southeast, this time around the same person who received the baton of surrender 40 years ago, will, now as the President, will handover to a southeastern. This can only be achieved by/with the spiritual backing of a discerning Nigerian church fighting to prevent the
Sudanization of Nigeria. Incidentally year 2010 has been highlighted as the year of Jubilee (1960 -2010) (in 40 DAYS TO MOVE NIGERIA FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION by Pastor Austen Ukachi 21st June 2006).

Understandeth what thou readeth? (Acts 8:30) Blessed are those who readeth and understandeth (Matthew 13; 23. see also Proverbs 6:8-9 and 14:6)

I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Daniel 2:23.

By the Lampstand. 5.45 am. 18th September 2006.
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (7): WHO IS THIS SOLOMON?

I start this final edition NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (7): WHO IS THIS SOLOMON?, by admitting and confessing that I had jumped ahead on this same issue of a ‘young-man from the southeast’ succeeding President Obasanjo, as far back as October 2002 when I struck out my neck and identified the then highest ranking Igbo man, Senate President Pius Ayim as the man Ecclesiastes 4:13-15 was referring to. It is with this sense of caution that I treat the “MY TIME TO BECOME PRESIDENT claim by Bro Chinedum Ezebugwu (formerly Ezebuiro), which has been widely circulated among Christian intercessory circles since 1992 and recently in the papers.

As indicated in the previous edition of this series and particularly in the last edition, the same Olusegun Obasanjo (who in 1970 got the surrender baton from the Biafran on behalf of Nigeria) has been divinely placed to hand over the reign of Nigeria back to a Southeastern (to an Igbo man, if they do not 'run away' like Ojukwu did, or to a minority Southeastern 'Effiong').

Two scriptural verses that describes King David Obasanjo’s successor are

1. Ecclesiastes 4:13-15- A man may rise from poverty to become King of his country, or go from prison to the throne, but if in his old age he is too foolish to take advice, he is not as well off as a young man who is poor but intelligent. I thought about all the people who live in this world, and realized that somewhere among them there is a young man who will take the King’s place. (Today’s English Version, emphasis mine).
2. I Kings 2:15 – As you know, the kingdom was mine; everyone expected me to be the next king. But the tables were turned, and everything went to my brother instead; for that is the way the LORD wanted it. (New Living Translation, Emphasis mine).
   Ecclesiastes 4:13-15 clearly apply to President Obasanjo, who came out of prison to the throne but like the old King David of I Kings 1, who did not want to quit the throne and had to be pressurized by Nathan and Bathsheba to hand-over to the teenage Solomon. I Kings 2:15 was the lamentation of Adonijah, who as the eldest surviving son of King David, everybody has expected to become the next King (as Vice-Presidents succeed the President). But as Adonijah realized later, the LORD wanted it another way, for another person. And it was left to Old King David to implement it the Lord’s way; it was given to him to decide who to succeed him. Stranger still, it was a teenage, the son of a wife King David snatched by killing her husband, that was approved of the LORD to take the throne in place of the waiting Adonijah.
   God indeed works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Even when Nathan was rebuking David after he has killed Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba, the LORD still told him he could have given him more (wives) to his wives and the ones he inherited from Saul, if only David has asked! (2 Samuel 12:8). It was from the snatched adulterous wife that King David chose and anointed Solomon to succeed him to the chagrin of the Adonijahs and his supporters.

Coming at a time when the sleazy deals at the Presidency are been splashed worldwide by the ongoing Obasanjo-Atiku duel, it is incongruous to declare that it is this same Obasanjo who has a divine mandate to choose and anoint the incoming Solomon, in 2010 and not even 2007. As stated earlier ‘The divine interest in the destiny of Nigeria transcends the issue of 'democratic election' in the year 2007. To start with, democracy is not God's choice of choosing a leader and/or government for his people and/or for any nation (country) that he has special/specific interest or covenant with… the human vessel He is going to use to achieve this divine intervention to produce the next President of Nigeria, is the present (old) King David of Nigeria- President Olusegun Obasanjo. Though human with his foibles and frailty, to him is reserved a divine discretion to decide who does, (and who does NOT) succeed him as the next President- whether in 2007, or even after (NIGERIA 2007: BETWEEN MOUNT ZAPHON AND MOUNT ZION (3), August 23rd 2006).

CONCLUSION.

The bible never recorded when King David vowed to Bathsheba that Solomon her son will take the throne after him. But as the Dake’s Annotated Reference bible states, “we are sure Bathsheba got the promise from David at the opportune time (1 Kings 1:13, 17, 28-30)”.

President Obasanjo, like the Biblical king David may be a womanizer. He may not be sleaze-free. We are not aware if he has made any vow to the Lord that one of his off-springs from his political concubines in the southeast will be the one to succeed him But to him has been committed the divine mandate to decide who will, and who will not succeed him on the throne of Nigeria, a country/nation chosen by God for a divine end-time purpose. IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES, IMBIBE, PROMOTE AND UPHOLD THIS REALITY.

I end this portion of mine to this effect, by citing THE ALARM, Prophetic publication for the Church and the Nation. Volume 9. No 1 January to March 2006 Page 3:

Solomon will not be a product of the present political arrangement in the nation. He cannot fit into the present political gimmick. He cannot be part of the present deception. When the battle was raging in the house of David, nothing was heard about Solomon as a contestant. He was not directly involved. Absalom positioned himself and did in the struggle. Adonijah laid claim by way of birth right and lost out. But Solomon did not say a word

Even so, will Nigerian Solomon not say a word until Jehovah accomplishes his mission.

While Solomon is silent, Zadok and Nathan representing the Church moved into action to remind David of his word.

Benaniah representing the military threw his weight behind Zadok and Nathan. It is expected in this struggle to enthrone Solomon in Nigeria, the prophetic and charismatic arm of the church and the orthodox should team up to demand from God the enthronement of our Solomon. We also urge the military intelligentsia to throw their weight behind the rise of Solomon and resist every attempt by the Absaloms and Adonijas in our midst to scuttle this move. All hands should be on deck to achieve this”.

…God arise over Nigeria, let your enemies be scattered. Amen.

By the Lampstand. 00.36am 29th September 2006.

THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE

1.0 THE THIRD DAY FOR THE BLACK RACE

While the political shenanigans in Nigeria attempts to mutilate the constitution by manipulations and intimidations to implement the human issue of the third term agenda, there is a divine issue of an eternal agenda unfolding upon the black race of the universe, in this third day millennia. For the black race, there is a call and a promise in the book of Hosea

“Come let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he way heal us, he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. After two days (after 2000 AD) he will revive us; on the third day (from 2000 AD onwards) he will raise us up, that we may live before him”,

The prophetic relevance of Hosea 6:1-3 is tied to the “third day”- the third millennium- (see 2 Peter 3:8), we now are in. The two days (two millennia) has passed already, we are in the third millennium already. One hundred years after the Asuzu street revival ignited by a black man, year 2006 beckons the black race to the implementation of the divine promises of Wholistic healing –physical, socio-economic, spiritual etc- as espoused in Isaiah 19:22 and Hosea 6:2. It is a time of healing for the black race, a resurrection dawn, a restoration era.
Just as Hosea, recorded so also did Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 19:22:

“And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them”

This third day is referred to as ‘that day’ in the history of the black race, when after centuries of social, political, ecological and economic disasters and mismanagement as elucidated in Isaiah 19: 1-16, “there will be an altar (a place of worship and prayers) to the LORD in the heart of Egypt” (another ancient biblical name for the blacks), …they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors”:-

Isaiah 19:19-21. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

The Lord is calling forth to the black church to resurrection, a restoration, a renewal and a revival. This is a call for intercessory, discipleship and missionary ministry from the black race- a gospel highway.

Isaiah 19:23-25. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian
shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

We are already in the third day! Therefore arise, ye church of the black race, and return to the LORD in entreaties and intercessions. The Lord will listen to our pleas and prayers, and he shall heal us (Isaiah 19:22):

Let us acknowledge the Lord: let us press to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3 NIV). Amen

As we wholeheartedly return to the LORD, so will it be when the LORD begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them (see Isaiah 30: 15 – 26). Amen.

By the Lampstand. 27th April 2006.

2.0 BIBLICAL ORIGIN OF THE BLACK RACE

Biblically, the black race descended from Ham, the second son of Noah, after they survived the flood (Genesis 9-10). The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan (Gen 10:6). Contrary to misleading exegesis, it was Canaan only that was cursed (Genesis 9:5), Canaan, not Ham; neither was any of the three other sons. Canaan descendants later included the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashitess, Hivites, the Avites etc, people groups who were later to be subjects and enemies of the Israelites, children of Abraham (Genesis 15:18 – 21, Exodus 3:8, Deuteronomy 7:1, Joshua 24:11 etc).

2.1 BIBLICAL SYNONYMS OF THE BLACK RACE (AND THEIR MEANINGS)

Various words used in various translations of the bible to describe the black race (and/or the land of black people) include:

1. Ham (Genesis 10:16) - the second son of Noah. Ham means hot, heat or black (P.S-all meanings got from CRUDEN’S CONCORDANCE)
2. Egypt/The land of Ham (Psalm 78:51, 105:23, 106:22). Egypt means hollow land, hidden land or land of depression. Other synonyms for Egypt are Khet (black land); Elkibit (inundated land) and Coft/Kopt (see Psalm 78:5, 105:23, 106:22 in various translations).
3. Ethiopia (Upper Nile/Southern Sudan). Ethiops, also known as Cush, was the first son of Ham (Genesis 10:6-8. see also 2 Kings 19:9, Jeremiah 13:23, 38:7, Ezekiel 30:4-5). Meaning blackness, Cush, heat, burning. Also known as Aithiopias in Greek.
4. Cush (Genesis 10:16, Psalm 68:31 NIV, Ezekiel 30:4-5) meaning Ethiopian or black. In the Septuagint Bible, the word Cush is rendered Ethiops.
5. Sudan/Lower Nile ( Zephaniah 3:10, Isaiah 18:1, 2 Kings 19:9 etc Good News Bible where the NIV and NKJV use the word Cush or Ethiopian).
6. Mizraim (Genesis 10:6, 13 NIV, GNB: 1 Chronicles 1:8, 11). A Hebrew word, meaning twofold Egypt/Lower and Upper Nile/Northern and Southern Egypt or Lower and Upper depressions).
7. Put (Libya/Somalia/Horn of Africa). (Genesis 10:6, Jeremiah 46:9, Ezekiel 30:5, Daniel 11: 43, Acts 2:10). Meaning ‘Heat of the sun”

3.0 WHY ARE WE BLACK?

From the meanings of the various biblical synonyms above referring to the black race, and from Songs of Solomon 1:6a, the reason why we are black is obvious:

1:6. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me:
Incidentally, the second part of the verse also explains the economic exploitation of the black race, from King Solomon’s era:
‘…my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept’.
Beyond the issue of debt relief, this later part shall change in this millennium in Jesus’ name. Amen

4.0 GOD’S LIKE-PASSION FOR THE RACES.

Apart from Isaiah 19 from which “The Mystery of the Black race” (Lampstandletters 14 & 15, September & October 1999) was written, two other biblical texts of prophetic relevance to the black race of our generation are Hosea 6:1-3 and Amos 9:7.:

Come let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he way heal us, he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is as sure as dawn; he will come to us as the showers; as the spring rains that water the earth.

Although the Old Testament scriptures focuses on God’s relationship with the Israelites, God made it clear that in Amos 9:7 that he has the same/similar passion for the black (referred to as Ethiopians/Cushites in the old testament), as he has for the Jews.

Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? KJV

Do you Israelites think you are more important than the Ethiopians (Cushites), asks the Lord. I brought you out of Egypt, but have I not done as much for other nations? I brought the Philistines from Crete and led the Arameans out of Kir (New Living Translation).

Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites? Did I not bring Israel out of Egypt, the Philistines from Captor and the Arameans from Kir? (Easy-to-Read Version)

It is a passion of salvation and redemption of the race; that a church of pastoral discipleship, of apostolic missionary calling, of evangelism, of prophetic authority will arise from the race, enthroning the lordship of Christ over all nations of the earth.

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God is no respecter of persons (races) and will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:4.Remember that the restoration of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was restored through a black preacher in Azusa Street at the beginning of the last century. One hundred years after the Asuzu street revival ignited by a black man, year 2006 beckons the black race to a fresh (final?) third millennial revival. Amen, So come Lord Jesus!

By the Lampstand. 1st May 2006.

5.0 SOME BIBLICAL BLACK PERSONS OF RELEVANT PROPHECTIC NOTE

Even though the Old Testament was focused on the Lord’s dealings with the Israelites, there were some references to his divine plans and purposes for blacks shown and sown in some specific dealings/relationship with some blacks. Just as he brought the gentile Rahab and Ruth into the lineage of Christ, coded in his biblical dealings with some black persons in the old and new testament are insights of the end-time plans for the blacks, as we enter the third day (third millennium) of revival, restoration and fellowship prophesied in Hosea: After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.

5.1 KETURAH

(meaning incense, perfume), the second legal wife of Abraham, married after the death of Sarah (Genesis 25:1).
In the LAMPSTAND LETTERS No 6. (Special Edition). March 1999. PERFUMERS, COOKS AND BAKERS [1 Samuel 8;l3], the incense is described as a rich perfume used in sacrifices to call the attention of God, open the door into his presence and as a vehicle to carry prayer along (See Exodus 30:7-8, Ezra 6:10, Malachi 1:ll, Rev. 8:3-4). Perfumers were also defined as those responsible for mixing spices for the anointing oil and the incense to be burnt on the altar.

Four major ministry calling could be attributed to incense and perfumes

1. A ministry of praise, worship and intercession (Rev. 5:7, 8:3-4, Ezra 6:10 and Exodus 30:8). The queen Esther typifies a woman that understood her ministry well. Contrasted to the willful Vashti, she knew the proper time and procedure (Ecclesiastes 8:2-6) to get the king to do the right thing even if he was on the wrong course already. Likewise Zipporah (Exodus 4:24-26) knew what to do to save her minister - husband’s life, even when God was about to slay him.
2. Creating a pleasant atmosphere at home. Ps. 45:7-9, Songs of Solomon 1:12, 3:6 and 4:10-11 describe the fragrance spread at home by the woman. Pro. 27:9 tells us that perfumers and fragrant oils (incense) bring joy to the heart (makes a man happy). When a woman functions in the ministry of the perfumery, she creates a happy pleasant, joyous atmosphere for everyone at home. A contentious woman on the other hand causes a man to stray from his home (Proverbs 21:9, 21:19, 25:24, 27:8, and 27:15).
3. Another function of the perfumer is the preservative aspect. Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James and Salome anointed Jesus’ body with spices and fragrant oils (John l9: 40, Matt 26:12 Luke 23:55-56) to prevent the body from going bad.
4. Closely related to the burning of incense is the lighting of the lamps (Exodus 30:7-8, 35:28). The ministry of praise, worship and intercession also opens the door for the illumination of God’s word and the knowledge of his will. Revelation of the word will come easily (See LAMPSTAND LETTERS No 6. (Special Edition). March 1999. PERFUMERS, COOKS AND BAKERS [1 Samuel 8; l3], for more details)

Playing on the meanings of Keturah’s name, this speaks of God raising a generation of Keturahs in our age- an intercessory group of black women, who as Abraham’s second legal wife will see to it by prayers, praises and intercessions, that the Abrahamic covenant comes to pass on their descendants- black race- who are also of the ‘seed of Abraham’ (Romans 4:13, Galatians 3:29).

5.2 JETHRO

Jethro was The Medianite priest, (Moses’ father-in-law), a refuge and the wise counselor (Exodus 3:16-21; Exodus 18). Also known as Raguel or Reuel and Jether (meaning excellence (Cruden’s). Without the counsel of Jethro, Moses would certainly have failed in his divine assignment. God will raise Jethros in our ‘third day’ generation, black men of excellent spirit, who will replace the foolish counselors of Zoan, who have led the Presidents of black nations to political and socio-economic ruin so far (see Isaiah19:11-15)

5.3 ZIPPORAH

Daughter of Jethro, the interceding Ethiopian wife of Moses Exodus 4:18-26)

If Moses would have failed in his divine assignment without the wise counsel of Jethro, He would not even have started without the intercession/intervention of Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter:

Exodus 4:24 – 26. And it came to pass by the way in the inn that the LORD met him, and sought to
kill him Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it
at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said a bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

Numbers 12:2 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

Although the intercessor black women could be despised by our white brethren, like Rosa Parks was despised in the bus in America, God will not take kindly to the despise ( see Numbers 12).

5.4 HOBAB

Hobab, the brother of Zipporah, Moses' wife was an Ethiopian (Numbers 10:29, 12:1). His father Reuel (also known as Jethro) was the Priest of Median, and a descendant of Keturah. Hence Hobab was of a priestly upbringing. When the Israelites needed someone to be their eyes and guide in the wilderness, Hobab was the ready choice. He was literarily begged to go along with the children of promise.

Today God is raising an "Issachar Company" (1 Chronicles 12:32) from among the blacks, to provide direction and insight to the Church worldwide, as Hobab did.

5.5 THE KENITES (1 Samuel 15:6)

The Kenites were direct descendants of Hobab, who guided the Israelites into the Promised Land. When the Lord tested the obedience of Saul in the matter of the Amalekites, and Saul was found wanting, the Kenites in simple obedience moved away from among the Amalekites, and was spared destruction.

We expect such obedience among the black church today.

5.6 JAEL

The black women are not left out. Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite was the person who nailed Jabin, the usurping oppressive King of Canaan (Judges 4, 17, 5; 24-27). In the spiritual battles of these age, the Jaels of the black church will join forces with the Deborahs and Baraks, to deal the Siseras and Amalekites of this age, rendering

5.7 THE EGYPTIAN SERVANT OF THE AMALEKITE.

Like Hobab, the black Egyptian boy was the guide to David, in his quest to recover all that the Amalekites plundered. Today, the blacks have been abandoned sick by their plundering colonial Masters. But in this third day (millennium - 2 Peter 3: 8), we are being revived (Hosea 6:1-3) to provide guidance to the church to recover all that the Amalekites plundered- beyond mere “debt relief”!

5.8 CUSHI

(Meaning Ethiopian, black, blackness, heat), THE ETHIOPIAN RUNNER (2 Samuel 18).

In this third day, a generation of black men bearing good tidings in their mouth (2 Samuel 18:25) will arise and run with the gospel to report to King Jesus, as Cushi declared to King David And Cushi answered, the enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt; be as that young man is.(2 Samuel 18:32). And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. (2 Samuel 18:30)

King Jesus is telling the white Ahimaaz to turn aside for Him to listen to the gospel report of the Blackman (Luke 10:17). He sits on the right hand of the Father, waiting till all his enemies are made his foothold. Like the Ethiopian runner, it is the black gospel carrier that will bring the final report of Psalm 110. Amen

5.9 EBED-MELECH THE ETHIOPIAN (Jeremiah 38)

Even though regarded merely as a eunuch in the king’s service, Ebed-Melech was the intercessor that saved the prophet Jeremiah’s life. As the Babylon spirit engulfs the western world, God will raise Ebed-Melechs in these countries, who by intercession and their actions, will rescue and preserve the (sources of) the true word of God (Jeremiah 38:1-13).

Despite the engulfment of the Babylonian spirit in the western world, the Lord will deliver the black Ebed-Melechs in their midst because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 39:15-18).

5.10 SIMON OF CYRENE,

Simon of Cyrene forced to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha (Mark 15:22-23). ‘Walking from the fields into the city”, the black race will be forced to be responsible for carrying the last leg of the cross of Christ.

5.11 / 12. SIMEON (THE NIGERIAN?) AND LUCUIS OF CYRENE (Acts 13:1).

Just as there were men from Cyrene (black Libya) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-10), some were there among the prophets and teachers who commissioned the first missionaries (Paul and Barnabas), at Antioch (where the disciples were first called Christians- Acts 11:20-26).

One hundred years after the ‘second Pentecost’- the Azusa street revival pioneered by a Blackman, -a ‘third Pentecost’ is at hand, that will commission a new generation of Antioch missionaries who will take the gospel not only to the Jews but also the “Greeks” (Acts 11: 19-20: read also Romans 9-11).

By the Lampstand. 1st May 2006.

6.0 THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK RACE (2).

6.1 INTRODUCTION

In the first part of this topic, published in the September 1999, issue of the Lampstand Letters, we began to examine the biblical truth about the black race. In this edition, we highlight the end time destiny of the black race as revealed in the scriptures.

6.2 THE BLACK RACE IN END TIME PROPHECIES.

Isaiah 19 contains prophecies referring to the black race in these end times. The duo of biblical Egypt (i.e. Black Africa) and Assyria are linked to Israel as a blessing to the whole world in those days (Isaiah 19:23-25. The following phenomena are prophesied about the black race in these last days (see Isaiah 19 NKJV, GNB, TEV, and NIV): -

1. The Lord has a specific message (destiny) for the black race Isaiah 19:1a.
2. The Lord will visit the black race Isaiah 19:1, Ezek 30, Ps.68:1.
3. The idols/gods of the black race will tremble and totter before God’s visitation 1s.19: 1c. Jer.43: 12-13, 46:25, Ezek.30: 13-19.
4. Even the black people who boast so much off their black magic will lose courage and confidence Isaiah 19:1d.
5. Civil wars will break up in Africa and among the black people 1saiah 19: 2 Eze.30
6. He will break the spirit of the black, frustrate its rebellion against God, and destroy the morale of idolatrous black race 1s.19: 3 Jeremiah 46, Ezekiel 30- to 32.
7. Idolatry, sorcery, necromancy and witchcraft will characterize the black people and its leadership. Isaiah 19:3.
8. Strangers, cruel task masters (IMF, World Bank, Arabs, Indians, Lebanese etc.) will rule over the continent of Africa. Isaiah 19:4.
9. Ecological disasters, famines unemployment and economic disasters will be the hallmark of Africa and black people Isaiah 19: 5-8, Lam. 5:2.
10. The middle class (wage earners, skilled work force) will be wiped out Is.19: 9-10.
11. There will be failure of political leadership, civil service and the academia. Is.19: 11-12
12. There will be perverseness, erroneous national plans, failed programs and budgets Isaiah 19:13.
13. Staggering nationhood, stunted growth, going round in cycles, slipping on our vomit and a spirit of foolishness on leaders, planners and counselors Is.19: 14.
14. Helplessness in all quarters - rich/poor intelligentsia /ignorant, noble/commoners, military/civilians. Is. 19:15.
15. An awareness of the spiritual origin of its problems will mark the turning point in Africa’s/blacks’ destiny. There will be a fear, trembling, reverence for God and His judgment Is.19: 16-17.18:1-8.
16. There will then be a manifestation of the power of the church (Judah), and a terror of the church by idolatrous black race /Africa Is.19: 17.
17. There will then be the manifestation of the seven fold Spirit of God over Africa Isaiah 11:2-5. Also Isaiah 32:15.
18. Africa will then seek the Lord, call on the true God, speak a pure language (the language of Canaan). Is.19: 18, Zeph.3: 9.
19. Africa will be known for its altars of prayers to God 19:19, 56:7, 60:7
20. Bethels (Houses of God), pillars of covenants will spring up all over Africa / black race as symbol of God’s presence amidst her and her loyalty to God (19:19- 20, Gen.28: 18-22, 44-45).
21. Prayer, intercessions, supplications will go up to God from the land of Africa. Envoys, ambassadors & missionaries shall come up from the land of Ham.19: 20. Ps.68: 31, Is.18: 7.
22. God will raise up saviors and deliverers (Eliakims) for the black nations 19:20, 22:20-23, Isaiah 32:1-8, Zech.10: 3-8.
23. The Lord will reveal himself to Africa and the black race will acknowledge and worship Him (in place of idols, spirits and gods) Isaiah 19:21
24. Africa will enter into solemn covenants with the Lord, instead of with idols/gods and will keep the terms of their covenant with God Isaiah 19:21.
25. The Lord will strike and wound Africa but will heal her. Africa will turn to the Lord in repentance, God will hear our prayers and he will heal us. After two days (2000 years). He will revive us, on the third day (3rd millennium); He will raise Africa/black race up, that we may live on His sight. Amen Isaiah 19:23 Hosea 6:1-3. Also Isaiah 30:15-26. Amen! Hallelujah!
26. A highway of the gospel between Africa and Iraq (Assyria, Babylon, and Persia) will exist that day 19:23 (see below).
27. There will be pilgrimages and spiritual retreats between these two peoples, and they will worship God together Isaiah 19:23.
28. Africa, together with Israel and Iraq (Persia, Assyria/Babylon) will be a blessing to the entire world Isaiah 19:24.
29. Africa will receive God’s blessing and be blessed of the Lord. Isaiah 19:24.
30. Africa will be adopted of the Lord Isaiah 19:25 Amen!

I am persuaded that so far the black race has fulfilled nos. 1 to 14 of this prophecy for “two days” (up to AD 2000 years). We are set to enter Nos. 15 to 30 as we enter the “third day” (AD 2000 - 3000) (Hosea 6:1-2). Amen.

References.

1. Adeyemo Tokunbo. Is Africa Cursed? Christian Learning Materials Center (CLMC). P.O. Box 24 345 KAREN / Nairobi Kenya 1997. 139pp
2. Gleason Judith. Orisha: The Gods of Yoruba land. Athenaeum, New York. 1971. 122 pp.
3. Babalobi Tayo. Lampstand Letters. Nos. 4 & 5 December 1998 healing the waters of Nigeria. U.J.P.O. Box 4150 Ibadan.
4. Babalobi Tayo. Lampstand Letters. No 11. June 1999. Thrones of Nations. U.I. P.O. Box 4150 Ibadan.
5. Babalobi Tayo. Lampstand Letters. No 14 Sept. 1999. The Mystery of the Black Race (I). U. I. P. O. Box 4150, Ibadan.

By the Lampstand,
Ibadan. October 6, 1999.

6. From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Message 134.
Date: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:44am

6.3 THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY

Various passages in the scriptures speak plainly of a highway of the gospel between Africa and the Middle and Far East (see Isaiah 19:22- 25, 18:7, 35:1-10, Zeph.3:10, Zech.10:10). Sometime in 1998, I came across that the gospel highway will start from the coast lands of tropical Africa (see Isaiah 11:11) through the gates of Central Africa, the Rift and Chad valleys to the far East through the gateway cities in the 10/40 window (Maiduguri, Kano, Cairo, Khartoum, Njadmena, Tripoli, etc).
Envoys (missionaries, Ambassadors) will come from Egypt, and Ethiopia/Sudan will raise their hands to God Ps. 68:31. The knowledge of the LORD will cover the earth, including the Islamic strongholds of the 10/40 windows of Northern Africa (Isaiah 11:9) Amen.
Let us then prepare ourselves and pray these things unto reality

5.0 LET US PRAY

1. Ask that the sevenfold spirit of God (Isaiah 11:2) will come upon Africa.
2. Pray Hosea 6:1-3 for the black race.
3. Ask God to break the head of Leviathan, of Rahab, Yemoja and all water spirits working in the rivers of Africa (Ezekiel 29:1- 10,32:1-8, Ps. 68:28-30, 74:13, Isaiah 27:1, 51:93).
4. Ask for the altar to the Lord, pillar of covenant and gospel highway be raised in the midst of Africa, that Africa be a blessing to the entire world. Isaiah 19:18-25.
5. Prophesy Isaiah 25 over Africa and the black race.

6.0 BENEDICTION

"....After two days (2000 years A. D.), He will revive us; on the third day (AD 2000 and beyond) He will raise us (black race) up. That we may live in his sight". (Hosea 6:2). Amen.

"O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord” Isaiah 2:5.

By the Lampstand
Ibadan.
October 6, 1999.

7. IBADAN AND THE GOSPEL HIGHWAY

From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Message 135
Date: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:44am
Subject: RE-Gospel Highway
This contribution by Robin Jegede-Brimson <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;, Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK in reaction to the Gospel highway section of the TRANSFORMING AFRICA PRAYERS MAY 2 2004 article from Dr. Tayo Babalobi <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters/post?>.
Date: Sun Apr 25, 2004 0:02pm

Thanks for your article on the gospel highway (See above).

It starts in the city of Ibadan in 2006/7; it will vary in width, but generally between 15 and 65km wide. In its wake will be churches and ministries of every dimension, from drama ministry to deliverance to intercession and every of the identified 125 plus ministry / 5-fold / spiritual / etc gifts, there will be a deluge of gifting released on the members of the body in the path of this highway, (and specifically for the ministry of the highway).

As the highway is formed, at least 5 huge ministries akin to CFAN will work at various places and times.

In the wake of the highway NO MOSQUE, NO IDOL, NO ALTAR will be able to keep its doors open, all the enemies of Christ will disperse like ice disperses when the sun rises. In the wake of the tornado of the gospel-machine communities will be transformed, curses erupted from the "soil" and "iroko trees" that have thrived for centuries are uprooted. By the power of the anointing.

For now the Lord is working on the body of Christ in Ibadan. Men are being set in place, ministries birthed, businesses instituted.

For the Lord would say, "I have not forsaken you, my beloved, have you forsaken me and my heart for the lost, the oppressed, the captive? Yet you say where are they? I will go to Lagos to establish this work, but the Lord says have I the Lord sent you to Lagos? Behold my blessing is upon this town; her name shall be known in the entire world as the place the Lord loves and has placed his name. Even now says the Lord I am rebuilding the wall of this great town, prosperity shall be in her walls and on her people. Not for themselves, but for the work; for from this city shall arise a cry for the souls of those being slaughtered for my name, and I Jehovah shall cause the pain for their sufferings to be felt in the hearts of my ministers in this town, Ibadan, and they shall call on me for deliverance, and from their cries I will send a spirit of unity like has never before existed unity to alleviate the cries of, my oppressed ones, says the Lord. Wait for it, it shall come to pass says the Lord"

IBADAN ARISE, FOR YOUR FINEST HOUR IS UPON YOU!!!

Best regards,

Robin Jegede-Brimson
Centre for African Gospel Advance, UK
April 2004
E-mail : <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

-------------

7.0 TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW MOVE OF GOD

The Original Message below is from: Apostolic/Prophetic/Global JOSHUA A/P NETWORK ELIST.
To subscribe: send a blank email to: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent on Saturday, May 28, 2005 7:59 AM.

It refers to an impending NEW MOVE OF GOD, from a North American perspective. From an African perspective, it however appears to refer to the APOSTOLIC DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT (ADM) vision, being promoted in Nigeria and beyond by Dr Uche Adeogo OBED of the Glory Tabernacle Ministry, Ibadan.
Let's watch and pray along, with understanding. Amen
Tayo Babalobi.

****************************
TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW MOVE OF GOD ~
By Doug Addison InLight Connection www.dougaddison.com

REVELATION INTO TRANSITION

For some time now, I have noticed the number 11 appearing everywhere I go. I look at the clock and it is 11:11. I pick up my Bible and it falls open to chapter 11, and so on. As this was happening, I recognized that God was speaking to me, but I really did not know exactly what He was trying to communicate.
Symbolically, the number 11 represents transition and revelation. I believe that God is giving deeper revelation into the transition that the Church is now beginning to experience. Throughout history, God has sent revival and major movements that seem to ebb and flow like the tides of the sea. Just as we can predict the tidal patterns, I believe that if we study the history of revivals we will find patterns and great lessons that will prepare us for future moves. As I began studying revival in North America, I noticed that since Israel became a nation in 1948, a major move of God's power would occur every 11 years or so, beginning in 1950. Interestingly, you can follow this 11-year pattern from the 1906 Azusa Street Revival up to the beginning of the Toronto Blessing in 1994.

HISTORY OF REVIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA

In 1950, there was an incredible Healing Movement in which God anointed great healing evangelists like William Branham, AA Allen, Oral Roberts, and many others. They would actually empty out hospitals and bring the sick to tent meetings where thousands of people were miraculously healed. Within a few years, the intensity of this healing movement subsided.

11 years later, around 1961, the Charismatic Renewal movement kicked into high gear. Previously only Pentecostals sought the fullness of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. During this move of God, Methodists, Catholics, Presbyterians, and many other denominational Christians began getting filled with the Holy Spirit.

Again, 11 years after that, in 1972, God answered the prayers of many people and sent the last known revival in America: The Jesus People movement. Hippies began to give their lives to Jesus and they poured into churches everywhere. Unfortunately, many Christians did not recognize this movement as being from God and rejected it. The hippies forever changed the way we experience church services by introducing culturally relevant music and casual attire which allows people to come just as they are.

Then, another 11 years passed and, in 1983, John Wimber and Peter

Wagner came together and began teaching a course at Fuller Seminary on Signs and Wonders of God for today (Course MC510). They introduced the idea that the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of God was not just for a few anointed leaders, but for every Christian who sought them. This was known as the 3rd Wave Charismatic Movement and started many new charismatic churches such as the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

11 years later, in 1994, God brought a very unusual move called the Toronto Blessing. The Holy Spirit began to touch people with laughter and power. Millions of people from all over the planet have visited the Toronto Airport Church and their lives have been renewed.

2005: AN EXCITING TIME TO BE ALIVE!

If we add 11 more years, we come to 2005. I believe we are just beginning to see the start of this next move of God which is an evangelistic harvest like the earth has never seen before. God is beginning to draw the most strange and unusual people to Himself.
This is evident by the responses we are getting as we do evangelistic outreaches on the streets and at major New Age and pagan events such as Burning Man. People are giving their lives to Jesus, yet many of them are not able to identify with traditional churches.
Just as in previous moves of God, many Christians may be tempted to reject what God is doing because it appears messy. If we take history into account, when God moves, it is usually outside of our own understanding and comfort level.
This is an exciting time to be alive! We can prepare for this next move of God by being ready to show God's love to anyone in need. Pray that we have "eyes to see" who it is God is drawing and that we have "ears that hear” what the Spirit is saying to each of them. The result may very well be one of the biggest revivals in human history!

"Then He [Jesus] said to them, 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" Luke 10:2 NKJV

Doug Addison
InLight Connection

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8.0 GENEALOGY FACTORS IN MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

Proverbs 24:3-4: Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

The place of wisdom, understanding and knowledge in building godly biblical homes is stated in the texts above. A knowledge and understanding of the role of genealogical hereditary and nativity factors/ background of ones spouse will provide the wisdom and understanding in handling the negative issues that arise in the course of attempting to build Christian godly marital and home relationships in this end-time generation of ours.

In LAMPSTAND LETTERS ISSUE NO 32 (JANUARY TO JUNE 2003), we considered the topic YOUR NATIVITY AND THE GODS OF YOUR FATHERS, asking “…But is it possible that the gods of the fathers can pull back a child of God like me, who even has a ministry calling, back to idolatry if such a one is not wary? Does the spiritual history of a place/setting affect the inhabitants thereof, even after the people have given their lives to Christ? Do the ancestral gods and idols of one's family have the potential to negatively affect one spiritually, even after you have been born gain? The answer is YES, and the example of Gideon (Judges 6/8) and Jerusalem/the Israelites (Ezekiel 16) were used to illustrate.

THE CASE OF JERUSALEM

Then another message came to me from the Lord. Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her loathsome sins. Give her this message from the Sovereign LORD: You are nothing but a Canaanite! Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite! (Ezekiel 16:1-3).

The city of Jerusalem was initially an Amorite city. Joshua fought against Adoni-zedek and five other Amorite kings (Joshua 10). The children of Judah also dealt with Adoni- Bezek (Judges 1:1-10), while it was the King David who finally subdued the city and made it the eternal capital of
Israel (2 Samuel 5:6-13).

But by the time of Joshua, even though the Jews had inhabited the city for centuries, God had to send the prophets to confront the land and her inhabitants about their detestable practices (Ezekiel 16:2). To point to the origin of their present loathsome abomination, the Lord told Ezekiel:

"You must say to Jerusalem: look at your history. You were born in Canaan; your Father was an Amorite, your mother a Hittite (Ezekiel 16:3 Easy-to-Read version. Emphasis mine).

Two historical factors therefore contributed to the present situation of 'redeemed' Jerusalem

i. Her Nativity (or place of birth)
ii Her ancestry

Nativity = Canaan

Canaan was the son of Ham who gave his name to the land Canaan. The Canaanites were a wicked people because they descended from a wicked Father. (Cruden's Complete Concordance of the Bible).

I was reading a newspaper article (Saturday Guardian, 11th January 2003), in which the writer was commenting on the vocational patterns of Nigerians in Italy. According to the writer, while Nigerians from Edo and Delta States were into prostitution, those from the Igbo speaking areas were into hard drug courier and trade and the Yoruba were into fraud and other '419' activities. Clearly their nativity followed them to even outside the sores of Nigeria!

Your Father an Amorite

Amorite, meaning bitter, rebel was a generic name for the tribes inhabiting Canaan. At the time of Abraham, they are introduced as a wicked generation for whom the LORD was willing to wait for four hundred years for the iniquity to be full (Genesis 15:16). Joshua fought against five kings of the Amorites (Judges 10) and at his valedictory speech gave the Israelites the choice of worshipping the Lord or the gods of the Amorites that lived in the land (Joshua 24:15). By the time of Elijah,
Ahab was recorded as having continued in the abominations of the Amorites (1 Kings 21:26), as did Manasseh after him (2 Kings 21:11). So that by the time of Ezekiel, the whole of Jerusalem/ Israel followed after the disgusting idolatry of the Amorites.
Between Abraham and Moses, the Amorites had lived four hundred years of Abominations. Between Joshua (circa 1240 BC) and Ezekiel's time (circa 592 BC), was 648 years of Israelites' conquest of Jerusalem, Yet the sins of the original Amorite settlers still caught up with the Israelite after
more than one thousand years!

Your Mother a Hittite.

Hittite means one who is broken or fears. The Hittites were descendants of Heth, the second son of Canaan. Like their father, they were known for their idolatrous wickedness.
The first mention of the Hittite was in relation to Esau who married two Hittites girls who brought grief to Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 26:34). The land of the Hittite was part of the land promised to the Israelite and rather than exterminate them, the Israelite settled among them, intermarried with them and worshipped their gods (Judges 3:5-6, 2 Chronicles 8: 7). The negative influence of daughters from idolatrous backgrounds has trapped men of all generations, including Solomon, acclaimed the wisest man that ever lived (1 Kings 11:1-8).

"Like Mother, like daughter"

"The Lord said, people will use this proverb about you, "like Mother, like Daughter”. You really are your mother's daughter. She detested her husband and her children. You are like your sisters, who hated their husbands and their children. You and your sisters had a Hittite mother and an Amorite father (Ezekiel 16: 44-45).

What lessons are applicable to us today from Jerusalem's experiences?

8.1 LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

Look well into genealogical issues of your intended spouse before you leap into marriage.

Luke 14:28-30. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth
the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

As my father used to counsel, 'if you want to know how your wife will relate with/ behave to you, then check how her mother related with her father' (the converse is also true for husbands i.e. 'if you want to know how your husband will relate with/ behave to you, then check how his father related with his mother').

8.2 I KNOW A MAN

I know a man that suffered satanic afflictions for years. Knowing his own idolatrous genealogical background, he focused with the prayers of brethren to handling the negative spiritual background to their roots. Yet the afflictions persisted, even when there was obvious spiritual surrender of the forces of his household enemies. A stubborn unidentified ‘horse and rider’ feminine spirit refused to surrender, pledging a ‘fight-to-finish’.
Later, the Lord mercifully revealed to a company of intercessors that the afflictions also had a source from his spouse’s genealogical root. It was revealed that a generation before, a progenitor of the spouse has refused to take responsibility for a pregnancy and the victim had cast the resultant baby into the river, invoking a curse upon forthcoming offspring of daughters born to the offender. The curse had manifested in various manners to three generations of daughters, ranging from unmarried status, early demise of the married, early demise of spouse, divorce/seperation and other marital conflicts.
1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge”, certainly involves a good knowledge of your spouse’s pedigree.

8.3 DELIVER YOUR OFFSPRING

Isaiah 49:24-25. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contended with thee, and I will save thy children.

Genealogical issues are usually generational matters, pending into off-springs and descendants, making them “lawful captives of the mighty” through no faults or sins of their own. Blessed be God for his assurance that the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered.
We therefore have the responsibility to contend for the deliverance of our off-springs, that these genealogical issues do not transcend to their generation. Amen

Blessed be He who is able to keep to the outmost all that is committed into his hands. Blessed be the Lord who gives us victory in all things through our Lord Jesus. Amen

By the Lampstand,
May 2006.

9.0 LOATHSOME WIVES, LOATHSOME MOTHERS Ezekiel 16:45

Thou art thy mother's daughter, that loathed her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children: your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite (KJV).
You are your mother’s daughter. You do not care about your husband or your children. You are just like your sister. Both of you hated your husband and your children. You are just like your parents. Your mother was a Hittite; your father was an Amorite. (Easy-to-Read version)’

Amorite, meaning bitter, rebel was a generic name for the tribes inhabiting Canaan. Hittite means one who is broken or fears. The Hittites were descendants of Heth, the second son of Canaan. Like their father, they were known for their idolatrous wickedness. The first mention of the Hittite was in relation to Esau who married two Hittites girls who brought grief to Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 26:34)
As it was in the beginning, so is it today. Ours is a generation in which we still have bitter, rebellious women, who as wives and mothers bring grief to the whole family- immediate and in-laws.

By the Lampstand,
3rd May 2006.

10.0 FINANCIAL REPORT OCTOBER 2004- APRIL 2006

WIDOW’S MITE AND WOMEN’S MIGHT

The last financial report was in No 36 September to December 2004, covering October 2002 to September 2004. This report covers October 2004 to date.

RECEIPT: Until I received a cheque of N25,000.00 from a Christian brother in late April 2006 ( and an earlier N500.00 from another brother) a total of eleven thousand two hundred naira only (N12,200. 00) was received from four (4) supporters – all WOMEN – two university lecturers and two WIDOWS ( both wives of late professors).
Total receipt equaled N37, 700.00

EXPENDITURE (for Issues No 36, 37 and 38)

1. Editing N2950.00
2. Printing Cost N44, 800.00
3. Stamps and postages N25, 160.00

Total Expenditure equaled N72, 190.00

In western countries, 80% of support for God’s work still comes from women (Shepherd’s Staff, WORLD MAP 1993). At Lampstandletters, women including widows have played a significant role in the modest support we have got.

Psalm 68:11- The Lord gave the word: great was the company of WOMEN that published it.

Luke 21:3-4 - And he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Psalm 68:12-13:- The armies of powerful kings ran away! The WOMEN at home will divide the things that the soldiers bring from the battle. The people who stayed at home will share in the wealth. They will get the dove wings covered with silver; they will get the wings sparkling with gold (Easy-to-Read Version).

(When) Kings of armies did flee apace: and she (women) that tarried at home divided the spoil. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

2nd May 2006.

Please remember us in prayers and financially.
Please pray for the full restoration of my health from a cancer affliction and the fulfillment of Psalm 68:11 in the Lampstand Ministry.
It costs above N30, 000.00.to publish and distribute free, each edition of Lampstandletters. Your contribution financially and in prayers is desired -Publisher.

11.0 JABEZ'S MOTHER

What type of mother will look at her child and because "she bore him in pain" prophesy into his life a curse by calling him Jabez i.e. "He will cause pain"? Jabez's mother (1 Chronicles. 4:9) was one such, and Rachael before her (Gen. 35:18).

What type of pain could Jabez had caused his mother at birth? Was he conceived as a result of a rape or sexual assault? Was he always kicking in the womb? Did he not allow her to sleep well during the pregnancy? Did she spend all the pregnancy on bed rest in hospital? Did he come out in a breech presentation? Was the delivery long and tedious, like that of Benjamin (Gen 35:18)?

Whatever the pain, there was no justification for the curse and the name she placed on the new born child.

Today, Christian mothers still habitually curse their babies, infant, and adolescent children. Whatever the misbehavior of our children, we are not justified to curse them. We are called to bless, not to curse, even when our children "persecute" us (Rom. 12:14, I Corinthians 4:12, Matt. 5:44 etc.).

Mothers (and fathers), let us be like Rebecca, who rather took upon her the curse her child was liable to (Gen. 27:12-13). Let us remember to be merciful. Amen.

By the Lampstand. January, 2002

ENDURING TO THE END

1.0 THE PROCESS OF ENDURING AND NOT ENDURING TO THE END

"Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:10-12 KJV). The passage above talks about refers to Christians in the last days; how Christians who are supposed to walk in love degenerate to walking in HATRED. It is due to a process: offence to betrayal to hatred. Insult to offence to abuse to hatred: a simultaneous loss of love, the sin of un-forgiveness, and a loss of salvation: - a Christian going to hell.

It talks of CHRISTIANS TURNING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, HATING ONE ANOTHER, LED ASTRAY BY HATRED, and SINNING WILFULLY AGAINST ONE ANOTHER;

• In families
• Marriages
• Homes
• Work place
• Ministry
• Church
• Society

It is a PROCESS- starting from what is considered an INSULT, then one takes OFFENCE, one feels ABUSE, then one gathers HATRED, one LOSES LOVE, one waxes in RETALIATION and the SIN OF UNFORGIVENESS;

• To God
• To Man
• To Spouse
• To Children
• To Parents
• To Colleagues
• To the World
• To Unbelievers

It starts with what is considered AN INSULT, which is basically a personal, cultural, societal, community, location, traditional or modern perception.

I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO BE INSULTED, even when it is obvious that efforts are being made to insult me.
I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO BE OFFENDED, even when I am being provoked below my dignity by a rift-raff.
I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO FEEL ABUSED, even when I am being openly abused.

I CAN DECIDE NOT TO DEGENERATE INTO HATRED.
I CAN DECIDE NOT TO LOSE DIVINE LOVE FOR THEM.
I CAN DECIDE TO FORGIVE INSULTS, ABUSE, OFFENCES.

…Because I want to ENDURE to the end. As stated by editorial assistant Mr. Gabriel Ojo <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
‘I want to durare (positive), not ob-durate (negative)’.

Enduring to the end is a life long test/trial of our Christian faith, a test of our walking in love, a test of one walking in biblical standards of love and forgiveness. It is a test of humility and maturity; a trial of carnality, pride and un-forgiveness. One’s personal decision, perception, reaction, reflection will lead to ENDURING (OR OBDURATING AND NOT ENDURING) to the end.

WHAT IS YOUR DECISION?

• To harden yourself (against insults, abuses, offences, hatred, un-forgiveness etc) like a soldier, like flint for Christ sake; OR
• To harden your heart for ego-sake (so as not to appear soft/not to be taken advantage of/not to be despised etc?).
• To endure TO THE VERY END OF YOUR LIFE’S DURATION, or not to endure?

By the Lampstand. December 2005.

2.0 UNOFFENDABLE

Francis Frangipane.<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:15 AM.

The following message was originally sent out March 21, 2002. The Holy Spirit has impressed us that the body of Christ needs to hear this again. Thank you!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26). God has a new heart for us that cannot be offended, an "unoffendable" heart. Beloved, possessing an unoffendable heart is not an option or a luxury; it's not a little thing. Consider: Jesus warns that, as we near the end of the age, a majority of people will be offended to such a degree that they fall away from the faith. Listen carefully to His warning: "Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:10-12 KJV)

"Many" will be offended; the love of "many" will grow cold. My prayer is that we will hear His words with holy fear. When we allow an offence to remain in our hearts, it causes serious spiritual consequences. In the above verse Jesus named three dangerous results: betrayal, hatred and cold love. When we are offended with someone, even someone we care for, we must go to them. Otherwise, we begin to betray that relationship, talking maliciously behind their back to others, exposing their weaknesses and sins. We may mask our betrayal by saying we are just looking for advice or counsel, but when we look back, we see we have spoken negatively to far too many people. Our real goal was not to get spiritual help for ourselves but to seek revenge toward the one who offended us. How is such action not a manifestation of hatred? For an offended soul, cold love, betrayal and hatred go hand-in-hand. People don't usually stumble over boulders; they stumble over stones, relatively small things. It may be that the personality of someone in authority bothers us and soon we are offended. Or, a friend or family member fails to meet our expectations, and we take an offense into our soul. Beloved, if we will "endure to the end," we will have to confront the things that bother us. When Jesus warns that we need endurance, He is saying that it is easier to begin the race than finish it. Between now and the day you die, there will be major times of offence that you will need to overcome. You might be in such a time right now. Do not minimize the danger of harboring an offence.

No one plans on falling away; no one ever says, "Today, I think I'll try to develop a hardened, cold heart." Such things enter our souls through stealth and it is only naiveté that assumes it couldn't happen to us. I know many people who consistently become offended about one thing or another. Instead of dealing with the offences, these people carry them until the weight disables their walk with God. You may be doing fine today, but I guarantee you, tomorrow something will happen that will inevitably disappoint or wound you; some injustice will strike you, demanding you retaliate in the flesh.

2.1 The Root of Offence

An offence can strike at our virtues or sins, our values or our pride. It can penetrate and wound any dimension of the soul, both good and evil. I once brought a series of messages about gossip. Most people saw their sin and repented, but a core group of gossips were greatly offended and ultimately left the church. When the Holy Spirit exposes sin in someone's soul, if we refuse the opportunity to repent, we often become offended at the person who brought the teaching. Instead of humbling our hearts, we are outraged at the pastor or teachers in the church. Truthfully, most of the time, I have no idea who specifically needs to hear what I'm teaching, but God knows.

Paul told Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, exhort" (see 2 Tim 4:2). He didn't say, "exhort, exhort, exhort," but exhortation is what we receive in most churches. Certainly, we need to be encouraged, but there are also times, beloved, when we need to be reproved and rebuked. Today, there are preachers who are afraid to preach truth for fear people will react and leave the church. The end result is a church of easily offended people who cannot grow beyond their inability to accept correction. People don't change by exhortation alone. There are areas in all of us that need to be confronted and disciplined. The pastor who refuses to discipline and correct those in sin is in disobedience to God. He is unable to lead people into any truly transforming changes in their lives; they will not "endure to the end" if they cannot be corrected (see Matt 24).

We need to become a people who say, "Lord, show me what needs to change in me." I'm talking about growing up. A wise man will receive a rebuke and he will prosper. But a fool rejects his father's discipline (see Prov 15:5).

2.2 Personal Offence

An offence can wound our pride when we are not recognized for our good works or ministry. This happened to my wife and I long ago while in California. We were young pastors at a conference when the main leader decided to personally greet each minister and wife. He greeted the couple on our right and then turned to his staff to ask a question. A moment later he returned, but passed us by and went to the couple on our left. Everyone around us saw we were bypassed. We were embarrassed and offended. But my wife wisely observed that we could allow this thing to hurt us or we could see it as an investment in sensitivity toward other people's feelings. The offence taught us how others feel when they are ignored. Do you see this? You must make that offence become an opportunity to become more Christ like.

The occasions for taking offence are practically endless. Indeed, we are daily given the opportunity to either be offended by something or to possess an unoffendable heart. The Lord's promise is that He's given us a new heart: a soft, entreatable heart that can be filled with His Spirit and abound with His love.

Lord, forgive me for being so easily offended and for carrying offences. Father, my heart is foolish and weak. Grant me the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3.0 Unoffendable (Part Two)

"Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt 24:10-12 KJV).

3.1 The Sequence That Leads To Apostasy.

In our last teaching we looked at offences and examined the lethal effect an offended spirit could have upon our lives. We discussed how the only way to not be permanently offended was to attain the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ.

Attaining Christ's heart is not a minor issue. Remember, Jesus warned that, in the last days, "many" would be offended. A wounded spirit is not the same thing as an offended spirit - an offense occurs when we do not process our wounds in a Christ-like manner. Indeed, an offended spirit, left unattended and brooding in our minds, will soon manifest as betrayal, hatred and cold love. Jesus said offenses would be the ultimate cause that leads many to fall from faith. Listen well: Jesus linked the real cause of apostasy not to wrong doctrines, but wrong reactions.

Aren't right doctrines important? Of course, but we can have right information and still have a wrong response. Doctrinal information can be upgraded and refined, but Proverbs warns that someone "offended is harder to be won than a strong city"; and "contentions" between people "are like the bars of a castle" (Prov. 18:19).

Yes, beware of false leaders, but more deceitful than false prophets or teachers is our own heart when it is offended (Jer. 17:9). Are you living with an offended heart? If so, you are gradually slipping away from true Christianity, which is known for its agape love. Thus, dealing with an offended heart is vital in maintaining ongoing spiritual maturity. For this reason, we need to look again at the things which offend us.

3.2 False Expectations

Unrealistic or exaggerated expectations inevitably will cause others to fall short and offend us. Some desire their spouse or pastor or friends to meet their every need. However, at the deepest level our soul was created to find its security in God, not man. When the Almighty truly becomes our security, our peace flows from our awareness of His love and unlimited capabilities. As people who put their confidence in God, we can live comfortably with imperfect people around us.

Still, the very power of our expectations can choke out the sweetness of a personal relationship. Suppose that, instead of burdening people with our expectations, we simply learned to appreciate them for themselves - no strings attached. What if we approach family and friends with gratitude for what they are doing rather than disappointment for what they failed to do?

Suppose that a husband, instead of expecting a full course dinner from his wife each night, learned to appreciate whatever she was able to offer him? Then, instead of his failed expectation degrading into an offense, there would be a living, sincere appreciation for the food his wife prepared. I know we have arrangements by common consent, but in reality, a wife is under no obligation to cook special meals or do housekeeping. You did not marry her to be your housekeeper, but to become one with her.

Or imagine a husband who works a long, tiring job. However, his wife expects that he will work another two hours at home or go shopping with her or listen attentively about her problems. What if, instead, she welcomed him at the door and sincerely thanked him for daily giving himself to support their family? What if she met him, not with demands, but with appreciation? Perhaps she might even massage his shoulders and, because of love, have his favorite meal prepared.

You see, expectations can seem like legitimate aspects of a relationship, but they can also cause us to be disappointed and offended when people fall short. I have known situations in the past where my expectations actually blinded me to the efforts being made by a loved one. They were trying to improve in an area I was unaware of because my focus was preset upon a different expectation. I should have been grateful and encouraging. Of course, today I discuss issues and expectations with those close to me, but the weight of my expectation is not on others, but upon me to be Christ-like and sensitive to those around me. I put a premium upon enjoying the uniqueness of others, sincerely thanking God for their contribution to my life.

3.3 When God Himself Offends Us

The fact is, false expectations can become a source of many deep offenses. However, one of the worst offenses we can suffer is when God Himself purposely offends us. In 2 Kings 5, we read the story of when Naaman, a Syrian general, sought to be healed of leprosy by Elisha, the prophet. When Naaman and his entourage arrived at Elisha's house, Elisha didn't greet him personally, but instead sent his servant with a word/cure for Naaman. It was a simple assignment for the military leader: wash seven times in the Jordan River. However, the cure offended Naaman. Why didn't the prophet himself come out? Why this muddy Jordan? Scripture says that "Naaman was furious."

An offended spirit is an angry spirit. In this case, Naaman was beyond mad; he was furious. Do you find that you are always mad at a particular person? It's because they have offended you and you haven't forgiven them. Naaman was offended at Elisha, but what was the real cause of Naaman's offence? Listen to his words. He said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper'" (verse 11).

Catch the phrase, "Behold, I thought . . ." In truth, Naaman was not offended by Elisha, but by his own failed expectations. He probably spent many hours envisioning the moment of healing. He even pictured himself testifying of how the man of God healed him. When it didn't happen according to his plan, he was offended.

Friends, before the Lord heals you or assigns you some new, elevated position of service, He will often offend you. Why? What is it that gets offended in us? Usually, it is our pride. We come to God desiring physical healing, but the Lord wants us, not only to be healed, but to be humble. Yes, God heals us through our faith, but there our times when our own pride keeps us from receiving the method of God's healing. The Lord offends us to humble us, so He can give us grace. Faith works through grace, but God only gives grace to the humble.

Look at how often Jesus offended people before He healed them. Once, He actually spit on the ground, made mud and put it on a blind man's eyes, and then told him to walk across town that way! Imagine if you were next in the healing line and saw what the guy before you had to do. Admit it; we each would be looking for another healing ministry, one that is a little less offensive! On another occasion He told a woman who came seeking her daughter's healing that she was an unclean dog; another time, He stuck His fingers in the ears of a man to heal his deafness. The Lord often offended people before He healed them.

If we would learn to humble ourselves in the offence, we would discover that the apparent offence was, in realty, a door that led into the manifest power of God. When Jesus called the Canaanite woman a "dog," instead of being offended, she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs" (Matt 15:27). When Jesus told the man to walk across town with mud in his eyes, the man didn't argue or ask for a more dignified healing; he humbled himself and came back seeing. When Elisha told Naaman to dip in the Jordan seven times, the offence wounded him. Yet, when he humbled himself, his leprosy was replaced with the skin of a little child. His skin became as a child, because his heart, through humility, became as a child.

Maybe you haven't received your healing or breakthrough yet because to walk the path set before you is beneath your dignity. Maybe you need to get rid of your dignity and go to that Pentecostal or Baptist church you've been making fun of, then ask them to pray for you. God wants to heal you, but He also wants to renew and transform you with His grace.

3.4 Overcome Offences

When we study what Jesus taught, it is obvious that He came to make us "unoffendable." Consider: He says that if someone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other. He said to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. What He's really doing is showing us how an unoffendable heart of love overcomes all adversity.

We pray, "Lord, I want to change." To answer our prayer, He sometimes must put us in situations that perfectly offend us. The offense itself awakens our need of grace. Thus, the Lord precipitates change by first offending the area of our soul He desires to transform. He does not expect us to merely survive this adversity, but to become Christ-like in it. Ask Joseph in the Old Testament: the "land of offence" became the land of his anointing and power. Listen my friends: the destiny God has for man unfolds or dies at the junction of offense. How we handle offense is the key to our tomorrow.

"Those who love [God's] law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble" (Ps 119:165).

Lord, grant me that new creation heart that can walk as Jesus walked, through a world of offenses without stumbling. I want to see everything as an opportunity to pray, everything as an opportunity to become Christ-like. Lord help me to interpret offenses as opportunities that lead to transformations. Grant me, Lord Jesus, the pulse and beat of Your unoffendable heart. Amen

Lampstandletters’ editor’s comment: All emphases in text by editor.
Francis spoke on this topic during two church services at River of Life Ministries where he is senior pastor. The message was reproduced as Unoffendable Part 1 and 2 on 5th and 15th March 2005 on his free weekly email message Francis Frangipane Ministries < http://frangipane.org/>, powered by InJesus <http://www.injesus.com/. For comments and questions on the email, mail to: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;.

-------------------------------------------------------

4.0 BETRAYALS

by Os Hillman <www.marketplaceleaders.org> December 18, 2005

----- Original Message -----

From: "Joshua A/P Network E-List" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 2:52 PM
Subject: UNLOCKING THE POWER & ....

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend. - Psalm 55:12-13

"You will always be attacked in the place of your inheritance," said the man sitting across the breakfast table. "God has called you to bring people together and to impact other people's lives as a result of this anointing in your life. You must make sure that you seek to maintain righteousness in all of your relationships." Those words came from someone who had the wisdom and authority to speak them to me. I have had a number of close relationships that ended in betrayal. I am very loyal to my friends and those with whom I have covenant relationships. Yet there are times that no matter how righteous you are, when someone means to betray you, he will do it.

Loving those who betray you is "graduate-level Christianity." The religious community and one of His closest friends betrayed Jesus. Those who were closest to David betrayed him. Joseph's own family betrayed him. Loving our enemies cannot be accomplished by mustering it up. It can only happen when we have come to a death in ourselves so that Christ can love through us. It is truly one of those acts of identifying with the cross.

If you are a leader, you can be sure God will allow you to experience betrayal. It is one of those courses in the Kingdom that may not be required until God has seen that you have successfully passed other tests. It is the most difficult and most gut wrenching of all tests.
A godly response goes against all that is in us. Our natural response is to protect, retaliate, and retain unforgiveness and bitterness. Our natural response is Satan's most powerful weapon; to overcome it requires much grace from God. Ask God to build His nature in you now so that when such attacks come, you will be aware that it is a test and you will respond in righteousness.

5.0 HAVE YOU HEARD A WORD FROM THE LORD RECENTLY?

On this last day (31082005) of the post-Sabbath eighth month of new beginning, (the month after the seventh Sabbath ‘summer holiday’ month, the first working day of a new week); in this Sabbath year (2+0+0+5) of promised sevenfold attainment/achievements (see below), the Spirit of the Lord is asking you: ‘Have you come to me, to receive direction/directives for the tenure of new beginning ahead of you?

A purpose of Sabbath is to prepare you, nourished, rested and refreshed for the tasks of a new ‘week’. It might be a week of years, of months, of a literal week, or of multiples of weeks/months/years. I have new callings, new commissions, new tasks, and new directions to dispense. I want to activate human talents and divine gifts. I will thrust forth hidden vessels, sharpen arrows hidden in quivers: I will rejuvenate frustrated and despondent vessels with glory (Please read and meditate on Isaiah 49: 1-7 with understanding).

Dissolve your thoughts, your plans, your concerns, your whole being unto Me. Commit your ways and thy works to the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established (Psalm 37:5-7, Proverbs 16:3)

Come to me and be instructed (Isaiah 55). I know you by name…saith the LORD.

By the Lampstand. 31 August 2005

6.0 PLEASE SEEK THE LORD'S FACE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT

I feel specifically led to remind/request that we all set out time, as individuals, to receive from the Lord YOUR SPECIFIC REASON/PURPOSE/ ASSIGNMENT the Lord brought you into AT A TIME LIKE THIS; and how you can work in wisdom, harmony and understanding with and through other members (from different backgrounds, locations and understanding), to successfully achieve your divine purpose and assignment, without let or hindrance. Also ask the Lord to teach you (and every one of us) the way (plan) to faithfully and successfully carry out/execute whatever this divine assignment) is. May the Lord help us all in Jesus name. Amen.

By the Lampstand. November 17, 2005

7.0 EXTRACTS FROM: ‘NEW PEOPLE ON EARTH’ MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER/CHIEF EDITOR: - JOHN MAWUDEM MICHAELS.
COVER STORY: “SOME NIGERIAN PASTORS WILL SOON DIE” (FULL TEXT ON PAGE 6 -8).

EXTRACTS:
“-EA ADEBOYE, WF KUMUYI, TUNDE BAKARE, DAVID OYEDEPO, CHRIS OYAKHILOME, PAUL ADEFARASIN, BIMBO ODUKOYA, AYO ORITSEJAFOR, DK ODUKOYA ETC”

“THESE GREAT GENERALS WILL SOON LEAVE THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THEY ARE NOT LEAVING BECAUSE THEY WERE FOUND WANTING IN THEIR ASSSIGNMENTS.THEY ARE NOT BEING TAKEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE BACKSLID (DEN) (SIC). THEY ARE NOT BEING CALLED HOME BECAUSE THERE IS NO JOB THAT NEEDS THEIR ATTENTION.

“WHY WILL THESE PEOPLE DIE

1. GOD WANTS TO DO A NEW THING
2. WHEN KING UZZIAH DIED, ISAIAH SAW THE LORD
3. THE FOLLOWERS WERE TOO COMFORTABLE
4. THE PRODIGAL SON HAS STAYED TOO LONG OUTSIDE”

“SOMETIMES A BROTHER IN OUR LOCAL ASSEMBLY HAD A DREAM AND SAW PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
WEARING A NEW MANTLE AND RIGHT BEHIND HIM, WERE SEVERAL MANTLES, HE HAD USED AND DROPPED, AND THE CLOSEST PERSON TO HIM WAS STRUGGLING TO TAKE THE 7TH USED MANTLE. WHAT A GAP! “GOD HAS NEVER DESIGNED THIS GAP BETWEEN THE LEADERS AND THE FOLLOWERS. WE ARE JUST COMFORTABLE IN OTHERS’ SUCCESS, WORKING IN OTHERS’ ASSIGNMENT AND LURING OUR DESTINY INTO OTHERS’ DESTINIES” - (All emphases mine- Tayo Babalobi, Editor, Lampstandletters.)

“NOW HELP ME HERE.THIS ARTICLE IS NOT PARTICULARLY ABOUT THESE MEN OF GOD MENTIONED BUT ABOUT EVERY SERVANT OF GOD THAT HAS ADDED TO THE ACTS OF APOSTLES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. IT CAN BE YOUR PASTORTHAT IS NOT TOO POPULAR BUT IS VERY FERVENT IN HIS CALLING TO OUR GENERATION”

“THIS MESSAGE MUST NOT BE SEEN AS ASKING PEOPLE TO CRAVE FOR THE POST OF GENERAL OVERSEER OR LEADERSHIP IN THE PLACE OF WORSHIP. GOD WANTS YOU TO CARRY THE SAME MEASURE OF ANOINTING, POWER, GRACE AND UNCTION UPON THE LIVESOF THESE MEN IN YOUR HOUSE, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR OFFICE, YOUR COMMUNITY. IMAGINE ONE THIRD OF OUR CONGREAGATION DOING WHAT THESE LEADERS ARE DOING. MIRACLES WILL NOT BE CINEMA FOR US TO WATCH. THAT’S NOT THE PLAN OF GOD. “

(PLEASE NOTE: MESSAGE RECEIVED BY PUBLISHER ‘NEW PEOPLE ON EARTH’ MAGAZINE JOHN MAWUDEM MICHAELS IN NOVEMBER 2004. PUBLICATION DATE AND ISSN NUMBER OF THE MAGAZINE UNSTATED. MAGAZINE COPY ACCESSED ON DECEMBER 14 2005, SHORTLY AFTER THE CALLING HOME OF PASTOR BIMBO ODUKOYA OF FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHURCH LAGOS, AT THE PORT HARCOURT AIRPORT SOSOLISO PLANE CRASH OF SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2005. - Tayo Babalobi, Editor/Publisher, Lampstandletters.)

A DREAM AND TWO INTERPRETATIONS
The following dream was posted to me by Sayo Ajiboye, a US-based Minister and intercessor for Nigeria. Two interpretations follow hereunder- Dr Tayo Babalobi, Moderator <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 11:06:16 -0800 (PST)

From: Sayo Ajiboye This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8.1 A DREAM

Last week I was in Hawaii ministering, for two mornings, each day after prayers I had a picture of old time pirates like rowing on the sea towards our land. It troubled me and I asked friends for prayers for our nation. This morning I had a dream, it was like I had three young girls with me there was big age differential - one being a young adult marriageable age, the other a late teen and the third one like my two year old. (I actually thought in the dream that this is my two year old and I was fiercely protective of her). We were going on a journey in a very rural border area and I was like the guide. We needed to cross a bridge over a mighty water (I had a sense in the dream that it was the Niger). The bridge was very rickety and un-maintained. Before we could cross the bridge however it was like we had to pass through a group of white clothed elders’ cult having a meeting. They ask me for their sign and I told them I am an intercessor for Nigeria, (I) do (not) their thing, I am not one of them. They said to me pass! pass!

I crossed over through them into the other side and was confronted by this rickety bridge and a bicycle with an unseen rider as our means of crossing. I was scared in the dream that how can I cross this river with my little daughter and these girls on a bicycle and I can’t even see the face of the rider. Then I looked around and I found out that the older young adult marriageable girl was not with us any longer and that she has stayed behind. Then there was a sense that the cultist that I saw had actually proclaimed a no - movement in the land and I somehow did not know it but moved through them all the same!

But by the time I passed through them, I could not see the older young lady again. The rickety bicycle rider carried me, the youngest girl and the younger of the two other girls across the bridge safely, but I continued lamenting in my heart for the great danger that the Older Young Girl was in.

Then I woke up. I do not understand this, but I know it is significant. I know it has to do with our dear nation. It troubled me deeply.

8.2 FIRST INTERPRETATION

Thank God for the revelation.

PAUSE AND PONDER – THE DREAM

The dreamer represents the righteous, pure and uncontaminated Christians who are interceding for the nation; the three females represent the various groups of the Christians in the nation. The oldest are the Christian leaders and those who believe yet are entangled with things of this world and Satan, thus easily fall preyed by the devil and his companions. The older and the young are those Christians who uncontaminated with world and Satan, are at varied levels of faith in God and are ready to steer the weather / storms of life.

The river represents the storms of life and the bridge is the way to the promise land, the narrow path of the journey (escape) for the believers which things out to prune the Church as she moves on the race. The men in white are the false and liars of faith who are doing the deeds of their father - synagogues of Satan. These are in the midst of the Church of God (the Brethren purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb- Jesus Christ our Lord).

Firstly, we should be grateful to God because He has good plans and intention for His Church and our nation. In addition He cares for His own and He will rescue all that call upon Him with a pure heart. He will never leave His own and He delivers them from all the perils of the enemy. The four were united at the beginning of the journey but sooner, they are pruned out along the way as the tides and storms rage. Thanks and praise to God. The oldest though believe in God yet fell preyed to the evil ones. There is the need for the brethren to be UNITED AND FOCUSED ON THE JOURNEY, UNCOMPROMISING AND UNYEILDING DESPITE THE THREATS of the evil ones who are appearing as agents of LIGHT. The Lord will never leave the His Church and even AT THE GREATEST HOUR OF PERIL; HE IS PRESENT TO RESCUE AND BRING THE DETERMINED, FOCUSED AND UNBLEMISHED CHURCH THOUGH THE BATTLE IS FIERCE, TO THE PROMISED LAND.

God is the Lord of Host and truly He will build His Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

LET US RISE AND PRAY FOR OUR CHRIST IAN LEADERS, CARNAL, LUKEWARM AND COMPROMISED BRETHREN READY TO FALL AWAY AS WELL AS OUR NATION AND ITS LEADERS TO FLEE FROM THE OCCULT TO CHRIST BY UPHOLDING ALL BEFORE GOD WHILE BEING ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, SOBER, WATCHFUL AND COMMITTED TO THE YOUNG AND OLDER IN FAITH. GOD OUR FATHER IS READY AND PRESENT TO HELP US. WE ONLY NEED TO BE DETERMINED AND UNCOMPROMISING.
Praise GOD.
Your brother
Dr Samuel O OLA <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Wednesday 7th December 2005.

8.3 SECOND INTERPRETATION

I feel that it is God's will for me to contribute to the interpretation of Dr. Ajiboye's dream as I agree with him that it is significant for the near future of our dear nation.

As you know, dreams are like parables with multiple applications depending on how the different symbols in the dream relate to the given object of interpretation. Also most of the times, dreams provide divine answers to deep-rooted burdens of the dreamer (Dan. 2:28, 29) and seek to provide divine guidance out of inclinations towards dangerous decisions/actions (Job 33:17, 18). it is with these principles in mind that we should interpret Dr. Ajiboye's dream, as follows:

1. the account of Dr. Ajiboye includes two different relevant namely
   a) the same vision - word picture - for two days, and
   b) an early morning full narrative dream
2. It is clear from his account that the narrative dream came in answer to prayers on the word picture
   vision. Therefore, the actual subject of the dream would be determined by the burden in the heart of Dr.
   Ajiboye which the Holy Spirit responded to by these word pictures.
3. Anyway, we see from both the vision and the dream that it has to do with some hope of Nigeria, which some
   outside forces (pirates from another land) are seeking to dash.
4. Whatever that hope might be, there are spiritual pirates laboring (i.e. rowing) to use violence, fraud, deceit and outright oppression (stealing) – the characteristics of pirates - to dash.
5. The full narrative dream seeks to affirm that the prayers mobilized by Dr. Ajiboye are the correct response by which these dangers (pirates) may be resisted and their troubles in our land avoided.
6. The key symbols of the dream are as follows:
   a) the three young girls represent three major tribal groupings or political zones (Ezek. 16:45) in the nation. Dr. Ajiboye's account does not state whether he was moving from north to south, west to east, etc. to enable us discern whether we are talking of the three major tribal groups of Hausa Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo if from north to south or the new political zones of south-west, south-east, and south-south if from west to east, etc.
   b) The journey represents the endeavors that the Holy Spirit is calling us to take to prevent the pirates.
   c) Dr. Ajiboye as the guide represents the intercessory leadership of the church of Nigeria (in and out of the country) as represented by the prayers which he mobilized.
   d) the rickety and un-maintained bridge over the river Niger means that the faith/trust among the different tribal or zonal groups involved in this endeavors are fragile.
   e) The fact that the bridge must be crossed means that there must be concerted and united efforts by the different tribal/zonal leanings in the church if our prayers will deliver Nigeria this time around.
   f) The white clothed elders cult represent both idolatrous and traditional influences that are attracting the pirates; these represent the satanic agents among us (both in the church and the larger society) seeking to hinder the intercessory labors of the church. They also collaborate with wicked satanic forces from other lands working to deny us of our national destiny in the eternal plan of God for this generation.
   g) The fact that Dr. Ajiboye could pass thru them unmolested is the promise of God that the church will still pray Nigeria out of the looming dangers, if we will meet the conditions.
   h) The challenge however is that we are yet to begin to pray in the true spirit and will of God.
   The bridge stands for two different symbols in the dream: when seen before the elders’ cult, it stands for incomplete understanding of God's will by the church; but when confronted after the elders’ cult, it means a fragile unity of goal in the church.
   i) The bicycle with an unseen rider represents the efforts of the church (and nation) without being fully integrated in the Holy Spirit for perfect solution.
   j) The older girl is where the 'great dangers' looming will begin unless we carry her along across the bridge.
7. I believe that it will be profitable for us to meet together for more intimate discussions that will enable us discern the dream perfectly and hear the strategy of resolution which the Lord is communicating by Dr. Ajiboye's dream.

Your brother,
Kehinde A. Osinowo
KAO1737141205
President of the Christian Foundations (CHRISFO), a group that has arranged SOLEMN ASSEMBLY to mobilize prayers for our land twice every year (i.e. 1st May & 1st Oct.) since Oct. 1 1988.
15th December 2005

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From: Tayo Babalobi >
Date: Tue Jun 24, 2003 2:21am
Subject: A Christian Abacha?

In the twilight of the last military regime before the commencement of the 1999 elections, I attended a national prayer conference in Kafanchan in central Nigeria. The convener of the meeting, the Rev. Emmanuel Kure, during one of the sessions described a vision he saw of the incoming civilian president, describing him as a combination of General Idiagbon (Buhari's stone-faced deputy in the eighties) and Abacha.

Most people wondered who could fit that description. Gradually, President Obasanjo is fitting that description.

The activities of the Obasanjo government since it secured its second tenure suggest that Nigeria is being treated as a conquered state. The anointing of Wabara is consistent with Mr. President’s contempt for the East from whom he received the Biafran surrender in 1967. However this conquest and contempt is now being extended to the whole country. Has it not being said that "they came for the Jew and I kept quiet because I was not a Jew..." As pointed out in a different bulletin the PDP motto has unofficially changed from PDP! Power to the People! to PDP! Power! The people matter a little in this government of conquest.

Listening to Mr. President on NTA last week should give cause for worry and concern to discerning minds. Mr. President sounded so partisan and in justifying Omisore's presence in the Senate, despite his ongoing trial as an accomplice in the Ige Murder. His reference to the Graham Douglas treatise on 'courts of law" versus 'courts of Justice' makes one wonder if he cares justice is done to the memory of his slain friend and ex- Attorney General.

Again, Mr. President misinformed deliberately Nigerians by insisting that the University of Ilorin lecturers were sacked for disrupting students examination, while there are documentary evidence that Mr. President has being properly briefed that they were sacked for their refusing to sign a go-back-to-work form. Even when a member of the interview panel suggested to the President that he was probably not properly briefed, our President dances round the issue, repudiating responsibility for what he knows better on. It becomes worrisome when a Christian president cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

The 50% hike in petroleum prices is the latest of the anti-people actions so brazenly done. In Ibadan, the price of diesel, which was 40- 45 naira before the hike to the official 38 naira, became 65 naira by Saturday morning. The PDP national chairman applauded the hike calling it inevitable.

The church should stop being carried away by the fact that a professed Christian is on the throne of Nigeria. We must be watchful and critical as we prophetically keep Mr. President in cheek of is human foibles. Otherwise by the end of his tenure, history will record that a Christian version of Sani Abacha has just ruled.

From: Dr Tayo Babalobi
Date: Fri May 21, 2004 10:56am
Subject: Are we really praying?
The article below was first published in 2002, as were other insights from various sources to the church.
With the trends and reoccurrence of situations around Mr. President, are we really praying (enough) for him?
Are you...?

UNDERSTANDING AND PRAYING FOR PRESIDENT OBASANJO

“A man may rise from poverty and become king of his country or go from prison to the throne but if in his old age he is too foolish to take advise, he is not as well off as a young man who is poor but intelligent… somewhere among them is a young man who will take the king’s place” (Ecclesiastics 4; 13-15).

“Better a poor a wise youth than an old and foolish king who will not be admonished no more” (Ecclesiastics 4; 13 New King James Version)

“...he who refuses correction goes astray (Proverbs 10; 17b)

From: Dr Tayo Babalobi >
Date: Sat Nov 1, 2003 5:09am
Subject: EXCUSING OBASANJO
The following word is taken from page 6 of Vol. 6, No 1 of The Alarm, a prophetic publication of the Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship Aba chapter, 94 Azikwe Rd, Box 5566, Aba, Nigeria.

EXCUSING OBASANJO

Nigeria is passing through a phase in her history. It is a phase that will soon be over. This level of wickedness shall not continue. The problem was the credibility of all contestants. A slip from Obasanjo could have made the mandate fall into Buhari's hand and I do not want him on the throne o matter what he does now he will surely fail. Give Obasanjo chance to complete his mandate and that will be the basis for his judgment. So much is entrusted into his hands now. He knows the country more than you do; he understands the intrigues better than you do. I may not punish him for electoral fraud but I will surely punish him for failure of the mandate. He has the mandate to cleanse this nation of corruption, this he must complete before leaving office in 2007. Therefore give him a chance to just do this. Watch how he is going to deal with those men. They will really fight him but they shall not succeed. There is time appointed for these programme.

6.REMAIN IN GOSHEN

While the heavenly constellations shake off vultures and other birds of prey from the corridors of the thrones of Nigeria (see Isaiah 13:9-10), and human agents in power are executing their own part of divine judgment/reward by their carnal standards, the call to the church and the members therein is to REMAIN IN GOSHEN.

By the Lampstand.
1st December 2005.

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9.0 A MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE : DWELL IN THE LAND OF GOSHEN

The text below is the well known instruction from the Egyptian Prime Minister Joseph to his Israelite brethren. It was ministered to me about a week ago to declare to the church in Nigeria. Whether it applies to the present political/economic situation in Nigeria is uncertain. I understand the Wailing Women Ministry (HQ Port Harcourt) had received an identical message.

Gen 45:66 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. NKJV

Gen 45:10-11
10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine." NKJV

The most important portion of the text is that CHRISTIANS MUST DWELL WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD, NEAR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD,(TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS, GUIDANCE ETC), TO SURVIVE THE HARSH TIMES AHEAD IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

By the Lampstand. Date: Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:44am

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10.0 TOWARDS GOSHEN: THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE.( PART 1)

Although, as mortals, we know in part and we speak (write) in part, the LAMPSTANDLETTERS have striven to state/ declare/ expound, by the Spirit of the Lord, the mind of God on specific issues of the Nigeria
church and state. Not as prophets, but expositors of the mind of God.

Even when President Obasanjo was stoutly opposed to anything Conference, we have stressed the need to address the issue of a National Conference before anyone could think of 2007. (2007? SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE OR REVOLUTION. Lampstandletters print edition May to August 2004, page 24) We have also raised as far back as 2003 that President Obasanjo need to be prayed for and upheld in prophetic check lest, he will be termed A CHRISTIAN ABACHA (see Message 89, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 24 July 2003).

Today, Mr. President in a dramatic swift turn around has accepted and inaugurated a National Political Reform Conference. What is the mind of the Lord in this development?

Towards last year ending, the Spirit of the Lord began to speak from Genesis 45:10-11, 46:34 and 47,1-4, 6, 27 of a Goshen experience, akin to that which Joseph's brethren experienced in Egypt during the seven year of word famine, while Joseph was the Prime Minister under Pharaoh. Impressing on minds, the Spirit of God asked that we call on Christians to prepare for a wind/ concept of a Goshen experience for the Nigerian church, while the Nigerian Nation undergoes a 5 year famine, as recorded in Genesis 45 (See above Message 180, 15th November 2004). Specifically, the passage indicates that TWO YEARS HAVE GONE AND THERE ARE STILL FIVE MORE YEARS TO GO (Genesis 45:6-11).

What is the Goshen Concept? The understanding is that while the nation brews in political/ economic famine or ferment, Christian households, under the rulership of a Pharaoh-Joseph dynasty`, should:

1. Should maintain a daily walk and continuous presence before the Lord
2. God will adequately take care of the family
3. The king will let them settle in the best part of the country
4. Those with special skills and abilities will personally serve the king
5. They will prosper in the land living in Goshen.

In the biblical setting in Egypt, Joseph who God used to make the way for the brethren was in Government as Prime Minister, Counselor (The Living Bible)/"Father' (KJV) to Pharaoh, Manager/Lord over his household and ruler throughout Egypt. Although it appears that the initial divine concept was to have a Pharaoh-Joseph/ Saul-David dynasty for Nigeria, today, we have Pharaoh -and -Joseph in ONE MAN, PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO.

Yet there is a call for the church to prepare for Goshen, for only two years have gone, there are yet five more years to go;
...Five more years of a Pharaoh-Joseph anointing contracted in one man
... Five more years of a Saul- David anointing in one man
… Five more years of the Christian Abacha.

We know in part, we speak in part. Those who know better are free to fill the gap, correcting and expounding more. Those who know less are advised to seek His face, His voice and the Word before commenting or reacting.

By the Lampstand. Date: Tue Mar 1, 2005 9:23am

NOTE: FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE “FIVE MORE YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN ABACHA”, PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR THE ARTICLES “CIVIL INTERREGNUM?” AND “IGBO PRESIDENCY”, FROM THE ALARM, PROPHETIC PUBLICATION FOR THE CHURCH AND THE NATION. VOLUME 8, NO. 1, 0CT, DEC 2005.ALSO THE ARTICLE BEFORE 2007 (28 June, 2005) FROM ‘THE PREACHER’ WEBSITE http://www.thepreacher.info, http://www.thepreacher.info/news.php?id=5

10. FROM THE ALARM. PROPHETIC PUBLICATION FOR THE CHURCH AND THE NATION. VOLUME 8, NO.1,0CT, DEC 2005
WED, OCT 5 2005 12.30PM: CIVIL INTERREGNUM?

Son of man, pray against an interregnum. It is being hatched against your nation by the kingdom of darkness. It is aimed at delaying the coming of Solomon. Your President is ignorantly yielding to it. His ambition is the primary reason. He will be suddenly withdrawn if he insists on having his way. The confusion that will ensue will culminate in the interregnum of the civil rule, but not with Solomon. I have told you that the President’s doom will be his insistence to build. I have not called him to build. I said he will prepare the builder. He is still insisting to build. He will destroy what he built within this period. I will not fold my hands for the evil one to thwart my programme. I will douse the tension and establish my will. But warn him before it is too late.

Monday Oct 23, 2005 10:35 am:” IGBO PRESIDENCY”

Orji Kalu will not be. He will pay the supreme price for the Igbos to become. His ordeal now, during and after 2007 will move your nation to give the Igbos a chance. As it was for the Yorubas in June 12 with Abiola, then Obasanjo, so will it be for the Igbos in 2007. After this shall a man be raised and manifested from the Igbo stock. Take note and watch. The interregnum is real. It shall come to pass. Watch and pray.

FROM ‘THE PREACHER’ WEBSITE http://www.thepreacher.info, http://www.thepreacher.info/news.php?id=5

BEFORE 2007
(28 June, 2005)
(The Irony of a Dream)
Anticipating the Presidency, what I see is a compromised fallen great tree, a dead Road, south east, not a man anymore, in his narrow last room, well dressed in a deep blue suit.
(N.B. FROM THE BOOK “IGBO NAMES-THEIR STRUCTURE AND THEIR MEANING” BY EBO UBAHAKWE (1981) PUBLISHED BY DAYSTAR PRESS, IBADAN (APPENDIX: PAGES 111-113), THE CODED DESCRIPTION ABOVE REFERS TO THE NAMES OJI/ORJI (“Iroko” tree), UZO/UZOR (“way, road”) AND KALU/KAMALU (“thunder”-a traditional god).-Editor Lampstandletters).
‘ A man may rise from poverty to become King of his country, or go from prison to the throne, but if in his old age he is too foolish to take advice, he is not as well off as a young man who is poor but intelligent. I thought about all the people who live in this world, and realized that somewhere among them there is a young man who will take the king’s place. (Ecclesiastes 4:13-15Today’s English Version, emphases mine)

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11.0 TOWARDS GOSHEN: THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE. PART 2

11.1 THE DIVINE TASK AND CALLING OF THE CHRISTIAN ABACHA

Isaiah 45 provides the text for the divine task and anointing for the Christian Abacha over Nigeria for the next five years. While we meditate and study for the passage for more understanding and contemporary relevance, the following features are manifest:

• Preserve the corporate existence of the world's biggest black nation
• Deal with corruption in its leadership, BOTH in the CHURCH and Society
• Promote/facilitate multi-religious status of the country, whether Christian, Islam or African Traditional religion. Allow the three religions tests of their spiritual strength in propagation, conversions and discipleship within appropriate legal ambits
• Assert the black race against Arab, European (especially Francophone) and American domination, influence and exploitation.

11.2 THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

1. It is obvious that Mr. President has suddenly (?) realized and is zealously ready to embark upon implement this task, hence this National Conference. But he needs a RE-ANOINTING by the genuine leadership of the Nigerian church.
2. Church leaders at all levels must be ready for immediate repentance and remission of all forms of graft, fraud, corruption, etc,
3. Be ready to submit and face the fierce fury of anger against all forms of social and worldly vice from Government and law enforcement agencies
4. Understand the times. Individually and as family dwell in Goshen, daily communing and getting instructions form the throne of God, for sustenance and progress.
5. Watch over the occupant of the throne of Nigeria in Intercession and spiritual rebuke, when carnality and humanity takes over/ interferes with divine assignment.
6. Be ready to contend and live with the agitations and manifestations of other religions- Shariah, Dawah, African Traditional Religion, Voodoo, and EGBESU etc. To address and deal with them with spiritual warfare and prayers.
7. De-emphasize church growth and embark on massive evangelism and church based discipleship.
8. Prepare to be vilified, as the Christian Abacha implements the mandate. Dwell in Goshen. Bring your special skills and abilities to bear. And you shall prosper not only in your land, but also in government.
9. Use Isaiah 45 in continual faith, prayer and prophesy for President Olusegun Obasanjo in the context of the divine anointing for this task. Amen.

11.3 CONCLUSION

We know in part, we have spoken in part. The plan of the Lord shall come to pass. Amen

By the Lampstand. 1st March 2005.

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12.0 USE ISAIAH 45:1-4 TO PRAY DAILY FOR PRESIDENT OBASANJO

Whether we like him or not, the truth and reality is that President Olusegun Obasanjo is SPECIFICALLY called and chosen (from prison, when he did not know God- Isaiah 41:4-5), to be President of Nigeria, for a divine purpose for Nigeria, and for the sake of the service ministry and mission of the Nigerian Church (Isaiah 45:4). How well he has executed the task is best left for Him who commissioned him. How long he has remaining on the task is left to God to decide. Obvious that Obasanjo himself has realized this divine calling, our task is to continually pray for him accordingly to God's concept contained in the call chart of Isaiah 45:1-5

1. That Obasanjo will be daily anointed with the fullness of the sevenfold spirit of God (Isaiah 11:1-4)
2. That his actions/right hand activities will be empowered by God himself
3. That the fear of Obasanjo will subdue and paralyze entrenched national and local authorities/kings (doms)/interests, with fear
4. Established spiritual gates and kingdoms to be pulled down, NEVER to be raised again.
5. That the armies of God himself will always go ahead of Obasanjo in carrying out the tasks
6. That the Lord help him to locate and recovery hidden treasures/loot of Nigeria locally and abroad.
7. That he always remember and understand that the longtime purpose for which he is called and chosen if for the sake of the mission service of the (Nigerian) church, so that 'all the world from the east to the west will know that there is no other God' (Isaiah 45:4-6).

Please continually pray and mobilize intercessions for Olusegun Obasanjo as a person and as divinely called and chosen President.
Let’s not be distracted by human events and judgments.

By the Lampstand. December 2005.

13.0 "2006 - A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!"

Bill Yount www.billyount.com ;This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

INTRODUCTION TO THIS WORD. . .

For the year 2006, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." -Job 5:19-26

Notice this verse says "in" troubles. God doesn't always steer us away from trouble, but He majors in delivering us "in" our troubles. Trouble is a pretty good sign that God is with you! The three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, discovered that the king's order to "heat the furnace seven times hotter" was the perfect recipe for their miracle deliverance, and their fiery furnace was transformed into a four-man dance hall!

Daniel found his greatest deliverance took place inside of a lions' den, never having to fear lions again! Are you in any kind of trouble right now? If so, then you qualify for deliverance in the midst of your trouble this coming year--as you set your love upon Him! If you compare your troubles to yourself, you are in trouble. But if you compare your troubles to God, your troubles are in trouble!

2006 -"A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!"

"In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword." -Job 5:20
"I have been young and now am old; yet I have not seen the 'righteous' forsaken, or his seed begging bread." -Psalm 37:25

God prepares a table (provision) before us in the presence of our enemies. That means our enemies get to watch us eat while they are going hungry. But don't forget in the rough times ahead to feed your enemies and tell them who is feeding you in the time of famine! God delivers us from the power of the sword and protects us from our enemies so we can live long enough to bless them!

Imagine a God who fed millions in the wilderness and gave them water out of a rock and caused their clothing and shoes not to wear out for forty years. . . it sounds like their clothing actually grew with them!

Recently on the national television program, "It's a Miracle," there was a small church with 20 members who fixed a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy. As the people kept coming in to eat, they were concerned about running out of food. But as the people kept coming in, to their surprise, they discovered the food was not running out!

The 20 members who cooked the food figured they could only feed about four hundred people. But as the day ended, they counted around two thousand people who had eaten and there was still food left over, so they delivered the extra food throughout the neighborhood! After the members came back to the church, one needy family came late and was hungry and the food was all gone. To their amazement, the church members saw this fresh warm baked loaf of bread on the kitchen counter that no one had brought or baked.

They then noticed the cupboards that were emptied out for the dinner had one cupboard door ajar. As they went to close it, they discovered more food in it; there was even a turkey platter! As long as there were hungry people, the Lord kept multiplying the food! We can expect these multiplying miracles to increase as food becomes scarce!

"Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh." -Job 5: 21

If there are those who are speaking evil of you, talk to Jesus about it. If there is some truth in it, repent, and grow from their constructive" criticism."

"Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." -Psalm 141:5

There have been times--and probably still will be--when I have been reproved in my ministry. It's humbling, but I have discovered that as I receive it with a right spirit, it's not long afterwards that I experience fresh oil pouring over me, healing my hurt and anointing me with fresh oil. This often happens to us when God wants to refine our gifting and use us in a greater way. More importantly, these reproofs and grindings do wonders in conforming us into His image, which is His ultimate purpose.

Remember that "a soft answer turns away wrath." The tongue has probably brought more destruction to people than anything else. We ourselves are snared (brought into bondage) by the words of our own mouth. When we bless those who speak evil against us, we cancel the assignment of their words.

"At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth." -Job 5:22

What appears to be destruction in the natural is really construction taking place in the earth in the Spiritual realm from God's perspective, and "all things are working together for our good and for God's purposes." Many times, destruction is necessary before construction of something new and wonderful can take place.

14.0 AN OUTBREAK OF DIVINE HEALING

In this verse, it says that we shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. I believe the word "beast" represents anything the enemy can try to use to destroy us, including sickness, disease, and infirmities. We must not give in to fear as certain plagues, such as the bird flu, break out. We must pray against them and believe Psalm 91 for our protection. "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. . . "

Recently in a large gathering, I sensed fear rising as the threat of the bird flu was being mentioned. I, myself, was wondering fearfully how devastating this bird flu could be. I then saw the Dove of the Holy Spirit, who is greater than any bird and any flu, flutter into the conference and light upon us. I sensed that as we trust while being under His wings and feathers, we will not only experience protection, but we will experience an outbreak of divine healing invading our spirit, soul, mind, and bodies!

Healing that is contagious, spreading to others, as healed people heal people! Healings that will capture the attention of world news will be the cure for cancer, aids, and other incurable diseases that had been discovered through the name of Jesus! On our Father's side, healing runs through our veins, through our arteries, through our bloodstream, and into our bone marrow! Healing runs in our family! Decree this coming year, "I'm being invaded by healing!"

15.0 DOMINION OVER THE EARTH

"For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee." -Job 5:23

God is releasing His authority in us to take dominion over the earth and all that is in it. The earth is groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God to come forth to take back the authority that was given to us through Jesus to subdue the kingdoms of this world so that they become the kingdoms of our God! When we sin, we give up our authority to the enemy. Lord, help us to come into full repentance to be filled with You, to have Your authority over all the works of the enemy, and to take dominion over what You have given us.

"And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin." -Job 5:24

The very peace of God shall guard our hearts and minds in these perilous times. Our homes will become the dwelling place of God as we allow Him to cleanse us from all sin and fill us with His presence--healing homes of refuge for the stranger, the lost, and the afflicted, including the prodigals coming home.

"Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth." -Job 5:25

This coming year, expect your seed and your seed's seed to become great in God and grow rapidly in the Spirit as the grass grows upon the earth in the spring time! Your children will be as signs and wonders in the earth, and God will increase you more and more, you and your children. Don't call your lost children a drug addict or an alcoholic; call them a royal priesthood, a chosen generation! Call their destiny forth in God! Even treat them as though they are already saved! (They will think you got saved!) Accept them right where they are and love them, and you will see God take over from there!

"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season" -Job 5:26.

What a promise! "With long life will I satisfy you and show you my salvation!" Make plans to live a long life! We shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord! When we really believe that God promises us a long life, then we know that He will deliver us out of all of our afflictions and troubles! Enjoy and appreciate life (as if) it is your last day on earth, but live like you will never die!

"LET GOD FIX WHAT YOU CANNOT FIX IN 2006! DON'T TRY TO FIX ANYTHING THIS COMING YEAR!"

I sense this coming year will be a year when many frustrated saints will finally let God be God and stop trying to fix things in themselves, to fix people, and to fix their own problems. We are not called to fix anything. You cannot fix yourself. My wife still cannot fix me! Only Jesus can fix anything and everything. And He has been waiting a long time for many of us to let Him do it.

Bob Mumford teaches that "If you get in a fix and you fix the fix before God fixes it, He will fix another fix to fix you. . . until you let Him fix it!" Let God fix the fix you are in this coming year!

AS THE YEAR 2005 COMES TO A CLOSE, I SENSE THE FATHER SAYING, "I WILL TAKE OVER FROM HERE!"

~Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries www.billyount.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua A/P Network E-List" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;.
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Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:36 AM
Subject: 2006 ~ A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!

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