RUN, MY CHILD, RUN by Bola Olu-Jordan
‘And the Jews' passover was at hand,
and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen
and sheep and doves, and the changers of
money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all
out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers'
money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take THESE
THINGS hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his
disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me
up.’ (Jn.2:13-17).
THE SHEEP IN THE TEMPLE
How would Jesus feel, and what would He do, if he were to visit an average church in our nation of today on a Sunday morning in an unscheduled visit?
It wouldn’t have been any better than His days when he paid a similar unscheduled visit to the temple. Remember those he met? – Many, selling sheep, oxen and turtle doves. Sheep are supposed to be fed and shepherded, but they are being sold away.
Typologically, sheep represents innocence. Of all the animals in creation, sheep is the only animal that has no claws. By these, they are so defenseless and prone to attacks from all others animals. They are the most gullible; incapable of self survival. But, one good thing about them, however, is that, they are good followers. Their survival is hinged on following a shepherd. They are the easiest animal to be led almost effortlessly. As long as they see a shepherd, they will follow.
It is of interest to note that children of God are called sheep and Jesus is our Chief Shepherd. Although, He has put the shepherding of His sheep in the hands of under-shepherds. But, the under-shepherd inside the temple, instead of taking care of the sheep were selling them! One day, the owner of the sheep, the chief shepherd decided to pay an unscheduled visit to the temple to see how his sheep were fairing. Unfortunately, many have been sold by those He entrusted them into his hands and others have been exchanged for money!
Selling them is magnanimous, in face of the fact that, prominent among the under-shepherds are wolves and hyenas in sheep’s clothing. They are still not satisfied with the gains they get from the proceeds of selling the sheep, but have gone to the extent of milking them before eating them raw! How will the master feel, getting into the temple to see this is what takes place right there in His father’s house, where He has kept His priceless sheep and appointed shepherds to shepherd them till He returns?
Upon His return, the sheep have become so few, weak, malnourished, forced into early production of milk, diseased and many have died! This is exactly the state of the church.
A WORD FOR THE SHEPHERD
‘And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out’ (Ez.341-11).
This warning is timely because the chief shepherd is about to repeat the visit to the temple, the church. He, speaking with premonition, rhetorically asked, ‘if the son of man comes, would he find faith on earth’(Lk.18:8) i.e, would he find faithful under-shepherd who would keep to the terms of the agreement; to feed His sheep?
FEED MY SHEEP
Three times, Jesus, when He was about leaving, passionately requested from Peter, one of the foremost disciples, a ‘favour’. ‘Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed My sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep’ (Jn.21:15-17).
There is no other assignment superseding this great one. The sheep must be fed in order to grow. Why did Jesus call Peter’s complete name, including his fathers’ three times? To drive home the exigency of His request; to feed His sheep.
But the reverse is the case today. Shepherds have taken laws into their hands in the absence of the chief shepherd and have thrown caution into the wind to satisfy their belly. ‘For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple’ (Rom 16:18).
They are selling the sheep! They are milking and eating them up raw; siphoning money from them on the bill of prophet’s offering. Devising all forms of miracle rallies, prosperity gimmicks, healing services and breakthrough seminars to extort, drain and deprive the defenseless and innocent sheep of their resources and belonging, which cost Jesus His precious blood to acquire.
Hear the word of the Lord, Oh, shepherd, I am against you, saith the Lord. I will require my sheep from your hand. And the blood of many which you have shared on your dinner table. And the ones you have fed with poisons and those you have malnourished to death! You will be guilty in the day of judgment, except you repent!
‘For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered’ (Jer 10:21).
A WORD FOR THE SHEEP.
Oh sheep, hear the word of thine owner: I have bought you with a costly price of my blood (1Cor.6:20). Leaving my glory that I have before the foundation of the world and coming to rescue you (Phil.2:8), because I love you with an everlasting love (jer.31:3).
I have ascended on high to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you also will be, because I love you (John 14:1-3). Oh, my sheep! What have you done? Is my death on the cross in vain on you? I weep for you, oh my sheep! I have fed you with the sincere milk of the word and not with junks(1Cor.3:2), how come your appetite is now for miracles, breakthroughs, prosperity, healing and things that will not satisfy: mere additions to my eternal provisions? Why are you so addicted to enticing words of human wisdom? (Col.2:4). Why does logic, quotes of mere men who are nothing but religious miscreants, dominate your interest and desire? Who has bewitched you that you should believe a lie and fall in love with sugar coated mouthed thieves, whom I have not sent? (Gal.3:1). Why do you romance with demons, parading as angels of light to deceive? (2Cor.11:14).
I have given you my spirit so as to know them, the false ones, who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. I have told you to ‘beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’ (Mat 7:15). What has blinded you? The bates of prosperity, miracles, breakthroughs the offer you, and what again…? Before whose very eyes THESE THINGS you saw as additions and never the real thing! Will you sacrifice THESE THINGS for your eternity? Will you mortgage your soul for the offerings these soul-merchants has to offer and lose the mansions that I have taken several thousands of years to prepare for you?
My sheep, oh, my sheep! I hate to lose you, for you are too precious in my sight. ‘Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life’ (Isa 43:4). But now is my heart sorrowful. The time of my return is imminent, where will I meet you: in the congregation of money changers or in the auction barn of thine captors? I have warned you to run out of the temple, for the merchants there are robbers (John 10:8). Are you so quick to forget what I did to them when I visited them: how I upturned the tables of those that are selling sheep, oxen and the turtle doves and wiped with the scourge the money changers?
Are you still blind to see that the same temple is where you are and your soul is about to be mortgaged at a worthless price, incomparable to the price I paid to purchase you? I am coming with my scourge to chase them out of my father’s house, but will I still meet you there or you would have been sold out?
Oh, my sheep, my soul is extremely sorrowful concerning you. I don’t want to lose you. Think about the humility I endured, the stripes, the betrayal and the ultimate death on the cross, just for your sake. Will all be in vain?
IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP
I have warned you to ‘beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’. (Mat 7:15). Can’t you see their mastery? Their calculated orations, does it look like what I did while on earth? Do they reflect my meekness, my agape love and commitment to the sheep? It’s time for you to run, my child! I don’t want to lose you. Run as fast as your legs can carry you. Have you forgotten my words: ‘to come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you’ (2Co 6:17).
Can’t you see that the cloud has departed? I am not a God of religion but of faith. I am not in their entertainment. It is wherever the carcase is, there the eagles will be gathered (Mat.24:28) and in their midst I will be and not where the crowd are. You posses my vision, how come you don’t see again. You posses my ability, how come you can’t soar, you posses my strength, how come you are weak, feeble and tired?
I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… the God of individuals not of a church, sect or denomination. I am not there, I am in your heart! I hate division (denominations). I don’t see them, I see members of my body, although scattered, stranded and trapped in many man-made denominations and human organizations, called my house, but it is their enterprise. I am coming to gather my sheep from the four corners of the earth.
RITUALS ON THE ALTAR
They sell oxen and doves in my temple also. I told you they are merchants, not shepherds, their god is their belly and with feigned words and fair speeches they make merchandise of you. They lie in wait to deceive the simple ‘and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not… having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children(2Pe 2:3,14). ‘full of all subtilty and all mischief,… child of the devil, … enemy of all righteousness, wilt not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord (Act 13:10). ‘…who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction, many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (2Pe 2:1-2). Can’t you see, my child?
Oxen and doves are for rituals. I have not asked for any other sacrifice than to follow and obey my word with a broken and a contrite heart. ‘… to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Is.66:2), not those who are after my gifts. They prophecy lies in my name. They are not prophets, but soothsayers, sorcerers and seers (Acts13:6). They see visions through strange powers, not mine. They have replaced my word of wisdom with quotable quotes of dead philosophers on whose account are the souls of many martyrs.
Can’t you see that in many so called Christ’s Bookshops are found books of witchcraft which teaches you how to use the latent power in you to achieve anything, when I have warned you that ‘without me you can do nothing’ (Jn.15:5). Havent I told you to be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God’ (Phi 4:6), and that you should ask anything in my name and I will do it (John 14:14).
Have I been so harsh on you that you now seek other means of getting ALL THESE THINGS beside me? Which other power exists beside me? (Is.44:6), The books are claimed to be written by ‘reknowned men of God’ but My Father don’t know them., neither do I. Wake up, my child, wake up, they are workers of iniquities (Lk.13:27).
I am not interested in sacrifices of the so called ‘anointing oil’. Oh! no, not in the ways you have bastardized it! Using the ‘power of anointing oil’ to get anything you want, whether it is my will or not. I will not take that. I am not there, child! Marrying another person’s husband by taking his photograph to such temples and allowing the so called man of God to prophecy to it that he is your husband, thereby breaking another woman’s home! This is witchcraft! Show me where you are different from the herbalists! Tell me, child!
WITCHCRAFT
You employ the prayer-band in your so called church to help bind your unsaved loved ones, remove his peace, until he gives his life to me or until he does what you wish! Ah! my child; is this what I taught you. Are you a witch or my child?
You sacrifice oxen and doves. You receive strange words of prophecy from those who tarry long at strange ‘mountains’ to get some strange powers. Those who distribute immediate miracles manufactured in the corner of their rooms. You pray to the God of so and so, not sure of who his god is. Have I been too long gone amidst of you that you do not know your father again? Are you so busy you can no longer search the scripture yourself to see the truth? Must you depend on what they say without confirming in my word whether they are so? Don’t you remember your brethren at Berea, how that when they hear any word, even from my servant Paul, they would not believe until they check in my word whether it was so (Acts 117:11).
Why do you believe everything they say? Is it because of their big titles? Heaven is reserved for my children not for title holders. My servant, Paul and the rest of my disciples were mere servants, even bondservants; so why would you kill yourself with titles. It’s just a weapon intimidation for successful manipulation (witchcraft). You don’t know that the bigger your title, the greater your judgment, for to whom much is given, much is required. Seek not that, child. It is an indication of emptiness, for an empty barrel makes the loudest noise. Did I burden my self with one while on earth?
Did I ask you to bathe in the river for healing, or pray in the tomb of any of my servant, who is with me? Have I ever given you any salt or water solution to use for healing? Have I put a secretary between you and I that you cannot come directly to me except through a ‘baba’ who see fake visions for commercial purposes and asking you to do what is never in my Word? Why do you listen to a witch who would destroy your eternity because he is in a collar, and he is telling you there is another witch in your house who has destroyed your past and he has the solution for your future? I’m in not your tomorrow?
PERVERSIONS
What of all these dancing orgies you have subjected yourself to, on the bill of Praise Worship session in the church? Wake up, child; do you think I am there? Is it not to satisfy your social emotions and pacify your sense of worldliness that is yet to depart from you? Is the music mine? What of the rhythm, or you think I can be deceived with the lyrics. I know the origin of many of your songs; the inspiration comes from Satan and he gave it to his children to sing, to glorify him. Now you are changing the lyrics and fitting my name in. Am I as dense as you, not to know what is mine?
You can no longer tarry in my presence to receive fresh inspiration. How dare you import belials to sing on my altar to cause my children to sin? And your pastors too are dancing like wild beasts to satanic songs. Oh, no, how will they not; when photographs have been displayed on posters and hand bills inviting innocents to come and dance to fuji anointing in my house. Swine on the altar! You glorify yourself, not me. I deserve more honour than that. I’m I your mate to subject myself to such base entertainment?
Are leaders of such Praise and Worship songs rascals, rastas, or bastards? Are they males or females? I see some as males, but they dress like females. I see others as females, but they dress like males. Why do you dwell with the spirit of perversion in my house? You will not be guiltless, oh! child, because although you may not do it, but yet, you don’t detest it. By this, you have the greater condemnation; for it is not only those who do such that are worth of death, but also those who have pleasure in them that do them (Rom 1:32).
What about those in rags and the Jezebel’s sisters? Are they so poor they can’t afford money to buy enough cloth on themselves, or why are they scantily dressed, revealing all parts of those places that my father has concealed for honour. Yet, if my father has revealed them, and make it impossible for them to cover it through ailment, they would have accused Him of unfairness and begging Him to change it. The pastors can’t talk, because of the benefit they get as they derive as it satisfies their lustful passion which has never died; and of course, the financial returns, cursed money! It is better it is not offered at all, because its an abomination unto my Father! The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Pro 21:27).
It is an abomination that such are even paraded on the altar. When did the fire leave my altar? Ananias and Saphira were more upright than these ones, yet they were not spared. (Acts 5).Your altar is so filthy that my spirit can not stand there. That’s why anyone can go there without been burned. The fire has departed, yet the people still gather to celebrate. They only worship the beast with the golden crown that sits in place of God to receive the adoration of ignorant people like you, who have no discerning spirit that I am not there. When last was there a pure fire?
Child, I love you so much, but you are making me cry. You no longer find time to read my letters to you again. If you do, you wouldn’t have been so deceived. Am I guilty to give you a job? When you had none, you were more serious than this. You remember how you used to look for me with all your heart. Now, a little comfort, you have forgotten me. Can I trust you with greater blessing? Will I not lose you completely? That’s why I have delayed my promises in your life. I’m afraid of loosing you. I prefer to keep you poor, yet rapturable, than to bless you and lose you for eternity.
THE EXTOTIONERS
You also fell into the hands of those who call themselves custodians of the temple but they are actually money changers and money doublers. See how they have impoverished you, extorting money from you, by creating fear into your mind that I will kill you if you don’t give them my money. I’m I that wicked? Does the money get to me or to dealers in Cotonou? Are your brothers still not so poor that their children are being sent out of school because they can’t pay school fees of a paltry sum, yet the church does not see! What percentage is used for widows in your midst? What about the fatherless? Jas.1:27). Are you so bewitched that you can’t think? Is your wisdom perverted, despite your little education? Oh! I’m ashamed of you.
You have impoverished my real children, by watching them rot away, yet I have blessed you because of them. They are so defenseless and innocent. They are hungry and dying. My real work suffers. Is it promises that will do my work or action? You contribute and sponsor festivals, parties and programs that are wasteful, but you never have money to reach out to souls bound by Satan in hinter lands. Yet, I have not removed my hedge of protection over you and my faithfulness has not departed from you. I am slow to anger, rich in love, but yet (Psa.145:8), I am a jealous God.
JUDGMENT IN MY HOUSE.
For how long will you remain in this bondage, my child? In the temple in those days, when I visited it, I “made a scourge of small cords, and drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ‘Take THESE THINGS hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise’” (Jn.2:13-17). But now, I will make a scourge of strong cords, for judgment must begin in my house. I will drive them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and pour out the changers’ money, and overthrow the tables; and will say unto them that sell doves; ‘TAKE THESE THINGS hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise’.
Don’t you know that the oxen and the doves are what I refer to as ‘ALL THESE THINGS’ (Mt.6:33). Don’t you know what they are? Miracles, prosperity, breakthroughs, healings, etc. Remember I said that it is the gentiles that look for ‘ALL THESE THINGS’, but you my child must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added unto you. They are additions, my child, but you have allowed the merchants to deceive you and sell these things which are my free gift to you as the main thing. You have mortgage your precious soul with free things. The small title you have been given to appeal to your ego has chained you for life in their empire. You must run!
I told Peter to ‘feed my sheep’, but now they are milking, sacrificing, merchandizing and killing you, because of your ignorance. Why don’t you ‘search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me’ (Joh 5:39).Why do you gallivant and scavenge from one magical house to the other, seeking for things that will not satisfy.
I am coming, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work, for judgment must begin in my house. But my son, where will you be in this time of judgment?
RUN, MY CHILD, RUN!
Oh, remember how I told Lot to run for his life in Sodom? Now, you must run for your life. The sword is already in my hand, but I am waiting for your time of escape. I can’t wait any longer, for I have waited for you long enough. This is, perhaps the last warning I am giving you. You know how much I love you and I don’t want to lose you. But I have to do the bidding of my Father.
You must run without looking back, else you will be like Lot’s wife who became a pillar of salt. Look not at your title. Forget your effort in building the temple, I am not there. Don’t think of your asset there, for your life is far more important than ALL THESE THINGS which are mere additions. It is your obedience that I need now, to run as fast as your legs can carry you. You need to come out from them and be separate. It is only then I will receive you unto myself.
My scourge is with me and I will not miss my target. I am the God of love, yet I am the God of judgment and judgment must begin in my very house. For even among cattle, I will judge between cattle and cattle (Ez.34:22).
Run, my child, run!
Behold, ‘when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors’ (Mat 24:33).
‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God’ (Rev. 2:7).k here to edit.
THE SHEEP IN THE TEMPLE
How would Jesus feel, and what would He do, if he were to visit an average church in our nation of today on a Sunday morning in an unscheduled visit?
It wouldn’t have been any better than His days when he paid a similar unscheduled visit to the temple. Remember those he met? – Many, selling sheep, oxen and turtle doves. Sheep are supposed to be fed and shepherded, but they are being sold away.
Typologically, sheep represents innocence. Of all the animals in creation, sheep is the only animal that has no claws. By these, they are so defenseless and prone to attacks from all others animals. They are the most gullible; incapable of self survival. But, one good thing about them, however, is that, they are good followers. Their survival is hinged on following a shepherd. They are the easiest animal to be led almost effortlessly. As long as they see a shepherd, they will follow.
It is of interest to note that children of God are called sheep and Jesus is our Chief Shepherd. Although, He has put the shepherding of His sheep in the hands of under-shepherds. But, the under-shepherd inside the temple, instead of taking care of the sheep were selling them! One day, the owner of the sheep, the chief shepherd decided to pay an unscheduled visit to the temple to see how his sheep were fairing. Unfortunately, many have been sold by those He entrusted them into his hands and others have been exchanged for money!
Selling them is magnanimous, in face of the fact that, prominent among the under-shepherds are wolves and hyenas in sheep’s clothing. They are still not satisfied with the gains they get from the proceeds of selling the sheep, but have gone to the extent of milking them before eating them raw! How will the master feel, getting into the temple to see this is what takes place right there in His father’s house, where He has kept His priceless sheep and appointed shepherds to shepherd them till He returns?
Upon His return, the sheep have become so few, weak, malnourished, forced into early production of milk, diseased and many have died! This is exactly the state of the church.
A WORD FOR THE SHEPHERD
‘And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out’ (Ez.341-11).
This warning is timely because the chief shepherd is about to repeat the visit to the temple, the church. He, speaking with premonition, rhetorically asked, ‘if the son of man comes, would he find faith on earth’(Lk.18:8) i.e, would he find faithful under-shepherd who would keep to the terms of the agreement; to feed His sheep?
FEED MY SHEEP
Three times, Jesus, when He was about leaving, passionately requested from Peter, one of the foremost disciples, a ‘favour’. ‘Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed My sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep’ (Jn.21:15-17).
There is no other assignment superseding this great one. The sheep must be fed in order to grow. Why did Jesus call Peter’s complete name, including his fathers’ three times? To drive home the exigency of His request; to feed His sheep.
But the reverse is the case today. Shepherds have taken laws into their hands in the absence of the chief shepherd and have thrown caution into the wind to satisfy their belly. ‘For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple’ (Rom 16:18).
They are selling the sheep! They are milking and eating them up raw; siphoning money from them on the bill of prophet’s offering. Devising all forms of miracle rallies, prosperity gimmicks, healing services and breakthrough seminars to extort, drain and deprive the defenseless and innocent sheep of their resources and belonging, which cost Jesus His precious blood to acquire.
Hear the word of the Lord, Oh, shepherd, I am against you, saith the Lord. I will require my sheep from your hand. And the blood of many which you have shared on your dinner table. And the ones you have fed with poisons and those you have malnourished to death! You will be guilty in the day of judgment, except you repent!
‘For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered’ (Jer 10:21).
A WORD FOR THE SHEEP.
Oh sheep, hear the word of thine owner: I have bought you with a costly price of my blood (1Cor.6:20). Leaving my glory that I have before the foundation of the world and coming to rescue you (Phil.2:8), because I love you with an everlasting love (jer.31:3).
I have ascended on high to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you also will be, because I love you (John 14:1-3). Oh, my sheep! What have you done? Is my death on the cross in vain on you? I weep for you, oh my sheep! I have fed you with the sincere milk of the word and not with junks(1Cor.3:2), how come your appetite is now for miracles, breakthroughs, prosperity, healing and things that will not satisfy: mere additions to my eternal provisions? Why are you so addicted to enticing words of human wisdom? (Col.2:4). Why does logic, quotes of mere men who are nothing but religious miscreants, dominate your interest and desire? Who has bewitched you that you should believe a lie and fall in love with sugar coated mouthed thieves, whom I have not sent? (Gal.3:1). Why do you romance with demons, parading as angels of light to deceive? (2Cor.11:14).
I have given you my spirit so as to know them, the false ones, who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. I have told you to ‘beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’ (Mat 7:15). What has blinded you? The bates of prosperity, miracles, breakthroughs the offer you, and what again…? Before whose very eyes THESE THINGS you saw as additions and never the real thing! Will you sacrifice THESE THINGS for your eternity? Will you mortgage your soul for the offerings these soul-merchants has to offer and lose the mansions that I have taken several thousands of years to prepare for you?
My sheep, oh, my sheep! I hate to lose you, for you are too precious in my sight. ‘Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life’ (Isa 43:4). But now is my heart sorrowful. The time of my return is imminent, where will I meet you: in the congregation of money changers or in the auction barn of thine captors? I have warned you to run out of the temple, for the merchants there are robbers (John 10:8). Are you so quick to forget what I did to them when I visited them: how I upturned the tables of those that are selling sheep, oxen and the turtle doves and wiped with the scourge the money changers?
Are you still blind to see that the same temple is where you are and your soul is about to be mortgaged at a worthless price, incomparable to the price I paid to purchase you? I am coming with my scourge to chase them out of my father’s house, but will I still meet you there or you would have been sold out?
Oh, my sheep, my soul is extremely sorrowful concerning you. I don’t want to lose you. Think about the humility I endured, the stripes, the betrayal and the ultimate death on the cross, just for your sake. Will all be in vain?
IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP
I have warned you to ‘beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’. (Mat 7:15). Can’t you see their mastery? Their calculated orations, does it look like what I did while on earth? Do they reflect my meekness, my agape love and commitment to the sheep? It’s time for you to run, my child! I don’t want to lose you. Run as fast as your legs can carry you. Have you forgotten my words: ‘to come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you’ (2Co 6:17).
Can’t you see that the cloud has departed? I am not a God of religion but of faith. I am not in their entertainment. It is wherever the carcase is, there the eagles will be gathered (Mat.24:28) and in their midst I will be and not where the crowd are. You posses my vision, how come you don’t see again. You posses my ability, how come you can’t soar, you posses my strength, how come you are weak, feeble and tired?
I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… the God of individuals not of a church, sect or denomination. I am not there, I am in your heart! I hate division (denominations). I don’t see them, I see members of my body, although scattered, stranded and trapped in many man-made denominations and human organizations, called my house, but it is their enterprise. I am coming to gather my sheep from the four corners of the earth.
RITUALS ON THE ALTAR
They sell oxen and doves in my temple also. I told you they are merchants, not shepherds, their god is their belly and with feigned words and fair speeches they make merchandise of you. They lie in wait to deceive the simple ‘and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not… having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children(2Pe 2:3,14). ‘full of all subtilty and all mischief,… child of the devil, … enemy of all righteousness, wilt not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord (Act 13:10). ‘…who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction, many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (2Pe 2:1-2). Can’t you see, my child?
Oxen and doves are for rituals. I have not asked for any other sacrifice than to follow and obey my word with a broken and a contrite heart. ‘… to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Is.66:2), not those who are after my gifts. They prophecy lies in my name. They are not prophets, but soothsayers, sorcerers and seers (Acts13:6). They see visions through strange powers, not mine. They have replaced my word of wisdom with quotable quotes of dead philosophers on whose account are the souls of many martyrs.
Can’t you see that in many so called Christ’s Bookshops are found books of witchcraft which teaches you how to use the latent power in you to achieve anything, when I have warned you that ‘without me you can do nothing’ (Jn.15:5). Havent I told you to be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God’ (Phi 4:6), and that you should ask anything in my name and I will do it (John 14:14).
Have I been so harsh on you that you now seek other means of getting ALL THESE THINGS beside me? Which other power exists beside me? (Is.44:6), The books are claimed to be written by ‘reknowned men of God’ but My Father don’t know them., neither do I. Wake up, my child, wake up, they are workers of iniquities (Lk.13:27).
I am not interested in sacrifices of the so called ‘anointing oil’. Oh! no, not in the ways you have bastardized it! Using the ‘power of anointing oil’ to get anything you want, whether it is my will or not. I will not take that. I am not there, child! Marrying another person’s husband by taking his photograph to such temples and allowing the so called man of God to prophecy to it that he is your husband, thereby breaking another woman’s home! This is witchcraft! Show me where you are different from the herbalists! Tell me, child!
WITCHCRAFT
You employ the prayer-band in your so called church to help bind your unsaved loved ones, remove his peace, until he gives his life to me or until he does what you wish! Ah! my child; is this what I taught you. Are you a witch or my child?
You sacrifice oxen and doves. You receive strange words of prophecy from those who tarry long at strange ‘mountains’ to get some strange powers. Those who distribute immediate miracles manufactured in the corner of their rooms. You pray to the God of so and so, not sure of who his god is. Have I been too long gone amidst of you that you do not know your father again? Are you so busy you can no longer search the scripture yourself to see the truth? Must you depend on what they say without confirming in my word whether they are so? Don’t you remember your brethren at Berea, how that when they hear any word, even from my servant Paul, they would not believe until they check in my word whether it was so (Acts 117:11).
Why do you believe everything they say? Is it because of their big titles? Heaven is reserved for my children not for title holders. My servant, Paul and the rest of my disciples were mere servants, even bondservants; so why would you kill yourself with titles. It’s just a weapon intimidation for successful manipulation (witchcraft). You don’t know that the bigger your title, the greater your judgment, for to whom much is given, much is required. Seek not that, child. It is an indication of emptiness, for an empty barrel makes the loudest noise. Did I burden my self with one while on earth?
Did I ask you to bathe in the river for healing, or pray in the tomb of any of my servant, who is with me? Have I ever given you any salt or water solution to use for healing? Have I put a secretary between you and I that you cannot come directly to me except through a ‘baba’ who see fake visions for commercial purposes and asking you to do what is never in my Word? Why do you listen to a witch who would destroy your eternity because he is in a collar, and he is telling you there is another witch in your house who has destroyed your past and he has the solution for your future? I’m in not your tomorrow?
PERVERSIONS
What of all these dancing orgies you have subjected yourself to, on the bill of Praise Worship session in the church? Wake up, child; do you think I am there? Is it not to satisfy your social emotions and pacify your sense of worldliness that is yet to depart from you? Is the music mine? What of the rhythm, or you think I can be deceived with the lyrics. I know the origin of many of your songs; the inspiration comes from Satan and he gave it to his children to sing, to glorify him. Now you are changing the lyrics and fitting my name in. Am I as dense as you, not to know what is mine?
You can no longer tarry in my presence to receive fresh inspiration. How dare you import belials to sing on my altar to cause my children to sin? And your pastors too are dancing like wild beasts to satanic songs. Oh, no, how will they not; when photographs have been displayed on posters and hand bills inviting innocents to come and dance to fuji anointing in my house. Swine on the altar! You glorify yourself, not me. I deserve more honour than that. I’m I your mate to subject myself to such base entertainment?
Are leaders of such Praise and Worship songs rascals, rastas, or bastards? Are they males or females? I see some as males, but they dress like females. I see others as females, but they dress like males. Why do you dwell with the spirit of perversion in my house? You will not be guiltless, oh! child, because although you may not do it, but yet, you don’t detest it. By this, you have the greater condemnation; for it is not only those who do such that are worth of death, but also those who have pleasure in them that do them (Rom 1:32).
What about those in rags and the Jezebel’s sisters? Are they so poor they can’t afford money to buy enough cloth on themselves, or why are they scantily dressed, revealing all parts of those places that my father has concealed for honour. Yet, if my father has revealed them, and make it impossible for them to cover it through ailment, they would have accused Him of unfairness and begging Him to change it. The pastors can’t talk, because of the benefit they get as they derive as it satisfies their lustful passion which has never died; and of course, the financial returns, cursed money! It is better it is not offered at all, because its an abomination unto my Father! The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Pro 21:27).
It is an abomination that such are even paraded on the altar. When did the fire leave my altar? Ananias and Saphira were more upright than these ones, yet they were not spared. (Acts 5).Your altar is so filthy that my spirit can not stand there. That’s why anyone can go there without been burned. The fire has departed, yet the people still gather to celebrate. They only worship the beast with the golden crown that sits in place of God to receive the adoration of ignorant people like you, who have no discerning spirit that I am not there. When last was there a pure fire?
Child, I love you so much, but you are making me cry. You no longer find time to read my letters to you again. If you do, you wouldn’t have been so deceived. Am I guilty to give you a job? When you had none, you were more serious than this. You remember how you used to look for me with all your heart. Now, a little comfort, you have forgotten me. Can I trust you with greater blessing? Will I not lose you completely? That’s why I have delayed my promises in your life. I’m afraid of loosing you. I prefer to keep you poor, yet rapturable, than to bless you and lose you for eternity.
THE EXTOTIONERS
You also fell into the hands of those who call themselves custodians of the temple but they are actually money changers and money doublers. See how they have impoverished you, extorting money from you, by creating fear into your mind that I will kill you if you don’t give them my money. I’m I that wicked? Does the money get to me or to dealers in Cotonou? Are your brothers still not so poor that their children are being sent out of school because they can’t pay school fees of a paltry sum, yet the church does not see! What percentage is used for widows in your midst? What about the fatherless? Jas.1:27). Are you so bewitched that you can’t think? Is your wisdom perverted, despite your little education? Oh! I’m ashamed of you.
You have impoverished my real children, by watching them rot away, yet I have blessed you because of them. They are so defenseless and innocent. They are hungry and dying. My real work suffers. Is it promises that will do my work or action? You contribute and sponsor festivals, parties and programs that are wasteful, but you never have money to reach out to souls bound by Satan in hinter lands. Yet, I have not removed my hedge of protection over you and my faithfulness has not departed from you. I am slow to anger, rich in love, but yet (Psa.145:8), I am a jealous God.
JUDGMENT IN MY HOUSE.
For how long will you remain in this bondage, my child? In the temple in those days, when I visited it, I “made a scourge of small cords, and drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ‘Take THESE THINGS hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise’” (Jn.2:13-17). But now, I will make a scourge of strong cords, for judgment must begin in my house. I will drive them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and pour out the changers’ money, and overthrow the tables; and will say unto them that sell doves; ‘TAKE THESE THINGS hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise’.
Don’t you know that the oxen and the doves are what I refer to as ‘ALL THESE THINGS’ (Mt.6:33). Don’t you know what they are? Miracles, prosperity, breakthroughs, healings, etc. Remember I said that it is the gentiles that look for ‘ALL THESE THINGS’, but you my child must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added unto you. They are additions, my child, but you have allowed the merchants to deceive you and sell these things which are my free gift to you as the main thing. You have mortgage your precious soul with free things. The small title you have been given to appeal to your ego has chained you for life in their empire. You must run!
I told Peter to ‘feed my sheep’, but now they are milking, sacrificing, merchandizing and killing you, because of your ignorance. Why don’t you ‘search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me’ (Joh 5:39).Why do you gallivant and scavenge from one magical house to the other, seeking for things that will not satisfy.
I am coming, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work, for judgment must begin in my house. But my son, where will you be in this time of judgment?
RUN, MY CHILD, RUN!
Oh, remember how I told Lot to run for his life in Sodom? Now, you must run for your life. The sword is already in my hand, but I am waiting for your time of escape. I can’t wait any longer, for I have waited for you long enough. This is, perhaps the last warning I am giving you. You know how much I love you and I don’t want to lose you. But I have to do the bidding of my Father.
You must run without looking back, else you will be like Lot’s wife who became a pillar of salt. Look not at your title. Forget your effort in building the temple, I am not there. Don’t think of your asset there, for your life is far more important than ALL THESE THINGS which are mere additions. It is your obedience that I need now, to run as fast as your legs can carry you. You need to come out from them and be separate. It is only then I will receive you unto myself.
My scourge is with me and I will not miss my target. I am the God of love, yet I am the God of judgment and judgment must begin in my very house. For even among cattle, I will judge between cattle and cattle (Ez.34:22).
Run, my child, run!
Behold, ‘when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors’ (Mat 24:33).
‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God’ (Rev. 2:7).k here to edit.