A popular Nigerian Clergyman, Bishop Gabriel Nkenang, has disabused the minds of many that politics should not be associated with Satanism and evil.
Bishop Nkenang, Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Worldwide, Osongama Estate, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, stated this when he preached on Easter Monday during the Easter Evening of Hymns at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo.
‘‘Even a politician can make a difference. I do not know where we got the idea that all politicians are crooks, 419ners, and evil men. I do not know where we got the mentality that all politicians are assistant Satan.
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‘‘Jesus would have rotten on the cross if not for a politician. Big man talks to big man and they released the body of Jesus to him. It was a politician who gave Jesus a befitting burial: Joseph Arimathea. Growing up, I thought Arimathea was his surname. I did not know that Arimathea was the district he represented. Put in a proper perspective: It would have been Rt. Hon. Joseph who represented Arimathea Senatorial District in the Federal House,’’ he stated.
Reading from Matthew 28:1-6 on the topic: He Arose, Nkenang said ‘‘The difference between the Christianity and religions of the world is the empty grave. I am saying Christianity and religions of the world because I am trying to resist the temptation of saying Christianity and other religions because Christianity is not a religion but the life of God in the life of man. Beloved of God, show me the founder of any religion with an empty grave. None! But Jesus Christ, the only son of the living God of Nazareth.’’
In a power-packed sermon, the Church founder recalled ‘‘Jesus, the virgin born son of the living God came into this world with the singular agenda of dying for mankind. He died of His own volition, but was not forced to die. I do not know how many of us know that the Jews did not kill him? I do not know how many of us know that the soldiers did not nail Him? For if he had wanted to escape when he asked his arresters ‘‘Whom do you seek?’’ and they fell under annoyance, not under anointing, He would have escaped, but He turned Himself in to be crucified.’’
In the session marked by shouts of ‘Amen’ and ‘Hallelujah’ from the audience, he remarked ‘‘Ladies and gentlemen, He died not for His sins because He was a sinless being. He and His disciples were maligned. Little did they know that while they were mocking disciples of God, making them feel bad as if they made a mistake to have Him as their Lord, they never knew that while they were mocking them, a serious transaction was going on in Hades to the favour of the children of God.
‘‘If your generation is mocking you, and make feel bad if you made a mistake to say ‘yes’ to the Lord, I came to announce there is a transaction in your favour. Soon, those that mocked shall those that look down on you shall look up to you, those who disdain you, shall ordain you, those who write you off shall write you on. You will begin to be a light.’’
According to him, ‘‘While they were mocking the saints of God, Jesus descended to Hell with His Senior Special Advisor on Warfare Matters. When the His Senior Special Advisor on Warfare Matters went to Hell, he screamed: Lift up your heads, Oh ye gates, and having been lifted ye everlasting and the King of Glory shall come in.
The Chief Of Staff to Satan quizzed Him: Who is the King of Glory? And the Angel retorted: The Lord, mighty in battles, is the King of glory. When Angels of hell discovered that power pass power, they simply saluted amidst an international anthem, not a national anthem. And Jesus inspected the guard of Satan to grab the key of your breakthrough, the key of your salvation, the key of generational power, and blessings. Jesus did beg for the keys.
There was no roundtable discussion. In short, there was no ceasefire. As He went to them, they quakingly handed over the keys to Him. So, the key to your salvation was given to Jesus, the key to your victory, the key to your prosperity and the key to your rising was given to Jesus. That was the first day. On the third day, Jesus headed to the entrance and the Angel who guarded the gate rolled back the stone.’’
The clergyman posited ‘‘When Jesus came out, He proclaimed: All power in Heaven and on earth is given unto me. The power of witches and wizards has been given unto me. The power of the occult has been given unto me. The power that you fear has been given unto you. No power shall oppress you anymore.
‘‘Why did He rise? He rose that you might have power. He rose that you might rise again. This is what I call divine Arise agenda. He rose to give you the hope of resurrection and the rapture. We should arise with Him, we must not hide our Bible, but we must tell everyone that He is not longer in the grave or is no longer a criminal, but He has risen.
‘‘Arise and preach the word- whether you are black or white, poor or rich, illiterate or educated,’’ as he concluded with the popular hymn ‘Up from the grave He arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!.’
