imfministers.com

Category: All Countries

  • Grace: Open Gates Exposition

    Grace: Open Gates Exposition

    GRACE

    Being The Keynote Address By Cosmas Ilechukwu, the Chair of the Global Governing Council, At The 2025 Edition Of The Open Gate Conference Of International Ministers Fellowship (IMF), January 10-12, 2025.

    John 1:14-17

    “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

    INTRODUCTION

    The choice of “Grace” as our theme for this years Open Gate is apt. Grace is one concept that evokes so much interests among bible scholars and preachers, and which has been a subject of much controversy among well meaning believers. Sparsely occuring  in the Old Testament Scripture, Grace is one of the most loved and the most misunderstood concepts in the New Testament lexicom. Whereas some see it as God’s benevolent intervention lifting humanity out of the debilitating effects of sin, others consider it as a licence to do whatever they like. This later view must have been what Paul addressed when he raised the question: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). The right answer to the question is obviously no. Grace is revealed to free people from sin and empower them to live righteously in this present world to the glory of God.  Of the approximately 170 times it is used in the King James Bible, about 131 is in the New Testament, while the remaining 39 mentions are in the Old Testament. This makes grace an overwhelmingly a New Testament term.

    Grace is very intimately associated with Jesus. John presents Him as one “full of grace and truth;” of whose fullness we have received grace for grace. Just to ensure that his readers recongise the importance of grace, John affirmed Jesus as the source of grace – “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” If Jesus is the source of grace, then grace is most effectively used when it is deployed for His glory. Grace is behind every human action that glorifies Jesus. It is not the work of grace when Christ is not honoured and glorified.

    DEFINITION OF GRACE

    Arriving at a succinct and yet an all embracing definition of grace has not been easy. The vast richness of the term defies any form of comprehensive summary.  Grace has been part of the human history right from creation but it was not described by that term. Grace was obiously implicated in the conceptualization and materialization of the creation in general and that of human beings in partcular. The notion of grace was evident in the way God handled Adam and Eve subsequent to their fall and more so in His dealing with Cain after he murdered his brother Abel.  It was however not until the time of Noah that it found an appropriate nomencleture and voice: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). Grace here means favour.  Noah found favour in the sight of God not based on any merit of his own  but purely on divine magnanimity.

    The following  are samples of definitions by some authors. The best known definition of grace presents it as “the unmerited favour of God.”  This is  a good way to begin to think about grace but it is not farreaching enough. Every act of kindness to a stranger is an unmerited favour.  It is by God’s unmerited favour  that “… He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)

    Here is what I consider a biblically and theologically balanced working definition of grace: Grace is the unmerited, unconditional, and freely given favour of God towards  humanity, demonstrated through the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, and continually bestowed upon believers as a transforming and empowering presence in their lives.

    This definition highlights all the essentiall components of grace namely:

    1. Unmerited: Grace is not earned or deserved (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:6).

    2. Unconditional: Grace is not dependent on human actions or worthiness (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5).

    3. Freely given: Grace is a gift from God, motivated by His love and kindness (John 3:16, Romans 6:23).

    4. Demonstrated through Jesus Christ: Grace is personified in Jesus, who is the embodiment of God’s grace (John 1:14-17, Hebrews 1:1-3).

    5. Transforming and empowering: Grace affects not only salvation but also the believer’s life, enabling them to live a holy and fruitful life (2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:16-21).

    THE NATURE OF GRACE

    Contrary to some popular views, Grace is not a dormant or abstract quality, but rather a dynamic, active, working principle. Grace is the wellspring of noble intention, an enabler of godly actions, an activator of sublime and holy character (Philippians 2:13). Paul presented grace as the a mighty surging salvific force that brings salvation to sinners and teaches believers the way of godliness – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). Notice the key roles of Grace:

    • It brings salvation to sinners – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
    • Teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lust.
    • Motivates believers to embrace a godly lifestyle.
    • Enables them to focus on the second coming of Christ. 
    1. Grace is God’s sovereign initiative to save sinners –  “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:5-6). There is nothing outside of God that could have motivated Him to show kindness to fallen humanity. Grace is a soveriegn disposition of God to deal kindly with sinners. It is the goodness of God extended to undeserving humanity in demonstration of divine benevolence for the sake of Christ.  
    • Grace is divine pardon  at the expense of the blood of Christ– “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). We receive the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God’s grace. Based on the sacrifice of Christ, God remits our sins and releases us from penalty due to them.
    • Grace is the power of God at work in a people inspiring them to extraordinary performance as they deploy their gifts in the service of God and humanity – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
    • Grace is the dynamic power that drives the christian life and witnessing. “…For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them” (Hebrews 13:9). The way food provides the fuel for the flesh, so does grace for the spirit.
    • Rather than be a pond, grace is like a flowing stream that is both self-refreshing and self-resourcing. Peter therefore exhorts us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18). Grace is as vast as Christ, allowing for ever increasing expereince as much as one desires.

    THE ROLE OF GRACE IN SALVATION

    Sombody observed, “Christianity offers a unique view of salvation. We are saved by sheer grace and Christ’s work not ours. We cannot contribute to salvation with moral effort, religious observance, prayers, transformed consciousness, etc. A finished salvation is received, not achieved.”  Paul presents grace instead of the law as the only means to salvation. The law derives its power from what we do as humans whereas grace derives its power from what Christ had done. It is not what we do but what Christ did that ultimately determines salvation.

    As means of salvation, grace and work run on parallel tracks. One cannot be saved by his works and by God’s grace at the same time.  Paul asserts, “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Romans

    GRACE AND THE LAW

    “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15).

    Both grace and the law are firmly united in their disdain for sin. What grace challenges is the legalism that the law foists on people. Paul argues that one who is under grace has died in Christ and therefore should no longer be subject to the legalistic demands of the law:  “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:21-23). When sinners believe Jesus for salvation, they are transformed from being slaves of Sin to Slaves of God, now subject to a new law known as the law of the Spirit of life in Christ (Romans 8:2). Under this new law, the believer is freed totally from the law of sin and death. Hence, the scripture declared, “… sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans

    Meanwhile, we are free to enjoy freedom from sin’s cruel power and defiling influence. God has enabled us, through grace, to “deny ungodliness and worldly desires” so that we can enjoy a sensible, righteous, and godly life in the present age (Titus 2:12). Once delivered, the believer engages the purpose for which God made and saved him: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Grace reigns through righteousness (Romans 5:21). Where grace abounds, righteousness ought to abound also. Grace also reigns by truth, both of which are conjoined in Christ. Hence the bible declares that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The two are inseparable and complementary. Truth without grace leads to heartless legalism; grace without truth leads to damnable licence. Someone observed, “Grace without truth would render God a liar, for there is none good no, not one – but truth without grace would condemn humanity to eternal separation from God.”

    THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD

    “As each one has received a gift, minister it to oneanother, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

    Notice the phrase “manifold grace of God.”  The word “manifold” refers to something that has many and varied forms. It describes something that is diverse, complex and multifaceted. As used by Peter it refers to diverse ways in which God’s grace is experienced and expressed.

    • First, God’s grace is experienced and expressed through different spiritual gifts Christ has gifted His body with – Romans 12: 6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Peter 4:11, Ephesians 4:11.

    All the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament are gifts of grace. Each of them is a channel of experiencing and manifesting the grace of God. 

    • Secondly, Grace is manifesterd and expereinced in vairous other ways such as salvation, forgiveness, healings, provisions and guidance.  None of these blessings can ever be earned through human effort.

    THE ROLE OF GRACE IN PRAYER

    Grace is at once the means by which we pray and the end for which we pray.

    In other words, we pray by grace for grace. Every answer to prayer is God’s grace on parade. Prayers and  thanksgiving are what faith uses to get access to what grace has provided by reason of Christ and His finished work. Effective prayer depends on the supply of grace that  propels it.  True praying is a pilgrimage to the throne of grace. Therefore the Bible affirms: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV).

     CONCLUSION

    Christianity is a religion of grace, which is made possible by the sacrifice of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus established a system of relating with God by faith. This system of relationship is what is known as christianity.  Christianity stands and fall on her understanding and stewardship of grace. Grace is a very expensive thing in the economy of God’s kingdom. Even a modicum of it is priceless.  A mere pinch of grace is worth far more than the wealth of the entire universe can afford. This is why God gives it out to people free, only on the basis of faith in the finished work of Christ. It is my prayer that the few thoughts we have shared here will contribute however small to our understanding and appreciation of the grace of God towards us.

    God bless you

  • 2025 State of the Fellowship Report

    2025 State of the Fellowship Report

    The grace of the Lord continues to manifest itself in continuance and growth of the vision which undergirds International Ministers Fellowship. We are pleased to note that He has inspired, guided and propelled us to live in His sight as a network of the remnant, devoid of the stifling features of Religion and religiosity.

    Review of 2024. Key Highlights

    • Kingdom Culture. The advancement of Kingdom Culture in the earth realm is accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the Word. Ephesians 5: 25-27 makes it clear that the core instrument which the Holy Spirit uses to perfect the Church is the Word. In 2024, we engaged in updating/revision of some courses while new ones were developed. Pastor Grace received grace to publish 8 of the 21 Books the Lord gave her. These resources are freely available on these sites: www.gsom.ac and www.assuringgrace.org .
    • Arise Online Church Without Walls which supplies the boots on the ground for growing the International Ministers Fellowship was finally able to obtain permanent schedule to use the Elm Park Assembly Hall for face-to-face services on weekly basis. The Lord has enabled Fivefold ministry to emerge, using the Master plan Yeshua, Jesus granted to the Church through Apostle Paul. We have seen a situation where all the brethren are receiving consistent teaching, training, equipping, activation of their gifts and callings and released to serve the Lord without limitations. That model is what Global School of Ministry centres are seeking to replicate across the world. The reason we cite this is that the Lord says this is the key to ensure the long-term sustainable growth of International Ministers Fellowship.
    • Another critical resource that Elohim is using Arise Metropolitan Assembly to model is in the area of Prayer, Intercession and Spiritual Warfare. All the saints are impressed on the critical need for a life of prayer. With the critical mass available, the Lord has inspired hundreds of brethren worldwide to sign up for various prayer moves that the Holy Spirit uses to undergird the leadership and entire vision of International Ministers Fellowship on a daily and even hourly basis.

    Regional Missions

    The Go Ye/Evangelism team at Mission Central led by Evangelist Mudi Fashe and Evangelist Nobert was primed to support ministers in the network. Part of the team travelled to Castlebar and Roscommon, Ireland; Cardiff, Wales, Boston, Portsmouth and Southampton to preach the word and signpost souls to local congregations they went to support. This is part of the catalyst role of Arise Online Church Without Walls.

    Global Missions

    The International President was inspired, directed and empowered by the Lord to undertake extensive missions throughout 2024. This includes Missions to these nations:

    Austria. A Mission to encourage Arena of Glory Ministries led by Apostle Solomon Robinson, the IMF contact with Pastor Grace was used by the Lord to bless them.

    Ireland. The 60th  birthday of Pastor Kazeem Ogunsakin, National President.

    USA: National Conference in Washington DC, followed by trips to Greensboro, North Carolina; Kilgore, Dallas and Austin in Texas)

    Slovenia – where some enduring Divine Connections touch the Slavic world.

    South Africa – short but effective visit which rejuvenated the network.

    Zimbabwe – National Conference in Harare, visit to the widows at Epworth and the orphanage at Waterfalls.

    Zambia Ministry in a 2-day conference was used by the Lord to boost the Fellowship.

    Kenya. A GSOM ordination was occasion to boost the Fellowship and expand its reach.

    Ghana A GSOM Graduation in Kumasi and vision sharing in Accra led to a fresh start.

    Liberia A GSOM graduation was occasion to expand IMF in Boys Town and Bernard Farms.

    2nd Ireland. The National Conference injected impetus for the chapter.

    Italy. The 55th birthday of Apostle Patric and 20th wedding anniversary with his wife Pastor Obedience led to s strategic spiritual warfare project in Padova.

    The Vatican. This was entirely for a prophetic prayer assignment.

    Brussels. This was entirely for a prophetic prayer assignment.

    The United Kingdom: These cities and counties were visited by the International President as part of Home Missions: Old Kent Road for the IMF-UK National Conference; Portsmouth (to minister at the annual retreat of the Sisters Keepers Christian Association International), Southampton (to visit our brethren Brother Obi, his wife Dr Chiamaka and family); Chattam, Medway in Kent (for the first anniversary of New Glory Church led by Pastors Frank & Pastor Mavis Nnabue.

    It is noteworthy that delegates connected to the meetings from Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin Republic and  Cote D’Ivoire.

    • Online empowerment. Building on the grace Elohim released during the global COVID-19 Pandemic, the Facebook Live and zoom platforms were greatly used to train and empower saints in 10 nations of Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Region, namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Australia. This was also done with the Now Generation Master Class; the Ondo and Imo States GSOM centres in Nigeria. A similar arrangement was implemented in Kenya.

    Through these discipleship, training and empowerment projects, International Ministers Fellowship experienced growth.

    • Compassion. The Lord enabled this network to manifest the grace of Love manifested as Compassion towards the less privileged. This was implemented through various agencies which focus on their core mandates.
    • Let Brotherly love continue, launched some years ago continues to be a source of comfort and consolation to ministers and brethren in the Frontline of the Third Word.  IMF-USA met its obligations up to about 90 percent towards the brethren in Asia. IMF UK met its obligation to saints in Africa up to 60 percent. The President of IMF Ireland stood in the gap for his chapter. Italy was able to support according to its ability. IMF South Africa and IMF Nigeria were not able to participate as expected.
    • We Care International. Created as the Compassion arm of IMF, this entity has not fully taken off as it should because the national chapters have not fully implemented the vision. As of today, IMF-USA led by Minister Rose Etuka has been able to achieve a great measure of operational efficiency. Hopefully more brethren will donate more consistently to it. We hope We Care UK led by Teachers Bridget and Akwasi Nuamah will be embraced and supported by the national chapter. The Presidents of IMF in these nations: Ireland, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe are hereby charged to activate and support the funding of We Care chapters

    Global Missions Board birthed at Mission Central, it has with limited resources continued to support orphanages, orphans and widows in some nations of Africa. With very low revenue, the Board has broadened its approach to supporting individual orphans. For 2025, the Board would like Families, Ministries and congregations to prayerfully consider sponsorship of these individuals:

    >Nigeria: a 4th year Medical Student and a 1st year student of Cyber Security need support to complete their studies..

    >Zambia: Sponsorship of 2 youths who grew up and were raised in the P. Jabangwe Children’s Home. They recently passed their Matriculation exams and were admitted into universities.

    > Liberia: The wife of a leader in the network needs financial sponsorship to undertake a degree in Nursing. Achieving her dream would empower the family to be financially independent.

    • Africa Transformation Network. Birthed out of the birthday gifts that were due to Apostle George, this Kingdom agency has been used of the Lord to enhance the quality of life of brethren in some nations of Africa. In 2024, projects to empower saints to activate cooperative businesses were funded in Nigeria (East, West and North), Ghana (Kumasi), Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Niger Republic, DRC Kinshasa, Zimbabwe. We are grateful for all partners who helped to actualise this vision and look forward to more sponsors of poverty eradication/reduction initiatives.

    Shifts and Trends.

    In the last few years, it pleased Elohim to bring these trends into being:

    The Transition of leadership at IMF-USA

    In July 2024 Apostle Sheldon and Lady Deborah Southerland completed an assignment from the International President: installation of Prophet Jeremiah (39) and his dear wife, Pastor Brittney Shepherd as the 7th National President of the Chapter. With their accension to office, millennials have embraced the Fellowship.

    New website

    The Lord has used Prophet Jeremiah, an accomplished graphic artist, to rebuild the official IMF website. www.imfministers.com is poised to provide the network a truly global portal for interaction, information and building an online community. There will be profiles of National chapters for easy access and many other features. We enjoin national Presidents to cooperate with the Global Executive Director of Communication, Apostle Dr Katherine Jones, the Global Executive Director of Administration, Teacher Stephanie Foster to collate the information Prophet Jeremiah will need to populate the site.

    A modernised logo.

    After so many years of using a logo that did not meet global standards, the Lord has blessed the Fellowship with a new logo and matching colour scheme that reflects modernity and has greater appeal to those in the digital age. As well as the website, Prophet Jeremiah designed the logo, free of charge. We are grateful to Elohim for the burden in his heart for IMF.

    New National President for Zimbabwe.

    Bishop Jonathan Chatendeuka graciously handed over the staff of office of the National President of IMF Zimbabwe to Apostle Patience Kutinyu. The Board of Trustees has been reinvigorated.

    The Asia, Middle East and Pacific Region.

    The International President has continued with the empowerment of ministers in the 10 nations which are part of this region through a special Master Class programme. In the process, the ministers are being prepared to effectively take their place in what Elohim wants to do with International Ministers Fellowship in the region. We are grateful to Elohim for Pastor Seema Kale and Apostle Jacob Chacko who have partnered with us in the process of service delivery.

    Zambia.

    Zambia is the only nation in the world that is constitutionally designated as a Christian nation. During the last visit there, the Lord used Apostle Steven and Pastor Monicca Nkando mightily, with the support of brethren they co-labour with to host a two day Conference where the Lord moved mightily to the degree that IMF was expanded greatly.

    Special Measures.

    These IMF National Chapters will receive enhanced oversight from the International President and the Global Executive to ensure that their full potentials are realised: Nigeria, South Africa

    Walking in Light and being a Light to the Remnant.

    The Lord has blessed us with a suite of revelational truth concerning the End Times. Called the Systematic Eschatological Studies, these courses that are in ebook form for free download on the website www.gsom.ac will empower all members of the network to gain real understanding of the end times and be equipped with truth to overcome: i. The Things to Come: What Next? ii. Understanding the End Times iii. 7 Letters from Heaven iv. Revelation Unveiled (Verse by Verse Commentary) v. Completing the Unfinished Reformation vi. Dispensation, Seasons and Times.

    Acknowledgement.

    Before we conclude this report, it is needful to acknowledge the extraordinary investments of some brethren in consolidation and expansion of the vision.

    We acknowledge the President’s Special Assistants : Minister Elect Akalonu who coordinates the global media work on social media and is pioneer  Director of Africa Transformation Network, Evangelist Kwabena Owusu, who though based in Ghana has dome an incredible work on serving on a voluntary basis as Graphics artiste; Pastor Toyin Jama & Minister Favour Akalonu who have been working on assembling and collating information on practical resources ministers of the gospel worldwide can utilise to better their lot; Evangelist Mudi, Evangelist Nobert &  Pastor Kemi who are virtually on call to execute special assignments at short notice Mudi, the entire Mission Central Team who are the IMF Boots on the ground; Deaconess Daisy as Global Missions Board UK  Director with her team; Teacher Bridget Nuamah who is pioneering the emergence of Kingdom Boks Club (Europe) as Managing Editor; Teacher Stephanie Foster who has coordinated the Office of the International President in the USA for over 7 years.

      We acknowledge the Special role of Prophet Uloma Edna Ahuama as Global Executive Director of Prayer, Intercession & Spiritual Warfare along with her core team and various associated Prayer teams worldwide.

      We acknowledge the effective service of Pastor Liz Emuchay as the Open Gates Director with full encouragement and support of her husband, Pastor Jeremiah and Joshua their son

      70th birthday of Global Governing Council Chair, Dr Cosmas Ilechukwu in September 2024. An enduring Legacy therefrom is publication of his autobiography ‘In Conversations with myself’. We asked him to bring some copies so that as many members of this Fellowship as possible will get to know him better and receive the challenge to pay the price of success in ministry and life by embracing our own crosses

      Every one of the approximately 20 people across the world who think of us and give graciously to support our sustenance. As both of us are serving full time, without any income and do not monetise any grace, the significance of what these saints do is truly significant. We acknowledge that IMF Presidents in U.K, Italy, and Ireland joined GPRC Kilgore and Friendship Community church in Greensboro to make institutional commitment following the resolution at last year’s Open Gates which encouraged brethren to support us. While we obviously need much more resources to live as a family and operate the network, we are grateful to Elohim for those whose loving giving made them true partners in the gospel. May Elohim repay them abundantly.

    Group Legal Advisor. Expansion of the network in the midst of a world system opposed to grace requires us to be ever ready for potential challenges. Accordingly, Barrister Ngozi Olehi, SAN of Owerri, Imo State of Nigeria has agreed to offer his Chamber’s expertise in legal issues free of charge to IMF International. He will serve alongside Evangelist Veronica Ikechi and Pastor Ross Monioro as a Group Legal Advisor.

    The Open Gates Choir

    As we have seen so far from two ministrations, there is now a standing Choir for Open Gates. We call on all brethren who are gifted in the area of Praise and Worship to sign up for a Mass Choir that will practice extensively online and serve in this department from the next Open Gates, if the Lord tarries.

    The Way Forward.

    The Lord has been speaking expressly that This Fellowship was raised for such a time as this when the remnant worldwide needs a platform to connect, interact and build up each other. Let everyone of us be persuaded about this, take our place and invest in the growth of the network. Foundationally, this is a network ordained to work for all who are part of it. After all, one of our cornerstones is the reality that ‘we are Better, Together’! As the International President has repeatedly exhorted us, it is time for as many of us as possible to make real connections when we gather. We ought to be willing for the Holy Spirit to lead us to undertake Home, Regional or Global Missions to the cities and nations where our brethren are, work together to ensure that the gospel of the Kingdom is preached in all the world for a witness to all nations before the End Comes, just as Matthew 24: 14 says.

    Before closing, let us acknowledge the need by some of our brethren for total healing and pray in one accord for same: Pastor Linda Didier, Pastor Racheal Chukwuemeka, Apostle Ron Shepherd, Teacher Akwasi and Brother Sol. We pray for speedy healing of all of them and any other brethren across the world in need of a touch, in the Name of our Lord, Yeshua, amen!

    Finally, this year 2025 corresponds to the Hebraic year 5785 which speaks of the breath of Elohim, His Grace and a Window of Opportunity for all who believe to walk in divinely orchestrated breakthrough. This is consistent with our 2025 theme: GRACE. The Keynote Address by Dr Cosmas set the ball rolling. All other speakers are building on the theme so that by the time we complete the Open Gates 2025 Conference, all of us will receive an impetus to launch out to the realm of irreversible breakthrough.

    Let us therefore Awake from sleep, Arise from Slumber, Align with King Yeshua and each Other and Advance Together into the fullness of divine purpose.

    Apostle George & Pastor Grace

    Vision Holders/International President

  • Common Sense Christianity, Pt. 2

    Common Sense Christianity, Pt. 2

    “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:28-33, NKJV).

    The word, Christian, as used today is an amorphous term. It once described a people who hold and espouse a set of values that are wholesomely godly. The writers of the New Testament used it originally to describe people who are like Christ in character and deeds. For a long period of time, the term remained synonymous with goodness, honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. When you say someone is a Christian, it is taken as a public testimony that the person is good and dependable; someone you can trust and rely upon. One stands to wonder if that is still the same today with so many among those who parade themselves as Christians. In our days, Christianity now describes a motley assemblage, many of whom have no meaningful relationship with Christ. They are Christians only because they use Christ as a brand name to pursue their vested interests. I once confronted a young man, a banker, who switched denominations wanting to know the reason behind his move, he told me in clear terms that the new church offers greater potential for getting customers. For such people as the one I just described personal commitment to the person and ideals of Christ do not feature among the reasons they are Christians.

    A Christian is simply a disciple of Christ. A disciple is a learner who practices what he has learned. A disciple of Christ is therefore someone who is committed to learning from Him and living according to what he has learnt. Being like Christ and following His example has never been easy at any time, more so in the twenty-first century world of today. It is for this reason that Jesus demands that those who would wish to follow Him should first and foremost carefully consider the implications of doing so. He therefore requires each of us to count the cost of being His disciple and make a decision to come on board or not based on factual data. He told the two striking parables in our text to drive His point home. A man who wants to build a house should work hard at creating a good budget for the project. A budget is a spending plan based on income and expenses. He must know how much he needs to execute his project and how to raise the needed funds. A lot of planning goes into building projects ranging from preparing the cite, drawing the plan, purchasing the building materials, engaging the workers and so on. All these details are usually worked out before embarking on the building. Where this is not done, it could lead to having an abandoned project. Our Lord’s argument is that following Him demands such meticulous planning. It demands an effective use of our commonsense.

    The popular maxim has it that when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Being a Christian is like going to war against a powerful enemy. You need to be sure that you have what it would take to engage the enemy and come out victorious. Recognising that this going to be hard task for everyone, our Lord made provisions for grace. Grace avails us with adequate resources to be like Christ and live like Him on earth. Our bold testimony on the day of judgement is that all that Jesus is now, is what we are in this world (1 John 4:17). And who is sufficient for these things? None of us except one armed and propped by His grace. Hardship and difficulty abounds to those who would live like Christ on earth, but the promise of God is sure, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”(2 Corinthians 12:9). Again, He declared, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”(John 16:33). It certainly pays to follow Jesus at whatever cost. But you must make a deliberate common-sense decision to do so. Take the leap! Let’s run with Christ in Jesus name.

  • Common Sense Christianity, Pt. 1

    Common Sense Christianity, Pt. 1

    “Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.” (2 Timothy 4:21, NKJV).

    The first time I visited the United States of America was in a winter season. It was early in January right in the middle of winter. I recalled sending a text to my wife describing my first impression of life in America as people living right inside deep freezers. I later learnt to my dismay that all the clothes I brought from Nigeria to America would be of no practical use to me in the face of the freezing winter weather. I had to buy new clothes to be able to survive under the freezing cold I was experiencing. What frightened me the more was that my ears suddenly went numb and until a friend loaned a winter cap and advised me to cover my ears properly. The objective lesson I learnt quickly was that winter, as a season, has a set of protocols that one must observe if one is not courting for problem. Winter affects everything in the temperate regions of the earth. Apart from its unique demands for clothing, vehicles are required to use special tyres designed for the winter roads. Air travels are disrupted and navigations, whether through the air, land or sea are more problematic. It makes sense therefore when Paul advised Timothy, his protegee, to do his utmost to undertake his impending trans-Mediterranean trip before winter.

    Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Do your utmost to come before winter,” was in cognisance of the fact that the harsh conditions of the winter weather made travel by sea difficult and sometimes impossible. Paul had had his fair share of hazardous experiences on sea travels. He testifies, “… three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep”(2Corinthians 11:25). Therefore, he was drawing from his wealth of experience to advise Timothy. Paul understood that winter storms generate high wind, large waves and rough sea that makes navigation precarious. He was clearly aware that fog, snow and freezing spray can reduce visibility in the seas and thus increasing the chances of collusion or grounding of ships. Based on verifiable information at his disposal, he advised Timothy to endeavour to make his trip before winter. He did not advise him to fast for seven days and bind the demon of winter and come anytime. This is a typical example of commonsense Christianity. Commonsense Christianity acknowledges the unique roles of faith and reason in balanced Christian living. It would be totally a very different scenario if an emergency arose that would compel Timothy to travel in winter. This was not the case. This was a planned journey probably on the invitation of Paul, who had earlier directed, “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments”(2Timothy 4:13).

    Doing things at their proper times is simply a matter of commonsense. The Bible affirms, “Everything has its time to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When you miss the proper time of doing a particular thing, you disrupt the rhythm of nature and cause avoidable problems. For example, when a farmer fails to plant his seed at the appropriate times, he stands the chance of reaping diminished harvest or no harvest at all. Hence, the Bible affirms that there is a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted. When you do anything at its God-appointed time, things go on seamlessly without much difficulties. But when you do things off seasons, you create problems because you will be required to put in more effort to achieve the required results. There is time to work hard and a time to pray. When you refuse to work hard when you should but rather decide to pray, you are creating problem for yourselves. On the other hand, when you refuse to pray when you should, you may end up discounting on God. Commonsense Christianity demands that everything must be done as and when due to maintain the rhythm of nature. The combination of faith and reason is a winning pair any time any day. Run with the combo and be forever blessed in Jesus’ name.

  • The November Challenge

    The November Challenge

    Be a part of the global remnant….

    See original live video from Apostle George Here – CLICK LINK TO VIEW VIDEO

    1. I will not allow the enemy to influence my thoughts to be negativity.

    2. I will not speak evil of any man.

    3. LOVE, walk in love.

    4, Empty out; Surrender to the Lord.

    5. I will take the fullness of Holy Spirit.

    6. Live a life of prayer, pray about everything,

    7. I will walk by faith, not by sight.

  • Open Gates 2024 Keynote Address

    Open Gates 2024 Keynote Address

    Introduction

    Being A Keynote Address to The OPEN GATE 2024, An International Gathering of International Ministers Fellowship (IMF) Holding in The United Kingdom, January 11-14, 2024.

    The word, wrath, evokes fear in the minds of people. It paints the picture of a rampaging angry force trampling and destroying every person on its course, resulting in vehement brutality, horrendous affliction, and tormenting fear. Wrath is the extreme opposite of pleasure and comfort. According to Dictionary.com, wrath is “strong or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire. Vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger.” Wrath is used in reference to God, as well as to man, and Satan. In reference to God, the Bible observes “the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:6). In reference to man, the Bible affirms that “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). In reference to Satan the Scripture bemoans, “…Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12). 

    The Bible uses the word wrath in three distinct ways: Firstly, it is used to express physical anger as the fierce anger of a king against his subjects. Example, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). Paul warned the Ephesian believers –  “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath”(Ephesians 4:26). Paul also admonished the fathers on godly parenting saying – “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). King Solomon offered this practical wisdom to live by saying, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

    Secondly, wrath is used in scripture as an expression of human’s sinful and Satan’s inspired anger. Example, Jacob decried the wrath of Simeon and Levi his sons – “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honour be united to their assembly; for in their anger, they slew a man, and in their self-will, they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49:5-7). James underscored the futility of human anger serving as a means to any godly end – “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

    Thirdly, wrath is used to express God’s righteous anger – God threatened to pour his wrath against the children of Israel for their stubbornness – “And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them, and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation” (Exodus 32:9-10). God will ultimately unleash His wrath to judge human sinfulness – “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).

    WHAT IS THE WRATH OF GOD?

    “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

    The wrath of God is His loving action against evil, which basically consists of the “ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” God’s holy nature forbids Him to be indifferent to sin but demands that He actively punishes it. His wrath is therefore His righteous judgment against sin. Paul explained detailly “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honour, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:53-11). Notice that people are treasuring up wrath for themselves as a result of the hardness and impenitence of their hearts. The clear implication of this is that the wrath of God against sinners is duly earned; God will only let each person reap what he or she sowed. He is only giving back to each person whatever the person deserves –“For there is no partiality with God.” 

    Therefore, God’s wrath as His judging action against sin, manifests in surrendering people to the consequences of their actions. Romans 1: 24,26,28 support this conclusion. Let us see what those verses say: 

    · Romans 1:24 – “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves.” 

    · Romans 1:26 – “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” 

    · Romans 1:28 – “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” 

    Notice the phrases, “God gave them up” and “God gave them over.” These phrases depict God’s indifference instigated by human mulishness. God’s wrath is expressed in leaving people to their own desires. His wrath makes people follow their own way, which often leads to harm and destruction because without Jesus we are slaves to sin, and sin is intrinsically always destructive. Recall the wisdom of God which states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

    God’s wrath differs from human wrath in that it is not retribution against those who had offended Him. Its goal is not to get back on someone but rather it is to uphold His justice. Every system of justice must uphold and extant law. The law upon which the wrath of God operates states, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). Only as a sinner lays the burden of His sin on Christ and receives His righteousness can he escape the wrath to come. This means that in reference to God, wrath does not mean vengeance, because it is not aimed at exacting revenge on people. It is rather a holy display of His justice. J.I. Packer observed in his seminal book, “Knowing God”: “God’s wrath in the Bible is never the capricious, self-indulgent, irritable, morally ignoble thing that human anger so often is. It is, instead, a right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil.” God’s wrath is His love in action against sin. It is simply God’s love responding to godlessness, wickedness, stubbornness, unrepentant hearts, and rejection of Jesus as Saviour and Master. 

    THE LOVE OF GOD VERSUS THE WRATH OF GOD

    It is a strange paradox that wrath can be found in a God who is love. This paradox is made more incomprehensible in the face of such claims by God as He proclaimed through Isaiah saying, “Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them; I would burn them together” (Isaiah 27:4). Here God declared that He has no wrath because He has the capacity to overcome every opposition in battle. My understanding is that wrath, when applied to God takes up a different meaning and goal than when it is applied to man.  Wrath is an essential attribute of God as love is. As God cannot be truly what the Bible claims He is without love, so can He not be truly God without wrath. The infinite worth of God’s purity demands and justifies His wrath. God’s wrath is the proportionate display of His unsoiled holiness in judgment of those who reject His love in Christ. 

    In God, wrath is as much a virtue as love or holiness. The God who is love (1 John 4:8) is at once holy (1 Peter 1:16), righteous (Daniel 9:14), as well as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29). There is no hierarchy of attributes with God. Each of these attributes is indispensable in attaining an accurate understanding of God. Take away any and you have a strange god of your own making. The God, who is love, is at the same time, holy, righteous and a consuming fire. In God, severity and goodness find perfect accommodation as Paul explained in Romans – “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22). Focusing on God’s goodness at the expense of His severity create a truncated view of Him, much as focussing on His severity at the expense of His goodness. One fosters licentiousness and the other legalism.  The God of the Bible is at the same time good in His severity and severe in His goodness. 

    On the Cross we see a clear demonstration of the love and the wrath of God in the sacrifice of Christ. There we see God’s utter hatred for sin and His love for sinners. God unleashed the totality of His wrath against sin on Christ while He hung on the cross. Isaiah prophesied about His suffering saying, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him…And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). In Paul’s words, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our Lord suffered both physical and emotional pain that can hardly be imagined by the human mind. The worst part of our Lord’s experience of the wrath of God while on the cross was His father’s apparent indifference to Him in His suffering. Having taken responsibility for the sins of the whole world, past, present, and future, the Father could not but distance Himself from His Son. The weight of His sense of abandonment is spelt clearly in His lamentation: “…My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Ladened with the sin of humanity, the Father, who cannot countenance even a fleeting fellowship with sin turned His face from His dear Son, letting Him bear the fulness of His wrath.

    The effect of God’s wrath on Christ is summarized in Scripture as follows: “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man” (Isaiah 52:14, NLT). Through such gruesome brutality as Christ went through to atone for our sins, shines forth the love of God for us. His pain becomes our joy. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).

    THE WRATH TO COME

    “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

    The wrath to come is the Day of the Lord’s Judgement, when He will judge everyone according to their deed, whether good or bad. Paul reminds the Corinthians – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

    God promised to judge everyone according to their deeds. Those who are found to be righteous will be blessed while those who are guilty even of one single sin, will be damned. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10-11). The wrath to come will occasion the unveiling of God’s terror against sin and His righteous indignation against those who choose their self-righteousness over the righteousness of Christ. 

    THE TARGET OF THE WRATH TO COME

    According to the testimony of the Bible, humanity as the progenies of Adam and Eve, “…were by nature children of wrath…” (Ephesians 2:3). This means that our nature as human qualifies us for the wrath to come. The only way of escape available to us is through the intervention of Christ. The following are some specific targets of the wrath to come.

    · “Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD Goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it” (Jeremiah 30:23-24).

    · “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies” (Nahum 1:2).

    · “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6). 

    Notice in the three passages above, the description of the target of the wrath of God. The whirlwind of God’s wrath is programmed for the head of the wicked, who are otherwise identified as the enemies of God and sons of disobedience. The wrath of God, which is described by Spurgeon as “the tremendous peril,” dangles over every ungodly person who stubbornly rejects Christ. the Bible makes us understand without any equivocation that “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Failure to believe in Christ, and by implication to obey Him,  qualifies one for the wrath of God. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). With reference to Christ, believe and obedience mean the same thing. 

    Those who make empty confession of their faith in Christ but do not support that with practical holy living will attract the wrath of God upon themselves. Paul calls them sons of disobedience. The context of Ephesian chapter 5 shows that Paul was addressing believers. He began by challenging them to become imitators of Christ as His dear children and to lead a lifestyle “as is fitting for saints” (Ephesians 5:3). Here is the text of Paul’s admonition: “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:3-11). A believer who does not obey Christ and live consistent with the leading of the Holy Spirit but is a partaker of the pollutions and immorality that is rife in the world, is a son of disobedience who will certainly be visited with the wrath of God. 

    HOW TO ESCAPE FROM THE WRATH TO COME

    “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7).

    John the Baptist used the word “flee” as the appropriate method to escape from the wrath to come. To flee is to run away as from danger. It is to run so ferociously as not to be overtaken by a life-threatening danger. Escaping the coming wrath calls for vigilance and sober lifestyle. Soberness is a virtue we have almost entirely lost in the church today. Believers now compete with the worldlings in their macabre pursuit for worldly pleasures and applause. One cannot escape the coming wrath while wallowing in unruly living. Paul warned that the day of wrath will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night. “For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The wrath to come will come upon the world like labour pain comes upon a pregnant woman. I had a relation whose labour began while we were working in the farm. Before we could get her to the hospital, her baby was born. The wrath to come will arrive unannounced at the hour least expected.  The only option open for believers is to remain spiritually alert and stay connected with Christ. Paul advises believers, “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8).

    Only by trusting Jesus and Him alone can one escape the coming wrath. Our Lord Himself assured us, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). The wrath of God and judgement of God will come upon those who rejected Jesus and followed the path of evil. Those who refuse to submit themselves to the righteousness of God in Christ but are rather going about establishing their own systems of righteousness will certainly be damned. Those who trade the grace of God for self-righteousness will end up on that day like a stubborn king who danced naked in the marketplace. The Scripture affirms ever so vehemently, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). God’s wrath is satisfied completely in Christ. At calvary, Christ became the target of God’s unrestrained wrath, consequently, those who put their trust in Him will be delivered from the wrath to come. On the strength of that reality, Paul argued, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9). Faith in Christ is God’s eternal antidote to the wrath to Come. Believers must ever find solace in the good intentions of God towards them in Christ. The scripture assures us that “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). This is good news worthy of our limitless celebration. All true believers are destined for salvation and not for the wrath to come. To God be all the glory.

    CONCLUSION

    The keynote of out text is that there is a great day of God’s judgment coming upon all people. That day is the day of wrath when God will unleash His wrath against the godlessness and ungodliness of humanity. The wrath of God, which means His angry response to human disobedience is a function of His love. A God who would not punish sin cannot be love. Hence, the wrath to come is a day of God’s righteous judgement against those who persist in evil in defiance to Christ’s invitation to abundant life in Him.  Here is a vivid description of the day of God’s wrath and its concomitant cataclysmic events:

    “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:14-17).

    Only those who are anchored and rooted in Christ can stand and that, only by His grace.

    Thanks for listening. God bless you.