Prophet T.B. Joshua has sent
words of counsel and condolence to Reigners Bible Church in Akwa-Ibom State,
following the tragic collapse of their church building last week which resulted
in a huge loss of life.
“We at Emmanuel TV and The
Synagogue, Church Of All Nations express our deepest condolences to the
government and people of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria, and Reigners Bible Church,” Joshua said in a statement released via his official
Facebook Page followed by over 2.6 million people.
On Saturday 10th
December 2016, the uncompleted Reigners Bible Church building collapsed in the
middle of an ordination service, reportedly causing the deaths of over 100
worshippers.
Waxing lyrical,
Joshua opined that the manner of death was not as important as the manner of
life, adding that even “the Apostles
of old died in unique ways.”
“Continuing to trust God is
the only way to get ready for the things we are not ready for,” he continued in a philosophical tone.
“You need not fear where
you are going when you know God is going with you. If you are prepared to die,
you are prepared to live,” he advocated.
Joshua stated that
death ought to be viewed by “believers”
as merely a ‘release’ from this word to the ‘enjoyment’ of another.
“Physical death only
enhances our spiritual transition toward God, for when we die in the body we
continue to live in the spirit,” he stated, in a
message especially directed to the ‘families, friends and loved ones’ of those
who perished in the incident.
The cleric prayed
that God would “give courage and
strength” for all involved in the tragic incident “to bear the grievous losses”.
“Our God is faithful and
true, a Rock against which you can lean your faith, even as the winds of
mourning howl around you,” he concluded.
T.B. Joshua has
faced his own share of tragedies. In 2014, a guesthouse within the premises of
his church collapsed after a military plane encircled the area several times,
leaving 116 people dead. Investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of
the disaster.
Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian writer...
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