| THE MATHEMATICS OF GOOD FRIDAY
First Bible Lesson: Matthew 16:21
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
Second Bible Lesson: John 2:19
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Golden Text: Matthew 12:40
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly: so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR HIS DEATH
Brethren, the texts read to you summarize the theme of our revelation today. It is said that by the words of your mouth are you condemned or justified. (Matthew 12:37). Our Lord Jesus Christ said that He would go to Jerusalem where He would be tortured, spanked and finally killed. He said further that He would rise up on the third day. (Matthew 16:21).
I want everybody to be in complete silence so that the wax in your ears might be removed, and your bad eye-sight, due to spiritual blindness, might be restored. As you listen attentively to this gospel, all your encumbrances are taken away, and you are fully liberated. It is pathetic to notice that the whole of Christendom has lied to the world that Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday.
But Our Lord Jesus Christ is the truth, and His words are true. I would want the Zairians, the Cameroonians, the Liberians, the Americans, and others who are present, and indeed, all the inhabitants of the world, to listen with rapt attention to this gospel so that they can correct the wrong concept dished out to the masses by the orthodox churches. It is absolutely wrong to construe that Our Lord Jesus Christ was nailed to the Cross on Friday. This claim has no substance, and lacks the Biblical foundation and backing.
Many people have been to Bible colleges, or theological schools and seminaries all in the quest of studying religions and the Bible. Some have been to India, the U.S.A., Russia, and other places to study the Bible for 20 to 30 years. If they still hold unto the argument that Friday was the first day and Saturday, the second day. What about the third day? The orthodox churches keep on shouting Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. But they find it difficult to know when He was crucified. The knowledge of when Our Lord Jesus the Christ was crucified has eluded the entire world.
The significance of the Wednesday Watch and Pray started during the time when the feet of the disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ were washed. The weekly Thursday fasting and prayers do symbolize the day He was condemned at 6 a.m., and at precisely 9 a.m., the same day, He was crucified. I thank Matthew and John and a few other apostles who were able to document the teachings and the crucial events during the mission and operation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If these records had not been kept, the enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ could have succeeded in suppressing the truth; and, of course, the truth would not have been known. They would have permanently established their deceit and falsehood in the world for their own advantage.
GOD'S WORDS ARE SACROSANCT
Our Lord Jesus Christ has said that heaven and earth will pass away, but not an iota of the word of God shall pass away. (Matthew 24:35). The word of God is not deficient in power. That is why when the word of God is spoken, it will do mighty works; and can break mighty stones to manifest its purpose. (Matthew 21:44). Right from Genesis to Malachi, the words prophesied about Him had been consummated. If you are told by someone that there will be rain by 12 noon the following day, and eventually the rain does not fall, how will you regard such a person? Similarly if a being tells you that there will be a heavy down-pour by noon tomorrow, and by noon the following day it rains cats and dogs, how shall you regard that personage?
That is how the spirits of falsehood and error are being differentiated from the Spirit of Truth. If a person says that by 12 noon the next day there will be rain, and eventually by that time there is no rain, that spirit is not from God. But if he predicts that there will be rain and it rains as predicted, then that spirit is directly from the Father Almighty. That is why He is the Truth and His words are true. Our Lord Jesus Christ intimated His disciples that the Comforter, and even the Spirit of truth shall be sent whose words shall be true. He also said that the Comforter shall teach and lead all to the accurate knowledge of the truth. (John 16:12-14).
It was absolutely apparent that Our Lord Jesus the Christ surrendered His life, and He had the power to take it back. (John 10:18). It was he who deliberately volunteered His life and Himself to the scribes, the Pharisees, and the Chief priests. It was the efficacy of His words which manifested when He said that He would die but that His Father shall make Him rise up on the third day. It is pathetic that the whole world has accepted the false doctrine of the so-called Christians that Our Lord Jesus the Christ was killed on Friday. It is a misleading concept which should be disregarded.
Our Lord Jesus Christ had said that as Jonah the fifth minor prophet, was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, so shall the Son of God be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. He said, "Nevertheless, I have many things to say unto you but you cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of Truth shall come, He shall teach and lead you to the accurate wisdom of the truth.
THE BIBLE CONFIRMS THAT CHRIST DIED ON THURSDAY:
We have not come here to joke, that is why we started commemorating the events of His death since last week. He was killed on a Thursday, and He remained there in the heart of the earth. You can then see that the serious miscalculation of the orthodox churches is very much at variance with the biblical records. Ironically, these are the very people who boast that they have been to seminaries and colleges of theology and religion to get masters and doctorate degrees in Theology and Religion. They are not even conversant with simple biblical events and calculations.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was condemned to death on Thursday morning about 6 a.m. If He had been killed on Friday as advocated by the churches of Christendom, there would have been a mathematical error in calculation as He resurrected on Sunday at 6 a.m. It is this significant event that has caused the Brotherhood world to set aside every Wednesday of the week for "Watch and Pray" to commemorate the unique event which ushered in a hallmark in the existence of the entire humanity.
CHRIST REMAINED IN THE HEART OF THE EARTH FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS:
Our Lord Jesus Christ was arrested and arraigned before the Elders, Pharisees, Scribes, and the Chief Priests at 3 a.m. following Wednesday night. This was after the Last Super He had arranged for that night. According to the Jews, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. was one day, and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. was calculated as one night. It stands to reason that from 6 a.m. on Thursday to 6 p.m. on the same Thursday, was one day, and from 6 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday was calculated as one night. In the same vein from 6 a.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. of the same Friday was two days. Similarly, from 6 p.m. of Friday to 6 a.m. of Saturday made two nights. From 6 a.m. of Saturday to 6 p.m. of the same Saturday, completed the three days, and from 6 p.m. of Saturday to 6 a.m. of Sunday concluded the three nights. This is the veritable truth which had eluded the world. The spoken words of Our Lord Jesus the Christ have materialized, and those who believe in all these truths are saved and all their inexplicable problems are wiped away.
WHY WE HOLD THREE PENTECOSTAL MEETINGS IN A YEAR:
Our Lord Jesus Christ had said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26). The April Pentecostal is significant in that it symbolizes the period Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered untold hardship, torment, and death just for the atonement of the sins of mankind. It is a period to celebrate the true essence of His mission, torture, death, and resurrection. In the same vein the August Pentecostal Assembly connotes the period when Our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized and revealed to the entire world by John the Baptist. That is why the observance is so tremendously significant. It was then that He was exposed to the Jewish nation and the entire world for acknowledgment and identification as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of mankind. Hitherto, He had been in the world for a good twenty-nine years, but they knew Him not until He got baptized at the age of 30 years. That is why we usually rejoice greatly in the commemoration of his revelation through water baptism.
We observe the December Pentecostal in remembrance of His divine Birth. If He had not been born of a woman, He would not have been revealed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. If He had not been revealed, He would not have died to shed His precious blood for the remission of the sins of the entire humanity. Also, the December celebration is not for Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, but for the commemoration of the divine birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is axiomatic therefore that where there are those who investigate and ask questions, there must also be a person around to give answers to such questions.
This can be likened to a lingering cough that would not leave its victim. The Zairians, the Liberians, the Americans, the Russians, the Europeans, the Germans, and the rest of you might have asked why the three Pentecostal Assembly Meetings are held. These are periods when Our Lord Jesus Christ must be glorified with activities featuring songs, dancing, testimonies and recitations, in sober reflection of the real essence of observation of these spectacular and historic events in the life of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While doing this, such worldly tendencies as the beating of drums, burning of candles and incenses, use of perfume, pouring of libation should be avoided. His name can better be glorified and lauded without the use of all these things. I would like our first bible lesson to be read once more. Inform your parents, friends, relations and everybody else why these three Pentecostal Assemblies must be commemorated.
First Bible Lesson: Matthew 16:21
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priest and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
THE HOLY SPIRIT VINDICATES CHRIST:
Brethren, His words are just like a warehouse stored with articles of merchandise, riches, and all precious things which are supplied to people as need be. This is what I have presented to you for now. It is our bounding duty to correct the erroneous arithmetical calculations of the three days and three nights duration of Christ's death and end the perversion of the truth by the world. Before the eventful arrest, torture, death, and resurrection, He made a statement that on the third day, God will make him rise from the clutches of death and Hades. But for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, His detractors would have falsified history to their benefit. They would have their own advantage.
Many people have diversities of opinions and concepts about the source of power in Brotherhood. I would want to impress upon them that the secret powers in Brotherhood come from the strict observances of these divine events for the glorification of his name. I want to prove the importance of this week to you just like a proof in Geometry or Algebra. The Friday is Passover day. Saturday was usually observed as the Sabbath day. In view of the foregoing, they decided to avoid causing an uproar (not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar amongst the people). (Matthew 26:5) They knew very well that the masses would challenge the rulers on why the holy and historic days should be defiled. Since He was God who had foreknowledge of their plot and conspiracy, Our Lord Jesus Christ celebrated the feast of Passover on Wednesday. This shows that the wisdom of God is far greater than the wisdom of men. If He had not wished subsequent arraignment before the elders, Pharisees, scribe, and chief priests, it would not have been possible
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF "WATCH AND PRAY"
That is why we in Brotherhood world do not joke with the Wednesday "Watch and Pray" and the love-feast which often follows the divine observance. This celebration reflects His acceptance and preparedness to die so that the entire humanity might be salvaged with His stainless blood. The Jews and the Scribes once asked why His disciples never fasted like the rest of the people. Our Lord Jesus Christ told them that it was not necessary for His disciples to do so when the bridegroom was with them. (Luke 5:34). That is why it is declared that those who believe fervently in him are saved. I WANT YOU TO OBSERVE THIS "WATCH AND PRAY" VERY STRICTLY RIGHT FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY. As many as will observe it, all their problems, sickness, court cases, poverty, and wretchedness are wiped away. If you observe all these things, as spelt out in today's gospel, you are saved and all your problems are taken away.
I have other sheep which are not of this fold. They all must be brought so that there might be one fold and one shepherd. Our Lord Jesus Christ had finished His works, and the ball is now in the court of the people of the world to observe the three significant events in Brotherhood. And those who sincerely and diligently observe these remarkable events are liberated and saved. Who are those clad in white garments? They are those who have come out from great tribulations and have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. (Revelation 7:13-14). The three days (72 hours) dry fasting is a great cleansing exercise in this new kingdom. And it is pathetic to notice that many brethren do not observe it and the Wednesday " Watch and Pray." The "Watch and Pray" is one of the events observed in respect of the death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We who suffer with Him are fully liberated from the bondage of Satan. These observances reaffirm our belief in Him. This is also the enabling factor which by His grace we are salvaged. We are also glorified with Him.
THE BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST MADE THE LAST REPARATION FOR OUR SINS:
The death of Our Lord Jesus the Christ was never caused by forces outside the confines of His authority. The supreme sacrifice paid by Our Lord Jesus Christ was the last sacrifice to be ever made for the atonement of mankind. It was comparatively unique, for the sacrifices of goats, sheep or cows were no longer tenable or acceptable, since the life of man could not have been atoned for by the blood of sheep, ram or cow. All such sacrifices were carnally oriented. Our Lord Jesus Christ had to shed His precious blood for the complete remission of the sins of mankind. That is why there should be no beating of drums, burning of incense or candles, pouring of libation, nor using of perfumes. All should be in reverence with absolute humility, meekness, and love for Christ. That is why our Lord Jesus said through the mouth of our brother Paul that Christ sent him not to baptize, but to preach the gospel of the death of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross for the liberation of those who had been spiritually enslaved. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness. But unto us who are saved, it is life eternal. (1 Corinthians 1:18). That is why I am telling you that by listening to this life-giving gospel, those whose spirits were dormant and dead, are restored to life again. All sorts of problems and encumbrances are taken away once and for all from them. Let our second lesson be read again.
Second Bible Lesson: John 2:19
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
THE TRUTH HAS COME:
Brethren, have you heard that text? The Bible says "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word of truth be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1). The second lesson confirms the three days and three nights death bid and its unique essence. He said, "Destroy this temple, and I will build it after three days." It also serves as a releasing factor, setting free those who were in spiritual as well as mental bondage. Those who were condemned have been freed, and those who were sick in the hospitals are now permanently healed.
It is said, "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory, but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." (John 7:18). Those servants who speak and seek for their glory, there is not even an iota of truth in them. They are fraught with falsehood.
I want the conventional churches to prove their case with regards to the timing and calculation of the number of days Our Lord Jesus the Christ was in the heart of the earth. We in Brotherhood have proved our case mathematically, with biblical support. The orthodox churches claim that theirs was on Friday. God had allowed them to falsify the event for so long until they prove themselves wrong. The Spirit of Truth has come to unfold all things for the salvation of mankind.
Some people are saying that it does not matter. To assume such a position is wrong. This is a unique and important matter which borders on the foundation of humanity, so it is wrong to treat the matter so lightly. Their calculation from Friday will land them on two days and two nights during which time Our Lord Jesus Christ would still have been in the heart of the earth. This is wrong and we cannot compromise or condone this satanic and misleading assumption.
That is why this gospel must be documented for the enlightenment and the salvation of mankind. Their deliberate attempt to falsify a genuine truth and to throw dust into the eyes of the entire world must be exposed. We will continue to expose the truth until Satan and his agents vacate their throne. A member, through false vision, told a brother to reject his real wife (sister) with children and to take a new wife, claiming that the Father ordered him to give such a vision. But the poser is: why should the Father do a thing like that? Which Father in the first place? Such a thing is outrageous and questionable. It is equally blackmail and blasphemy. I am opposed to any falsehood in the world, including the Jesus Christ's death saga. The calculation is misleading. The case of His birth, which has been fixed for convenience, could be tolerable, but for His death, upon which the salvation of the generality of mankind depends, nobody should toy or falsify it on any account.
I will not allow any false doctrine to be spread again in the world, and it is against this background that I am advocating that nothing should be added or subtracted at all in this case. It is said that if a tree does not fall, the axe shall not rest. Right now a greater number of the conventional churches have begun to adopt the Brotherhood mode of worship. This is indeed welcome news. Man or Satan is prone to sin, falsehood, and blunders. But God is truthful and all his actions are true and just. This should help us to realize that sooner or later His words must be fulfilled.
Did Our Lord Jesus Christ not say, "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up?" (Matthew 15:13). That is why all false and misleading observances about His death and other issues must be crushed.
His death and resurrection form the foundation which must be celebrated with pomp and joy. His death has been the last covenanted arrangement, and that was why He said, " It is finished, " (John 19:30) as He allowed His precious blood to be spilled for atonement of the sins of men. This supreme sacrifice has superseded other sacrifices of goats, sheep or rams, and has wiped away all sinfulness. To this end, nobody has the right to impute sin on other people. The sins of Adam had condemned the entire human race to death, but his unique and supreme sacrifice has come to redeem humanity from the bondage and the clutches of Satan. Therefore if any Pastor says he suffers for anyone's sake, he is a blatant liar. It is Our Lord Jesus Christ who had really suffered for all mankind. It is said that the testimonies from two or three people confirm the truth. Brethren let our golden text be read.
Golden Text: Matthew 12:40
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.''
THE TIMING OF CHRIST'S DEATH:
You have already been told that the Jews counted 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as one day and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. as one night. It then proves that 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday was one day, 6 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday was one night. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday made the second day, and from 6 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Saturday made the second night. The third night was 6 p.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. By that calculation, our submission has been proved. We are waiting for the Popes, Archbishops, Bishops, and Pastors of the orthodox churches to come and prove us wrong. We do firmly believe that no sane person could come to contest this divine truth except Satan and his agents. Brethren, that is why we have to thank and glorify Him for this wonderful and recondite wisdom exposed to us. On our part, as we believe and practicalize this wonderful revelation, all our problems, difficulties, sickness and deaths are taken away. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, the only true and sincere friend. If therefore we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.
THE GREAT EXPOSITION:
It therefore becomes absolutely reasonable that Wednesdays and Thursdays should be regarded as holy days and they must be set aside for observance of these historic events. Those in secret cults and fraternities do know the efficacy of the esoteric events but they have for years hidden them from other inhabitants of the world. They personally observe these holy days but they would not expose the essence to other people outside their secret groups.
It is misleading to say that Our Lord Jesus Christ was dead whereas He is lavishly moving about doing His businesses. The esoteric wisdom the members of secret cults were trying to hide are now exposed so that the Bible prophesy might be fulfilled which says that whatever had been hidden shall be revealed. (Luke 12:2). They tried to hide the truth, but the Holy Spirit of truth has come to expose all things. There is no variableness in the truth.
The Jews in Jerusalem have not yet believed that Our Lord Jesus Christ has come in the form of man. They are of the opinion that Elijah must first come before the Messiah would come. But when the Messiah - Our Lord Jesus Christ - was with them, preaching and healing people all over the place, they neither believed nor identified with him at all. They wanted Elijah to crash-land like a bird from the sky. Their unbelief has made them to be visited by untold hardships. And in this era also, people are still expecting Our Lord Jesus Christ to crash-land from the blue skies. Fortunately, even the heathens have witnessed and have heralded to the world that Our Lord Jesus Christ is now on earth. He is born of a woman. It has never been heard that any person had ever jumped down to earth from the sky. This is food for thought for the inhabitants of the world.
BY NATURAL LAW, EVERY MAN IS BORN OF A WOMAN:
Do you mean to tell us that Our Lord Jesus Christ was not born by a woman? Was the heavens not there for Him to crash-land from? We do not want to divert into that area right now, but we simply want to expose the necessary ingredients to affirm the authenticity of this divine claim and revelation. The three days and three nights saga are too strong and important to be ignored. For God said through prophet Isaiah that they will hear, but will harden their hearts. (Isaiah 55:3). They do not want to see reason so that they might be saved. It is the Father who is doing his work. I do not see how a man could be so foolish as to fail to see reason. A person who goes to Bible college or School of Theology should be conversant with the Bible. Nevertheless, this simple mathematical calculation has eluded them. They do not realize that Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on Thursday. It is God who has beclouded their intellects and has hindered them from seeing reason. When the angels told them that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven (Acts 1:11), shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven, the worldly people interpreted it to mean that He will crash-land from the blue skies. It is pathetic to realize that the simple meaning of this statement is not known by the people of the world. The full meaning of it all depicts that just as He was taken up as a human being, it is in like manner, that is as a human being, that He shall come back. Revelation 12:5 has clearly affirmed the truth that He must be born of a woman. It is pathetic that most of them who have graduated from Bible Colleges or Schools of Theology, (and some have twenty to thirty Bibles of various versions), have not been able to give the correct interpretation to this simple bible quotation. Brethren, we should watch out for what may happen in the nearest future, it should not be a surprise to you.
Brethren, I do not intend to take you further. A stroke of the cane is sufficient to the wise. Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. May God bless His holy words. Amen
THANK YOU FATHER.
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