A popular pastor and businessman in Lagos has narrated his ordeal in the hands of suspected Islamic bigots and religion fanatics who have been on his trail since well over a year because of his strong preachings, evangelism, and religious inclination.

Mr. Derick Osazuwa, a renowned pastor and business man in the Igando axis of Lagos mainland has won several souls for Christ with his stern and sound sermons, condemning in strong terms the brutal killings and assasination of Christians in several parts of Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Pastor Derick Osazuwa, 52, sometime in June last year during a powerful crusade organised by his branch in Igando Lagos state converted one Musa and another Muhammed of the Muslim faith to christians. A development that has  brought agony and disaster the way of the pastor, who has since known no real peace as some Islamic bigots have been on his trail, vowing to hack him down before he converts all Muslims to Christianity through his preachings.

After so many horrible assassination attempts, a  resolute Pastor Derick, determined not to cave in to the death threats, but still wants to do more for his God, had to run for dear life, leaving Lagos for a friend’s place in Abeokuta to seek refuge after having arranged a safe relocation for his wife, children and mother-in-law in another undisclosed part of the country.

As if their Lagos escapades were not enough, Derick Osazuwa’s  assailants again traced the pastor down to his friend’s place in Abeokuta, this time fully armed and more ferocious. It was a close shave for Derick Osazuwa as he was able to escape by the whiskers upon a quick tip off from a neighbor who had sighted the assailants and had heard them mentioning his name.

Pastor Derick Osazuwa who visited this reporter in the early hours of Friday the 6th of October 2023 to explain his ordeal, presented copies of an affidavit and police report where he had urged the relevant security authorities  to come to his aid before it’s too late.

Efforts by this reporter, during a fact finding visit to contact the Islamic hierarchy in the area, proved abortive as no one was willing to talk to us. But some few residents who spoke to us in secret and on condition of anonymity, confirmed Pastor Osazuwa’s claims.

Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give unto every one according to his deed. ( Rev. 22  vs. 12 – 13 )

Beloved, the believers of our time tend to ignore the significance of the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as most of them are not preparing for it at all. Some even said, “He is not coming again.’  What a heresy! This last stage of Jesus’ assignment must not be taken with levity as we have been warned in the scripture because what we are going to lose is great, eternal life.

Being conscious of His second coming would make us amend our ways to please Him so that we shall not be found wanting on the day of his appearance.

The main text, Revelation 22 vs.12 – 13, draws our attention to the following :

1. The second coming of Jesus Christ is imminent and certain.

Jesus Christ assured the believers that His second coming is certain, adding that all eyes would see Him but not all would have the opportunity to be where He has gone to prepare for us ( Matt 7 vs. 21). He further mentioned some of the events that would take place before His arrival, most of which we have started experiencing today. ( Mathew 24 vs. 3 -51). The main thing that must happen before His arrival is in verse 14 of the same chapter. His disciples also confirmed to be true his messages about his second coming.

2. Everything does not end in this world

Jesus Christ made us understand that death is not the end of man in this world. There is still hope of reigning with Him after death. God made man a little lower than the angels ( Hebrews 2 vs. 6-7, Psalm 8 vs. 4-9)), but we still have the opportunity to be transformed into ministering spirits like them ( Luke 20 vs. 35 – 36). That is, we shall be of equal status with them if we live a holy and righteous life in this world. That everlasting life opportunity that was lost in the garden of Eden shall be restored to those who make heaven after His second appearance ( Mark 12: 25).

3. There is a reward for doing good and evil

If we who are mortal know how to reward those who have performed excellently well in good works in life with awards,  how much more God! There is a reward for our actions and deeds from God in this world and after we have died. The way a righteous man would be addressed on the last day would be different from that of a sinner ( Math 25 vs.21, Matt. 7 vs. 23). Joseph was adequately compensated by God for failing to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife in Egypt. He became the second in command to the king in the land and God also made him to be a father to pharaoh ( Gen. 45 vs. 8). He dwelt in the most fertile place in the land in his lifetime and he also made heaven.

4. There is a record of everything we do in this world be it good or bad

Jesus Christ wants us to be conscious of the fact that whatever we do in this world is taken note of by our heavenly father, be it good or bad. This will make us amongst other things eschew evil. Remember, when David slept with Uriah’s wife, God knew and immediately sent Prophet Nathan to him. He was not spared, although, he was forgiven ( 2 Samuel 12 vs. 1-13). Jesus also told the Samaritan woman, who was also busy committing adultery, the number of husbands she had been with. She was shocked and eventually became saved ( John 4 vs. 16 – 19). In addition, when the sons of Eli, the Priest, were misbehaving (Samuel 2 vs.12), God called Samuel and told him everything his master’s sons were doing, and the consequences of their actions.      (1 Samuel 3 vs. 8 – 18).

5. Stewardship is inevitable

No one shall be exempted from the judgment seat of Christ due to their status or position in this world and there shall be no form of favoritism on the judgment day. We shall all be equal indeed before the law as against what operates in this world ( 2 Corinthians 5 vs. 10). The sinners and the righteous shall stand before the judgment seat of the Lord to give an account of their deeds. In the parable of the talents, all the servants rendered an account of what they have done with their master’s talent ( Matt. 25 vs. 14 – 30). You will also do likewise one day. Be prepared.

6. Sinners shall be separated from the righteous.

The sinners and the righteous shall not cohabit in the same place again as it is now. Sinners shall be in hell while the righteous shall reign with Christ. In the Book of Matthew 13 vs. 30, the Bible made us understand that the tares are the sinners and the wheat are those that do the will of God. During harvest, which means, on the last day, the tares/ weeds and the wheat shall be separated. Also, in the parable of the ten virgins, the five wise virgins were separated from the five foolish ones ( Mathew 25 vs. 1 – 13). Be wise.

7. Those who are alive shall have the opportunity to witness physically the second coming of our Lord and Saviour

The main text also gives credence to what is written about the second coming of Jesus Christ in the book of  Act 1 vs. 10 – 11, Mathew 24 vs. 30, and Revelation 1 vs. 7 . Believers must beware of people who do not believe that Jesus Christ came to this world in human form because they are deceivers and antichrists ( 2 John 1 vs. 7 ). These types of people will never believe in His second physical appearance and rapture. The Prophets and Apostles also warned believers to beware of them. (2 Peter 3 vs. 1-4, 8-10).

Beloved, the day of reckoning is at hand. Don’t die in your sin. Repent before it is too late. Your salvation hour is now and it must not be delayed anymore. Whatever will hinder you from reigning with Christ in heaven must be avoided. If you die in your sins, you will lose eternity. That will not be your portion in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Remain blessed.

Written by Evangelist Alatise. S . O

For Free Tracts, Contact,

The Christian Tract Department

Zion’s Disciples Christian Evangelical Ministry

P. O. Box 2796, Sapon, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

SOA/January/2024/33

Daniel 3 vs. 1-30

Beloved, God’s supremacy and power over other gods and carved images are unquestionable and cannot be denied by any mortal being. That is why your loyalty to  Him alone is very important if you want Him to be solidly behind you all the days of your life. The enemy in his subtle way is always trying to make us derail from serving Him and to do things contrary to his will.

From the chosen text, Daniel 3 vs. 1-30, the enemy through King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to impose his gods on the people in the province of Babylon. He succeeded in his plans because all the elites, nobles, and other people in his kingdom had complied with his order except the three men who were Jews, who refused to bow down to the carved image of gold as instructed. After all, they knew that serving other gods was an abomination as it was against God’s commandment (Exodus 20  vs. 3-5). Their action was not an act against the king as they were accused of. They have only made up their minds to obey God Almighty rather than the king who is a mortal being. God justified their action by rescuing them to the shame of all their accusers. He also used the situation to reveal himself to the king who referred to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as the only true God. Eventually, he bowed to the supremacy of the Most High God.

However, King Nebuchadnezzar did not force his people to serve the Most High God, because It is a matter of he who wills. He only told them the difference between the God of the three Jews and the other gods and his carved golden image in his kingdom. He referred to their God as the ‘Most High God, adding that there is no other god(s)that can deliver like Him. Joshua also did likewise ( Joshua  24  vs. 15,16, 22 – 24 ).

There are five points to take note of  from this passage about these three Jews who were loyal to God

1. God gave them victory over their enemies.

The three men who were Jews emerged victorious over their enemies because God intervened miraculously. The fiery furnace that was kindled seven times did not affect them as they were busy walking inside it instead of groaning. The plan of their enemies to kill and destroy became fruitless because they died a shameful death. Your enemies will fall into the pit they have dug for you in Jesus’ Mighty name. Amen.

2. God promoted them after being faithful and loyal to him alone.

There is a great gain in being loyal to God alone even amid criticism as you cannot worship Him and Mammon. These three men ignored all the gods in Babylon and served only the true God. They stood firm for Him alone and they were promoted the second time (Daniel 3 vs. 30).

3. God confirmed His supremacy over other gods and carved images

The God of the three Jewish men was identified by King Nebuchadnezzar as the only true God in his kingdom. He then gave them the liberty to worship their God and cautioned his people not to disturb or force them again to serve other gods. He added that whoever speaks against their God would not go unpunished ( Daniel 3 vs. 29). The appearance of the fourth person in the fiery burning furnace identified by the king as the “son of God serves as evidence that the three men were serving the true living God. The Bible says, “Those who know their God shall be strong and they shall do exploits.’

4. God confirmed to his loyalists (the three men) that they were not alone.

The three Jewish men were bold enough to declare before the king that they would not bow down to any graven image of gold even if their God would not rescue them (Daniel 3 vs. 16 – 18). God heard them and eventually cleared their doubt by making them come out of the burning fiery furnace harmless. He also proved to them that those who serve him wholeheartedly are not alone.

5. God proved to the King that He has the power to determine who to kill and who to spare

King Nebuchadnezzar knew that it was the Most  High God who spared his life when he moved near the burning fiery furnace where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were; when he saw four persons in it. The mighty men in his army who bound and threw them inside it died (Daniel 3 vs. 20 & 22) but he was alive to tell the story.

Beloved, Eternal Life begins by knowing the true God and His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, whom he has sent (John 17 vs. 3). It is your turn now to choose who you will serve, whether the true God or the other strange god(s) in the land. Shadrach, Mashach, and Abednego made the right choice before they died and they were not disappointed. May God help you to choose wisely in Jesus’ name. Amen

Remain blessed.

Written by

Evangelist Alatise Sunday

Founder, Zion’s Disciples Christian Evangelical Ministry

SOA/SEPTEMBER/2023/32

08055168819, 07083307581