by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 25, 2016 | Members Writeup
Where do demons come from? Demons are fallen angels who serve Satan. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 12:8-9 NKJV. “But they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
We are in a spiritual battle with evil spirits – Satan and his fallen angels. It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:11, 12, NKJV. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The Bible warns us against trying to communicate with “familiar spirits,” or ghosts. It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 8:19, NASB. “When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
Can the dead communicate with the living? It’s in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10, NKJV. “The dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun…For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave.”
How does the Bible describe death? It’s in the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, NKJV. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus”
If the dead are sleeping, who are the spirits of our deearly departed? Fallen angels can deceive us by appearing as good beings, even spirits of people we are familiar with. It’s in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, NASB. “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
Evil spirits can perform miracles and signs to deceive. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 16:14, NKJV. “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
We do not have to be afraid of demonic impersonations of the living and the dead, if we give our hearts to Jesus and stay away from such satanic activities as séances, ouija boards, etc. It’s in the Bible, 1 John 4:1, 4, NKJV. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God. . ..You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Jesus has authority over demons. It’s in the Bible, Luke 4:35-36, NIV. “ ‘Be quiet!’ Jesus said sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’ ”
God makes demons tremble. It’s in the Bible, James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”If we are true to Jesus and obey Him by faith, we do not need to be afraid of Satan’s power. It’s in the Bible, Luke 10:19, NKJV. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
The Name of Jesus has power and authority. It’s in the Bible, Luke 10:17, NKJV. “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
Humble prayer and fasting are powerful weapons against the enemy. It’s in the Bible, Mark 928-29, NKJV. “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
You can’t just know Jesus’ name, you need to know Jesus. It’s in the Bible, Acts 19:13-16, NKJV. “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them,[c] so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Casting demons out doesn’t always mean you know God. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
How else can I defend myself from demons? It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:14-18, NKJV. “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
Satan and his demons will leave us alone if we resist them and submit ourselves to God. It’s in the Bible, James 4:7, NKJV. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
What is the ultimate end for Satan and his fallen angels? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 25:41, NKJV. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
Your questions and comments are welcome. Have a splendid day!
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 25, 2016 | Members Writeup
What does the Bible say about angels?
Who are angels? It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 1:14, NIV. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
How many angels are there? It’s in the Bible, Revelation 5:11, NIV. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.”
Angels can appear in the form of ordinary people. It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 13:2, NIV. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Do we become angels when we die? No, humans and angels are different from each other and were created separately. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 8:4, 5, NKJV. “What is man that You are mindful of him? . . . You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.”
Who is the leader in charge of the angels? It’s in the Bible, I Peter 3:22, TLB. “And now Christ is in heaven, sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father, with all the angels and powers of heaven bowing before Him and obeying Him.”
Angels are special guardians. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 18:10, TLB. “Beware that you don’t look down upon a single one of these little children. For I tell you that in heaven their angels have constant access to My Father.”
Angels provide protection. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 91:10-11, NIV. “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Angels rescue people from danger. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 34:7, TLB. “For the angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence Him.”
Angels carry out God’s orders. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 103:20-21, TLB. “Bless the Lord, you mighty angels of His who carry out His orders, listening for each of His commands. Yes, bless the Lord, you armies of His angels who serve Him constantly.”
Angels carry God’s messages. It’s in the Bible, Luke 2:9-10, NIV. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
What part will the angels play when Jesus comes the second time? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 16:27 and 24:31, NIV. “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with His angels.”
“And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
Where did evil angels come from? They were good angels who chose to rebel. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 12:9, NIV. “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
What influence do evil angels have? They struggle against those who are good. It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:12, NIV. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
What will be the final destiny of Satan and his evil angels? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 25:41, NIV. “Then He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'” Have a beautiful day!
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 17, 2016 | Clifford University
Applications for admission into first Degree programmes of the University are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates for the 2017/18 academic session.
Candidates who chose other universities, polytechnics, or Colleges of education can equally apply. Candidates must have sat for 2017/2018 JAMB Examination.
READ ALSO: Degree offered in Clifford University
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Download the offline form below
Download offline application form
(B) Write an application for admission into CLIFFORD UNIVERSITY in your own handwriting. And also fill the form.
(C) Pay a non-refundable fee of #5,000 to CLIFFORD UNIVERSITY ACCOUNT, UBA 1017317235 OR DIAMOND BANK 0026645879
(D) Bring (1) the teller of #5,000 payment (2) photocopies and originals of your academic credentials (3) JAMB result (4) Birth Certificate/Sworn Declaration of Age.
(E) Three referee letters, one of which must be from the previous school attended.
(F) The student will be given two vital documents: Provisional Admission Letter and Schedule of fees for the session (one academic year).
(G) With the evidence of fees paid into the University bank account, the student comes back to the University for Authorization to go for a medical fitness examination at the Clifford University Medical Center.
(H) The student will now be informed when classes will begin and what and what to bring for his/her hostel accommodation.
What a historical joy for one to be a foundation student of Clifford University and have the advantage of Christian education.
To God be all the glory!
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 2, 2016 | Adventist nigeria, Clifford University, Institutions, news
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved Clifford University alongside seven other new private universities across the country.
The approval was granted, Wednesday, during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, which held at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister of State for Education, Anthony Onwuka, who briefed State House correspondents, said the ministry “submitted a memo seeking approval for eight private universities after recommendation by the NUC”
He said the eight approved universities include
1. Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos
2. Arthur Jarvis Akpabuyo University, Calabar, Cross River
3. Clifford University, Owerinta, Abia
4. Coal City University, Enugu
5. Crown Hill University, Kwara
6. Dominican University, Ibadan, Oyo
7. Kola Daisy University, also in Ibadan
8. Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State.
Mr. Onwuka said the new universities were given three years provisional license.
He also said all the new universities are to be mentored older ones.
He said Clifford University will be mentored and by the University of Agriculture, Umudike.
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Oct 22, 2016 | Members Writeup
Today was a special Sabbath in church. I took time to review the Millerite experience of the great disappointment of October 22, 1844. I painted how bittersweet the experience really was as predicted in Revelation 10. I showed the congregation the silver lining in that dark cloud of disappointment, namely, to cure the last remnant church from the dangers of accepting popular theology without searching the scriptures for a thus saith the Lord. Let me explain:
If God did not allow the disappointment, there would never have been a movement like ours that will accept nothing except it can be proven and substantiated by the Word.
I explained that October 22, 1844 was actually disappointment two(called D2 henceforth) . Disappointment two (D1) happened at the cross when the disciples were devastated because they were not anticipating him dying on the cross. They had bought into the popular theology of the times that the Messiah will come and defeat the Romans and establish an earthly kingdom as the Millerite would later do by believing the earth was the sanctuary. Are you beginning to see the parallels?
So when the disciples went forth preaching the kingdom of God, the event in their minds did not tally with Christ’s way of establishing His kingdom. But does this mean that God was not with them in their preaching? Why shouldn’t we reach the same conclusion for the Millerite, especially as Revelation 10 predicted their experience as Christ predicted the one of the disciples?
Then with Leviticus 16, Daniel 7,8 & 9, I showed how the Day of Atonement in the ancient earthly sanctuary prefigured the antitypical day of judgment that has been on since 1844.
No one left fearing about their salvation as the Fordites will have us believe. They were told the we are living in serious times when we need to cooperate with divinity to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, no doubt. This is no time to trifle with sin. I told them only known unconfessed and unforsaken sins will stand against them in this pre-Advent, investigative judgment. The reason the Fordites are not comfortable with this foundational Adventist doctrine is because they believe in a sin and live theology that doesn’t agree that we can overcome all sins and live in the presence of God after the close of probationary time without an intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary(Revelation 22:11,12). They view character perfection as schimera or a mirage. This is as a result of their wrong definition of sin and salvation.
But if you are serious enough to confess all your known sins and depend on the power of the Holy Ghost to give you love for Christ enough to make you wanna choose death before sin as did Joseph, Job, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego, Naboth, etc., you will be kept from fall by that power.
Fordism is anti-Scripture, anti-SOP and anti-Adventism. That Jesus is in the judgment for you to blot out your confessed and forsaken sins should give you all the assurance there is unless you cherish a theology that doesn’t believe in the total deliverance from the thralldom of sin. Let me let you know where this theology that denies the power thereof is leading to with a quote from the book you must read or reread :
“The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. TO HOLD THE PEOPLE IN DARKNESS AND IMPENITENCE TILL THE SAVIOUR’S MEDIATION IS ENDED, AND THERE IS NO LONGER A SACRIFICE FOR SIN, IS THE OBJECT WHICH HE SEEKS TO ACCOMPLISH” (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 518).
Did you catch that? I pray and hope you do. In case you didn’t: Don’t let false philosophies and theology trap you in the cheep grace, sin and live theology that is calculated to make you comfortable in your sins until Christ’s intercession in the heavenly holy of holies is past and Satan secures your soul for perdition.
Happy October 22, 1844 in 2016. God bless you.
