The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said churches and mosques in the state might not be reopened soon for worshippers.
However, Pastor of Synagogue Church of all Nations(SCOAN) Prophet T.B Joshua has urged Christians to pray earnestly for government to reopen churches. He urged Christians to remember the prophecies that God revealed to him that the closure of churches was imminent.
Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, on the sideline of the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that churches and mosques will not open for now.
The Federal Government had on June 1 lifted the ban on mosques and churches in the country based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.
Elegushi said the reopening of the worship centres was not possible soon as the state was the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meetings with the religious leaders.
“We even had one with Lagos State Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.
“We also had one with the leaders of the two faiths. And I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally;
They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them;
Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer;
“He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back, he is not going to take responsibility for their presence. So, in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so;
The Federal Government mentioned it, but it never ruled out the state in achieving that pronouncement. So all states will have to look at possibility of doing so in their respective states;
We all know Lagos is still having more figures. So definitely that will speak to our decision.”
However, Pastor of Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) Prophet T.B Joshua has called on Nigerians Christians to pray fervently fo the re opening churches in Nigeria.
Prophet Joshua reminded christians in statement of three diiferent visions where God revealed to him the closure of churches.
The first vision was revealed on February 24, 2019 when God told him: Be careful, it is not the numbers that entered here(auditorium), but the souls that are being saved. “Jesus does not maintain what he does not form. A time will come when this place will be empty and we will all meet on Emmanuel Television”.
The second revelation was on April 7, 2019, bearing the same message. The third message came on January 5, 2020, where he talked about fear and closure of churches.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Prophet Joshua said: “Viewers, don’t forget there was a revelation three times concerning the church closing.
Viewers, that same God, we are waiting to hear from on when to reopen – when things will go back to normal – as usual. God’s time is the best. We are waiting at His feet for that time. We are tarrying for the Holy Spirit’s instruction. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Meet us as usual on Emmanuel TV until we hear from God when to reopen, the same God who gave us the prophecy three times about the church closing. It is God’s work, not our work. Here, our thanks go to the authorities for understanding. Jesus is Lord!”
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