We grew up to fear masquerades in those dark years in Africa only because of their frightful masks and costumes. One day, we discovered that ordinary human beings like us wear masks to become masquerades that terrify, oppress and extort people. Since then over fifty years ago, I had learnt that masquerades are mere mortals (people subject to death, having transitory life) and do not possess the power of death over other mortals.
You only need to read again Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie's past swipe at Bishop Ortitsejafor to be persuaded that christian leadership in Nigeria had been rendered impotent by the same leaders. This is not to mention Pastor Tunde Bakare's recent theatrical drama of, "e roju ole, e o mu". Further, what does one make of our notable Christian leaders' disposition towards the last National election in Nigeria? Oh by the way, even the old good Anglican community had been infiltrated by leadership of extortion to the extent that you are mandated to execute a capital project before their churches can conduct burial services for their old dead members, regardless of whatever contributions the diseased made to the church.
Many of our Christian leaders are obviously in different camps (kingdoms). Jesus made it clear that "every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25). If Christianity does not stand in Nigeria, the country will be in danger of destruction in the face of global terrorism.
PRAYER POINT
1. "For both the Prophet and the Priest do wickedly; and their wickedness have I found in mine House, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:11) Father let your wrath be visited on masquerades camouflaging as men of God in Jesus Name, amen.
2. "My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God." (Ezekiel 13:9) Lord let all masquerades camouflaging as men of God be divinely unmasked this year in order to give glory to your name and debunk their perceived invincibleness.
Dr. Niran Fafowora