Synod is to prepare us for return of the lord — Bishop Elabor

Bishop Elabor

The Rt. Reverend Gabriel Oseikhuenmen Elabor is the Bishop of the Diocese of Esan, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). In this interview with CHRIS IREKAMBA, the cleric spoke on the forthcoming Synod of the Diocese, his vision for the church and why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should look beyond tribalism/ethnicity in administering the country, among other issues

Knowledge in the end-time will increase… how much has knowledge increased in the last few decades? Knowledge has increased by leaps and
bounds; it has grown! Daniel 12:4 says: “… even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

We can enforce the mark of the beast in Revelation 13. Today, they are already using chips under the skin and RFID tattoos on animals and
people. This is the mechanism that will almost certainly be used by theAnti-Christ to impose sanctions on individuals. It is also interesting to know that Islamic signs of compliance for Jihad are represented headbands and armbands on the right arm, which are the two areas mentioned in the Bible where the mark will be placed. In Revelation 13:16, the Bible says: “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or their foreheads. 17: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

If you have been keeping track of world news, you probably know that the confirmation of the covenant is imminent! Russia and other Arab
nations are acknowledging the right of Israel to exist! This is the first time in history!

Does this sound like the world of today? Most definitely! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says: “… know this also that in the last days, perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady,
high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. World peace… the goal of the whole world… also the call of the New World Order,‘Peace and Safety.”’ 1 Thess. 5:3 says: “For when they shall say, peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

The Bible says the gospel will be preached to all the people of the world. Today, we are in the deepest jungles, everywhere on the planet
and the whole world has almost heard the gospel.

The falling away is happening now. Paul tells us in 2 Thess. 2:3 thatthe day of the Lord will not come until there is a falling away. It is
happening by leaps and bounds and there is hardly anywhere, including the church, where you can find the truth being taught. People have
fallen so far from the truth that it does not exist anymore in the hearts and minds of men.

Prophecy can now be understood. The words were closed up and sealed by God, until the time of the end. Now that it is the time of the end, the words are no longer sealed up. We can understand them. See more on what Dan 12:9 says: “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”

Jesus said it would be like in the days of Lot and Noah when He will return. The days of rampant homosexuality are on us; the thoughts of men are evil continually. Luke 17:26 says: “And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27: They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and
destroyed them all. 28:

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.29: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30: Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

In Gen 6:5: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually.”

Brethren, we are there. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the time is now. Hence, the Synod theme is to draw our attention and
prepare us for the return of the Lord. The Church must avoid being taken
unaware.

You were enthroned in 2020; how do you intend to surpass what you predecessor had done before you came in?

We were consecrated Bishop for the See of Esan on September 21, 2020, and enthroned the same day. God is on our side; between then and now,
God has made a name for Himself. We are consolidating and improving on the achievements of my mentor and predecessor, the Most Reverend (Dr.)Friday John Imakhai.

Within this short period, through God’s grace and His divine enablement, we shall be dedicating a lot of projects to the glory of God on Friday, June 30, 2023. These projects include the ultra-modern 3, 000 seating capacity Cathedral of St. Andrew,
Transfiguration College; Diocesan office complex; a twin two-bedroom flats; Dew hall; a modern printing press and Episcopal Shopping Comple of about 66 lockup stores.

You once said you would establish two churches in five years; how do you intend to achieve this?
In less than three years, we have been able to establish five churches. Our major challenge is finance but our God is faithful.
Hopefully, our dream to cover Esan communities through evangelism is achievable.

What would be your advice to the current government in power?
Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given us President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for now, we, on behalf of the Church,
congratulate him. We plead with the new government to focus on nation-building and not to embark on tribe hunting as we experienced in the
last administration. We urge the president to place interest on the people above tribalism and ethnicity.

The lopsided appointments witnessed in the last administration should not be repeated. A progressive nation thrives on equity, fairness and justice. Nigeria belongs to all. We pray this administration will lead us to witness a new Nigeria where peace will reign.Download all attachments as a zip file