Season of ‘strange’ prophecies is here again [OPINION]

By Olalekan Adetayo

The season is here again. In a few days, we will be burning the 2023 calendar while joyfully crossing into 2024. This is the period many usually go spiritual. Religious leaders know this and they exploit it maximally.

For instance, many are interested in having an idea of what the coming year will look like. Such people are looking in the direction of religious leaders, especially pastors, for the needed prophecies. Trust them, they will never disappoint. They have been coming in torrents and more are still expected.

In the past, there were fathers of faith who came up with precise prophecies. People looked forward to hearing them or reading about their prophecies. In those days, some of the prophecies were documented in book form and it was easy to track them when they came to pass.

It appears that such a feat of the past is putting a lot of pressure on most modern-day pastors. Some of them, in their bid to meet the demands of their followers who genuinely want to know what the coming year has in stock for them, have been coming up with prophecies that are at best, expected or commonsensical. I have read about some prophecies ahead of 2024. They are as diverse as the world itself. The list is long, from politics to the economy, there are enough prophecies to last a lifetime.

Prophet Joshua Iginla of the Champions Royal Assembly (Joshua Iginla Ministries) based in Abuja, in his prophecy for the coming year, decided to go the way of climate change. He predicted that between 2024 and 2026, people across the world would experience significant shifts in temperature and weather patterns. The pastor, during a recent church service, said although the weather mode would be deemed ‘climate change’, “it is the orchestration of the signs of the end.”

The man of God declared, “Between 2024 and 2026, you are going to see some things that will amaze you in the climatic change and it is going to be very strong. Science is going to give us the interpretation of what they think, but this is orchestrated as one of the signs of the end. You should know that I am not just blabbing; you know that I am seeing. There is a particular month I’m seeing, 24, 25, 26, you are going to understand. There is a particular month I am seeing 9, 8, 11. Get a book (sic) of this date, record them, you are going to see some things. A lot of things are going to happen between now and 2030. It would blow your mind to make you know that scriptures are real. Science will interpret what they want to interpret. But I tell you; it is the orchestration of the signs of the end.” God, please have mercy.

While Iginla decided to go the way of climate change, the spiritual head of the Wisdom Church of Christ International in Lagos, Prophet Bisi Olujobi, chose politics. Olujobi, in his prophecy, claimed the Edo State governorship race would not favour the state deputy governor, Philip Shuabu, adding that “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu would be favoured if he prays very well.” He added, “Wike will still encounter more heavy betrayal; all his efforts to use the federal connection will fail him.” For by strength shall no man prevail, halleluyah.

On his part, another Nigerian prophet, Emmanuel Stephen, decided to focus on health. He said God showed him there would be an outbreak of a communicable disease that would go viral in 2024. He said the disease, as God showed him, would be extremely disastrous, leading to the death of many people. The prophet declared, “The Lord opened my eyes to pray against flu. I saw a sickness that came and it came through the air, and everybody was complaining that this thing became very popular. The Lord ministered to me about 2024. We should pray against any airborne sickness. This sickness will continue, and when it gets to you, it will get another. And I wonder why the thing became that much in 2024, then the Lord ministered to me. When I heard the voice said to me: ‘Let God’s people pray because a lot will die’. But for those who pray, God said they won’t be victims.” Praise the Lord!

Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, founder of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries, and son of Bishop David Oyedepo also released his prophesies targeted at the millennial and Gen Z generations. He declared that 2024 would provide the millennial and Gen Z generations with great opportunities, and there would be an opening of doors to campuses, cities, and nations for the propagation of the gospel. “The year 2024 will provide this generation (millennials) and the upcoming generation (Gen Z’s) great opportunities for the transference of ancient mantles. Joel 2:28-29 NLT. The year 2024 will see more young women filled with the Holy Ghost and fire arise in the body of Christ. Joel 2:28-29 NLT. The year 2024 shall be for the transference of batons from one generation to the next, as the ancient paths are restored. Jer. 6:16,” the man of God declared. Our generation shall praise your name, o Lord.

Founder and General Overseer of David Aigbona Evangelistic Ministries, Pastor David Aigbona, decided to feature agriculture and food security. In his 2024 prophecies, the cleric said that 2024 would be a year of worldwide famine, but there would be provision for true Christians as God would prioritise those who are actively involved in the growth of His kingdom.

He said, “There would be worldwide famine. God will provide for His people with preference to those who are actively involved in the growth of His kingdom. These will flourish like a palm tree by the river. Though in the midst of a wilderness yet the dryness will not get to them. Prepare like Joseph did. Let wisdom and perseverance guide you.” The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want.

We should be prepared for more prophecies as the New Year draws closer. But from me, I am prophesying that by the time this column comes your way hopefully again next Wednesday, December 27, Christmas would have been over. It is therefore appropriate for me to wish you Merry Christmas in advance. While we celebrate, let’s stay away from trouble.

Culled from The Punch