The recent revelations of TB Joshua’s prophetic insight and instruction to Coach Sellas Tetteh regarding the Black Satellite’s historic World Cup triumph have ignited a surprising storm of criticism, the news spreading like a proverbial fire across the nation with frenzied argument and dispute arising in its wake. A glance through the flood of heated responses posted on various online news sites seems to paint a unanimous picture, pointing to a profound principle: “What people don’t understand, they criticise.”

Firstly, I think it is imperative to state that if you do not have a thorough knowledge of the ministry and antecedents of Pastor TB Joshua, it would be almost impossible to absorb or appreciate the uncanny accuracy of this prophetic revelation. From a purely rational angle based on worldly experience and exposure, it sounds either farcical, fraudulent or fabled. However, this sort of supernatural scenario and the ensuing controversy is not new to the Nigerian Pastor. From the onset of his ministry, he has persistently stepped out of the crowd and achieved unique feats that were consistently met with misjudgement and argument by some, as well as adulation and acclamation by others - just as it was in the time of Jesus Christ (John 7:12).

The common thread of questions that seem to throng Ghanaian minds in the light of this disclosure are: Why didn’t Pastor Joshua choose help his own nation Nigeria who were disgraced in Egypt? What is his motive for unveiling such clips to the world? What on earth is he doing recording his phone call with Tetteh? What is God’s interest in football? Some have also impertinently made untold demands of his prophetic gifting, as if it were a mere button you press to obtain instantaneous result.

I would like to address these points to the best of my ability. To begin with, prophecy does not originate or proceed from the will of any mortal man, nor is it the product of any reasoning factors or faculties (2 Peter 1:21). According to dictionary definitions, prophecy is an inspired declaration of divine will and purpose, foreknowledge of presently hidden things which cannot be known by the natural light of reason, the foretelling of the future through a direct revelation from God. It’s not magic; it’s not predetermined, nor is it something to be dished out according to individual will or wish. The prophet is not the instigator or the focus of a prophecy – he is simply a mouthpiece of God, a communicator between the visible and invisible.

TB Joshua’s prophetic ministry did not begin last Friday in his discussion with Coach Tetteh. There have been numerous and verifiable records of his predictions coming to pass pertaining events of both national and international relevance. These include the death of iconic pop legend, Michael Jackson, the release of Ingrid Betancourt from the Colombian jungles, the recent plane crash in New York, amongst countless others. On the football front, he has accurately predicted the outcome of the last two Super Eagles qualifiers between Tunisia and Mozambique. Aside, each Sunday Service at The SCOAN unveils the remarkable prophetic gifting ministered by the Prophet to individuals who attend his church, with Joshua uncannily telling them intricate and accurate details about their lives, the solution furthermore provided. For those in doubt, his services are broadcast live on Emmanuel TV – raw, real and radical.

In respect of the recording, any viewer of Emmanuel TV would know that Prophet Joshua is a meticulous and emphatic keeper of records. I was astounded upon viewing clips of his early life and ministry in a documentary titled, ‘My Testimony’. When an unknown and unkempt Joshua started his Synagogue with a mere 8 members, he called a cameraman and asked him to record it. Every single step of his ministry has record – down to when his church was destroyed thrice by the elements. From a logical viewpoint, it seems ludicrous, but it was inspired by the vision that one day people would see the record and glorify God for the extraordinary journey He has taken His servant on. The same vision that propelled Joshua to record his humble beginnings also prompted him to record his telephone conversations with Tetteh, for the same purpose of glorifying God and teaching the masses a vital and valuable lesson in faith and obedience. Joshua saw the vision and had such courage and confidence in its validity, for God had not failed him in times-past. Besides, if the record was not there – the same people criticising today would be liable to doubt, demanding for the evidence.

As for Joshua’s motive, the answer correlates to the question of why the prophetic message involved football. Football is a proven powerful and practical force that unites people across age, faith, race and creed. The potential for people to submit their lives to Christ as a result of this prophecy is enormous – and without seeing, our generation without faith and hope would simply not believe, hence the need to unveil this record to the world. God’s glory is paramount and forefront, not the messenger He chose to use in this particular instance. The notion of Joshua taking the glory for the Satellites victory is ridiculous. We all know the brilliance and resilience of our boys that saw them through the entirety of their games in Egypt to the trophy.

Now to the role of Ghanaian media, headlines such as ‘SCANDAL: Tetteh confirms pastor made Ghana U20 team selection’ are uncalled for and unrepresentative of what truly occurred. Both Joshua and Tetteh’s roles and words are being distorted by media who want to unnecessarily hype up the scenario. Coach Tetteh sought to know the opinion of God concerning the final, knowing that God’s opinion can guard and guide them against error and mistake. Upon hearing from God, Joshua revealed to him that no goal would be scored, penalties would determine the outcome and Dede Ayew should take the first penalty kick. Simple. This does not in any way undermine the Satellites skill and stamina, nor does it take away from Tetteh’s coaching abilities and instincts. It only emphasises the importance of God in all facets of life, a revelation the Ghanaian president John Atta Mills can also testify to. In his own case, he sought the mind of God before election time, and Joshua told him there would be three elections and the results would be announced in January. Both individuals sought to know the mind of God from His servant, it was revealed – and they came to pass, to the glory of God and the good of Ghana. In any case, anyone watching the final cannot deny God’s involvement - the higher hand seeming to guard the Ghanaian posts and frustrate every Brazilian attempt on goal, even against 10-man Ghana.

I would advise all still doubting to watch Joshua’s television station: Emmanuel TV and judge for yourself. To the blind critics, consider the words of a wise man: “Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

Robot  # 1 | 21.10.2009 23:38

...Read the full article.

padjekuko  # 2 | 22.10.2009 03:12

Africa is in a huge mess with Nigeria taking the lead. Winning football tournaments is not going to get us anywhere from the abyss. May be Joshua should fix the real problem and become a real hero. Does Joshua know that no Afican Leader could win the Mo award this year? let us get serious people.

Nwachukwuegbunike  # 3 | 22.10.2009 03:55

Of prophesy, prophets and pagans - all in Jesus name!

Kay Soyemi (Esq.)  # 4 | 22.10.2009 07:48

=Robot;397953>...Read the full article. Cool, So will Nigerians benefit from the gift bestowed on this man? Who will win the Presidential elections come 2011? Will Yar A'dua be one of the contestants, will Ribadu be there, will Fashola have any relevance at federal level? Ati be é bé ló (and so on and so forth)

eire  # 5 | 22.10.2009 10:34

TB Joshua is himself a prediction of the very decadence at the heart of the Blackman's psyche. If only black people were not colonised and enslaved with religions like Christianity and Islam, if only they were not so indoctrinated to the extent that after the end of physical slavery and colonisation they still hold to high esteem religions that are the very embodiment of violence, irrationality, intolerance, racism, tribalism, and bigotry... invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry. what will it take for the black man to stop believing and worshipping a non existence God or listening to the sermons of equally brainwashed prophets of exploitation and doom?

Taiwo Olokun  # 6 | 22.10.2009 16:19

In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, God instructed His people (the Jews): “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’--which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” In Matthew 24:23-26, Jesus said: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Anointed One!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs (false anointed ones) and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.” 2Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Taiwo Olokun  # 7 | 22.10.2009 16:44

The author thinks Acts 5:38-39 supports his own erroneous beliefs. Acts 5:38-39 says "And now i say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." That statement was made by Gamaliel (Acts 5:34) "Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel ..." But the truth is this: Presently, God is allowing humanity to have their own way, therefore Satan and human beings are on the throne in this world; this is evident as we see big men, Popes, tyrants, and leaders get away with their murders and unspeakable evils. But eventually, God's will, will come to pass because He return to bring true Justice and Peace. But for now, evil men triumph. In Luke 18:8, Jesus said "... Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" These are the last days and there is rarely any true Christianity any where.

Taiwo Olokun  # 8 | 22.10.2009 17:04

Someone with the username of "Eire" commented to this article. In his/her comment, he/she said: "what will it take for the black man to stop believing and worshipping a non existence God ..." I refer you to Lenin's dilemma. Lenin was a Communist. He argued against the existence of a God. Later, he was not able to solve this question of his: "Where do these religious people get the idea of God when it is impossible to come up with some thing that does not exist?" A half human, half animal (fictionalized beastly creatures) do not exist. But animals exist and so does human beings, therefore people come up with such strange characters (a mixture of humans and animals). Human beings have communicated/related with spirits (gods) that's why they can speak of them. Human beings cannot come up with some thing that does not exist. That was Lenin's dilemma. Lenin was a Communist.

Taiwo Olokun  # 9 | 22.10.2009 17:07

Please visit: GraceTruth7.org My articles are there.

Taiwo Olokun  # 10 | 23.10.2009 20:06

www.GraceTruth7.org