FACTS ABOUT OGWA TOWN (A REPLY)

            

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

                                                                    Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com          FACTS ABOUT OGWA TOWN                                       (A REPLY)                             

MAIN TEXT: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us… that the blessings of Abraham might come upon (us) the Gentiles”… (Gal. 3:13-14).                 

WRITER’S QUOTE: Those who are in Christ are no longer part of the curses of their forefathers.

INTRODUCTION:                                                       Having read through a message in a booklet, on the above subject-matter, which was published (undated) by the Ogwa Believers Association (OBA), I meticulously observed that cert isain concepts and programmes put forth by the leadership of the Association carry no biblical efficacy. My observation, nevertheless, does not cast any eclipse on the noble effort made by these sincere gentle people of God, but simply point out that people could be sincerely wrong in worthwhile ventures.                                           The cited published booklet by the OBA on what it calls, “Facts About Ogwa Town”, clearly demonstrates the shortsightedness and superstitious gospel which people propagate today in the name of Liberation. In the booklet under review, the OBA in a three point content, namely;

1.      Do you know    

2.      Effects and

3.      Solutions

tries to establish a case as to what it views as the problems or rather the causes of what  it assumes are taking the Ogwa community backwards . However, as well intended as the Ogwa Believers Association may be in its drive towards the liberation of the Ogwa community from demonic bondage, it should be noted that the concept it tries to sell to the people stems from the fabric of deadly distortion.                                                                 Based on the foregoing, therefore, the writer takes a critical look at each content of the booklets titled “Facts about Ogwa Town”. The booklet in its content one, tagged, “Do You Know”, draws the attention of the Ogwa people to the fact of the geographical features of the Ogwa town, in which it cites Abazu,  Alaenyi,  Ekwereazu, Idem, Ochii, Oboro, Uru, Umuazu, Idume, Ihite and Oburu as the eleven villages that make up the Ogwa town. However, by the revelation of the writer, the present Ogwa town has twelve villages and not eleven. And, the first of them all is the community of the Ogwa Believers. Therefore, the present day villages or communities that make up the Ogwa town include (1) The Ogwa Believers Association (OBA)  (2) Abazu (3) Alaenyi, (4) Ekwereazu, (5) Idem, (6) Ochii, (7)Oboro, (8)Uru, (9) Umuazu, (10)Idume, (11)Ihite and (12)Oburo. For the purpose of clarity, the Ogwa town is in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State in Nigeria.

           By God’s design, the believers in Ogwa should have been a very powerful influence in Ogwa, in terms of prosperity and progress if they had been appreciative of God’s salvation and subsequently taken up the challenges of achieving the divine objectives for which they were saved. But, on the contrary, they have taken to the distortion that the sins of their forefathers constitute the hindrances they face on earth, and this idea has no support in the Word of God, since the Scripture says that the sins of the forefathers are on those who hate Him, to third and fourth generations, (Ex 20 : 5), but He shows mercy to thousands of those who love Him and keep His commandments, (vs. 6). By this, therefore, the writer brings to the fore that the backwardness in Ogwa, on the side of the unbelievers could be as a result of the sins of their forefathers, but to the believers in Ogwa, it is not, but as a result of the unbelief, as inspired by the leadership of the Ogwa Believers Association (OBA),

              To this end, please recall that in the case of the man that was born blind, when Jesus was asked …who sinned, this man or his parents,  that he was born blind? Jesus replied,  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, “but that the work of God should be revealed in him,” (John 9:2-3), and this, evidently shows that the sins of the forefather may not have been the cause of the alleged backwardness in Ogwa, but the failure of the believers in Ogwa and the leadership of the OBA to reveal the works of God in the town, (vs2-3).                              

Furthermore, in pages 1-2 of the booklet being x-rayed, the OBA reveals the existence of many gods (Agwuishi, Ala Oboro, Amadioha, Eru, Ezeala, Duruagu, Ezealaoji, Ekebuzu, Okwara Ndam, Okwara ike Uru.) and how they are worshiped, and holds that they are the sources of the many problems in Ogwa, which the writer also agrees. But, the heightening of the problem with:

1)      The alleged burying of sixteen persons, as  a way of appeasing the gods in Ogwa (8 men, 8  women)

2)      The killing of one of the early missionaries at Abazu Ogwa.

3)      The killing of twins and other related offences against God, may be unnecessary, since Israel that killed all the prophets of God, which they buried in both deep and shallow graves still ranks best in science and technology. Therefore, it becomes obvious that it is the rigidly blind sense of guilt of the sins of the forefathers, doubt, fear and unbelief as unbrokenly passed on to the believing generations of the Ogwa Community by the leadership of OBA that have been the strong satanic chains that set the community backwards and not the sins of the forefathers. How?

1)      The Ogwa Believers since over twenty years have been organizing annual prayer meeting for the community, yet, do not believe that God has, by their prayers forgiven and dissociated them from the sins of their forefathers.

2)      They, also, have been living under an unbroken doubt as to whether they can move the Ogwa community forward.

3)      They, equally live in the fear that God would always bring setbacks on them, as a result of the sins of their forefathers.                                                                                   On the alleged “effects” of the atrocities and idol worship in Ogwa, the OBA in page 5 of its unpopular booklet under scrutiny put forth that such atrocities and idol worship account for:

1.      The non- centrality of the traditional institution in Ogwa

2.      Disunity

3.      Setbacks and un-successful developmental projects.

4.      Lack of political personalities in government

            According to OBA, the aforementioned and several other alleged effects have put the land under a curse and the people in bondage. But, by way of refutation, the non-centrality of the traditional institution in Ogwa should not be seen as a curse, but a display of governmental uniqueness of the Ogwa people. The Ogwa community is an “egalitarian” community with an ad hoc style of leadership. This republican disposition demonstrates the “umunna” leadership style, through the instrumentality of village heads. This type of leadership, though, not sustained, as result of the advents of the Whiteman in Nigeria should not be seen as a curse, but as a blessing.

             On the unity and stability of the Ogwa community, let it be pointed out here that, the “so called” disunity in Ogwa does not exist, since history shows no record of disintegration in the town. That clans, villages or people sometimes disagree on matters or even quarrel over issues of interest is not the ground to say that there is disunity in ogwa. In fact, what exits in Ogwa is unity in diversity. Also, the fallacy that no project has successfully been completed in Ogwa should be discarded. For, every appreciative and sincere individual, who has covered a life span of forty-fifty years in Ogwa will bear the witness that;

1)      Ogwa started and completed in the fifties, the first water project in the whole of the then, Mbaitoli-Ikeduru local government area.

2)      A dispensary project was started and commissioned about the same time in Ogwa.

3)      The Ogwa community in the sixties started, completed and handed over to the government, the present Ogwa General Hospital

4)      The same Ogwa community through self effort has built and handed over to the government the three existing secondary schools in Ogwa.

5)      By the blessed move of the Holy Spirit, the early missionaries were able to build in Ogwa several primary schools and maternity homes, which are still very much in use today.

6)      The Ogwa electricity project today has been completed and commissioned, whereas many communities in Imo State, Nigeria and other parts of the world are yet to have such a utility.

          Finally, the alleged lack of Ogwa political figures, as portrayed by the leadership of the OBA becomes baseless, as one recalls that in the sixties, the Ogwa community had produced one of the most reputable officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the person of F.O. Iheanacho, the then Federal Rehabilitation  Commissioner. Another political blessing that the Ogwa community had recorded came during the regime of Chief Sam Mbakwe, during which the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was from Idem Ogwa. It is also on record that in the local government, the Ogwa community had produced some notable figures like; Jeff Uwandu, Rufus Osueke to mention but two.                                         From the foregoing, therefore, it becomes obvious that another problem of the leadership of the OBA is “ingratitude”, since all the aformention are clear testimonies of some of the things God has done in Ogwa, and for the people of Ogwa, yet, the leadership and membership of the OBA seem not to have seen and appreciated the facts of these enormous goodness of the Lord in Ogwa from the ancient times, instead, they have always adduced an attitude that accuses and portrays Him in bad light. And so, the leadership of the OBA should sincerely take time to count the blessings of God scattered across the Community, instead of insinuating in its members the attitude which portrays God as a sadist, who is ready to strike at the slightest offence.

           In conclusion, for more blessings to come to Ogwa, the writer totally agrees to solution in page 6 of the booklet that Ogwa must;

1)       denounce demonic deities and their functions;

2)      Turn away from their wicked ways;

3)      Ask God for forgiveness, and

4)      Repent and turn to God, who says:

“When I shut up the heaven so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people. If my people who are called by my Name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chr7:13-14). 

GOD’S DISPLEASURE IN GOVERNANCE (Part 1)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

P.O, Box 1184, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

GOD’S DISPLEASURE IN GOVERNANCE (Part 1)

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVES AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION

MAIN TEXT:                                                                                              “By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down” (Proverb29:4)                                                                                WRITER’S QUOTE:                                                                       Politicians are God’s gifts for nations building, but they disappoint God                                                when they engage in corruption.

INTRODUCTION:                                                                                                                                        Without controversy, thrones, kingdoms and governments are established by God, and He places certain parsons of His choice in positions of authority who, in ideal situations should first and foremost be accountable to Him, and then, to the society in which such institutions are put in place. This implies that God expects the acts of governance to be transparent and fair, as He expresses displeasure when reverse is the case. And, no doubt, the executive arm of government takes the lead in acts of governance, though the other arms, the legislature and judiciary play particular roles. But, just as the executive arm of government is outstanding in the acts of governance, so also, is “political corruption” a common feature of its functionaries, especially where the fear of God and moral rectitude are lacking. In Nigeria, for instance, cases of ‘political corruption” have uncontrollably taken hold of most of the government officials of nowadays, that one may be tempted to view corruption as part of the Nigerian constitutional social values, and here, the writer cites the former governors,  Late DSP Alamieyeiseigha of Bayelsa State, Chief James Ibori of Delta State, and Sir Jude Agbaso, the impeached former deputy Governor  of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State as examples of persons guilty of ‘political corruption”, though, some allegedly argue  that Sir, Jude Agbaso may have been innocent or not alone in the alleged fraud, or may have suffered from certain hidden political intrigues designed to remove him from office, citing that the lack of due process in the whole exercise may have also indicted the governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, or played out his desires for a new deputy. After all, according to the Imo Trumpeta newspaper of Friday, May 24, 2013, “recent developments (on the matter), especially investigations by private and anti-graft agencies have revealed that the #450m bribe alleged to have been collected by the impeached Deputy Governor from Jpross has been traced to banks in Dubai and Lebanon said to have been masterminded by Joseph Dina, owner of Jpross”, which now gives rise to the thought that the impeached Deputy governor may not have had a hand in the alleged fraud, but a victim of some sort of political plot.

            By way of definition, “political corruption” as Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia renders, “is the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain”…It also notes that forms of corruption vary, but include; bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft and embezzlement as outstanding. The Lexicography further states that  corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and human trafficking, though it is not restricted to these activities…, and in Nigeria, as well as in other countries of the world, the foregoing among others are noticeable and condemnable crimes. However, for the purpose of stressing the evils of “political corruption” apparent among the ruling class of today, please observe that:

GOD IS NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVES USE THEIR OFFICES TO ENTRICH THEMSELVES                                                                                               In every democracy, like Nigeria, people elect their leaders. Though, during elections, people make a number of choices which may or may not favour the winner of a given election. However, when once someone is duly elected, the person in question automatically becomes the leader of the generality of the people, irrespective of those who voted him or not, and so, should have the welfare of all at heart, which in normal human behaviour should rule-out discrimination, greed, avarice and self enrichment, which work against the good of the people, state or nation being governed. In other words, a leader with good intentions for the people can hardly think of ways of enriching himself when he should be working for the benefits of the people. But, certain Nigerian political leaders think otherwise, as statistics shows that most of them who went into government poor, left office(s) un-warrantedly rich, and in some parts of Nigeria, such greedy leaders become richer than the states or areas the governed within the period of time.            For example, how rich was Olusegun Obasanjo when he became a military head of state in Nigeria in 1976 and how rich did he become when he left office in 1979? Furthermore, how rich was the same Obasasnjo when he became a civilian president I 1999, and how rich has he become since he left office in 2007? Also, how rich was ex-military president Ibrahim Babangida when he assumed power in 1985, and how rich did he become in 1993, when he left office? At state level, how rich was ex-governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State when he assumed office in 2007, and how rich is he today? And, how rich was ex-governor ikedi Ohakim of Imo State when he became the governor in 2007 and how rich has he become since he left office in 2011? Is it not surprising to observe that some of these folks whose economic records were in red are today bastardly rich, at the expense of the people they should have helped?                                             Chief Olusegun Obasanjo after his regime as military head of state established his famous Ota Farm and other network of businesses, and also came up with other business establishments running into billions of naira after his tenure as civilian president, yet with chains of allegations of financial misappropriation. Ex-military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is today said to be the owner of multi-national/international business networks, but also carries uncleared allegation of the embezzlement of state funds from the oil-windfall during his tenure, plus other un-accounted financial dealings, as the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva was sometime invited to tell the Economic and Financial crime Commission (EFCC) how much he allegedly embezzled from the coffers of Bayelsa State. In Imo State, too, Governor Rochas Okorocha sometimes threatened to probe ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim for allegedly stealing public funds, but later dropped the idea for allegedly lack of evidence or moral reasons, for there are also allegations of financial misappropriation and recklessness against him, which may have been pricking his conscience, and so, the reason for not pursuing the purported probe may have been informed by the words of Jesus “if you have no sin, cast a stone”, (John 8:7), though, the case is being revisited by the EFCC, probably, for political reasons, or due to president Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, which some view as lopsided.                  The fact of political corruption, which this work had already defined as “, the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain” cannot be over emphasized. And, without mincing words, most government executives in Nigeria and elsewhere are guilty of this crime which displeases God. Today, it is obvious that government business is no longer a service to God and humanity, but a service for self-enrichment, and this may have informed one of the reason why key positions in government have become price-tagged, instead of meritoriously offered. For instance, the ex-governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim was allegedly said to have price- tags that ranged from #5m and #10m and above for the appointment of his commissioners, Sole Administrators (SOLAD), Special Assistants (SA) and other principle officers, and who knows if Governor Rochas is presently doing the same thing?                                                                                                          Another way government executives rip off the treasury of their states or nations is through the award of contracts. Between the late 70s and early 80s, what used to be in place was ten percent (10%) kick-back or kick front. But, nowadays, we hear of three hundred percent (300%) upfront payment of contracted jobs. Worst still, is the fact that most government executives become the client, the consultant, as well as the contractor in the circ=le of a given project, as a way of attaining maximum profit. In fact, this is the very accusation which today fingers Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state. And, the reader may have known that a good number of Imo people believe that the governor is relatively doing well in infrastructural development, but the allegation remains that most of the contracts are allegedly done by his own firms in a bid to further enrich himself, which by implication is a way of impoverishing the vast majority of the citizens of the state. Therefore, if the cited allegation becomes evident, it then means that the multitude of projects embarked upon by the Imo State Governor may be “incentive driven’ and not “economic driven”, as this seems to justify the notion of the opposition party in the state that most of the projects of the present administration have no economic values.                                                                                                And, a critical look at the cited view may readily picture the fact that the outrageous number of roundabouts and towers littered all over the state by the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha may have no economic values, as well as suggest that what inspires such project may be the concept of “more project, more money”, ant not the well being of the people, though, there are as well traces of valuable projects in the ongoing programmes of the state government. However, God is not pleased, if the drive behind the project in Imo State is self-enrichment.                                                                                                                                                             GOD IS ALSO NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS USE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TO UNDULY FAVOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS                                            Government is not a family affair, nor is it a forum for comradeship, but an institution designed to take care of the socio-political and economic needs of the generality of the people within its jurisdiction. This is not to say that people in government should not grant members of their families and friends certain opportunities while in office, but a stress on the need for fairness and adherence to the rule of law in governance, as well as a move against favouritism in government business, and here, it may be helpful to bring to the notice of the reader that this gospel piece drives towards ethical matters in governance and not technicalities. For instance, there is nothing wrong for someone in government to appoint certain members of his family or friends into positions of trust where there is equity and fair-play in the exercise, but there is everything wrong where such appointments are done on the basis of affinity or affiliation, without recourse to qualification and principles of technocracy.                                        Put differently, it is unethical for a political leader to appoint his brother or girlfriend, with or without qualification in accountancy to head the mechanical unit of the ministry of works, where countless qualified engineers are looking for the job. It is equally wrong for a government executive to unduly favour a friend who is a roadside mechanic for a road construction work, whereas, people who are trained and have what it takes to do the job are sidelined for the simple fact of place of origin. No doubt, such things happen almost every moment in Nigeria and other parts of the world. For example, during the regime of Chief Achike Udenwa in Imo state, it was alleged that Nze Ignatius Umunna was appointed the Secretary to Imo State government (SSG) simply because he is his half-brother. Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as well toed this inglorious path, when he appointed his brother Chief Emma Ohakim, the Chief of Staff of his administration. Today, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorcha has allegedly been appointing his kinsmen or people from his senatorial zone into key positions in his government, and by the same token has allegedly handed over the Imo State Sanitation job to his wife, coupled with the rumour that certain valuable contracts in the state are either awarded to members of his family or friends, and where people outside this cited circle are asked to do some minor jobs for the government, they allegedly find it difficult, if not impossible to receive payment for the work done, and who knows is president Mohamadu-Buhari today runs Nigeria in the cited constitutionally forbidden style? The reader should please help the writer find out if these specified allegations are true, as well as pray for a change of heart, since God is never pleased when such things take place in governance.         

GOD IS EQUALLY NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES TAKE BRIBES BEFORE AWARDING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS                                                                 By now, the reader may have been aware that “political corruption” borders on the use of governmental powers for illegitimate gain, and this work carries a sweeping x-ray on those who may have been found wanting, including, Sir Jude Agbaso, the impeached Deputy Governor of Imo State, whose removal from office was hinged on the #458m bribe which he allegedly received from Joseph Dina, the owner of Jpross group Ltd. In fact, the above cited dimension of “political corruption” is what this section of the gospel piece before the reader is designed to tackle                                                                                                                                      Bribe taking before the award of contracts by some government functionaries is unethical, as well as scripturally wrong, and so, displeases God. According to the main text of this piece, a king who is greedy of bribe tears down a country, (Proverb 29:4). And, no doubt, this is one of the reasons why Nigeria, and many other nations of the world are moving backwards, instead of moving forward, and this may have also informed the reason why most government services that are usually done by government ministries are nowadays contracted out by some government executives, probably in a bid to receive up-front bribes from desperate contractors who would bribe their way through. Today, hardly can one notice where road maintenance is done by ministry of works or where other essential services of government are done by the civil servants who are duly employed for such services. But, one notice to the dismay of all that, even hospital and other social services of government are mindlessly contracted out by certain greedy government executives for illegitimate gain, and from the grapevine the writer gathers that the present contracts of the Imo State Government of Owelle Rochs Okorocha to present managers of certain government parastatals in the state may not have considered the welfare of the people as claimed by the government, but may have carried a hidden motive for private gain. This is too bad, and displeasing to God, if the allegation becomes real.                     

          In conclusion, the fact that God is the Governor-General of all nations is both biblical and experiential, and so, those in leadership positions should be aware that they serve under a sovereign God who knows and sees all things, even before they happen or are done, as well as takes delight in honest and transparent services in governance. As such, the idea of “political corruption”, which this work has repeatedly cited from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, as “the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain” is biblically not proper, and therefore, could lead one to divine judgment that results in administrative down-fall and eternal destruction. BE WARNED!

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD

 PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD

“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise”… (Matthew 25:1-13)

 Introduction:                                                        In the words of Jay Horsley, “the need to prepare to meet God is clearly recognized by all who understand what will happen when we meet”. At the instance of this, he notes that, “there will be a thorough judgment of all sinners based on their sins”. (Revelation 20:12), pointing out that, “secular education is not a preparation to meet the Lord, since the world by learning cannot know God, (1 Corinthians 1:21).                                                                                                                                   As a follow-up, P.G Matthew opines that, “the evidence of the preparation of those who wish to meet God favourably hinges on the fact that, “when God saves sinners, those who are saved will love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and will do good works, demonstrating they are truly Christians”. He also indicates that, “from the parable of the ten virgins, we could learn how to prepare ourselves to meet God”. (Matthew 25:1-13). In view of the forgoing, please notice that;

YOU NEED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD                                                The foundation of Christian preparation for meeting with the Lord hereafter, begins with one’s sins being blotted out, as one repents, (Acts 3:19). This happens when one acknowledges one’s helplessness and inability to save one’s self, and accordingly, surrenders to Jesus for salvation, (Acts 4: 12). In fact, this ushers in the type of relationship which the parable of the ten virgins seeks to communicate. In the parable, Jesus uses the intimacy in marriage to picture the type of oneness and steadfastness He desires to exist between Him and the members of the Christian community- the church.  In this connection, the writer affirms that, the Christian union with Christ is divinely designed to reflect an ideal marriage, which is devoid of any form of unfaithfulness. However, the parable holds-out that five of the virgins were foolish, and inadequately prepared, and so, could not strike a relationship with the bridegroom, (verse 3:10).

 Without mincing words, the foolish virgins represented the non-committed Christians who do not adhere to the tenants of the Christian faith, though they appear to be waiting for the Lord. Is that your category?                                                     

YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE FOR THE LORD                     The parable as well shows that five of the virgins were wise and resolute in the attainment of their goal(s), as they were ready for eventualities in the pursuit of their set objective(s) which symbolizes the Christian faithfuls who are prepared for the return of the Lord, and would not compromise their faith or allow anything that would dissociate them “from the grace of God, which teaches us to deny all forms of ungodliness and worldly passions, as we wait for the Blessed Hope – the glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”,… (Titus 2:11-14). By way of interpretation, the key points that demonstrates the love of God in readiness to meet Him boils down to all-round chastity, which opens-up no room for careless living, compromise or infidelity. This summarizes the attitude of the five wise virgins, (verse 7-10).

YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE DOOR WILL BE SHUT

 AGAINST SINNERS                                                                                                 The part of the parable which expresses that, “at midnight, the cry rang out: Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! Then, all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out. No, they replied, “there may not be enough for us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves. But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut”…, figuratively points to the dilemma of those who are serious in Christian race. Such a people, for sure, will never be among the great multitude who would be dressed-up in white robes before the throne, and in front of the Lamb of God, after the sufferings of this time, who the Bible says would never hunger or thirst again, (Revelation 7: 9-16).Then, imagine what happens to those who like the foolish virgins would be shut out of the gates of heaven. Your guess is a good as mine! But, note that…’ the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – will have their place in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death’, (Revelation 21:8). WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?