Judgement in the house of God episode 12

Judgement In The House Of God
Episode 12
 
Location:The Church Auditorium
Continuation from the last scene
 
The Archbishop searched his eyes through the silent congregation after he asked the one billion dollars question.
Few people murmured among themselves while others placed their hands to the cheeks thinking. Pastor Eric and other elder sat looking at the archbishop attentively.
“I will leave that to the church to answer, meanwhile,may we all bow our head and say a prayer to the most high asking for his presence as we are about to hear and receive his word, let’s pray for the holy spirit to open our understanding and let the will of God be done in our lives today”
The congregation quickly bowed their heads as they prayed silently, some eyes closed while others were opened but still praying.
“In Jesus name we have prayed” he concluded
“Amen” the congregation chorused
“So brethrens in the Lord,I gladly welcome you to this important moment with the king of Kings and I pray that our understanding be enlighten and our lives transformed unto the glory of God”
“Amen”
“Today,I will be preaching on the topic: Dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty and I want you to do away with every forms of distractions as you listen keenly to the word of God, I say it again, dwelling under the shadow of the-”
The curious congregation raised their heads and eyes to know why the Archbishop suddenly paused in his statement.
The archbishop turned to the altar moving slowly.
After a few seconds,he turned back to the congregation and began to smile.
“Praise the Lord somebody!” He scre-med
“Hallelujah!” the suspicious congregation replied
“Children of God,praise the Lord!!”
“Hallelujah”
“Oh the Lord is so good! Indeed he is good!, I was about to preach on the topic I called earlier but like a flash,the holy spirit just ministered to me that some of his children sitting here have gone astrayed. They dressed beautifully,they are always in church,they contributed immensely to the things of God, People see and admire them as a true believer,but they know that all those are fake. They know within themselves that they are not living according to the gospel. They know that they have a skeleton in the cupboard, they know that they have longed ago forgotten about the ways of God. They have forsaken the things of God. Now is the time, just like the prodigal son,God is saying,come back home,he loves you. Though you may have forsaken him due to the circ-mstances of life but he never did, please come back home”
The words of the archbishop touched the inner beings of the congregation and a heavy silence fell upon them.
Some could be seen sharing tears while others closed their eyes.
The Archbishop searched through the crowd as he continued to speak.
“Please come back home,I don’t know you but God does. You can never hide anything from him. He sees what you are doing in secret and he knows everything. That’s not the lifestyle he chose for you. My brother,my sister,my son,my daughter,come back home, today is the day of salvation, the day of redemption. Please come to the altar let me pray for you. Remember the scripture says, let’s come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy. No matter who you are,no matter what your secret may be, God’s love is ever standing. His Mercy is ever sure,every faithful”
At the side facing the pulpit, pastor Eric bowed his head and a little tears dropped from his eyes which he quickly wiped to avoid suspicion. ” God please not today,I am a pastor, people are looking up to me as a leader,as an example. I can’t go and stand at the altar in front of the entire church. What will people say about me? Please let’s settle this in secret”
“Oh God, should I go and stand at the altar facing the entire congregation? What will people say about me? Angela the golden angelic voice,I can’t bear the shame, please forgive me, I promised not to have anything to do with senator ever again”
“Oh God! My conscience has been feeling guilty since I did that act. I have known no peace despite everything I have now. Please forgive me,if you want me to go at the altar,let the bishop repeat himself again”
“Is this a life I planned to live? Even though my husband threw me out of the house,he never divorced me and by the law of God and man,I am legally married and still his wife,
My children are still with him.
why then am I staying and committing adultery with another man? A man that has never paid my downry. A man that I don’t know anything about. A man that I have been performing a wifely roles for when all he does is beat, abuse and humiliate me everyday. A man that is more concerned about what people think than even me. A man that has no respect for me. Is this what I really want to become? Is this the plan God has for me? Do I really enjoy this so called Marriage? All the pretense, All the eye services, making everything looks fine and perfect in front of people when I am dying deep in,side. No i have had enough. I am going back to God”
Back at the pulpit,the archbishop continued to say
“Please come at the altar,let me pray for you,God still loves you and his arms are wide opened to help.Stop being indecisive. That voice telling you to stay is not of God. Don’t mind what people will say, heavenly race is a personal one, please come”
James slowly got up from his seat and walked to the altar with his head bowed in shame and embarrassment. He reached at the altar and knelt down crying his eyes out
“God bless you my child” the archbishop spoke at him “please don’t hesitate to join him,I know you are there, please come”
Five more individuals joined James at the altar.
“I think the bishop is talking to us” Mrs. Ajah quietly said to Mr. Raymond
“Will you shut your trap and sit down there?” He fired at her
“I will not sit” She fired back at him “you think this is what I planned for myself? No!” She made to stand but Mr. Raymond forcefully pushed her back to sit
“Do you realize you want to disgrace me woman?” He asked in annoyance
“I don’t care, Enough is Enough!!” She shouted and with that she stood up and walked to the altar.
Mr. Raymond angrily got up from his seat and stormed out of the church.
Upon reaching,she quickly fell at the feet of the archbishop crying uncontrollably.
“It is well my daughter,it is well” He comforted.”All of you,go to the altar and begin to pray, asking for mercy from God. The grace not to go back to your old ways. Please pray” He spoke.
The few members at the altar including Mrs. Ajah and James fell at the altar and began to pray and cry.
“I know you are still there” the archbishop turned to the congregation. “Please come and join them, Tomorrow might be too late for you. Please join them.God is calling you”
Angela got up from her seat, thinking she wanted to join them but she collected the microphone from the stand and slowly began to sing “I surrender all”.
The congregation rose to their feet and joined in the worsh¡p, some singing while others crying while the archbishop continued to speak
Angela held the mic and sang with passion as tears flowed down her eyes.
Indeed it was the hour of revival.
TBC