For there to be a positive turn around in the living standards of the people in the face of the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the country, true reconciliation with God remains the only antidote.
This was the revelation of Apostle John Okoriko, the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church (SRKC), during his monthly interactive session with the international community at the national headquarters, Ibekwe Akpanya, in Mkpat Enin local government area of the church over the weekend.
He condemned the practice of using animals’ blood in Churches, communities and families as the practice for atonement of sins, saying such exercise contradicted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross as the last sacrifice for mankind.
Speaking on the theme; “The Power of Atonement”, Okoriko, emphasised that the greatest reconciliation needed by God, “is our bodies not animals’ blood, and urged the people on true discipline and emotional recompense as a sure way to heal the country.
Okoriko; an author of ” Every Satan Has A Human Face”, blamed the current hardship on human errors including leadership and followers, whom he accused of imbibing demonic applications thereby incurring the wrath of God as consequence.
According to the fiery cleric, the practice of killing animals for the sake of healings, worship and atonement was idolatrous against the teachings of Jesus Christ, and therefore, warned Nigerians in the habit of such untoward practices to repent for a fresh air of liberation to sweep across the country.
He recalled that the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross many years ago was the final sacrifice because “God had to use the blood to reconcile man to Himself,” thereby putting an end to the evil practice of animals’ sacrifices.
Quoting Hebrew 10:4 , Okoriko, stated that the blood of animals was impossible to take away sins from the heart of man, thereby causing the coming down of Jesus Christ to offer himself as the final sacrifice to redeem the world.
“The blood of animals could not take away the sin of man. This is why he came down to die as a sacrifice for our sins. The blood of animals was no more needed in Churches, families and communities for atonement either to cure sicknesses, heal the land and used for worship or any form of spiritual assignments.
“Some religions still use and worship animals to atone for their sins . This is why the nation of Israel is still using animals for atonement.
People still believe that eggs, fowls, goats, animals, feathers of birds can be used to effect healings of diseases and other forms of influences in life,” he stressed.
He, therefore, warned Christians not to indulge in animal blood sacrifices for miracles and other spiritual solutions, saying the answer lies in unwavering faith in the ability of the God Almighty to heal the land.
He said man decided to allow animals to die for atonement of their sins instead of them to allow themselves as sacrifice to God, noting that “every demon is created by man because man is the custodian of evil,” stressing that the blood of animals was not competent to purify sins of men.
He listed the demons in man as anger , hatred, greed and other vices inherent in man, pointing out that “one of the ways Churches should sacrifice themselves for atonement is through fasting and prayers ”
“No solutions for using animal blood to solve human problems. Using animal to atone for human iniquity is an insult to divinity,” he explained.
