AUGUST 1

BUILDING UP ZION FROM BEYOND THE RIVERS OF ETHIOPIA

OLUBI JOHNSON

Isaiah 18:1-2 NKJV
Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, Which sends ambassadors by sea, Even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, To a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide.”

As we write this, the building up of Zion for the manifestation of God’s glory has started and is being pioneered from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia in the land the rivers divide: Nigeria, according to the prophetic Scriptures (Jude 1:20; Isaiah 18:1-2).

These scriptures speak prophetically of a spiritual people: tall and of smooth skin—symbolically speaking of great spiritual stature and smooth or pure character that will be living in a physical nation beyond the rivers of Ethiopia that will be divided by rivers.

We can see the ‘tall stature’ and ‘smooth skin’ symbolizing the perfect Church (Eph. 4:12-13).

Only Nigeria and the Church of Jesus Christ in her that is growing into the perfection and fulness of Christ (spiritual Zion), fits this unique prophetic description.

The rivers Niger and Benue divide Nigeria. The Church in Nigeria that is growing into the perfection and fulness of Christ is symbolically called Zion and spiritual Israel—the seed of Abraham through the Lord Jesus (Ps. 50:2).

Why is the pioneering from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia?
It is instructive to note that the perfect Church will not be in Nigeria alone: it will just be pioneered in Nigeria and then spread to all nations.

This is similar to the fact that, the birth of the Church was pioneered in Israel and later spread to all nations (Acts. 1:8). Also, the Reformation of the Church was pioneered in Germany in 1517 by Martin Luther and later spread to all nations.

The purposes of God in the three prophetic days (3, 1000-year periods (2Pet. 3:8)) of the Church were pioneered and now are being pioneered by the descendants of the three sons of Noah: Shem, Japheth and Ham (Gen.10:1).

1. The birth of the Church in Jerusalem by Israel (the sons of Shem).
2. The Reformation of the Church in Germany by Martin Luther (the sons of Japheth).
3. The perfection of the Church in Nigeria (the sons of Ham).

The three major characteristics of the perfect Church are:
1. A meek and lowly heart: giving access to great grace and wisdom.
2. Tongue tamed (no lies or deceit) by the power of Holy Spirit so enabling perfection.
3. No fear (none shall make them afraid) because perfect love casteth out fear.

So, as we continue to build up ourselves by the blood (Heb.13:20-21), the Word (1Jn. 2:5) and the Spirit (1JJn. 4:12-13), with a meek and lowly heart so taming the tongue and perfecting the love of God, the glory of God will soon be manifest!

For more on today’s study visit:
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