The Tribune

Re: Bishop: Demons loose in country - The Tribune, January 17, 2012 EDITOR, The Tribune THREE of the Gospels depict a biblical story in which Jesus' disciples were unsuccessful in their attempt to heal a boy of demon possession. As a result of their failure, Jesus personally rebuked the devil out of the child. Subsequently, Jesus scolded His disciples because of their little faith and lack of preparation. Jesus noted that the ideal and guaranteed solution for unruly and extreme cases of demon possession were prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43). Therefore I agree that prayer is a necessity when challenging "spiritual wickedness". I spoke highly of prayer in a previous article as a remedy for our national problems. However, I admonish the public to be not deceived by doctrines that promote traditional prayers. Prayer is a simple communication with God. Foremost, one must identify the "spiritual wickedness", then address it by prayer. Traditions of men are meaningless and incompetent when dealing with supernatural enemies. Jesus, including His disciples, taught about the significance of prayer and fasting. This information has withstood time. The Holy Ghost promotes unity and He wants salvation for all mankind. If God made a decree or ordered His people to pray in a particular manner, He has no need for secrets because Satan and his fallen angels are inferior to God and have no power over God. This claim can be exemplified by the Holy Bible, a global manuscript. I agree that there are sprits (demons) of sexual immorality, witchcraft and black magic as well as demonic spirits that plague people with financial troubles. I personally overcame "sexual immorality", in my case - promiscuity, adultery, lasciviousness and pornography. I was delivered not by some traditional prayer but by simple prayer and fasting. I simply rebuked the devil spirit in Jesus name and asked God continuously for His help and I was delivered (not overnight). I am sceptical about Bishop Ellis' alleged demon of "financial instability". I am aware, however, that there are curses and spiritual wickedness assigned to diminish our (mankind) finances. Mutually, Bahamians and the world elite have kept the Bahamian people hostage in terms of financial instability. When the Republicans abolished slavery, they had no intention of sharing wealth with the Negro and that still is the concept - to dominate world economics (I am no racist). Many Bahamians are hostages of materialism and living above their means. Above all, the "global recession" has paralysed world economics. The cost of living is too high and it is another factor that contributes to our "economic woes". Secondly, most Bahamians never got the financial support that Bishop Ellis got from Sir Lynden Pindling and thirdly many of us don't pastor a huge congregation of faithful followers in which we receive a tenth of their salaries. In addition, the Bahamian people don't have a stake in the Arawak Homes group like a Bishop Neil Ellis, Bradley Roberts, Franklyn Wilson, Rev Dr Hervis Bain and Sir Orville Turnquest. Show me a nation currently that is financially stable. If you could, I can assure you that Michael Jackson will be performing at our Independence Day celebrations in July. He may even make a special guest appearance at the 2012 Olympics in London. I strongly resent black magic but it is prevalent in every society. Satan may not be omnipresent but his demonic witchcraft is everywhere. It's a pity that dates were given as to when each demon spirit entered the Bahamas because these three demons spirits were evident within the camp of the Israelites. God gave Moses commandments and laws in reference to sexual immorality (fornication, adultery, prostitution, etc), witchcraft and black magic (obeah and voodoo). Satan's vendetta is against one man that walked this earth, and that man is Jesus Christ. So I can boldly say that every nation has these demonic issues because Satan is the father of evil and he has no limitations when it comes to spiritual destruction. I guarantee you that these evils or problems are prevalent in every nation upon the earth. Prior to Bishop Eddie Long's sex scandal in 2010, Prophet Brian Carn spoke of Eddie Long's loyalty to his (Eddie's) homosexual ring at the church he governs. Subsequent to that and before Eddie Long's homosexual scandal, Neil Ellis made a false prophecy and lied on the spirit of the Lord claiming that "New Birth" struggles were over. It is my opinion that here Ellis here blasphemes the Holy Ghost. From biblical knowledge, we are aware of the two sins that can lead one to eternal damnation. Those sins include: suicide and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. A few months later, we saw "New Birth" plagued with a scandal and in the initial stages a confident Eddie Long said he would fight the case to the end but settled out of court for $25 million. Those of you who would have watched Eddie over the years on TBN, every Sunday at 8:30pm Eastern Time, would have recalled Ellis's false prophecy. Following that scandal, we saw what happened to Ellis' buddy - Randy Fraser. I am confused nowadays when Neil Ellis speaks. It is difficult to determine when Ellis is in a fiction mode or non-fiction mode. Nevertheless, I like him as Bishop Neil Ellis, "The Movie Star". If Jesus appeared to him with the message he proclaims, I openly repent. If Jesus did not appear to Ellis and Ellis' claims are false, I suggest that he is guilty of slander against God. As a result he should be charged before the courts for lying on Jesus (just joking!) Then the prisoners would have an all-star line up at the prison. Ellis and Fraser could conduct revivals and pray for all those rapists and paedophiles and rebuke that demon out of those "sexually immoral inmates". Bishop, I forgot to mention that I am running as an independent candidate for Pinewood, so maybe you can pray that I win my seat so that you and I can mutually exorcise any demons within that community! ELKIN B SUTHERLAND Nassau, January 23, 2012.