Shun religious tourism – Cleric tells christians 

Founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Akwa Ibom State Apostle John Okoriko has called on Nigerian Christians to desist from embarking on yearly religious tourism to Jerusalem as God’s presence is not restricted to Jerusalem alone but felt in all places.

Speaking in Ukam in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State during the monthly interactive service on Sunday with the theme ‘Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, Part 2, Apostle Okoriko described religious tourism as an exercise in futility done out of ignorance.

He stated that all the biblical miracles of God in Israel were the manifestation of Heavenly Places which was transient but peculiar to the people of that time.

“As we are seating here on earth, we are in heavenly place. You don’t need to go to the sky before you reach heaven. The earth is the footstool of the Lord. We are not far away from God. What we are teaching about heaven is in Christ Jesus not the doctrine of religion “he said.

Okoriko advised Nigerians to cultivate relationship with God and experience heavenly places in Christ instead of running to Jerusalem as the holy land which has expired and taken over by war, killing of innocent people and religion.

“Pilgrimage is an exercise in futility because you cannot confine God to one place. God believes in showing himself to people in a personal way.

God is universal and he is not stationery in one place”

“Why do you run to Jerusalem to pick mud sand, broken stones, water and other materials things that have nothing to do with your salvation in Christ Jesus” the clergy asked

Okorikoexplained that when Christ came, he condemned all religious beliefs and systems in his time and said heaven and earth shall pass away but his words will stand forever.

He disclosed that man should be conscious that he is not in the world alone but strengthen by God.

Okoriko said men believed that they will go to heaven when they die adding that heavenly things such as heavenly places does not wait for people to die before they can access it.

“Heavenly Places can occur not only through your faith but during oppression, calamities, sickness and wickedness against God’s people. Heavenly Places is all about God’s information on what will happen to you, your enemy etc.

“Heaven and Hell are in our soul not by seeking for God’s presence in “holy land of Jerusalem” as the Lord will give us a new Jerusalem after the present one has corrupt”