By Femi Obembe

Dearly beloved,

It’s a joy to share my faith with you again—this time in response to two sincere and challenging questions I received after commenting on a YouTube interview. The video featured a religious sect in Ghana called “Seekers of Truth,” which promotes human empowerment apart from God. One of the speakers questioned the logic of praying against evil, citing the passage where an evil spirit from the Lord troubled Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). He asked, “If evil comes from God, why do we pray against it?”  My response to this question prompted two interesting replies:

1. “Saved from what?”
2. “My great-great-grandparents died before the Bible reached Africa. Does that mean they went to Hell? Who’s to blame if that’s the case?”

These questions are not trivial. They reflect a deep hunger for truth—one that many in our generation share. Despite the abundance of churches across Africa, many still struggle to grasp the heart of Christianity. Sadly, some modern corporate churches, in their effort to attract large congregations and remain financially viable, often soften or massaged the harder truths of Scripture. This is not unexpected as any modern corporate church that must pay its bills regularly must necessarily yield to some compromises in one way or the other so as not to offend some members of the congregation.

Saved from What?

Let’s begin with Romans 1:18:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

Here, Paul identifies three reasons for divine wrath: ungodliness, unrighteousness, and unbelief. Humanity stands guilty before God, and the only remedy is to embrace Christ—the righteousness of God.  This question, “Saved from what?” reminds me of the days of Noah, when unrighteousness was rampant. Yet Noah was described as a righteous man, and God saved him and his family from the flood that destroyed the world. Before the flood, Noah warned his generation of impending judgment, but they mocked him. They ridiculed the ark he built—until the rain came and it was too late.

Similarly, in Sodom and Gomorrah, God revealed to Abraham that He would destroy the cities because of their depravity. When two angels visited Lot, the men of the city sought to violate them—choosing abomination over righteousness. Lot was warned to flee, and God rained down fire and sulfur, destroying the cities.

These are not fairy tales. They are historical judgments that foreshadow the final judgment to come. Just as in Noah’s day, many today scoffs at the idea of divine wrath. But the delay in judgment is not denial—it is God’s mercy, giving us time to repent (2 Pet. 3:9).

What About Those Who Never Saw the Bible?

This is a sincere and important question. Did those who lived before the Bible reached Africa perish without hope?  Let us consider Noah and Abraham. The Bible had not yet been written in their time, yet they were counted righteous. Why?

Paul answers in Romans 1:19–20:

“That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

Before the Ten Commandments, before the written Word, God placed a conscience in every human heart—a moral compass that points to Him. The heavens declare His glory. The sun, moon, and stars proclaim His majesty. Creation itself is a testimony.  So, for those who never held a Bible, God will judge them by the light they received—through conscience, nature, and revelation. The question is not whether they had a Bible, but whether they responded to the truth God made known to them.

Dearly beloved, Christ is coming again—not as a lamb, but as a judge. Let us not be distracted by the fleeting pleasures and false promises of this world. Let us prepare to meet our Maker with reverence and readiness.  I pray that God will help us stand firm, walk in truth, and remain focused on His return.

Thank you for reading this message. Please remember: God loves you—and so do I.