The story behind JIL’s 35th anniversary theme
JIL people all over the world are now one in heart as they eagerly wait for October 25 to come. It is JIL’s 35th Anniversary!
It will be another celebration and thanksgiving, and yet again, it will be another life-changing experience for all JIL people who are known for their cry, “Love for God and Country!”
www.jilworldwide.org reporter Karen S. Libunao presents here her interview with Rev. Bobot Bernardo, JIL Director for Education and Discipleship. Pastor Bobot shares why this year’s theme, REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, will impact not only the JIL Church but our beloved country, the Philippines.
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Why Revolution of Righteousness? Can you share with us the story why this was chosen as this year’s Anniversary theme?
REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is a theme that came from our Spiritual Director, Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s, intimate communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. It was God’s revelation to him after a season of prayer and fasting. Afterwards, JIL’s Executive Management Board (EMB) agreed that this was a timely theme for the celebrations this year.
What does the theme imply? What can be the impact of this year’s theme?
Our theme this year is very prophetic. It reveals God’s will, His instructions, and His Word to the Body of Christ and to the nation. With our calling as a prophetic church, we recognize that the theme contains the commands and revelations of God for the JIL Church, all towards the fulfillment of His glorious plan for the church and nation. When we say REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, this is for the JIL Church. But it also transcends JIL, it is for the Body of Christ and the nation as a whole.
The theme is also progressive. Notice that for our 28th anniversary, the theme was, “Be Still and Know That I am God”. On the 29th, “Your Kingdom Come.” On the 30th, “All Peoples Worship His Majesty. On the 31st, “Lupang Hinirang.” It was the year when typhoon Ondoy devastated the Philippines.
On the 32nd, “Soaring Higher From Strength to Strength. On the 33rd, “Great God, Great Outpouring”. Last Year, we had “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” God has led us towards themes which are progressive. After preparing the way of the Lord, after declaring Great God, great outpouring, now is the time for radical change.
Somehow, the theme is also promotional. It is palatable and understandable to the general public. We want to teach all pillars of society about REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. When they hear the word “revolution,” people easily understand that it is radical. “Righteousness,” they know that it can never be separated from God.
It is also transcending, its nature trumpets the message of God to the entire humanity. It becomes the mirror and the conscience of the nation. The theme transcends to economy, politics, and the Body of Christ.
How about this year’s anniversary design (backdrop)? Can you tell us the story behind this?
It symbolizes that there is a war between light and darkness. But then the Cross is there! The message is simply, there could be a REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS only when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns in the country, in the Body of Christ, and in JIL. Minus Jesus Christ, minus the power of the Cross, there is no such thing as REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Kindly explain the role of righteousness in the present situation of our society. How can we, JIL people, initiate or start this kind of revolution?
The theme is timely. It reflects the very core of what is happening in the church right now. It addresses the immediate and distant needs of the church. It answers the question why the particular event in the church is happening. It underscores the revelation beyond what is happening right now.
There had been many attempts to attain peace and prosperity. Mind revolution from Rizal, armed revolution from Bonifacio, people power revolution. But it seems that these are not enough. Let us involve God this time. When we say REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, as Christians, we declare our absolute submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. This submission to Him would then affect what is happening to our country right now, in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The answer to all our problems is for the country to bow down in the name of the Lord and ask Him, “Lord, reign! Let Your righteousness reign in the government, in the Body of Christ, in the entire Philippines.”
We see the need to urgently trumpet righteousness. What if one day we all wake up to a devastating earthquake? What if there would be total chaos on earth? Shall we wait that all these happen? Why not ask the Lord even now, “Lord intervene in the affairs of our nation!” The point is that we need to involve God this time. We already had so many revolutions. Now, let there be a REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. And it must start in the house of God. Then, let’s allow it to spread to all the pillars of society. Let it affect the entire nation. And let God’s presence cover all the earth.
A Christian living in a REVOLUTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS means he is living in the will of God. He will do whatever is pleasing before the sight of the living God.