
Nigerian mega-pastor TB Joshua has finally broken his silence after his prophecy that Hillary Clinton would win the US presidential election fell flat.
The hugely influential evangelical pastor was mocked by many on social media after the prediction was first deleted and then reinstated on his official Facebook page following Donald Trump’s shock win.
However, many supporters have rushed to defend the controversial pastor, saying that his prophecy was indeed realised, because Mrs Clinton won the popular vote, although she still lost the election based on the US system of electoral college votes.
A new statement on Mr Joshua’s Facebook page echoes this argument, saying:
We have seen the outcome of the election in America. Having read, you will notice that it is all about the popular vote, the vote of the majority of Americans.”
He then makes the following ambiguous comment:
In this case, we need the Spirit of a Prophet to recognize or to know a Prophet. Our levels are different. We are not on the same level.
So how should we interpret these comments? Since Mr Joshua is described on his own church’s website as a prophet, is he saying that other people who are not “at the same level” as him are unable to see what he sees? Or is he saying that none of us as humans can hope to truly understand the word of God?
BBC