Chapter 9

REINCARNATION

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


One life time is not enough for you to become perfect
as your Heavenly Father is perfect.


Questions For The Clergy.
 Moses later became Solomon, who later became Daniel?
Joseph later became Samuel?
David later became Elijah, who later became John the Baptist, and later St Paul?
Sarah later became Rachel, who later became Mary?
Esau later became Gorge Washington, who later became General Douglass MacArthur?
Miriam later became Elizabeth?

Judas was the Egyptian killed by Moses?
Herod later became Hitler or another wicked person?
 It is time to wake up from slumber!
Is not amazing that the children of the world seem to be wiser the children of God?
Again, they seem to be more knowledgeable? Even Jesus wondered why.

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves (made you to re-incarnate), And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 37:11-14

Meaning of Reincarnation
          Reincarnation means that a person who had died comes back to live again on earth by being born again in human flesh.

Advantages of Reincarnation
          Reincarnation provides the following benefits:
  1. Enables each person understand what he is.
  2. Makes one to right the wrongs which he committed, by compensation or punishment.
  3. Incline people to know the Truth about life, and thereby clear misconceptions, assumptions, false beliefs and blind faith.
  4. Enables a person determine the life he wants to live and hold himself accountable for his destiny.
  5. Help parents, adults and child professionals in understanding the problems of children and how to solve, prevent or ameliorate them.
  6. Greatly improves and sustains relationship between persons, families, tribes and nations.
  7. Enables a person understand his level in life: physically, spiritually and otherwise.
  8. Enables the ministers of God know and teach what is true.
Different Schools Of Thoughts
          Mankind is divided on issue of reincarnation. Some believe in reincarnation, while others do not. Among the Israelites, the Sadducees believed in reincarnation, while the Pharisees did not believe. Jesus himself confirmed that reincarnation is real.
         Ogbanje in Igbo society means “a person who reincarnates” – who comes again and again. There were several cases of it in the time past. The truth is that everybody is an “Ogbanje.” However, it is only those whose reincarnation proves troublesome that are often called Ogbanje.
         A person’s worth is not determined by one incarnation alone. In the series of incarnations, there are rises and falls, when one is either dominant or recessive.

Evidences Of Reincarnation
          Evidence of reincarnation abound. It is rather unfortunate that pagans seem to understand these things better than Christians. The evidences include: Natural cycles, biblical testimonies, familiar faces, retribution, Ogbanje, even scientific research and documentation.
  1. Elijah Came As John The Baptist

    • God said He will first send Elijah, just before the Messiah comes.

      Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1

    • He repeated the same message. In prophecy, a repeat is a sign of certainty. See Pharaoh’s dreams. Also, refer to Joseph’s dreams.

      Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers (repentance and recouncilliation), lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:5, 6

    • Elijah actually reincarnated as John the Baptist. He knew it. He attended school, where he was told who he was, what he came to do, and how to do immersion baptism.

      There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1: 6-9

    • Jesus confirmed that John was Elijah.

      For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:13-15

    • Jesus re-affirmed the reincarnation (John as Elijah)

      And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:9-13

    • Again, He confirmed it. Among all the men of God of the Bible, none except John the Baptist, was frequently mentioned by Jesus as His forerunner.

      7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:

      "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' … 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 16 "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying:

      'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.'

      18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children." Matthew 11:7-19

    • Jesus even made it clear that it is not everybody that would believe in reincarnation.

      He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:15

    • If John is not Elijah, then the Messiah has not yet come, because it is Elijah that will herald His coming.

      Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1

    • Of all the men of God written about in the Bible, it was only John that immediately and suddenly followed by Jesus, because John preceded Jesus by only a time gap of six months. No other great man of God fulfilled this condition given by God for identifying the Messiah.

    • John the Baptist himself confirmed it.

      Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. John 3:25-28

    • Again John confirmed it,

      And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. John 1:25-27

    • Of all the prophets and Men of God, only John the Baptist fulfilled all the roles expected of Elijah.

  2. God said Four Times That David Would Reincarnate.

    • 23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them — My servant David . He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. Ezekiel 34:23-24

    • 24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. 25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Ezekiel 37:24-25

  3. Natural Cycles: the events of nature happen in cyclic form. They repeat themselves. Hence, day and night, dry and wet seasons, Nitrogen cycle, Hydrogen cycle, Water cycle, rehearsals, etc. That is to say that once is not enough, and continuity is by repetition.

  4. God said He would do it (make people to reincarnate):

    Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves (made you to re-incarnate), And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 37:11-14

             This statement was made after Ezekiel had turned dried bones into living beings. In other words, God was not referring to the bones. More over, God said that He would send David again to shepherd the Israelites.

    24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Ezekiel 37:24-25

    5.          For example, majority of mankind perceive Adam and Eve as sinners and disloyal. People do not see them as good individuals. But, according to Biblical records, it was the two that started our modern day:
    • Fasting
    • Prayers
    • Worship
    • Songs and praises
    • Offering
    • Penance
    • Child presentation
    • Naming ceremony
    • Rites of holiness
    • Etc

             These are enough reasons why we should love them and praise God because of them. Besides,
    • They were heroes, Indeed!

    • They laboured a lot.

    • They were the first among mankind to start the battle against Satan.

    • They proved themselves steadfast in their love for God.

    • They were the first to receive the promise of salvation


  5. Angel Gabriel spoke about it and gave a sign. Luke 1:11-22

    And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

  6. Jesus demonstrated reincarnation several times, by raising the dead. If reincarnation were not real, Jesus would not have been bringing back to life several people who had died during His earthly life.

  7. Familiar faces. They are people we have known and associated with in our previous lives. On several occasions, you hear people say, “that face looks familiar”. And some others say, “I think I know this person.” Yet, there is no prove of having related or associated with the person in the present life.

  8. Personal Experience. There is a place I do visit in spirit. They live on the land, just like ordinary human beings. Each time, I enter the environment or community; I recollect having known the place before. I do visit people there and discuss with them.

  9. Retribution Is Another Evidence Of Reincarnation. Jesus said the measure you give will be the measure you get, and that what a man soweth, that he reapeth. These statements are true because God is God of justice. A person, who had killed a fellow human being, will eventually be killed as revenge.
    • Cain, killed his brother Abel; he (Cain) was eventually killed.

    • Ahab killed Naboth; eventually Ahab was also killed, and a dog licked Ahab’s blood the same way Naboth’s blood was licked.

    • Elijah killed the fifty prophets of Baal; as revenge, he was killed as John the Baptist.

    • The same is true of Saul who persecuted Christians; he was eventually killed as St Paul.

    • Jesus did not hesitate to advise Peter against killing people with sword.

    • God said He will send David again. It was necessary for David to pay for killing Uriah. The measure you give, will be the measure you get. Matthew 26:52

  10. A Person, who has killed and was not killed in a life time, will be killed in another reincarnation. That is justice, and none escapes from it. The same applies to any person who commits any other crime.

    Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place:
    for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

             Caution: you are advised not to rejoice when people suffer, for you do not know which suffering is a revenge or not. Besides, it is evil and wickedness in the sight of God for a man to rejoice when his fellow is suffering.

  11. The earth is the school house of God. In the same way that people attend school several times, so they reincarnate. One life time is not enough for a person to learn, because the main purpose of life on earth is for mankind to gain experience and maturity. In one life time, a person may be a rich man. In another life time, he is a poor man. He may be great in one life time, and small in another. He could be a soldier in one life time, and a Governor in another. The series of experience add up to the maturity required of him.

  12. Modern scientific evidences confirm. It is regrettable that while some ministers of God denied the reality of reincarnation, modern science has, through Professors and Doctors, proved beyond all reasonable doubts that reincarnation is true.

Why People Do Not Believe In Reincarnation
         One, they do not recollect their previous lives.
         Two, they cannot identify their previous relations and loved ones.
         Three, they do not see any signs of continuity of life or experiences in the subsequent reincarnations.
         Four, many are actually dead in spirit.
         Five, many do not believe it. And it is a spiritual law that a person be excluded from what he does not believe. Hence, the statement that those who are excluded, exclude themselves. To be dead in spirit means to be ignorant of spiritual realities, as well as failing to develop spiritually as a person should.
         Six, there has not been a corresponding spiritual research and development just as the science have. Here lies a serious and necessary challenge for the clergy, irrespective of denomination, colour, sex or race. it is interesting to note that doctors and professors have now proved the reality of reincarnation. That is what the clergy should have done.
         Seven, Jesus said that many of the rich people shall become poor, and that many of the poor people shall become rich.

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Luke 6:25

         This refers to reincarnation, for in the effort to ensure balance and justice, positions are swapped in the next reincarnations. The strong becomes weak, and the weak becomes strong, etc. This fact is well expressed in Eccl. 9:11,12

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time (remembers not his previous lives and deeds): as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time (controlled by re-incarnation and Zodiac), when it falleth suddenly upon them.”

         Eight, at times, the few people that have the knowledge do not attempt to enlighten others because of persecutions, allegations and misunderstandings.
         Nine, everything about reincarnation is well summarized in Ecclesiastics.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. Ecclisiastics1:9, 10

         Undoubtedly, Solomon was making a very important observation. However, he may not be aware of the spiritual significance of his statement concerning reincarnation.

How Nature Handles Reincarnation
          There are Angels in charge of plants, and there are Angels in charge of the animals. As well, there are Angels who take charge of human destiny. These Angels ensure that what a person sows in one lifetime, he reaps the same in another reincarnation.
         The Angels in charge of destiny limit human consciousness at birth. Much of the mental records of what happened in the previous lives are shifted from the conscious mind to the subconscious mind. In this way, they prevent information overload for the new born baby. A clean slate appears blank. Yet, the spiritual knows that the same blank slate still contains all the writings previously made on it.
         Some people are able to recollect parts of the subconscious records in their dream state. The very dreams which people treat as mere figments of imaginations are real, as messages from God, full of significant details.
         Nature is wise in concealing the details of our previous lives for our own advantages.
         One, it prevents pride and pomposity. A child who knows that he was a President or Chief Judge in the previous lifetime may be inclined to being boastful, disrespectful and complacent. An adult who previously was a Bishop, and who failed in the present life is likely to always remind people that “After all, I was a Bishop in my last reincarnation”.
         Two, the concealment serves as a guard against unnecessary regrets and depression. A person, who was rich in the previous life, may become despondent if he fails to regain his former riches and wealth in the present life.
         Three, the concealment limits the amount of suffering people undergo. The suffering only lasts as long as the hardship occurs. Otherwise, people who foreknow what suffering they are going to encounter will be in turmoil long before the actual suffering, and long after the occurrence. Indeed, nature is wise and wonderful. And God made it so. Praise God!