Apostle John Okoriko, founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Akwa Ibom State, has stirred nationwide debate with a controversial theological claim — stating that heaven and hell are not physical places, but spiritual experiences lived on Earth.
During the church’s monthly Interactive Service held at its Ibekwe Akpan Nya headquarters in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the respected cleric addressed questions from online participants under the theme “Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus.”
In a bold reinterpretation of traditional Christian doctrine, Apostle Okoriko said:
“Heavenly places in Christ Jesus are not located beyond the skies. They are experienced wherever God intervenes in your life. God met Moses and the elders of Israel on Mount Sinai — right here on Earth.”
He emphasized that God’s presence is accessible to all believers whose hearts are pure, stating:
“There is no place called heaven or hell. When your heart is pure, God lives in you. That is heaven. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Heaven and Hell: A Spiritual Reality, Not a Destination
Apostle Okoriko’s remarks challenge centuries-old interpretations of Christian eschatology, which often depict heaven as an eternal paradise and hell as a place of punishment. According to him, these are spiritual states, not geographical locations.
He explained further that everything visible on Earth exists in the spiritual realm as well — including trees, animals, markets, roads, and even money — and that these spiritual parallels are accessed by faith in Christ Jesus.
“The spiritual world mirrors the physical. Through Christ, believers can tap into spiritual versions of earthly things. This is the true meaning of heavenly places,” he said.
Apostle Okoriko Urges Self-Reliance Amid Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing economic hardship, Apostle Okoriko called on citizens to stop depending solely on the government and instead embrace entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and hard work.
“Don’t just blame the government. Use your hands to create opportunities. Millionaires are not made by miracles but by diligence and determination,” he advised.
He emphasized that while faith is important, practical steps like skill acquisition, productivity, and innovation are key to overcoming poverty and unemployment.
Mixed Reactions Trail Apostle Okoriko’s Theological Views
Since his statement, Apostle Okoriko’s views have sparked intense reactions across religious and social platforms. While some Christians welcomed his interpretation as a deeper, more personal understanding of faith, others accused him of promoting heresy and doctrinal confusion.
His sermon continues to trend on platforms like Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram, with hashtags such as #HeavenOnEarth, #OkorikoSpeaks, and #NoHellDoctrine gaining momentum.
As conversations unfold, Apostle Okoriko remains firm in his belief that spiritual enlightenment and scriptural understanding must evolve with time, urging Christians to seek a more experiential and faith-based walk with God.
