HeavenA pastor alleged he was “captured” to Heaven on Easter Sunday during service. Prophet Mboro, pastor and founder of Incredible Happenings Ministries, said he entered the pearly gates and took pictures of confirmation to support his claims. A spokesman for the pastor, whose real name is Paseka Motsoeneng, said those who did not believe could witness the pictures in exchange for a fee equivalent to $330 in U.S. funds.

The pictures which were allegedly taken with the holy man’s Galaxy Smartphone would be sent to paid recipients via WhatsApp. This messaging application crosses platforms allowing users to exchange messages without having to pay. WhatsApp uses the same internet data plan that is used for browsing the web and receiving emails. It is popular for people who do not have free texts or international free messaging.

Not only did the prophet claim to have captured selfies of himself in Heaven, but also said he met the wife of Jesus. In 2012, an ancient papyrus containing a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples was introduced to the world at large.  This documentation includes claims in which Jesus appeared to have used the phrase, “my wife.” The theory of Jesus having a wife instantly became a media sensation.  Just as quickly as it rose to popularity, a Heavensubstantial amount of scholars who are trained as experts in the study of ancient papyri and languages reduced the piece to a modern forgery.  Although the South African preacher claims to have seen the wife of Jesus, the debate of this theory still exists among scholars and scientists.

Pastor Mboro joins a host of people who have alleged trips to the celestial residence. As opposed to other testimonies, the prophet claims to have pictures to confirm his visitation. In recent years, booksellers have had an influx of authors with claims of visits to Heaven after near-death experiences or a time of fasting and prayer. Several theologians have also refuted those claims by saying:

There are many stories full of specific details about what Heaven is like, who is there, and what is happening in the celestial realm. However, when comparing people’s claims with Scripture, it becomes clear that they are merely figments of the human imagination, not true visions of Heaven as it is described in God’s Word.

Just as in times past, the pastor who alleged a trip to Heaven became the victim of much ridicule from citizens of the internet. After netizens slammed him, the prophet promised to upload the heavenly pictures to his Facebook page for free viewing. However, before Mboro could substantiate the undertaking, his phone mysteriously disappeared from a local car wash. One of the South African pastor’s bodyguards claimed he saw the pictures before the phone was stolen. After ensuring that the people who sent in a payment would be refunded, the bodyguard said:

The pictures were really there, I saw them. We suspect one of the boys washing the Prophet’s car took the phone. But they all denied taking it, even after we threatened them.

After reports of the story went viral, the South Africa Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities made its intention to file criminal charges against the pastor public. The Commission is charging Prophet Mboro for fraud and will issue a subpoena for the proclaimed selfies.

After receiving threats of criminal charges, the pastor said the Facebook account attempting to sell any such images does not belong to him. Now, the pastor who allegedly went to Heaven and took pictures as confirmation has reportedly lost the evidence and recanted the supposed visit to Paradise.

By Cherese Jackson (Virginia)

Sources:

Christian Daily: Prophet Mboro says he lost his Galaxy smartphone containing alleged ‘selfies from heaven’
eNews Channel Africa: Pastor Mboro’s celestial photos lost
News 24: This Pastor went to heaven and took snaps to prove it
Discovery Communications: ‘Gospel of Jesus’s Wife’ Papyrus’ Improbable Journey

Photo Credits:

Top Image Courtesy of YouTube – Screen Capture
Inline Image Courtesy of Prophet Mboro – Wikimedia CC License
Featured Image Courtesy of Dezignor – Shutterstock CC License

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