The Open Heavens 9 July 2026 devotional for today is THE CITY OF THE DEAD.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 9 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: THE CITY OF THE DEAD
MEMORISE:
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians 2:13
READ: Ephesians 2:1-6
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 9 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Years ago, I visited a country which had one of the largest cemeteries in the world. On top of every grave in that cemetery, there is a concrete slab, and some homeless residents of that city lived in tents that were built over these slabs. For that reason, the cemetery was called the city of the dead’.
Beloved, do you know that people who have not given their lives to Christ or who claim to have done so but are still indulging in sin are living in a spiritual city of the dead?
Today’s Bible reading tells us that we were once dead in our sins and trespasses before Jesus made us alive through His death and resurrection. He went to the city of the dead and took the keys of hell and death from satan (Revelation 1:18). Jesus died so that nobody would have to experience the torture of eternal death. If you are currently living in the city of the dead, I implore you to escape from there right now by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour before it is too late. Turn to Him today, and He will change your address from the city of the dead to the Kingdom of Life.
If you are God’s child, it is your responsibility to preach the gospel to those who haven’t given their lives to Jesus Christ. Don’t be so busy minding your business that you neglect the Lord’s business of witnessing to lost souls. Sometimes, the blessing you desire is hidden in your obedience to the Lord’s command to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
Years ago, a lady was praying to God for a husband, and God told her, Go out and win souls. Your husband is not part of My family yet.” She obeyed and focused on preaching to the lost.
About six months later, she came to me and said, “Daddy, I have a problem.” I asked her what the problem was, and she said, “One of the converts that I have just won to Christ says that he wants to marry me.” I asked her to pray about it and accept his proposal if she’s convinced about him. Today, they are one of the best couples that I know.
Beloved, if God has saved you from the city of the dead, don’t be selfish; reach out to those who are still living there so they can also join you in His Kingdom of Life.
KEY POINT
It is every Christian’s responsibility to witness to those who are still living in the city of the dead.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Proverbs 30-31
Open Heavens HYMN 32: TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 9 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Colossians 2:13
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”
This verse describes the spiritual condition of every person before Christ.
BIBLE READING: Ephesians 2:1-6
This passage is one of the most complete summaries of the gospel in Scripture. Paul describes the pre-conversion state of every believer: dead in trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (Satan), living in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind, and by nature children of wrath, even as others. But then the great transition: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ… and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.“
The City of the Dead: A Sobering Illustration
1. The Cemetery That Became a Home
“Years ago, I visited a country which had one of the largest cemeteries in the world. On top of every grave in that cemetery, there is a concrete slab, and some homeless residents of that city lived in tents that were built over these slabs. For that reason, the cemetery was called ‘the city of the dead’.”
This is a haunting image:
| The Physical Reality | The Spiritual Parallel |
|---|---|
| A cemetery filled with graves | The world without Christ |
| Concrete slabs over each grave | Spiritual deadness covering every lost soul |
| Homeless people living on top of graves | Lost people going about daily life while spiritually dead |
| They called it “the city of the dead” | The Bible calls the lost “dead in trespasses and sins” |
These homeless residents were physically alive—eating, sleeping, moving, talking. But they lived in a cemetery, surrounded by death. They called their dwelling place “the city of the dead” because they slept on graves.
“Beloved, do you know that people who have not given their lives to Christ or who claim to have done so but are still indulging in sin are living in a spiritual city of the dead?”
| The Spiritual City of the Dead | Who Lives There |
|---|---|
| Those who have never given their lives to Christ | The unreached, the resistant, the unrepentant |
| Those who claim to be saved but live in sin | Nominal Christians, hypocrites, the self-deceived |
| Those who are spiritually dead but physically alive | The majority of the world |
They may look alive. They may go to work, raise families, laugh, and plan for the future. But spiritually, they are corpses walking. They live in the city of the dead.
2. What It Means to Be Dead in Sin
“Today’s Bible reading tells us that we were once dead in our sins and trespasses before Jesus made us alive through His death and resurrection.”
| What Spiritual Death Means | What It Is Not |
|---|---|
| Separation from God, the source of all life | Physical death (cessation of bodily functions) |
| Inability to respond to God without His grace | Inability to make choices in natural life |
| Under the dominion of Satan (“prince of the power of the air”) | Under the control of every demon |
| A child of wrath by nature | A child of God by nature |
Ephesians 2:1 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
The lost person is not sick; he is dead. He does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection. He does not need reformation; he needs regeneration. Only the same power that raised Jesus from the dead can raise a sinner from spiritual death.
3. The Escape: Jesus Took the Keys
“He went to the city of the dead and took the keys of hell and death from satan (Revelation 1:18). Jesus died so that nobody would have to experience the torture of eternal death.”
Revelation 1:18 – “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
| Before Jesus | After Jesus |
|---|---|
| Satan held the power of death (Hebrews 2:14) | Jesus took the keys of hell and death |
| Death was the final enemy | Death is a defeated enemy |
| The grave had dominion | The grave has been conquered |
| The city of the dead was a permanent address | There is an escape: Jesus |
“If you are currently living in the city of the dead, I implore you to escape from there right now by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour before it is too late. Turn to Him today, and He will change your address from the city of the dead to the Kingdom of Life.”
| Your Address Without Christ | Your Address With Christ |
|---|---|
| City of the dead | Kingdom of Life |
| Dead in trespasses and sins | Alive together with Christ |
| Children of wrath | Children of God |
| Following the prince of the power of the air | Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus |
Do not stay in the cemetery. Do not live on top of graves. Jesus has taken the keys. He has opened the door. Escape now.
The Responsibility of the Living: Go Back to the City of the Dead
1. Preach the Gospel to Those Still Dead
“If you are God’s child, it is your responsibility to preach the gospel to those who haven’t given their lives to Jesus Christ. Don’t be so busy minding your business that you neglect the Lord’s business of witnessing to lost souls.”
| Minding Your Own Business | Doing the Lord’s Business |
|---|---|
| Focused on career, family, hobbies | Focused on the Great Commission |
| Comfortable in your salvation | Concerned for the lost |
| Pray for your needs only | Pray for souls to be saved |
| Neglect the cemetery around you | Go back to the city of the dead to rescue others |
“Sometimes, the blessing you desire is hidden in your obedience to the Lord’s command to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations.”
Your breakthrough may be buried in your witness. Your miracle may come wrapped in a mission trip. Your answer may arrive as you open your mouth to speak to someone who is still dead in sin.
2. The Lady Who Prayed for a Husband
“Years ago, a lady was praying to God for a husband, and God told her, ‘Go out and win souls. Your husband is not part of My family yet.’ She obeyed and focused on preaching to the lost.”
| The Lady’s Request | God’s Response |
|---|---|
| “Lord, give me a husband” | “Go win souls” |
| She expected God to bring a saved man | God revealed her husband was not yet saved |
| She could have complained | She obeyed |
“About six months later, she came to me and said, ‘Daddy, I have a problem.’ I asked her what the problem was, and she said, ‘One of the converts that I have just won to Christ says that he wants to marry me.’”
| Her Obedience | The Result |
|---|---|
| She went out to win souls | Her future husband was among the converts |
| She focused on the Lord’s business | The Lord attended to her business |
| She preached to the dead | Her husband was made alive and then became her partner |
“I asked her to pray about it and accept his proposal if she’s convinced about him. Today, they are one of the best couples that I know.”
The blessing she desired was hidden in her obedience. She thought she was going to win souls. God was sending her to meet her husband. The same is true for you. Your obedience in witnessing may unlock the very answer you have been praying for.
What Keeps Believers from Witnessing
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here are common excuses and the responses:
| Excuse for Not Witnessing | The Truth |
|---|---|
| “I’m too busy” | You are never too busy to rescue the dying |
| “I don’t know what to say” | You know what Jesus did for you. Start there. |
| “I’m afraid of rejection” | Eternity is at stake; fear of rejection is not greater than fear of hell |
| “People won’t listen” | Some will. You are responsible for sowing, not for the harvest. |
| “Let me get my own life together first” | You will never be perfect. Witness now. |
How to Fulfill Your Responsibility to the City of the Dead (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to reach out to those still living in spiritual death:
1. Recognize That They Are Not Your Enemies
The homeless residents of the cemetery were not evil—they were desperate. Likewise, the lost are not your enemies; they are captives of the enemy. Have compassion on them. They live on graves. They need someone to tell them there is a way out.
2. Start with Prayer
Before you speak to anyone, pray: “Lord, open the eyes of the spiritually dead around me. Give me opportunities to speak. Give me boldness when the opportunity comes.”
You do not need a theology degree. You need a story. Tell them: “I was once dead in my sins. I lived in the city of the dead. But Jesus made me alive. He can do the same for you.”
4. Obey Even When You Don’t See the Connection
The lady who prayed for a husband did not know that her obedience in witnessing would bring her husband. You do not know what blessing is hidden in your next conversation. Obey anyway.
5. Make Disciples, Not Just Converts
Do not just lead someone to Christ and abandon them. Teach them. Baptize them. Help them grow. The lady’s convert became her husband because he was discipled, not just converted.
Warning: Do Not Stay Comfortable in the Kingdom While Others Perish
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: it is selfish to enjoy your salvation while others remain dead.
| Selfish Christianity | Biblical Christianity |
|---|---|
| “I have my ticket to heaven” | “How can I bring others?” |
| “I am saved; that’s enough” | “I am saved to save others” |
| “Let them find their own way” | “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) |
“Beloved, if God has saved you from the city of the dead, don’t be selfish; reach out to those who are still living there so they can also join you in His Kingdom of Life.”
| What You Have Received | What You Must Give |
|---|---|
| Forgiveness of all trespasses | The message of forgiveness |
| Life instead of death | The offer of life |
| A new address (Kingdom of Life) | An invitation to move |
Conclusion: Your Prayer for the Lost and for Boldness
Daddy Adeboye closes with an imploration: escape from the city of the dead if you are still there, and if you have escaped, go back to rescue others.
Pray this (if you are not yet saved):
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I have been living in the city of the dead—dead in trespasses and sins. I have been physically alive but spiritually dead. Today, I hear Your voice calling me out of the cemetery. You died to take the keys of hell and death. You rose to give me life. I turn from my sins. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Change my address from the city of the dead to the Kingdom of Life. Write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name.”
Pray this (if you are saved but have been silent):
“Lord Jesus, You rescued me from the city of the dead. Forgive me for the times I have been selfish with my salvation—comfortable in the Kingdom while others perished on graves. Forgive me for being so busy with my own business that I neglected Your business of witnessing. Today, I ask for boldness. Open my eyes to the lost around me. Use me to preach the gospel. Let my obedience unlock blessings I have not yet seen. And like the lady who won her husband through witnessing, let me see those I lead to Christ become part of my eternal family. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Address Check: Ask yourself honestly: Am I still living in the city of the dead, or have I been made alive in Christ? If you are not sure, settle it today. Confess, believe, receive.
- The Witnessing Target: Identify one person in your life who is still spiritually dead (unsaved). Commit to praying for them daily for the next 30 days. Ask God for an opportunity to share the gospel with them.
- The Obedience Blessing: Ask God: What blessing have I hidden in my disobedience? What answer to prayer am I missing because I have not gone out to witness? Then go. Speak. Invite. The blessing may be closer than you think.
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